Flying back to UK from JFK, how near to JFK should we stay the night before?

[Arct1cTern]

Flight 7.30 pm but got to get car back for 1.00. Coming from Litchfield Hills direction. Ever cautious do wants us an hour away. Soooo much hanging around, is it necessary?

Hmmm doesn’t seem to be any luggage storage at terminal 7 though. Some reviews say over an hours wait for luggage collection. That would be stressful.

Whatever you do, don't plan to hang around in Terminal 7 from when you drop the car at 1pm to your flight at 7.30pm or you will go INSANE. There is very little to do at Terminal 7 (as is the case with most US airports - they're much more 'functional' than UK airports). I'm assuming you're flying BA but won't have lounge access? To be honest, even if you were flying First Class with BA, the Concorde lounge is currently closed for refurbishment so you'd have to slum it in Business lounge and there's very little to do there (and it gets very crowded).

I'd suggest you drop your luggage off at left luggage (it's unlikely you'll be able to check it in too early unless you have BA Exec status), then drop your car off earlier than 1pm and head to Coney Island/Brighton Beach for lunch and a walk along the boardwalk. Get an Uber back to JFK to collect your luggage and check in. Allow plenty of time to get to the airport in case of traffic. You haven't mentioned what day of the week you're flying on?

It’s a Friday. Would love to go to Coney Island but worried about getting back.Reckon 11 would be the earliest we could drop the car off.

JFK is a shit airport. Even in the business lounge it’s rubbish.

I’d dump the car the night before, stay over in NYC and leave your luggage while you explore. Then you can head over by train at about 3 or so (an hour ish to get there plus some time for delays).

I don’t understand why you can’t drop the car early? Never heard of that.

We’re druvibg through Vermont the day before. Will have done a week in NY a month earlier so would rather see more of Vermont and stay in CT the night before. Happy to ditch car in morning but earliest will be 11, wondering if Queens woukd be doable. Nearer than Coney Island?

Don’t get a taxi, get on the air train to sutphin blvd/Jamaica and get the subway into Times Square. Far cheaper and easy to do

Quite honestly - what money do you want to throw at this? Every option costs money! Have you never had to wait for a flight? If your car slot is 1-2, drop it off at 1.30. Get into the airport and just read a book or two! Get the DC to accept this is the deal!!! They have to find something to do.

Traffic is always dreadful. Public transport isn’t great. It’s a Friday and everyone will be heading out of the city. Why risk car jams? Life is occasionally boring! I would not leave luggage there. Just more hassle in my view. I think it would be cheaper to pay for a later car drop off time but you might pay for an extra day! Just accept the car deal means a wait at the airport. It’s not the end of the world.