Will I Make It in Time?

[joytobroadway]

Posted: 1/1/19 at 3:42pm

Hello and Happy New Year!

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.

Thanks!

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/1/19 at 3:53pm

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.

[(Insert Clever Name)]

Posted: 1/1/19 at 5:24pm

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?

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 1/1/19 at 5:47pm

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's possible but expect to be rushed.

[mordav]

Posted: 1/1/19 at 5:49pm

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.”

Updated On: 1/1/19 at 05:49 PM

[PatrickDC]

Posted: 1/1/19 at 6:06pm

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.

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 1/1/19 at 6:12pm

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.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 1/1/19 at 7:03pm

No way, I live in NYC and wouldn't do it..why chance it on a Friday during winter and @ JFK during rush hour!?

Btw, which terminal-Airline? If T4 and Delta...forget it! That terminal is huge.

Why stress out just go see 2 shows the next day Saturday.

Updated On: 1/1/19 at 07:03 PM

[jbird5]

Posted: 1/1/19 at 7:35pm

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.

[scarlet721]

Posted: 1/1/19 at 8:01pm

I got through the first sentence and was saying to myself, nope, no way, don't do it.

if your flight is late, if you're at the wrong end of a terminal, if you have to wait for luggage....

as others have said, relax Friday night (or just wander through Time Squares) and do two shows on Saturday.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/1/19 at 8:53pm

Flights coming into JFK don't always arrive on time

[(Insert Clever Name)]

Posted: 1/1/19 at 9:01pm

Dollypop said: "Flights coming into JFK don't always arrive on time"

*rarely

[CedricOates]

Posted: 1/1/19 at 9:02pm

To put it lightly, no

[220Basswood]

Posted: 1/1/19 at 9:36pm

You will be traveling at rush hour.

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.

You are cutting it much too close. 

 

[haterobics]

Posted: 1/1/19 at 9:40pm

The general rule of thumb is... if you start a thread like this, the answer is no.

[Miles2Go2]

Posted: 1/1/19 at 9:41pm

I wouldn’t advise it. As someone suggested, try a cabaret show later than night. Here’s a link to 54 Below:

https://54below.com

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 1/1/19 at 10:53pm

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.

[\_(•_•)_/]

Posted: 1/1/19 at 11:44pm

On a friday?
Doubtful.

[NW]

Posted: 1/2/19 at 12:35am

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.

[Jazzman714]

Posted: 1/2/19 at 4:33pm

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.

[macnyc]

Posted: 1/2/19 at 5:24pm

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!