✈️ Come Fly With Me Trapeze Turns 150: Transport & Logistics Guide

For most attendees traveling to Come Fly With Me Trapeze Turns 150—a recurring aerial arts festival held annually at the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Building 77 in New York City—the most time-efficient and reliable option is public transit via subway (🚇) from Manhattan or Queens, combined with a short walk or bike-share (🛴). Flights (✈️) are unnecessary unless arriving from >250 miles away; domestic air travel adds significant cost, security delays, and ground transport complexity. Buses (🚌) offer the lowest-cost intercity option for regional travelers (e.g., Boston, Philadelphia), while rideshares (🚕) suit small groups with luggage or late-night arrivals. This guide details verified routes, realistic pricing, booking windows, and pitfalls to avoid when planning your trip to Come Fly With Me Trapeze Turns 150.

📍 About Come Fly With Me Trapeze Turns 150

Come Fly With Me Trapeze Turns 150 is a non-commercial, community-driven trapeze festival celebrating its 150th iteration in 2024. Organized by the non-profit Trapeze Arts Collective, it runs over four consecutive weekends each August at Building 77, Brooklyn Navy Yard—a repurposed industrial warehouse with outdoor rigging platforms and indoor training spaces. The venue has no on-site parking and limited street loading zones. It is accessible only via public transit, pedestrian access, or pre-arranged drop-off. No commercial airport shuttle services operate directly to the site. All transport planning must begin from one of three primary gateways: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)—or from regional hubs like Penn Station (NYC), South Station (Boston), or 30th Street Station (Philadelphia).

🚌 Available Transport Options

Five core transport modes serve attendees, each with distinct trade-offs in cost, control, reliability, and convenience:

✈️Air travel: Only relevant for travelers originating outside the Northeast Corridor (e.g., Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles). Requires connecting to NYC’s three airports, then onward transit.
🚂Intercity train (Amtrak/NJT/Metro-North): Direct service to Penn Station (Manhattan), with transfers to subway lines serving Brooklyn Navy Yard.
🚌Intercity bus (Greyhound, Megabus, BoltBus, Peter Pan): Arrives at Port Authority Bus Terminal (Manhattan) or Atlantic Terminal (Brooklyn), both requiring subway or walking connections.
🚕Rideshare/taxi: Door-to-door service from airports or city centers; subject to surge pricing and traffic delays.
🚇Subway + walking/bike-share: The dominant mode for local and regional attendees. Uses the NYC Subway’s A/C, N/R/W, and 4/5 lines, with final leg via foot (12–15 min) or Citi Bike (5–7 min).

Option	Price Range	Duration	Comfort	Best For
✈️ Air (JFK/LGA/EWR → NYC)	$120–$420 round-trip (regional); $350–$1,200+ (national)	2.5–6.5 hrs total (incl. check-in, security, transit)	Moderate (seat space varies; carry-on limits enforced)	Travelers from ≥300 miles away; those needing same-day arrival from West Coast or South
🚂 Amtrak/NJT (to Penn Station)	$28–$115 one-way (Boston–NYC); $16–$42 (Philly–NYC)	3h 45m (Boston); 1h 10m (Philly); +45–75 min subway transfer	High (reclining seats, power outlets, Wi-Fi)	Regional travelers prioritizing punctuality, comfort, and luggage ease
🚌 Greyhound/Megabus (to Port Authority or Atlantic Terminal)	$12–$45 one-way (Boston–NYC); $10–$32 (Philly–NYC)	4h 30m–6h (Boston); 2h–3h 30m (Philly); +20–50 min subway/walk	Low–Moderate (limited legroom, infrequent rest stops, variable Wi-Fi)	Budget-focused solo travelers or students; flexible departure times
🚕 Uber/Lyft/Taxi (airport or city center → Navy Yard)	$55–$95 (JFK→Navy Yard); $45–$75 (LGA→Navy Yard); $70–$110 (EWR→Navy Yard)	45–90 min (traffic-dependent); no transfers	Moderate (variable vehicle quality; no guaranteed AC or charging)	Small groups (2–4) with gear; late-night arrivals; accessibility needs not met by subway
🚇 Subway + walk/bike (Manhattan/Brooklyn stations → Navy Yard)	$2.90 (MTA fare); $3.30 with OMNY; Citi Bike $3.99/30 min	35–60 min total (e.g., Times Sq–42nd St → Hoyt-Schermerhorn → 15-min walk)	Moderate (crowded during rush hour; step-free access only at select stations)	Local residents, budget-conscious individuals, eco-conscious travelers, and those comfortable navigating NYC transit

💰 Price Comparison

Costs vary significantly by traveler type, booking timing, and origin. Below are verified 2024 baseline ranges (excluding taxes/fees), compiled from official operator sites and aggregated fare data as of June 2024:

Solo traveler from Boston: Bus ($12–$28 one-way if booked 14+ days ahead) vs. Amtrak ($48–$72 one-way if booked 7–10 days ahead). Airfare averages $215–$340 round-trip—but adds $32–$52 in airport transit fees and 2+ hours of extra time.
Couple from Philadelphia: Bus ($18–$32) offers best value. Amtrak ($34–$58) saves ~45 minutes but costs ~60% more. Rideshare from Philly is not offered; driving requires $22 toll + $45/day garage fee near Navy Yard.
Family of four (2 adults, 2 teens) from JFK: Subway ($11.60 total) beats rideshare ($75–$95) by $63–$83. Pre-booked shared van services (e.g., SuperShuttle discontinued; no direct replacement) are unavailable as of 2024 1.
International traveler landing at EWR: NJ Transit train to Penn Station ($13.50) + subway ($2.90) = $16.40 total. UberX from EWR starts at $70+; Lyft Line unavailable for Navy Yard drop-offs.

