JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark are the three biggest airports for New York City and actually getting there in time can be surprisingly difficult. If the traffic picks up then you're going to be in a car for around 2 hours from Manhattan to JFK, and with (or without) bags, you're probably not going to want to catch three different modes of public transport.
Based on my recent article about getting around New York, I thought I'd extend that a little bit further to the major airports. These are the places where most people start to second-guess themselves and decide to take a different method of transport than they normally do.
An important note about getting a ride from the airport
Like any big city, scams are prevalent everywhere. It's a pain in the butt and you really shouldn't have to worry about it but it's true.
Therefore, it's important to keep an eye out for scammers when looking for a ride. When you arrive, you will possibly have people wandering near you asking if you need a ride, or want to skip the taxi line. Do not take those rides.
While they may be legitimately just trying to make a dollar, there's a big risk when you don't either use an official ride-sharing app (which can be tracked) or a registered NYC taxi (which can also be tracked). You are also inviting outrageous trip fares because they're already operating outside the rules.
Stick to one of the below!
Using a ride-sharing app to or from the New York airports
The main players are Uber and Lyft. Pricing fluctuates based on demand, but expect to pay roughly $70–$120 for a trip between Manhattan and JFK depending on traffic and surge pricing.
A few things to keep in mind:
Uber and Lyft remain the most reliable options. They're licensed, insured, and you can track your trip. UberX will usually be your cheapest option; Lyft tends to price similarly. XL versions (for larger groups or more luggage space) run 30–50% more.
Empower is a newer app you may have heard about. It lets drivers keep 100% of their fares in exchange for a monthly subscription, which theoretically means cheaper rides. Some riders report paying significantly less than Uber or Lyft. However, the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) says Empower is operating without a license and warns that trips booked through the app aren't tracked and may not be insured if something goes wrong. Use at your own risk—and understand the trade-offs.
Curb is an app that lets you hail and pay for yellow taxis. It can be useful at the airport if you want the flat-rate taxi fare but prefer to pay through an app.
My approach: I use rideshare apps to get TO the airport when I'm leaving from home and can request a pickup easily. Coming FROM the airport, I usually just get in the taxi line—it's often faster than waiting for an Uber to navigate the pickup maze, and the flat fare from JFK ($70 + tolls/tip) is usually cheaper than surge pricing anyway.
Getting a taxi to and from NYC airports
Sure, you may not have thought about a cab but did you know that to JFK and back, it's a flat fare of $70 + taxes/tolls/tips!? The on-screen rate message should read “Rate #2- JFK Airport”, and there's really nothing more to it than that. Even with all the additions, you're probably looking at around $85-90 total, which often beats rideshare surge pricing.
For LaGuardia and Newark, there's an extra fee involved in addition to the normal metered fee, so it can get up there and is definitely worth calculating first!
Public transport to and from NYC airports
Now if you're someone who gets nervous about getting to the airport on-time (especially at peak hour) like me, then you're going to want to know this because most of the time, these lines are pretty consistent and will get you to the airport on time.
That being said, it's a bit of a painful trip if you're wanting to just get there. When I first arrived in the city, I used a cab, then I used public transport almost every time, but now, after years here, I'm back in a cab or car 100% of the time.
Public transport to JFK
The AirTrain links all passenger terminals with NYC's Subway system at Jamaica and Howard Beach Stations. At Jamaica, you can take the E, J or Z lines. At Howard Beach, you can take the A line. All NYC Subway fares are separate from AirTrain, but they can be paid using any MetroCard or OMNY. The subway fare is $3.00 and the AirTrain fare is $8.50.
So if you're headed to Manhattan:
| Destination | Connection | Estimated Cost & Time |
|---|---|---|
| Midtown Manhattan (Penn Station, W. 34 St.) | MTA NYC Transit E Subway at Jamaica Station | ~$11.40, 50 minutes |
| Lower Manhattan (below W. 14 St.) | MTA NYC Transit A Subway at Howard Beach Station | ~$11.40, 60 minutes |
| Upper Manhattan (W. 125 St.) | MTA NYC Transit E Subway at Jamaica Station, then transfer to subway or bus | ~$11.40, 75 minutes |
| Southern Queens, Northern Brooklyn | MTA NYC Transit J or Z Subway at Jamaica Station | ~$11.40, 50 minutes |
Public transport to LaGuardia
A little more complicated than JFK but there are lots of options. Note: LaGuardia still doesn't have a direct rail connection (the proposed AirTrain was scrapped in 2023), so it's buses all the way.
The good news: the Q70 SBS LaGuardia Link is free and connects directly to the subway system.
Travelers can take the Q70 SBS (free) to connect to the 7, E, F, M, R subway lines at 74 St/Roosevelt Ave, or the M60 SBS to Manhattan.
For a full summary head to LGA's website.
| Arrival/Departure Terminal | MTA Bus Service | Neighborhood Served | Connection to Subway/Rail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terminals A, B, C, D | M60 SBS (pay before boarding) | Queens (Astoria), Manhattan (North of 59 St), Bronx | N, W at Astoria Blvd; 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, A, B, C, D at 125 St; Metro-North at Harlem-125 St |
| Terminals B, C, D | Q70 SBS LaGuardia Link (FREE) | Queens, Midtown Manhattan, Long Island | 7, E, F, M, R at 74 St/Roosevelt Av; LIRR at Woodside |
| Terminal A | Q47 | Queens (Glendale, Jackson Heights) | 7, E, F, M, R at 74 St/Roosevelt Av |
| Terminals B, C, D | Q72 | Queens (Elmhurst, Rego Park) | M, R at 63 Dr/Rego Park |
| Terminals B, C, D | Q48 | Queens (Corona, Flushing) | 7 at Main St/Roosevelt Av |
Public transport to Newark
Two options for Newark depending on what you prefer: train or bus.
If you're departing from NYC Penn Station or Newark, take NJ TRANSIT or Amtrak to Newark Liberty International Airport Station. It takes about five minutes to get from AirTrain to the train platforms and between seven and 11 minutes to get to your terminal, depending on the terminal.
Note: Penn Station is horrible with bags and the Subway platform is a long walk from the NJ Transit section (which does require a separate ticket).
Newark Airport Express Bus runs between Newark Liberty International Airport & New York City. The Express Bus runs from 4 a.m. until 2 a.m., 365 days. The cost is $18.70 for one way, or $30 for round trip. Each bus stops at all 3 New York stops.
| Where to Board | New York Stop |
|---|---|
| Terminal A — Level 1, outside at Bus Stop 5 | Grand Central Station (41st Street between Park and Lexington) |
| Terminal B — Level 1, outside at Bus Stop 2 | Bryant Park (42nd Street and 5th Avenue) |
| Terminal C — Level 1, outside at Bus Stop 5 & 6 | Port Authority Bus Terminal (41st Street between 8th and 9th) |
In summary, how should you get to and from New York's airports?
My rule of thumb: If I've got luggage, I'm in a car.
Otherwise, it's a toss-up as to how much energy I have and how nervous I am about getting to the airport on time. Just LEAVE EARLIER THAN YOU CALCULATED! It will always take longer.
