Comparison · United States
New York's Three Airports, JFK vs Newark (EWR) vs LaGuardia (LGA): Where to Land and How to Get Into the City
JFK, Newark (EWR) and LaGuardia (LGA) each get you into Manhattan a different way. We compare routes, times and fares, and what to check on your ticket.
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New York's three airports: start here
When you search for flights to New York, JFK, Newark (EWR) and LaGuardia (LGA) can all show up under the same city name. All three are linked to Manhattan by public transport, but the way in is different from each one.
From JFK you take the AirTrain to Jamaica or Howard Beach and change to the subway. Newark is in New Jersey, but the AirTrain and NJ Transit trains take you to Penn Station in Midtown. From LaGuardia the free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus runs to Jackson Heights, where you change to the subway.
So before you pick a ticket, check which airport is printed on it. Even within New York, the time and cost of reaching your hotel change with the airport.
JFK: AirTrain + subway vs yellow cab
The cheapest option is the AirTrain plus the subway. Take the AirTrain to Jamaica or Howard Beach, then the E, J/Z or A subway into Manhattan. It takes about 60-75 minutes and costs about $11-12 for the AirTrain and subway together.
If you want to save a little time, the LIRR from Jamaica is faster than the subway.
Yellow cabs charge a flat fare between JFK and Manhattan: about $70, plus tolls, congestion surcharges and tip. Expect about 45-75 minutes depending on traffic. It is convenient with luggage or a group.
Newark (EWR): AirTrain + NJ Transit
Newark Airport is in New Jersey. Take the AirTrain to the airport rail station, then an NJ Transit train to Penn Station in Manhattan.
It takes about 30-40 minutes and costs about $16-18, AirTrain fee included. Newark is in New Jersey, but it is well connected to Midtown.
From Penn Station, continue to your hotel by subway or on foot. Manhattan's grid makes it easy to find your way.
LaGuardia (LGA): free Q70 bus + subway
At LaGuardia, take the free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus to Jackson Heights. There you change to the 7, E, F, M or R subway into Manhattan.
The bus is free, so you only pay the subway fare of about $3. The trip takes about 45-60 minutes.
It is the lowest-cost way in from any of the three airports. You do have to change from the bus to the subway once, so keep that in mind if you have a lot of luggage.
Think about where you're staying
Once you reach Manhattan, the subway takes you on to your hotel. Midtown (around Times Square) is central to major sights and subway lines, which suits first-timers, and NJ Transit from Newark arrives at Penn Station in Midtown. It is crowded and pricey, though.
In Lower Manhattan / the Financial District, business hotels often drop prices on weekends, and it is close to the Statue of Liberty ferries. It is quiet at night. In Brooklyn (Williamsburg, Downtown Brooklyn), hotels are often a bit cheaper than in Manhattan, and Manhattan is about 10-20 minutes away by subway.
If you take a taxi or a ride-hailing app to your hotel, note that trips to, from or within Manhattan at or below 60th Street carry a congestion charge.
At a glance
Choose by where you're staying, how much luggage you have and how much you want to spend. All times and fares are approximate.
- JFK AirTrain + subway: E, J/Z or A from Jamaica or Howard Beach, about 60-75 min, about $11-12, the cheapest JFK option (the LIRR from Jamaica is faster)
- JFK yellow cab: about $70 flat to Manhattan plus tolls and tip, about 45-75 min, convenient with luggage or a group
- Newark (EWR) AirTrain + NJ Transit: to Penn Station in about 30-40 min, about $16-18 (AirTrain fee included), well connected to Midtown
- LaGuardia (LGA) Q70 bus + subway: 7, E, F, M or R from Jackson Heights, about 45-60 min, about $3 (subway fare only)
- After you arrive: Midtown sits at the center of the subway network, and the Upper West Side next to Central Park is a quick subway ride to Midtown
Your first day: a few essentials
The New York subway runs 24/7, and you simply tap a contactless card or phone at the turnstile (OMNY). After 12 paid rides within 7 days on the same card, the rest of that week is free, so use the same card or phone for the whole trip.
If you arrive late and take the subway, ride in cars with other people and keep your phone and bag close.
- Set up a US eSIM before you fly so maps and ride-hailing apps work as soon as you land
- Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere, but a little cash helps for tips and street vendors
- If you arrive at one airport and leave from another, check your ticket again for which airport your return flight uses
- Check US entry requirements (such as ESTA) on the official US government website
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FAQ
Which New York airport is cheapest to get into Manhattan from?
From LaGuardia (LGA) the free Q70 bus plus the subway costs about $3, from JFK the AirTrain plus subway is about $11-12, and from Newark (EWR) the AirTrain plus NJ Transit is about $16-18.
Newark is in New Jersey. Is it hard to get to Manhattan from there?
Not really. The AirTrain and NJ Transit take you to Penn Station in Manhattan in about 30-40 minutes, so Midtown is easy to reach.
How much is a taxi from JFK to Manhattan?
Yellow cabs charge a flat fare of about $70 between JFK and Manhattan, plus tolls, congestion surcharges and tip. The ride takes about 45-75 minutes depending on traffic.
Do I need to buy a subway ticket at the airport?
The subway accepts a contactless card or phone tapped at the turnstile (OMNY). After 12 paid rides within 7 days on the same card, the rest of that week is free.
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