How to get to New York City’s airports: a full guide

If you’ve ever landed at a New York City airport and spent $75 or more on a rideshare service to get into town, we feel your pain. There’s a price for convenience.

But with a little planning, you can get to and from New York’s three airports in a budget-friendly way. Public transport and shared shuttles serve the trio – and while navigating the system can seem daunting, taking the train, subway or bus to and from the airport is a great option, provided you don’t have a lot of luggage.

All three of NYC's major airports are accessible by some form of shared shuttle or public transit. If you’re heading to LaGuardia or John F Kennedy, then NYC subways and buses are the cheapest option by far. You can get to Newark Liberty International Airport via public transit, too, but it’s a bit more complicated.

Here’s all you need to know about your transit choices to and from New York City’s three airports.

Getting to and from LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

Minimum cost: $3

LaGuardia Airport in Queens is the closest to Manhattan, just 8 miles away. The main hub for domestic (intra-USA) flights, LaGuardia, once a decrepit eyesore, has undergone a spectacular overhaul and is now one of the country’s most beautiful airports.

How to take public transit from Manhattan to LGA

Getting to LaGuardia from Manhattan on public transit takes a bit of know-how. Here are a few route options:

1. Take the 7 train to 111 St, then connect to the Q48 bus.

2. Take the 7, E, F, M and R trains to Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Ave/74 St. Then connect to the Q47 bus.

3. Pick up the M60 SBS bus in Manhattan, which meets the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, A, B, C and D subway lines at 125 St, the 1 line at 116 St, and the Metro-North Railroad at Harlem–125 St.

4. The Q70 SBS (“LaGuardia Link”) also serves LGA, with connections to the 7, E, F, M and R lines at Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Ave/74 St, and the LIRR at 61 St–Woodside.

How to catch rideshares and taxis at LGA

There are designated spots for rideshare pickups and drop-offs at each terminal; just look for signs. There are also stands where yellow cabs pull up to meet passengers in the line. Taxi fares are metered to and from LGA, so the total will depend on the distance. A variety of surcharges and fees apply to taxi rides; these usually add around $10 to your fare. Tips are additional; 15% to 20% is customary.

Local Lonely Planet staff tips on getting to LGA

“Since I moved from Manhattan to Brooklyn, I’ve found it's way cheaper and quicker to get to LGA if I do choose to Uber. Even if you’re not staying in Brooklyn, take the L train to Williamsburg and order a ride from there. The same applies for JFK – it's just a bit further.”
– Ann Douglas Lott , Digital Editor

“LaGuardia is a car service for me, but I use a local one instead of the big guys. It’s half the price – and if you pay in cash, it can be even cheaper. A popular one is Arecibo. There are others like Carmel and Dial 7 that only old-school New Yorkers like me know about, and while it’s a bit clunkier than Lyft or Uber, it’s so insanely cheap."
– Brekke Fletcher , Senior Director of Content

“I am obsessed with the Q70 SBS (aka the LaGuardia Link). The Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Ave/74 St subway station is only 15 or 20 minutes from Midtown on the express subway. You transfer to the Q70 from a bus platform within the station. (No need to get a ticket – tap to pay when you board.) The bus then takes a dedicated lane on the freeway to whisk you on to the airport; in good traffic, you’ll be at your terminal in 10 minutes. Oh, and if you have time, grab a bite at a Colombian, Tibetan or Indian restaurant in Jackson Heights en route. It’s really one of New York’s most exciting neighborhoods.”
– Brian Healy , Contributing Editor

"If I were headed to LGA from Manhattan, I'd take advantage of Uber’s new shuttle that leaves from Penn Station, Port Authority Terminal and Grand Central Terminal. It costs around $20, which I would gladly pay in exchange for not having to worry about navigating the subway with bulky luggage. They've also launched routes to and from Downtown Brooklyn and Harlem."
– Ann Douglas Lott

Getting to and from John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

Minimum cost: $11.75

JFK is a major transit hub for domestic and especially international flights. Like LaGuardia, it’s also in Queens – but it’s some 19 miles from Manhattan, meaning the trip can take an hour or more.

