13.5hr JFK layover (10:30pm-12pm), trying to figure out if I can
Hey everyone, so I land at JFK at 22:30 and my next flight is at 12:00 the next day. That's 13.5 hours on paper but after immigration and getting back through security early, I've got more like 9-10 hours to actually do stuff.
I'm carry-on only, no checked bags, and trying to keep costs low so I'm planning on AirTrain + subway instead of a cab, should be around $11 each way.
My original idea was to head to Times Square first since it's still lively that late, kill time overnight, then make my way to Brooklyn Bridge for sunrise and grab breakfast in DUMBO before heading back to JFK. But now I'm second guessing it because:
- subway runs way less often overnight, like 20-30 min gaps instead of the usual 5-10
- I don't want to be stuck trying to get back from Brooklyn with cutting it close on time
- honestly just really don't want to risk missing my connection
So now I'm thinking maybe I just stay in Manhattan the whole time instead. Times Square at night, walk around till the city starts waking up, maybe post up somewhere like Grand Central or Bryant Park for the early morning hours, then head back with a solid 3 hour buffer before my flight.
Wanted to ask people who've actually done something like this:
- Is it smarter to just stick to Manhattan or is Brooklyn Bridge + DUMBO still realistic without adding risk
- If I'm walking around Manhattan overnight, anywhere I should avoid or definitely check out
- Is a 3 hour buffer back at JFK overkill or is that actually smart for an international connection
Just trying to make the most of this layover without gambling on missing my flight home. Any advice from people who've done a midnight arrival like this would help a lot!