I recently (8/15/03) looked into options for getting from Albany to
JFK (and back). Here's what I found:
Drive: Mapquest says it's 170 miles and 2 hours 48 minutes one
way. Long term parking at the airport is $5 for every 12 hours.
Shuttle bus: Premier
Transportation runs one bus per day between the Albany airport and
JFK. It leaves the Albany airport at 11am arriving JFK no later than
3:30pm and leaves JFK by 6:30pm returning Albany by 11pm. Reservation
required. $59 one way, $110 round trip.
Train/bus: take Amtrak from Albany to New York Penn Station for
$86 round trip ($77.40 with AAA discount), then take a New York
Airport Service express bus to JFK (runs every 15-30 minutes from
6:15am to 11:10pm) for $13 one way.