How to take a shuttle from Manhattan to JFK

The easiest route from Manhattan to JFK is taking a shared Airlink NYC shuttle from Port Authority Bus Terminal to JFK. The rate starts at $35 for a one-way trip.

How to take public transit from Manhattan to JFK

You can reach all terminals at JFK via the AirTrain, which has two branches: one to Howard Beach, adjacent to the airport; the other to Jamaica Station, about 4 miles away (it only takes 10 minutes on the train). The AirTrain fare is $8.75 one-way, which you can pay with a contactless method.

From Manhattan, you can reach Jamaica Station in about 30 minutes on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). LIRR trains depart from Penn Station and Grand Central in Manhattan, and from Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn. You can connect to the AirTrain at Jamaica. Note that the one-way LIRR fare to Jamaica is as high as $7.

On the subway, you can expect about a 90-minute journey – with a fare of just $3. You can reach JFK by subway in two ways:

1. Catch the A train bound for Far Rockaway (not for Ozone Park–Lefferts Blvd) to the Howard Beach–JFK stop, and connect to the AirTrain from there.

2. Or take the E, J or Z trains to Sutphin Blvd–Archer Avenue. Take the elevator up to Jamaica Station, and follow the signs for the AirTrain.

How to catch rideshares and taxis at JFK Airport

Each terminal at JFK has designated spots for rideshare pickups and drop-offs, as well as queues for yellow cabs. (Note that due to major ongoing construction, these designated areas can be quite far from the terminals themselves.) Taxis charge a flat rate of $70 – not including tip or tolls – for trips between JFK and Manhattan, plus various surcharges and fees that can add up to $10 per fare. Tipping is additional: 15% to 20% is customary.

Local Lonely Planet staff tips on getting to JFK

“If time is your main concern, cars are not faster. From my apartment in Brooklyn, I love taking the LIRR to Jamaica and then the AirTrain. Another great option is the A train to Howard Beach. It’s trickier because you need to get on the correct A train, and sometimes it doesn’t run.”
– Brekke Fletcher

“Certain terminals at JFK are undergoing construction for the foreseeable future, which means not all terminals are open for Ubers. By the time you get on the AirTrain to change terminals, you may as well just take the subway.”
– Serina Patel, Senior Marketing Manager

Getting to and from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

Minimum cost: $6.25

Although Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is in New Jersey, it lies just across the Hudson River from Lower Manhattan. Sometimes it takes less time to reach the city from Newark than from JFK.

What to know about taxis at EWR

The fastest way to get between Manhattan and Newark is riding in a taxi or catching a rideshare. Depending on the time of day, the journey can take as little as 25 minutes.

However, taxis to and from EWR are pricey. If you take a taxi from EWR, there’s a $10 surcharge from the airport to all destinations in New York State on weekends (noon to 8pm) and during weekday rush hours (6am to 9am; 4pm to 7pm). There’s also a $1.25 fee for pickups, a charge for each piece of luggage 24 inches or bigger, and a $5.50 surcharge for all credit card transactions. Yellow New York City taxi fares to EWR are subject to a flat $20 surcharge.

And don't forget about the tolls: whether you're driving yourself or taking a cab, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey charges a fee to enter New York by bridge or tunnel, starting at $15 per car at off-peak hours. (Traveling into New Jersey is always toll-free.) Many toll plazas recently have stopped cash payments or have gone fully cashless permanently, so you – or your driver – will need an E-ZPass, unless you want to get hit with the bill later.

Expect a taxi from EWR to run at least $100.

How to catch rideshares at EWR

Major rideshare companies Lyft and Uber both operate at Newark Airport. To find your driver, go to the baggage claim area, then exit on the arrivals level. Look for the signs for ground transportation and ride app pickup.

