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To and From Manhattan
Select your airport, then choose your direction. Each guide covers every realistic option — subway, train, express bus, rideshare, and taxi — with current fares and realistic travel times.
Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess & Connecticut
Traveling between New York’s northern suburbs or southwestern Connecticut and a NYC airport? These guides cover every option via Metro-North.
NYC’s Three Airports
LGA and JFK are both in Queens; EWR is across the Hudson in New Jersey — but often just as convenient depending on where you’re staying in Manhattan.
Transportation Cost Comparison
Approximate one-way costs from Midtown Manhattan. Rideshare prices vary by time of day and surge pricing. Verify current fares before you travel.
| Method | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Transit | |||
| AirTrain + SubwaySee note 1 | $11.75Two separate fares | ~70 min | Cheapest option |
| AirTrain + LIRRvia Jamaica Station · See note 2 Schedules & Fares |
$14.00 / $16.00Off-peak / Peak · Two separate fares Senior/Disabled: $12.25 |
35–45 min | ⭐ Best Balance |
| Road | |||
| Shared VanGo Airlink NYC · Uber Shuttle | $25–$36Prices vary · book in advance | ~60 min | Budget, no planning |
| Yellow TaxiSee note 3 | $70 flat rateAll-in typically $85–$120 + tolls & tip |
~45–60 min | Easiest after landing |
| Uber / LyftSee note 4 | $80–$150+Varies widely · check app | 47–60 min | Flexible, door-to-door |
| Car Service / LimoKing & Queen Limo · See note 5 | From ~$180+ tip, tolls & fees | ~45–60 min | Comfort, zero hassle |
| Premium | |||
| HelicopterBLADE · See note 6 | $195/seatShared charter $795–$995 Private charter from $1,875 |
~5 min | High-End & Fastest |
- AirTrain + Subway: Fare shown = AirTrain fare ($8.75) + subway fare ($3.00), paid as two separate transactions. Take the A train to Howard Beach or the E/J/Z to Jamaica, then board the AirTrain to your terminal. AirTrain fare is paid at the fare gate when exiting toward the subway. Children under 5 ride the AirTrain free.
- AirTrain + LIRR: Off-peak total: $5.25 + $8.75 = $14.00. Peak total: $7.25 + $8.75 = $16.00. Senior/Disabled: $3.50 LIRR + $8.75 AirTrain = $12.25. From Manhattan, board at Penn Station or Grand Central Madison to Jamaica Station, then take the AirTrain to your terminal. Always buy tickets before boarding — on-board surcharge is $8.00. Track with the MTA TrainTime app.
- Yellow Taxi — JFK flat rate: The $70 flat rate applies to trips between Manhattan and JFK in either direction. Surcharges apply — see individual spoke guides for full breakdown. Fares regulated by the NYC TLC.
- Uber / Lyft: Prices vary widely with demand, traffic, time of day, and vehicle type. During surge periods, the yellow taxi flat rate may be cheaper and more predictable.
- Car Service: Fixed-rate pricing with no surge. Tolls, fees, and tip are additional. Book in advance.
- Helicopter (BLADE): Shared per-seat flights from $195/seat. Shared charter from $795–$995. Private charter from $1,875. Manhattan heliports: West 30th St and East 34th St. Book at blade.com.
| Method | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Transit | |||
| Q70 Bus + SubwayBus in Queens · Subway between Queens & Manhattan · See note 1 | $3.00Single subway fare · OMNY tap to pay | 40–60 min | Cheapest option |
| Metro-North + M60 BusWestchester · Dutchess · Putnam · CT · See note 2 | VariesMetro-North fare + $3.00 bus | Varies | Time Saver Route |
| Metro-North + LIRR + Q70 BusWestchester · Dutchess · Putnam · CT · See note 3 | VariesMetro-North + LIRR fares + $3.00 bus | Varies | Comfort Route |
| Road | |||
| Shared VanGo Airlink NYC · Uber Shuttle | ~$30Prices vary · book in advance | ~60 min | Budget, no planning |
| Yellow TaxiSee note 4 | MeteredTypically $35–$60 from Midtown + surcharges & tip |
~25–45 min | Easiest after landing |
| Uber / LyftSee note 5 | $40–$90+Varies widely · check app | 25–45 min | Flexible, door-to-door |
| Car Service / LimoKing & Queen Limo · See note 6 | From ~$75+ tip, tolls & fees | ~25–45 min | Comfort, zero hassle |
- Q70 Bus + Subway: The Q70 runs from LaGuardia through Queens to Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Ave/74th St (E/F/M/R/7) and Woodside–61st St LIRR. Pay at the kiosk before boarding — one fare covers bus and subway on OMNY.
