A GUIDE TO

NYC Airports

Flying into NYC airports for the first time can be a daunting experience. All three airports are located outside of Manhattan, which can pose a challenge to a new arrival. This guide is intended to highlight the best airport transportation options from each of New York City's major airports into Downtown Manhattan.

Transportation from JFK Airport to Manhattan

Airtrain to Subway or Train

The journey from JFK to Manhattan by train and subway is fairly simple. After departing your plane, follow signs to the JFK Airtrain. Depending on where you are going in Manhattan, take the JFK Airtrain to either Jamaica Station or Howard Beach Station. At Jamaica Station, you can take a Manhattan-bound E Train towards Midtown Manhattan or the Long Island Railroad to Penn Station. The subway option costs $7.75 total and takes around an hour, while the Long Island Railroad option costs $13 total and takes about 35 minutes. For travelers headed to Lower Manhattan, stay on the Airtrain for the Howard Beach station and catch a Manhattan-bound A Train. This costs $7.75 total and takes about fifty minutes. Tickets are purchased on-site.

GO Airlink Airport Shuttle

GO Airlink is an official licensee of the New York and New Jersey Port Authorities. Shared airport shuttle rides start at $13, and are available 24/7. Agents and service phones at every airport terminal for your convenience. Recognized as having the best on-time record of any ground transportation company in NYC. In addition to all of these benefits, ride-sharing is also one of the most environmentally-friendly transportation choices you can make during your stay in New York City. Trip may take up to ninety minutes depending on traffic.

Taxi

If you prefer more private airport transportation, a cab from JFK has a flat rate of $52, excluding tolls, tip and a potential $4.50 surcharge during rushhour. Tolls from JFK into Manhattan will generally run around $6 so be prepared to expend up to $75 or so for a taxi to Manhattan. The taxi may take up to ninety minutes depending on traffic.

Uber

Uber meets all passengers on the arrivals level at JFK, so simply deplane and walk to the main passenger pickup area on the arrivals level from any terminal and summon your Uber. Costs for an Uber into Manhattan vary from about $35 to $60 depending on traffic and can take up to ninety minutes.

Transportation from Newark Airport to Manhattan

Airtrain to Train

The Newark Airport offers a relatively straightforward connection from Newark to Manhattan via Airtrain and New Jersey Transit train. When you land in Newark at any of the three terminals, proceed to the Airtrain station and board the Airtrain towards the Newark-Liberty International Airport Train Station. During peak hours, the Airtrain runs every three minutes, so you will not have to wait too long. Once you arrive at the train station, board any train whose destination is NY-Penn Station. The train to NY-Penn Station will take you directly into Manhattan. The total journey from the airport to Manhattan takes about 45 minutes and costs thirteen dollars each way. Tickets can be purchased through the NJ Transit app on your smartphone to save time or at kiosks in the train stations.

GO Airlink Airport Shuttle

Taxi

Taxis are available from the Newark Airport and cost between $50 and $75 excluding tip depending on where in Manhattan you wish to arrive. The travel time can vary considerably depending on traffic, but will usually take about one hour.

Uber

Uber and other ridesharing services are also available at Newark Airport. Upon arrival, simply open up the Uber app and note the size of vehicle you need, call the Uber and proceed to the passenger pick-up area. Let the driver know which door number to pick you up at and you will be on your way. As with taxis, the price and travel time can vary considerably, but expect between $40-$50 and approximately one hour to drive to Manhattan.

Transportation from LaGuardia Airport to Manhattan

Bus to Subway

There is no an all-train connection from LaGuardia to Manhattan, but by boarding a bus you can easily get to the subway. If the objective is to get into Manhattan, the easiest way to get out of LaGuardia is to proceed to the departure area, walk to the bus stop, and board the first M60 or Q70 bus that arrives. Either bus will take you on a fairly direct path into Manhattan, so don't worry about which bus you get on. Both buses cost $2.75 and you will want to purchase your ticket before boarding. If you get on an M60 bus, take this to one of the three subway station stops on 125th Street and board any Brooklyn-bound Subway into downtown Manhattan. If you get on a Q70 bus, take the bus to the Jackson Heights Station, where you can board an E, F, M, R or 7 train into Manhattan. The fare for the subway is an additional $2.75 and must be purchased separately from the bus fare on a MetroCard. Expect the entire trip to take about one hour.

GO Airlink Airport Shuttle

Taxi

Perhaps the most common way to get from LaGuardia to Manhattan is via a taxi service. Taxis can easily be hailed outside of any LaGuardia terminal and there is a flat rate fee of $52 plus tip for transfer from LaGuardia to Manhattan. This fare includes all passengers and luggage. Travel time by taxi will take around one hour, depending on traffic.

Uber

Uber can also be an efficient option to get from LaGuardia to Manhattan. After you've landed, call the Uber and proceed outside. If you arrive in Terminals A, C or D, simply head to the passenger pick-up area for arrivals and let the driver know what door you're standing near. If you fly into Terminal B, follow signs for "Green Car Services" and wait for your driver in the Uber lane. Depending on traffic, this can cost between $32 and $50 and will take around one hour.