<p>Sherpa, if you fly out of JFK be SURE you leave manhatten NO LATER THAN 3:00! If you want to have a nicer ride into manhatten and back to the airport then use Allstate Limo service- 212 3333333 . I've been using them for 25 years are they are always reliable. They can pick you up at Columbia, take you to your hotel to pick up your bags, and wisk you to the airport. It will cost you only about $10 more than taking a taxi, but it's worth it, especially if you get stuck in traffic. All their cars are Lincoln Town cars.</p>
<p>I'd recommend Newark Airport and a cab to a Jersey side hotel situated near a PATH train station. Leave your gear at the hotel, take the train in and out of the city, pick up your gear at the hotel and cab back to the airport. I'm not a big fan of lugging big bags on public transportation but the airport is connected by rail as well if you want to save money on cabs. The PATH system from NJ is quick, safe, reliable and cheap. It's also a lot easier than the possibility of being stuck in bridge/tunnel traffic with a plane to catch.</p>
<p>I was going to add what Menloparkmom said. No dawdling on that afternoon. I would certainly leave by 3:00 for a 5:30pm flight. (I'd probably leave even a little earlier.) You need at least an hour and a half at JFK prior to your flight and at least an hour to get there from Manhattan.</p>
<p>Oh, and for a one night stay, just bid on Priceline for a hotel room!</p>