New York City is one of my favorite places, but for many people, it’s instantly intimidating. It’s so big and loud and crowded! And throw in that there are three different main airports that you can fly into? Majorly confusing! But it’s really not as bad as it may seem. Here’s your guide to knowing which airport to fly into, and how to get from said airport to the big city!
Which Airport?
There are three airports that service New York City – and they’re not even all in New York state! Any of them will work for you no matter where you’re staying, but each of them are ideal in different scenarios.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
JFK airport is located in Queens to the South-East of New York City. It is ideal if you will be staying in Brooklyn or Queens or anywhere else on Long Island. JFK is the largest (aka most crowded) airport serving NYC.
Laguardia Airport (LGA)
LGA is also located in Queens, but about 10 miles closer to Manhattan. It is ideal if you will be staying in Queens or on the north end of Manhattan.
Newark International Airport (EWR)
EWR is located in Newark, New Jersey, and is the farthest airport from the city (though not by much). It is ideal if you are staying in New Jersey or on the south side of Manhattan.
Also of note, Newark airport is commonly considered to be an easier airport to travel through due to having fewer crowds and being much more modern than the other nearby airports.
How to get to the city
So you’ve arrived at your destination airport… but how do you go about getting from the airport to where you wanna go? Assuming you’re looking to reach Manhattan, here is your guide! There are a few different options that fall into three different categories: private, semi-private, and public.
Public transportation is the cheapest way to get around, but you may want to think twice if you have a lot of luggage, as you may have to haul your stuff up some stairs. Luckily there are some reasonable private/semi-private options, especially if you’re in a group.
I always consider rideshare to be the easiest way to get from an airport to where you want to go. If ease and speed are your number one concern, this is the way to go. However, it’s going to cost you! Here are some estimates for getting to Grand Central Terminal:
| Airport | Price | Time | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| JFK | $65 | 45 min | 16 miles |
| LGA | $65 | 30 min | 9 miles |
| EWR | $55 | 45 min | 18 miles |
Shuttle Bus
If you’re too intimidated to navigate the AirTrain and public transportation, but don’t want to splurge on a cab, a shuttle bus might be a good option for you. Shuttle buses are a semi-private option that transports you and other groups going to destinations near your final location. If you have a large group, with lots of luggage, getting a private van may be a good option, while solo travelers will save money on a shared van versus a taxi. Check out Super Shuttle, Shuttle Express, or another airport shuttle service.
Shuttle bus times can greatly vary on how many people are on your bus and where they are going. The pricing should be similar to the following:
| Airport | Shared Van | Private Van |
|---|---|---|
| JFK | $21 / person | $120 total |
| LGA | $20 / person | $120 total |
| EWR | $21 / person | $125 total |
Airtrain (EWR & JFK)
Both JFK and EWR have options to take the AirTrain. The AirTrain is one of the easiest modes of public transportation between JFK/EWR and Manhattan. You can catch the AirTrain from either airport and then catch a connection to Manhattan. The AirTrain circles the airport 24/7 and makes frequent stops at each station. For more information about how to use the AirTrain to get to Manhattan, check out this post detailing the whole process!
| Airport | Price | Time |
|---|---|---|
| JFK | $7.70 | 55 min |
| EWR | $13.00 | 45 min |
Subway (LGA)
From LGA you can catch the Q70-SBS bus. If you can’t find the stop, just ask! Take the bus to the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt / Roosevelt Av / 74 St. stop. From this station, you can catch the E, M, R, or F line.
Before getting on the bus, purchase a MetroCard for $1 and load $1.75 for the trip to the city (for a total of $2.75). If you know you’ll be using the subway during your trip, now is a good time to add some additional funds! There are metro vending machines scattered throughout the airport terminals, but if you have trouble finding where to purchase your MetroCard, just ask someone!
| Airport | Price | Time |
|---|---|---|
| LGA | $2.75 | 50 min |
Rental Car
If you’re planning to stay in Manhattan, don’t rent a car. Parking will cause you way more trouble than it’s worth.
Overall, I recommend using public transportation for getting from the airport to Manhattan – especially if you plan on using public transportation to get around Manhattan and don’t have a ton of luggage! If you have too much stuff, or your destination is nowhere near a subway line, taxi or shuttle van may be the best option.
Let me know what you think! Did you take the subway? How did it go?
**Featured image by Jon Flobrant
Leave a Reply