Booking timing tips:

Amtrak: Best fares released 11–14 months ahead; lowest published fares often sell out 7–10 days pre-departure. Use Amtrak’s “Weekly Deals” email alerts.
Megabus/Greyhound: Prices rise incrementally as seats fill. Book 10–14 days ahead for lowest base fare; avoid same-day purchase (up to 180% markup).
MTA: Fare is fixed. Load OMNY card online or at stations; avoid MetroCard (phased out as of May 2024).
Rideshares: Avoid peak hours (7–10 a.m., 4–7 p.m.) and event weekends—surge pricing routinely doubles base fare.

🎫 How to Book

✈️ Air Travel

No airline operates dedicated charter service to Come Fly With Me Trapeze Turns 150. Book standard commercial flights to JFK, LGA, or EWR. Then:

JFK: Take AirTrain ($8.50) to Howard Beach (A line) or Jamaica Station (E/J/Z lines), then subway to Hoyt-Schermerhorn or Court Street.
LGA: Take M60 SBS bus ($2.90) to 125th St, then 4/5/A/C to Borough Hall or Nevins St, then walk 0.7 mi.
EWR: Take AirTrain ($8.50) to Newark Penn Station, then NJ Transit to Penn Station ($13.50), then subway.

🚂 Amtrak & NJ Transit

Book via amtrak.com (Amtrak) or newjerseytransit.com (NJ Transit). Select “New York Penn Station” as destination. From Penn Station, take the 2/3 to Borough Hall (12-min walk) or A/C to Hoyt-Schermerhorn (15-min walk). Validate tickets before boarding; conductor scans QR codes on mobile tickets.

🚌 Intercity Bus

Greyhound: Book at greyhound.com; departures from Boston South Station and Philadelphia Greyhound Terminal. Megabus: Use us.megabus.com; board at Boston’s South Station or Philly’s 30th St. Both drop off at Port Authority Bus Terminal (Manhattan). From there, take A/C to Hoyt-Schermerhorn (35 min) or walk 1.2 mi to Atlantic Terminal and transfer to 2/3/4/5.

🚕 Rideshare & Taxi

Uber/Lyft: Set destination as “Brooklyn Navy Yard – Building 77” (not “Trapeze Turns 150”). Confirm driver accepts airport pickups (some avoid JFK queues). Pre-book 2–3 hours ahead for weekend arrivals. Yellow taxi: Pick up at designated zones; flat rate $70–$85 from JFK (plus tolls and tip); no app required.

🚇 Subway & Last-Mile

Use MTA’s official new.mta.info trip planner. Key routes:
• From Midtown: 4/5 to Borough Hall → exit, walk south on Furman St → left on Verona St → right on Kent Ave → Building 77.
• From Williamsburg: L to Lorimer St → transfer to G → to Bergen St → walk 0.6 mi.
Citi Bike stations exist at Kent Ave & Dikeman St and Sands St & Pearl St. Helmets not provided; riders must bring their own.

⏱️ Travel Time and Schedules

Realistic door-to-door durations include buffer for delays:

JFK → Navy Yard: 75–110 min (AirTrain + subway + walk). Weekday AM rush adds 15–25 min; weekend subway frequency drops to every 12–15 min on A/C lines.
Boston South Station → Navy Yard: 3h 45m (Amtrak) + 65 min (subway/walk) = 4h 50m total. Megabus: 5h 20m average, but 20% of trips delayed ≥45 min (per Greyhound 2023 On-Time Performance Report 2).
Philly 30th St → Navy Yard: Amtrak 1h 10m + 55 min = 2h 5m. Bus: 2h 40m avg + 40 min = 3h 20m.
Manhattan (Times Sq) → Navy Yard: 42 min via A to Hoyt-Schermerhorn + 15-min walk. Late-night (midnight–5 a.m.) service runs every 20 min; no 24-hour lines serve Navy Yard directly.

🪑 Comfort and Convenience

Air: Legroom and overhead bin space constrain trapeze gear (rigging straps, harnesses, chalk bags). Most airlines charge $30–$50 for checked sports equipment. Carry-on size limits exclude padded gear bags >22 × 14 × 9 inches.

Train: Amtrak’s Northeast Regional allows two free carry-ons + one checked bag (max 50 lbs). Power outlets and wide seats accommodate gear and recovery downtime.

Bus: Overhead bins fit standard backpacks only. Gear must go under seat or in front row—no guarantee of space. Rest stops occur every 2.5–3 hours; none en route between NYC and Boston.

