JFK Luggage Storage and Subway to Manhatten

Yes, you can do this. I am familiar with Terminal 4.

Terminal 4's baggage storage is 24/7 and is by the baggage carousels. Thus it is outside security. Take the intra-terminal Airtrain, (verify it's the intra-terminal train) to Terminal 4, take the escalator downstairs at T4, and then go to baggage storage.

Also, if I understand it correctly I can take the airbus to where the
subway leaves from and then catch the blue line into Manhattan. Any
feedback or tips anyone can give me would be appreciated.

Let's make this easy. No airbus. After you drop off your bag, you will go back to the Airtrain and take the Airtrain to Jamaica. Make sure you get on a Jamaica-bound Airtrain. At Jamaica, go to the ticket machines and get a metrocard. Put $15.50 on it to cover both Airtrains to/from Jamaica and 2 subway rides. Follow signs for the E train (yes in blue, don't ask for the blue line). You will walk over the LIRR tracks to the elevators. Take an elevator to the subway level and follow signs for the E train Manhattan bound.

If I were you, I'd be back at the T4 baggage claim 3 hours before your departure for Greece, so that means 4pm.

Thank you. This is very helpful. I believe my international flight with American Airlines departs from terminal 8. Does it take quite a while to travel from terminal 4 to terminal 8?

A clarification or two - The Jamaica station is also designated as Sutphin Boulevard , Archer Avenue . Do not board the Airtrain headed to Howard Beach . Given your time frame for returning to the airport , leave adequate time . You will be traveling as the evening rush hour begins, and the subways will be busier at that time . Allow extra time for your return .

Do not board the Airtrain headed to Howard Beach

Why not?? Howard Beach station is connected to the A Train. Simply hop that line to Manhattan. This used to the route of the of old "train to the plane" service back in the 1970s:

https://youtu.be/Ec8fawucZUE?t=5

The A train is a far more circuitous route with substantially more stops via lower Manhattan than the E which is direct to midtown with far fewer stops . As well , that advert is from 1980 , before the Airtrain link to Queens had completed construction , and also included an inconvenient bus transfer .

The Airtrain ---> Howard Beach ---> the A into Manhattan is a longer ride which is why I didn't recommend it.

Thank you. This is very helpful. I believe my international flight
with American Airlines departs from terminal 8. Does it take quite a
while to travel from terminal 4 to terminal 8?

Maybe 5-10 minutes. You can in fact take ANY Airtrain from Terminal 4 to Terminal 8.

The A train is a far more circuitous route with substantially more
stops via lower Manhattan than the E which is direct to midtown with
far fewer stops

Depends on what you want to see and do in Manhattan. If my main interest was to see the WTC memorial/museum and other attractions in that area where the A-train passes through, and it was my first time using the NY subways, I would still take that route even though it is a longer journey. Sometimes a simpler route is better that a quicker route with transfers.

Thank you to everyone who replied. Here is my understanding of what I need to do upon arrival at JFK.

I will take the intra-terminal air train to terminal 4 and proceed down to baggage claim where I can pay to leave my carry on baggage. Does anyone know how much it costs to store baggage for the day? We will just have two small backpacks.

I will get back on the air train and take it to Jamaica station. Is it the same metro card to pay for both the air train and the subway? I thought I read that you have to pay to exit the air train and then find a machine to purchase a subway card and load money onto it for the ride to and from Manhattan. Am I correct that two people can use the same Metro card?

I will then ride the E line all the way to Central Park, which is the first stop I want to make. An alternative as I understand it is to take the LIRR train from Jamaica station to Penn Station which is faster (about 30 minutes?) but more expensive at about $10 each.

Is all of that correct?

I will take the intra-terminal air train to terminal 4 and proceed
down to baggage claim where I can pay to leave my carry on baggage.
Does anyone know how much it costs to store baggage for the day? We
will just have two small backpacks.

I just called them for you to ask that question. They said that it depends upon the size of the bag(s). You can reach them at 718-751-4020.

I will get back on the air train and take it to Jamaica station. Is it
the same metro card to pay for both the air train and the subway? I
thought I read that you have to pay to exit the air train and then
find a machine to purchase a subway card and load money onto it for
the ride to and from Manhattan. Am I correct that two people can use
the same Metro card?

Yes. Same card. Make sure you board the Jamaica-bound Airtrain! You will buy the Metrocard when you arrive at Jamaica. You will see the ticket machines before the turnstiles. Yes, two people can use the same card. Just double the amount I advised above to cover both people for roundtrip Airtrain to/from Jamaica and 2 subway rides each.

I will then ride the E line all the way to Central Park, which is the
first stop I want to make. An alternative as I understand it is to
take the LIRR train from Jamaica station to Penn Station which is
faster (about 30 minutes?) but more expensive at about $10 each.

You may not want to wait for the LIRR to Penn and it is more expensive so any time saving is lost. The E runs more often plus it's express. Moreover, if you want to go to Central Park, the LIRR terminates at Penn Station which is 25 blocks away and that is about a 25 minute walk or a subway ride. So why bother?

The E does not go to Central Park -- but close! For Central Park, sit toward the front of the E train to Manhattan and get off at 5th Ave. That will put you on West 53rd St. Walk around the corner to 5th Avenue and turn left to walk uptown 6 blocks to 59th for the SE corner of Central Park. You'll see Walden Pond in that corner as you enter the park.

When you get to the street from the 5th Avenue stop of the E train, you will see St Thomas Church right in front of you. When you walk to 5th and turn left, if you are interested, take a quick peak inside the church to see the beautiful neo-Gothic architecture of both the building and the altar screen (reredos) behind the altar. The statuary is exquisite. Bias alert -- it's my church but worth a quick look anyway!

Make certain that you spend a bit of time in St Thomas when you arrive at 53st . This a major architectural and historic site in New York City . Do yourself a favor and read about it before you arrive , you will appreciate it all the more if you do.