Public Transport to JFK

Visiting friends need to be at JFK around 8 p.m. Friday night for a 10 p.m. international flight. Can't drive them and car service so expensive so looking into public transport options. Any suggestions/advice?

Only reasonable option is NJT to Penn Station and then LIRR to Jamaica + AirTrain. It'll be a schlep, hope their luggage isn't heavy. The LIRR from Penn to Jamaica is about $7 and only about 20 min., and you should add 15-20 min. for the AirTrain (requires a metro card and if memory serves is $5-ish). So they should leave SOMA around 6pm to be safe. The most confusing part will be inside Penn - exiting NJT train and then trying to find the LIRR section. I know plenty of NYers who can't do it.

There's a bus from Penn Station (Air Porter NY or something). Takes over an hour though. There's also a bus from EWR to JFK (ETS) if you can get them that far.
Honestly though, I'd just use Uber or something. It's a pain getting there without a car.

Thanks, melmm and RobB! Their luggage is relatively light, and we'll be in NYC together tomorrow (passing thru Penn Station) so maybe I can help them figure out the LIRR and Air Train option. Hesitate to put them on a bus at rush hour. Think this will work, thanks!!

Takes about 2 hours and 2 transfers, one at Penn Station and one at Jamaica from the LIRR to the Airtrain. Here's an example..

https://www.hopstop.com/pda?address1=1+s.+Orange%2C+07079&address2=JFK+international+airport&county2=QUEENS%2C+NY%2C+USA&mode=a&language=en&day=5&time=59400&transfer_priority=1&x=78&y=16&city1=newjersey&city2=newyork&submitted=y&sid=&sub_action=

You can change the info in Hopstop as needed. It's the best site for mass transit trips involving more than one agency.

OK, I see it's been covered since I wrote my post!