Just wanted to update in case anyone else ever searches... Since I was travelling alone and without any luggage I decided to try the bus/subway route on the way there and if it was crazy I'd take the NYC Airporter bus on the way back. It was a very smooth ride about a half hr on the bus and then switched to the 3 to Times square (5 stops) which took 15 minutes. I took this route on the way back as well and it was totally worth the money saved.