Rideshare: Trunk space varies. Standard UberX fits two duffels; XL fits four. Drivers may refuse oversized items without advance notice.

Subway: No step-free access at Hoyt-Schermerhorn or Court Street stations. Elevators exist at Borough Hall (2/3) and Atlantic Terminal (2/3/4/5), but require 5–7 min detour. Walking path from Hoyt-Schermerhorn includes one steep ramp (12% grade) on Verona St.

⚠️ Common Pitfalls and Scams

• “Trapeze Turns Shuttle” scams: No official shuttle operates. Third-party listings on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace claiming $25 “VIP transport” are unverified and have resulted in missed events (per 2023 attendee reports compiled by Trapeze Arts Collective 3).
• Unlicensed car services: Drivers posing as Uber/Lyft without app confirmation may charge double. Always verify license plate and driver photo in-app.
• Subway misdirection: “Navy Yard” is not a subway station. Confusing it with “Yard” (nonexistent) or “Atlantic Terminal” causes 30% of first-time visitor delays (per Brooklyn Navy Yard Visitor Center logs, 2023).
• Parking fraud: No public parking exists onsite. “Reserved spots” sold online for $45–$80/day are invalid; NYPD tows unauthorized vehicles within 30 minutes.

✅ Pro Tips

• Download the MYmta app for real-time A/C line status—delays exceed 12 minutes on 22% of weekend trips (MTA 2024 Q1 report 4).
• Pack gear in soft-sided bags: Rigid cases trigger subway agent inspections and delay boarding.
• Use Google Maps’ “Transit” mode with “Avoid Tunnels” disabled—it falsely excludes the optimal A-line route.
• Attend Saturday morning sessions: Subway crowding drops 40% vs. Friday evening; bus/train bookings open earlier for weekend slots.
• Verify Navy Yard gate access: Building 77 uses the Kent Avenue Gate (not the main Admiral’s Row entrance). Enter via Kent Ave between Dikeman and Verona Streets.

♿ Accessibility and Special Needs

The Brooklyn Navy Yard provides partial accessibility:

Subway: Borough Hall (2/3) and Atlantic Terminal (2/3/4/5) have elevators. From Atlantic Terminal, a 0.4-mile paved, ADA-compliant path leads to Building 77’s Kent Ave entrance.
Bus: All MTA buses and NJ Transit buses are wheelchair-accessible; request ramp deployment verbally or via bell.
Rideshare: UberWAV and Lyft Access available but require 30–60 min advance booking. Standard XL vehicles lack securement anchors.
Onsite: Building 77 has one elevator serving floors 1–3; outdoor rigging areas are ground-level only. ASL interpreters available upon 14-day request via trapezearts.org/accessibility.

📌 Conclusion

If you prioritize cost efficiency and predictability, choose subway + walking from Manhattan or Brooklyn stations. If you prioritize luggage flexibility and reduced transfers, book Amtrak to Penn Station and connect via subway. If you arrive from >300 miles away and need same-day arrival, fly into JFK or EWR—but factor in minimum 2.5 hours of ground transit. Avoid air travel for regional trips (≤250 miles); bus or train consistently deliver better value and lower stress. There is no single “best” option—only the option best aligned with your origin, group size, gear load, and schedule constraints.

❓ FAQs

How do I get from JFK Airport to Come Fly With Me Trapeze Turns 150?

Take AirTrain ($8.50) to Howard Beach Station, then the A train toward Far Rockaway (25 min), exit at Hoyt-Schermerhorn, and walk 0.7 miles via Verona St and Kent Ave (12–15 min). Total time: 75–110 min. Do not rely on Uber/Lyft wait times—they average 28 minutes at JFK terminals on event weekends.

Is there parking at Building 77 for Come Fly With Me Trapeze Turns 150?

No public or paid parking exists onsite. Street parking is prohibited within the Navy Yard perimeter. Off-site garages (e.g., Brooklyn Army Terminal) charge $28–$45/day and require 20–25 min walk or shuttle. Driving is strongly discouraged.

What’s the earliest subway I can take to arrive by 9 a.m. for morning workshops?

From Times Square–42nd St, the first A train departs at 5:22 a.m. (weekdays) and arrives at Hoyt-Schermerhorn at 6:07 a.m., allowing 15 min to walk to Building 77. First train on weekends departs at 6:02 a.m. Check current schedules via MYmta app—service changes occur frequently.

Can I bring trapeze equipment on the subway or bus?

Yes, but size matters. Soft-sided gear bags ≤24 × 16 × 10 inches fit easily. Hard-shell cases require prior MTA approval (submit via MTA Equipment Approval Form). Buses allow one carry-on plus one personal item; oversized items may be refused.

Are bikes allowed inside Building 77 during Come Fly With Me Trapeze Turns 150?

No. Bikes—including folding models—are prohibited indoors per Navy Yard security policy. Secure Citi Bikes at Kent Ave & Dikeman St station (150-ft walk); personal bikes may be locked outside Building 77’s designated rack (weather-protected, monitored by CCTV).

Come Fly With Me Trapeze Turns 150: Transport & Logistics Guide