Some quick questions about traveling on the A train in New York

Factual Questions
1

Hi, some quick questions about the A train in New York. I’m traveling from 181st Street to Howard Beach, then the Airtrain to JFK.

Does every train (during the day) stop at Howard Beach?
Approximately how long is the trip?
Is it better to transfer to a LIRR train at Penn Station, and take that to the Jamaica stop?

TIA

2

a) If you’re uptown at 181st Street, it is significantly faster to switch to the E and go to Jamaica and get the Airtrain there. Faster yet, indeed, to get a LIRR from Penn. The A train takes forever going through Brooklyn before getting you to the Airtrain. It’s only practical if you’re already in Brooklyn.

b) Be that as it may, I don’t think all A trains stop at Howard Beach; the route subdivides somewhere and some A trains head off to Ozone Park / Lefferts Blvd and terminate there, never reaching Howard Beach.

3

I agree with all of this. Take the LIRR from Penn. The E train is faster than the A train, but nothing like the LIRR.

Also agreed that if you decide you must take the A train, then you have to take the A train to Far Rockaway – do not take the Lefferts Blvd A train.

4

Just to add to this the train has a display on it where it states its destination. However if you are not sure, get on, then you can also find out when you are inside the train, and always hop off the next stop, or ride it to near the split point then make your switch, whatever works best depending on the crowds and if you get a seat.