How to take a shuttle bus from Manhattan to EWR

One of the easiest options for traveling between Manhattan and Newark Airport is the Coach USA shuttle bus. The bus picks up at Grand Central, Port Authority Bus Terminal or Bryant Park every 45 minutes and stops at all Newark terminals. The shuttle buses depart Newark every 15 minutes. The 50-minute journey costs $23.50 one-way for adults, or $39.50 round-trip.

How to take public transit from Manhattan to EWR

New Jersey Transit trains depart Manhattan’s Penn Station and take about 25 minutes to reach the Newark Airport stop. A one-way ticket is around $16. If you’re coming from points farther afield, Amtrak also serves the Newark Airport station, which is situated on its busy Northeast Corridor line.

If you have time, take the Port Authority’s PATH train from lower Manhattan to the end of the line, at Newark Penn Station ($3.25). From there, switch to an NJ Transit train to the airport, one station away. You’ll need to buy a $12 ticket for this short journey (via the NJ Transit app or from a kiosk on the station platform).

However you arrive at the Newark Airport rail station, you’ll connect to the AirTrain monorail, which serves all the terminals. Since the $8.75 fee is included in your train ticket, you’ll need to scan your ticket as you leave the station.

If you’re really looking to save, you can also take the PATH to a local or express NJ Transit bus – a longer but cheaper option, as well as an accessible one (starting at $2). NJ Transit trains only run between 5 and 1am, so you should plan to use the PATH or the #62 bus if you’re traveling outside those hours.

Local Lonely Planet staff tips on getting to EWR

“I go through Penn Station, where I love the new Moynihan Train Hall food court. I especially love the Irish Exit, by the same people as the Dead Rabbit. I seriously go out of my way to stop there – they have great cocktails (also lots of beer, of course). And Pastrami Queen or Alidoro for sandwiches to go.”
– Caroline Trefler , Destination Editor

“If I have to go to Newark, it’s only because the flight is cheaper and in a terminal that has a lounge (big win). Living in Williamsburg, sometimes it takes 2 hours and $100 to get to EWR in an Uber – and if you know driving in NYC, it means a 100% chance of getting carsick. If I have the time, I’ll take the M or F to the city and transfer to the PATH to Jersey City – then call an Uber from there.”
– Serina Patel

“I actually really like the NJ Transit route to Newark, especially from Midtown. I used to plan all my flights to leave post-work so I could commute in and head to the airport afterward. I also would try to red-eye back and go straight into work to maximize travel time as much as I could...but that part’s not for everyone. That bit was always rough.”
– Pia Peterson Haggarty , Photo Director

More New York City Airport tips for your journey

“I pick my flight based on the cost of travel to the airport and safety – because I don’t want to take my usual and very inexpensive AirTrain to the A train at 1am. So if I have to take a $100 Uber to get home on a cheaper flight because it’s super late or early, maybe it makes more sense to take the slightly more expensive flight during daylight.”
– Deepa Lakshmin , Social Media Director

“For all of these, the Transit app is the most reliable when you’re not doing the usual routing. Also, stay away from yellow cabs. They charge lots of extra fees.”
– Brekke Fletcher

“If you’re coming from Brooklyn, the best case is to fly out of LGA or take the A, C or J train and transfer to the AirTrain to JFK. It’s even nicer now that they take Apple Pay.”
– Serina Patel

“I’ve saved so much money scheduling Ubers and Lyfts a day in advance, but it really depends on the time of day you will be en route to the airport. Rule of thumb: if it’s going to be rush hour, book ahead of time.”
– Ann Douglas Lott

“I always take the train to the airport – since you always know how long it will take, even if that’s longer than by car (though with NYC’s horrendous traffic, that’s hardly a given). Then, after a long day of flying, I always splurge on a rideshare or taxi back home.”
– Brian Healy