I am planning a trip for later this month. If my flight lands at JFK at 5:45 PM on a Friday, will I make it in time to see an 8 PM show in the theater district? I will be taking the train from the airport into the city and won't have any checked luggage causing a delay at the airport. I don't mind going straight to the theater from the airport before checking into the hotel.
Thank you in advance for any help! I just don't want to buy a ticket to anything if I'm not going to make it in time.
If youre planning on going straight to the theatre if you encounter delays, then yes. If you see you were able to get into Manhattan with enough time, go ahead and check into your hotel. Just make sure you pick a hotel walking distance as traffic is still a bit much in the Times Square area which could cause delays if youre in a car.
You need to find somewhere to put your luggage though, it wont be allowed in. Also, I would not buy in advance in case you dont make it. Dont want to loose the money do you?
I agree that you shouldn't buy a ticket in advance and a hotel within walking distance is a good idea. 5:45 is cutting it close. You could either be landing very early or very late depending on Air Traffic Control at that hour. That's the beginning of when the European flights start heading out so it's a busy time of day at JFK. Plus you have the usual domestic traffic on top of that.
Also, even though it's rush hour, I'd allocate at least 60-90 min to travel from the terminal to Times Square. You'll need to take the AirTrain to the subway/LIRR and sometimes there can be a brief wait. Then you'll have to wait for the train to Manhattan.
It is possible, on paper, and the planets all align. But Id only try it if youre the kind of person who has a Broadway ticket in your pocket and can still keep your cool when youre sitting on the tarmac and the pilot announces, “Sorry, folks, theres going to be a short delay due to technical difficulties with the jet bridge.”
Wouldnt work for me but thats because Im the kind of guy that likes to get to a theater early, have time to use the restroom, maybe glass of champagne, and read the playbill at my seat. If Im spending $150+ on a ticket I want to enjoy the experience as well as the show itself.
If you do decide to try this my two pieces of advice and you probably already know these: 1) Pack light so you can slip your bag under your seat (both on the plane and the theater). Ive done a few weekend theater blasts and only use a backpack for easy travel. (I dont know how long youre planning to be in NYC.) 2) Get a seat at the front of the plane, either premium or if you can manage, first class. Youll need every minute and if youre in the rear of the plane it could take a long time just to deplane.
I would also add that some of the terminals at JFK are really large. So you could be walking about a mile or more from your gate to the AirTrain. Hopefully you'll get lucky and get a gate near the front of the terminal but keep this in mind too as additional potential travel time.
As an alternative, why dont you go to one of the cabarets instead? They typically have a 9:30 show which is less chancy. Check to see whos appearing, if youre lucky, you can catch some big name Broadway talent.
If your flight lands on time you will get off of the plane by around 6 and then to the taxi stand by 6:15. Since it is rush hour it could take you over an hour to get to the theater district.
Even it your plane gets to the gate on time and that's a huge if on a busy Friday night, by the time you are actually able to get off the plane and walk all the way to the AirTrain that then gets you to the real train, it can be 30-45 minutes or more. So basically, no chance.
The short answer is that you might make it on time, but you could also be very late. I certainly wouldn't plan on seeing one of your must see shows that night. I probably wouldn't even buy a ticket in advance unless I didn't mind eating the cost.
Is there something you're interested in seeing, but is optional for this trip - perhaps something you expect to be available at TKTS or the box office? That way you could grab a ticket at the last minute if you make it in time.
Oy - I'm stressed out just by thinking about it. It's certainly possible to make an 8pm curtain, but why put yourself through all of that worry? Best option: assume you will NOT make it by 8, then if you DO magically get to Times Square before 8pm, try grabbing a ticket at the TKTS line. In the past, I've walked up to the ticket window at 7:45 and been in a theater seat by curtain time.
When I travel, I hate hate hate hate to have to rush. I think the suggestion to see a cabaret act is excellent. That way you can arrive at your hotel (assuming it's nearby), check in, stow your luggage, and head out to a show. I don't normally see cabarets, so I can't recommend any, but you should be able to find something! Have fun in New York!
joined:11/20/18
joined:
11/20/18
Posted: 1/1/19 at 3:42pm