New York Airports - JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty Airport -  Helpful Guide for Arriving Passengers to NYC

Three main airports for New York City (NYC) :

1). John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), located in Queens, primarily handles international and domestic flights. 

      JFK Ground Transportation Info - Website

2). LaGuardia Airport (LGA), located in Queens, mainly handles domestic and few flights from Canada.

     Laguardia airport is closest to NYC.

     LaGuardia Airport Website

3). Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), located in New Jersey, handles both domestic and international flights.  

     Furthest away from NYC, however, has good and easy transportation options available to NYC.

     EWR Ground Transportation Info - Website

Taxi at JFK Airport :

Taxi at the JFK is the easiest but one of the more expensive ways to get from JFK to NYC. 

NYC Taxi door-to-door Car Service is appealing especially for those traveling with young families or arriving late.

Taxi Cab is a good option for groups (up to 4 people). 

Depending on traffic, Taxi from JFK can take as little as 40 minutes or up to 2 hours or more to get into NYC.

Follow signs for Taxi and/or visit the Port Authority Welcome Center located in the arrivals area of each terminal.

Make your way to the taxi stands available outside every terminal at the JFK airport.

There will be queues of taxis waiting with an attendant who directs you to the next available cab.

Only take official Yellow Cabs!

New York City's yellow cabs are licensed by the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission. 

According to rules set out by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission, cabs must offer the same flat rate service to and from JFK airport to Manhattan (excluding tips and tolls).

For more information about fares and taking taxis in New York City - NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission's Website

Shared Shuttle at JFK :

There are many Airport Shuttle companies with service to and from JFK.  

JFK Shuttle option is usually cheaper than a taxi.

However, Shuttle may take more time since there will be other passengers who will be dropped off enroute to your destination.

Shared Shuttle option would be best for those traveling solo or with a group of 4 or more.

We suggest to Pre-book Shared Shuttle before arrival into JFK to avoid last minute hassle.

Follow the signs to Ground Transportation and visit the Ground Transportation desk for information on where you catch your shuttle.

You can also use one of the courtesy phones in the baggage claim area to locate Shuttle location in your arrival Terminal in JFK.

To compare schedules and pricing click on the list of private shuttles from JFK

Shared Arrival Transfer: New York Airports to Hotel - $18.99

By Train/Subway from JFK Airport to New York City (NYC) :

First, take JFK AirTrain at JFK Airport Terminal :

JFK is connected to New York's subways and commuter rail system by AirTrain JFK.  

AirTrain is a monorail-like service that transports airline passengers to and from the different airport terminals at JFK.

JFK AirTrain also connects JFK Airport to New York's subway and commuter rail system.

JFK AirTrain stops at all terminals, parking lots, hotel shuttle areas, car rental lots, 2 subway stations & the Long Island Railroad.

JFK Airtrain is free within the JFK airport.

Taking the AirTrain and NYC subway is an economical option into NYC. 

Be aware that you will have to transfer to the NYC subway to get into NYC.

Subway train from JFK is a good option if you are carrying light luggage and coming during daylight hours.

Travel into NYC will take you about 1 hour or more depending on the subway schedule.

From Baggage claim, follow the signs to Board the Airtrain at the airport.  

Board the Airtrain bound to either Howard Beach station for Lower Manhattan or Sutphin Blvd/Archer Ave station for Midtown Manhattan.

Subway For Lower Manhattan :

- Exit the Airtrain at Howard Beach station.

- At Howard Beach station, buy a ticket for the New York City (MTA) subway at the vending machine.

- Transfer to the New York City subway A train towards Lower Manhattan.

Subway For Midtown Manhattan :

- Exit the JFK Airtrain at Sutphin Blvd/Archer Ave station.

- At Sutphin Blvd/Archer Ave station, buy a ticket for the New York City (MTA) subway at the vending machine.

- Transfer to the New York City subway E train towards Midtown Manhattan.

Transfer to another train line from the A or E train line if your hotel stop is not along the A or E train route.  

Otherwise, walk or take a cab to your hotel from the nearest Subway stop for your Hotel.

