Thats a longgg train ride. Try taking the shuttle, its only $17 http://www.goairlinkshuttle.com/Or the Bus..http://www.nyairportservice.com/
Jessye, there are several ways to get from West 4th Street to JFK. However, I would only recommend two.Option 1: West 4th Street to JFK via Jamaica StationStep 1: take the Queens-bound (eastbound) E train from West 4th Street to Sutphin Blvd-Archer Avenue/JFK, which is where the Jamaica LIRR train station and the Airtrain station is located.Step 2:at Sutphin Blvd-Archer Avenue/JFK, exit the subway and follow the directional signs to JFK Airtrain. Take the Airtrain from Jamaica Station to all the terminal.The fare on the subway is $2.25 and the one the Airtrain is $5. You can purchase a $7.25 pay-per ride (regular) MetroCard at West 4th Street and used it on the subway and Airtrain.Option 2 West 4th Street to JFK via Penn StationStep 1: take the uptown (northbound) A , C or E trains (Blue Line) from West 4th Street to Penn Station.Step 2: at Penn Station, exit the subway and follow the directional sign to the Long Island Railroad (LIRR). Take any eastbound LIRR train (except the Port Washington Branch) from Penn Station to Jamaica Station.Step 3: once at Jamaica Station, transfer upstairs to the JFK Airtrain, which will take you from the train station to the terminals at the airport.Again, the fare on the subway is $2.25 and the one the Airtrain is $5. You can purchase a $7.25 pay-per ride (regular) MetroCard at West 4th Street and used it on the subway and Airtrain.A one way off peak ticket from Penn Station to Jamaica Station will cost you $5.75.Good luck and have a nice tripNative New Yorker
hopstop.com will save your life with things like this. you ll take the A downtown to Howard Beach/JFK, then the JFK Train to the airport. Should take about an hour and a half.