Travel question of the day: Simon Calder on public transport from New York, Chicago and Philadelphia airports

Have a travel question that needs answering? Ask our expert Simon Calder

The New York subway is a cheap way to get into town from JFK Airport (Getty)

Q I'm travelling to the US for three NFL games in September and I want to use public transport as much as possible. What do you recommend for getting safely to the city centres from New York JFK, Chicago O'Hare and Philadelphia airports?

Brian Mathieson, Plymouth

A From New York JFK, the AirTrain/Subway combination is often the fastest option, and always the most economic way, to reach the city centre. You pay $7.75 (around £5.80), of which $5 is the AirTrain fee, the rest the standard Subway fare. The AirTrain circulates through all JFK terminals about every 10 minutes. Some trains run to Howard Beach – for the “A” train to Brooklyn and Manhattan – while others go to Jamaica Station for the “E”, “J” and “Z” trains. The best choice for you all depends on where you are staying in New York; the Subway map can help you plan. Reckon on a good hour from the airport terminal to your destination in Manhattan.

Thankfully, public transport from Chicago O’Hare is much easier. The local public transport system, known as the “L” – short for elevated railway – runs to and from the airport. You can pay with a contactless bank card; use your credit card rather than debit card, or you could be hit for unexpected fees. The cost from O’Hare is $5 (around £3.75), representing a special airport surcharge, but going back to the airport it’s just the standard $2.25 (around £1.70). I don't know of any other non-commutative fare arrangements like this, but no doubt readers will let me know. Trains run every 10 minutes, and the trip to the city centre takes around 35 minutes.

Philadelphia is another city that surcharges airline passengers, by distorting the fares map to make the airport seem disproportionately distant. The journey takes a mere 25 minutes, and the $6.50 (around £4.90) fare is still better than the alternatives.

Every day, our travel correspondent, Simon Calder, tackles a reader’s question. Just email yours to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder