From Immigration to Pickup

What Do They Ask at Customs?

On my first trip abroad, I spent a total of 30 hours traveling. I was already falling apart on the plane, desperate to escape what felt like a prison, and I kept staring at the screen wondering where my plane was. Once I arrived, I wasn’t in the mood to listen to the customs officer’s questions, so I even asked him to repeat them! Honestly, his expression was dreadful—I thought I was doomed! I couldn’t make out what he was asking, but I assumed he wanted to know where I was headed. I simply answered “Cornell University,” and he let me go. So, I suggest traveling with a companion so you have someone with you while going through customs.

I’ve heard that, since we’re considered a prestigious New York school, the officers won’t be too hard on us.

What Is the Duty-Free Limit for Gifts?

For personal items and gifts carried into the country, non-U.S. residents have a duty-free allowance of 100 USD. The duty-free limit for alcohol is one liter (carriers must be 21 or older), and for tobacco, it is one carton of cigarettes (200 sticks) or 100 cigars. For any other items not covered here, please refer to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website.

Is There a Limit on How Much Cash You Can Bring Into the U.S.?

You may bring up to 10,000 USD in cash and negotiable monetary instruments (U.S. or foreign coins and banknotes, traveler’s checks, money orders, or transferable securities) when entering or leaving the U.S. If you exceed this amount, you must declare it to Customs in advance. Failure to do so will result in civil and criminal penalties, and the cash and instruments may be confiscated.

If carrying more than the allowed amount, be sure to declare it using FinCEN Form 105!

What Is the Price for a Charter Shuttle to Campus?

$550 for 5 people, or $940 for 14 people.

Can You Spend the Night at JFK Airport?

  • At JFK, only Terminal 4 is open 24 hours; the other terminals close at night, so be aware of that! All terminals are connected by the free AirTrain, although once you exit, the AirTrain service does charge fees.
Please pay using OMNY directly—no registration is required, just tap your physical credit card, debit card, or use Apple/Google Pay.

  • As long as you remain inside the airport, the AirTrain is free for you (it has red/green lines; if you get on the wrong one, simply get off at the next station, don’t panic)!

  • As for where to stay, if you plan to remain within the airport, all areas are generally safe (with plenty of police available at service desks) and well-lit! The downside is, there are very few seats available (they get taken almost immediately)!!

If you are really worried, Terminal 5 has a hotel—the ridiculously expensive TWA Hotel ($350 per night)!

If you must stay, I would recommend booking accommodation outside the airport, for example:

Take the AirTrain to Jamaica Station, then either switch to the Q8 bus to the hotel entrance or walk about 8 minutes from Jamaica Station. This option is much cheaper, though still around $180 per night.
  • Hilton or Marriott are also options—closer but slightly more expensive than IHG, though still cheaper than the TWA Hotel.

Does OurBus Depart from JFK Airport?

Yes, but departures are infrequent! The pickup point has historically been at Terminal 7: take the AirTrain to that terminal, head toward the arrivals side, and the bus waits at ground level in the Passenger Pickup area (zone A or B).

JFK’s terminals are being rebuilt, and pickup points are moving. Terminal 7 is being phased out — its airlines begin relocating to the brand-new Terminal 6 from late 2026, after which Terminal 7 will close and be demolished. Older guidance saying “board at Terminal 7” may no longer be accurate. Always go by the pickup location shown in the OurBus app or your booking confirmation, and arrive 20–30 minutes early to find it.
The key is to follow the signs for Passenger Pickup! No need to take an Uber — the AirTrain is safe and, compared to the subway, very clean.

New York City Tips

Is There a New York City Tourist Map Available?

Here is a Google Maps itinerary I created from my first trip to New York City. It can serve as a reference, though I can’t guarantee everything will be fun 😅.

Are There Ways to Save Money on New York City Travel?

Yes! When riding the bus and subway, make sure you use the same form of payment for all journeys.

Even if you use the same credit card, paying with the physical card versus an e-wallet is considered two different methods. If you make 12 trips within 7 days, the 13th trip and beyond are free. Also, after tapping the card on the bus or entering the subway station, you can get one free transfer within 2 hours.

Is It Safe to Go to Manhattan Alone?

Manhattan is relatively safe, with lots of police on the streets, so it is generally okay to travel alone. It is also reasonably safe at night, though it’s still advisable to travel with companions! One more thing: most people advise not venturing north of 120th Street (streets in Manhattan are numbered sequentially from south to north).

If you don’t understand what I’m saying, it means you should avoid areas north of Central Park and Columbia University! Areas to the south are generally safe.
Edit this page

Last updated 26 Jul 2026, 01:00 -0400 . history