More Info on JFK AirTrain, Route & Stops

NYC subway map

JFK Airport Subway Train tips for arriving passengers :

- For MTA New York City Transit subways and buses, you can pay your fare with a MetroCard.  

- The MetroCard is a store value card which avoids having to pay each time you ride.  

- The MetroCard also provides free transfers between buses and subways.  

- Purchase Pay-Per-Ride or Unlimited-Ride cards from MetroCard Vending Machines. 
  One card can be used to pay for up to 4 people.

- Children 44 inches tall and under ride for free on MTA subways and buses.

- Detailed fare and card information at MTA Website

Although AirTrain is free within the airport, there is a small fee once you get out into the MTA subway to exit the airport.

Rental Car at JFK Airport :

Major rental car companies serve JFK Airport, with rental locations located on and off the airport.

Each terminal has a rental car counter or courtesy telephone for each rental car company at the baggage claim/ arrival level.

Take JFK AirTrain to the Rental Car Center to reach your Car rental company.

La Guardia Airport to NYC by Subway Train :

The most economical way into NYC is by Bus and Subway.

The Q70 LaGuardia Link Select Bus Service provides 24 hours, non-stop service links from terminals B, C, and D of LaGuardia Airport to NYC subways (MTA) and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) transit hubs in Jackson Heights, Woodside, and Queens:

- LaGuardia Airport (Terminals B, C, and D)

- Jackson Heights Subway Connections ( E, F, M, R train )

- Woodside Subway ( 7 train ) and LIRR Connections

To get to Manhattan, follow the signs to ground transportation/ NYC transit buses

Pay for your fare at the vending machines near the bus stop and wait in line.  

Take the LaGuardia Link Q70 select bus service.

For Lower and Midtown Manhattan from La Guardia Airport :
 
- Exit the bus at 74 St-Broadway /61 St-Woodside and Transfer to the 7 train or

- Exit the bus at Jackson Hts-Roosevelt Av and Transfer to the E, F, M, and R train

- Exit or transfer to another subway line for your hotel stop

- Check with your hotel for the closest stop.

Detailed information about the Q70 SBS

For taxi, shuttle, car rental, shared rides, and public transport options - La Guardia Airport Website

If you need to transfer to La Guardia airport from JFK use one of the shuttle services listed on the link, take a taxi, or Uber service.  

More Info - Transfer between JFK and LaGuardia Airport

Newark International Airport (EWR) by Train :

AirTrain Newark provides an economical connection and easy way into NYC Penn Station by Train.

Newark AirTrain is a free monorail-like service which transports airline passengers to and from the different terminals at EWR. 

AirTrain also connects EWR Airport to NJ TRANSIT and Amtrak station for Newark Airport.

AirTrain stops at all terminals, parking lots, hotel shuttle areas, car rental lots, and Airport Station for NJ Transit and Amtrak.

EWR Airport AirTrain is free within the airport.

Taking the AirTrain and NJ Transit into NY Penn station requires at least one transfer to the NJ Transit and possibly NYC subway.

This is a good option if you are carrying light luggage and coming during daylight hours.

From Newark Airport to NYC Penn Station will take you about 1 hour or more depending on train schedules.

From Baggage claim, follow the signs to Board the AirTrain at the airport.  

Take AirTrain Newark to Airport Station to connect to NJ TRANSIT.

Purchase your fare for the NJ Transit at the ticket counter or ticketing machines.

Use your ticket(s) to pass through the fare gate at Airport Station

Get on the NJ transit train and show your ticket(s) to the conductor on the train when he or she comes to check.

Check the NJ Transit train, especially the first and last train times!


For Midtown Manhattan :

- Exit NJ Transit at New York Penn Station. 

- Walk, Transfer to New York City ( MTA ) subway, or catch a cab to your hotel.

For Lower Manhattan :

- Exit the NJ Transit at Newark Penn Station and transfer to the PATH (commuter train between NJ and NYC).

- Exit at World Trade Center Station. 

- Walk, Transfer to MTA subway, or catch a cab to your hotel.

PATH information

AirTrain Newark information

AirTrain Newark rail connection information