<p>I have a meeting upstate (Binghamton) so I need to fly in and drive up the evening before. The choices are nonstop into JFK arrving at either 3:15 pm or 5:20 pm (i.e, rush hour), or flying into Newark arrving at 7:15 pm.</p>
<p>Any suggestions? If JFK, is there an easy way to get thru/around the City?</p>
<p>Why fly to NYC and drive all that way? Can’t you fly to a more convenient airport, such as Syracuse?</p>
<p>If flying to NYC is the only choice, I would say go with JFK because the Newark flight gets in so late. It’s at least a three hour drive from the NYC vicinity to Binghamton. If you choose the Newark flight, you would arrive in Binghamton awfully late.</p>
<p>But it is MUCH easier to drive to Binghamton from Newark, since you are already on the west side of the Hudson and won’t have to deal wtih NYC traffic; you can connect very easily with the necessary interstate highways to get you to Binghamton because Newark Airport is basically right off the Turnpike and I-78–check a map to see what I mean. Getting into JFK at rush hour won’t save you much time at all.</p>
<p>I second the suggestion to fly into Newark. Much easier trip. If you’re not stopping in the City, why not fly closer to Binghamton?</p>
<p>Might check on flights to Westchester County airport - major carriers go there more frequently now</p>
<p>I live in Westchester (15 minutes from the airport) and it is exactly 3 hours from my house to Binghamton. I would also agree that Newark’s an easier drive, but that flight gets in really late. By the time you arrive, rent a car and head out you’re probably looking at arriving in Binghamton close to midnite…does driving at night bother you? Syracuse is only an hour out of Binghamton, so if you can get a flight there it would be a lot easier.</p>
<p>I was hoping to layover in NYC after my meeting (for a little sightseeing), so flying into the city area makes some sense (I think). If JFK, would it be advisable to avoid Manhattan on the way out during rush hour, such as driving north towards White Plains, on I-95, I-87, I-84, SR-17? Or, just tough it out on I-95 thru Manhattan?</p>
<p>Rush hour is rush hour and the roads that go through the outer boroughs and the suburbs can be very clogged at any time. Keep in mind too that if you are thinking of a layover it is no harder to get into NYC from Newark than from JFK, thanks to the train from Newark Airport to Penn Station.</p>
<p>When I was at Columbia I thought flying into Newark was much easier. If I were going from JFK to Binghampton I’d take 678 to I-95 and go across the GW Bridge. I don’t think the detour to the Tappan Zee bridge (287) would save you any time. You sure you don’t just want to fly to Albany or Syracuse? (Not a fan of driving.)</p>
<p>Check that your rental car company wouldn’t allow you to fly into Syracuse and out of or LaGuardia (the easiest Manhattan airposrt IMO). The best times arrive at Newark and drive upstate would be 10 am to 3 pm and after 7:30 pm.</p>
<p>Another option might be to fly down to Manhattan from Syracuse and take a cab to the airport on the way home. Driving in Manhattan is for the brave of heart and soul.</p>
<p>Likewise, the best time to depart Manhattan is 12 noon (figuring you’ll have to be at the airport 2 hours ahead of time --or is it 3?) to 5 pm.</p>
<p>JFK is by far the most difficult airport.</p>
<p>Every single time I deal with JFK I swear <strong>never again!</strong> And I have lived in this area for 25 years now. I would fly into Newark and drive up from there … </p>
<p>If you look at a good map of NYC you will see why flying into JFK and then <em>attempting</em> to drive out to upstate NY is not the best plan. </p>
<p>I might also look at flights into Stewart – close to 84 and NYS thruway. I would not wish driving RT 17 at night to Bing on anyone however. If it were me … I would take the late flight to Newark (if I can’t get to Stewart), stay overnight, arise at the pre-crack of dawn and drive to Bing.</p>
<p>thanks, all, for your suggestions.</p>
<p>runnersmom got me thinking that I don’t enjoy the night driving as I did in the dark ages. If its not too much additional cost, I’ll see about flying into 'Cuse and out of a NYC airport. The additional rental car fee would be offset by gas and wear and tear on the body.</p>