John F. Kennedy International Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport is the primary airport in New York. It sits in the Queens district, roughly 15 miles east-southeast of the city centre. One of the busiest airports in North America, it hosts 8 terminals in which you’ll find a great range of dining and shopping options as well as facilities including banking and currency exchange services. There are several transfer options to reach central New York:
- A taxi to Manhattan takes around 30-40 minutes and costs roughly US$50-75. Taxi ranks can be found right outside each terminal.
- The AirTrain and subway take around 50-75 minutes to reach Manhattan and costs US$7.75. AirTrain stations can be found in each terminal. It’s the cheapest way to get to downtown New York.
- There is a good choice of shuttle bus companies that operate from JFK Airport. The journey to Manhattan takes around 50-75 minutes and costs roughly US$20-30.
- Car rental agencies’ counter desks can be found in each terminal. You’ll then need to take the AirTrain to the Federal Circle Station to take your car.
Insider Tip
- The subway is the slowest option to get to Manhattan.
- If you do go for it, take the AirTrain to Jamaica Station to switch to line E, J or Z for Downtown/Midtown Manhattan. Or, get off of the AirTrain at Howard Beach station to take the A line.
- The LIRR (Long Island Railroad) can save you loads of time during peak hours if you’re heading to Manhattan and Brooklyn—just hop on at Jamaica Station.
LaGuardia Airport
The smallest of the 3 New York airports, LaGuardia lies about 8 miles from Midtown Manhattan, in the borough of Queens. It serves mainly domestic destinations. There are several transfer options to reach central New York:
- A taxi to Manhattan takes around 20-30 minutes and costs roughly US$50-75. Taxi ranks can be found right outside each terminal.
- The Q70 bus - also called the LaGuardia Link - takes you to the subway station at Jackson Heights. It takes around 1 hour to reach midtown and lower Manhattan and costs US$7.75.
- The M60 bus connects the airport with Broadway, close to Columbia University. It takes around 1 hour to reach upper Manhattan and costs around US$8.
- There’s also the NYC Express Bus that heads to Grand Central, Penn Station and Port Authority.
- Look for the Rental Shuttle Pickup signs outside of the terminal. A free shuttle bus will take you to the rental car centre which hosts about 10 car rental agencies.
Newark International Airport
Located in New Jersey, Newark International Airport (EWR) is just a little bit further away from downtown New York compared to the other two. Both international and domestic flights land here. There are several transfer options to reach central New York:
- Taxis can take you downtown in 40-50 minutes, depending on traffic. It costs roughly US$50-75.
- The AirTrain Newark is well connected to NJ Transit, that continues to New York Penn Station in Manhattan (not to be confused with Newark Penn Station), and the PATH commuter train for the World Trade Center. Both destinations can be reached in 30-40 minutes at prices ranging between US$11 for the World Trade Centre and US$12.50 for Manhattan.
- There’s also the Newark Liberty Airport Express bus that runs to Port Authority, Bryant Park and Grand Central. It takes around 50-60 minutes and costs US$13.
- Take the AirTrain to get to the car rental area.
If you come by train
- There are 2 major rail stations in New York City.
- The first is Grand Central Terminal (on the east side). From here you can connect to various bus and subway lines (4,5,6,7 and S) that can take you anywhere in the city.
- The Metro-North commuter network is good for the suburbs.
- A destination in itself, if you arrive at Grand Central station then you can already cross one landmark off your sightseeing list!
- The second station is Penn Station (on the west side). It’s well served by Amtrak trains, as well as the LIRR.
- Penn Station is connected to various bus and subway lines such as 1,2,3 and A, C, E, that can take you anywhere in the city.
If you come by bus
- All major companies make their way from cities across the US to the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
- Onward transport from there is easy, given the 12 subway lines that pass through the station.