What is the easiest way to get from JFK to Eltingville,NY?
Eltingville is a neighborhood in Staten Island, New York, about 21 miles southwest of JFK Airport. The easiest way to get from JFK to Eltingville depends on your priorities—convenience, cost, or speed—but for most people, “easiest” implies a straightforward, hassle-free option with minimal transfers. Here’s the best choice:
Rideshare or Taxi: Taking an Uber, Lyft, or yellow taxi is the simplest and most direct way. You can find taxis at the stands outside each JFK terminal or request a rideshare via their apps, with pickups at designated spots (e.g., outside baggage claim, following “Ride App Pick Up” signs). The trip takes about 30-50 minutes, depending on traffic, especially around the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, which connects Brooklyn to Staten Island. Costs vary: a taxi might run $70-$100, including the flat JFK rate ($70 to anywhere in NYC), tolls (around $15 for the bridge), and tip, while rideshare prices fluctuate between $60-$120 based on demand and vehicle type. This option drops you right at your destination in Eltingville without navigating public transit or multiple transfers, making it ideal for ease, especially with luggage or if you’re unfamiliar with the area.
Public transit alternatives exist but are less straightforward. You could take the AirTrain from JFK to Jamaica Station ($8.50), then the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to Penn Station ($5-$7), followed by the Staten Island Ferry (free) to St. George, and finally the S59 or S79-SBS bus to Eltingville (about 35-40 minutes, $2.90). This takes 2-2.5 hours total and involves multiple steps, which might feel cumbersome compared to a car. Driving yourself is another option if you have a vehicle, but parking and traffic could complicate things.
For sheer simplicity, a rideshare or taxi wins—it’s door-to-door, requires no planning beyond a few taps on your phone or a quick walk to the cab line, and handles the route for you.