You can almost taste the freedom in the air as you pack your bags into the car and head to the airport with your family. So much anticipation builds up in the lead-up to a family trip, maybe even more so for you than your children, and there’s nothing quite like arriving at an airport like JFK and feeling the vacation buzz.
To keep the excitement flowing, follow the tips below to get from parking to your departure gate without a glitch.
Get Your Holiday Off to a Smooth Start with JFK Airport Parking
The holiday can feel real as soon as you arrive at the airport, and finding somewhere to park should be stress-free.
JFK is a massive airport with plenty of parking options, but it’s not a good idea to wait until the day and arrive hoping to find a space. Pay-on-the-day prices are much higher than booking in advance, especially with onsite parking.
Onsite parking is also more pricey than offsite, and you can find airport parking near JFK with shuttle services or a metro link, so take advantage of that option.
When researching parking at JFK with your family, look for options closer to the airport so the shuttle or metro ride isn’t as long. The offsite car parks selected by Airport Parking Reservations are easy to book and secure, so you needn’t worry.
Getting Through Security and Into Departures
JFK is well-equipped to handle its high passenger volume. How you get through depends on your terminal, but rest assured, plenty of staff and signposts will point you in the right direction. The security checkpoints are located as follows for the different terminals:
- Terminal 1: Level 3
- Terminal 4: Level 4
- Terminal 5: Level 3
- Terminal 7: Level 2
- Terminal 8: Level 3
If you’re traveling from Terminal 4, you can use the free T4 Reserve service to reserve a security timeslot online up to seven days in advance, which might be better for traveling with children.
Other terminals don’t offer the same service, but you can use an expedited airport screening program with TSA PreCheck.
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The Best Things for Families to Do at JFK Airport
Terminal 1 has limited family-friendly options, but you can still do all of the obligatory airport activities such as browsing duty-free shops, visiting restaurants, or trying to spot your plane.
Terminal 4 has the Bronx Zoo Animal Holograms, which is really cool, or the Aviation History Exhibition. Both areas are great for passing some time.
Terminal 5 is the best for traveling with children. It has the JetBlue Junior Children’s Play Area, designed for children aged 3–12. It has an interactive cockpit simulator and digital games that will make waiting time fly. You can also watch planes from the T5 Rooftop & Wooftop Lounge.
Terminal 7 is pretty limited beyond the standard airport activities, but Terminal 8 has The Show, a dedicated entertainment area, and the LEGO store.
If you’re counting down the days until you walk through the doors at JFK Airport, hopefully now you feel more prepared. With a little planning, you can spend less time worrying about the airport and more time enjoying those exciting moments before your family vacation begins.
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