- Metro-North + M60 Bus: Take Metro-North and exit at Harlem–125th St. The M60 bus runs directly to LaGuardia from there. See our LaGuardia guides for full routing.
- Metro-North + LIRR + Q70: Metro-North to Grand Central, LIRR to Woodside, Q70 bus to LaGuardia. More familiar path for suburban travelers. See our LaGuardia guides for full routing.
- Yellow Taxi — LGA metered fare: No flat rate for LaGuardia. Meter runs from pickup. Surcharges apply — see individual spoke guides for full breakdown. Fares regulated by the NYC TLC.
- Uber / Lyft: LGA is relatively close to Midtown so base fares are lower than JFK — but surge pricing during peak hours can add significantly.
- Car Service: Fixed-rate pricing with no surge. Tolls, fees, and tip are additional. Book in advance.
| Method | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Transit | |||
| NJ Transit + AirTrainNortheast Corridor or North Jersey Coast Line · See note 1 Schedules & Fares |
$16.10–$19.10NJ Transit fare + $8.75 AirTrain included when bought via app or machine | ~30–45 min | ⭐ Best Balance |
| NJ Transit from NJ SuburbsTransfer at Newark Penn Station · See note 2 | VariesNJ Transit fare + $8.75 AirTrain | Varies | NJ Residents |
| Road | |||
| Shared VanGo Airlink NYC · Uber Shuttle | $20–$30Prices vary · book in advance | ~60–75 min | Budget, no planning |
| Yellow TaxiSee note 3 | MeteredTypically $50–$85 from Midtown + $20 Newark surcharge + tip |
~40–60 min | Easiest after landing |
| Uber / LyftSee note 4 | $55–$120+Varies widely · check app | 40–60 min | Flexible, door-to-door |
| Car Service / LimoKing & Queen Limo · See note 5 | From ~$100+ tip, tolls & fees | ~40–60 min | Comfort, zero hassle |
| Premium | |||
| HelicopterBLADE · West 30th St Heliport only · See note 6 | From $195/seat~10 min · Lands at Signature terminal · Car transfer included | ~10 min | High-End & Fastest |
- NJ Transit + AirTrain: Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line stop directly at Newark Liberty Airport Station. AirTrain fee included when ticket purchased via NJ Transit app, web, or machine. From NY Penn Station, ~20–25 min to airport. Note: AirTrain suspended weekdays 5am–3pm for construction through 2026 — free shuttle buses replace service during this window. Allow extra time. Check njtransit.com for current advisories.
- NJ Transit from NJ Suburbs: Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line connect directly to Newark Airport Station. Other lines connect via Newark Penn Station or Secaucus Junction. See our Newark guides for full routing.
- Yellow Taxi — EWR metered fare: No flat rate for Newark. $20 Newark surcharge applies on top of meter. Surcharges additional — see individual spoke guides for full breakdown. Fares regulated by the NYC TLC.
- Uber / Lyft: EWR is farther in road miles and tunnel tolls add to the total. Always check the app for a current estimate.
- Car Service: Fixed-rate pricing with no surge. Tolls, fees, and tip are additional. Book in advance.
- Helicopter (BLADE): Shared flights between West 30th St Heliport and Newark Liberty. ~10 min. BLADE lands at Signature Flight Support terminal — car transfer to main terminal included. From $195/seat. Book at blade.com.
Official Maps & Resources
Official maps and guides from the MTA, Port Authority, and NJ Transit. Links open directly to the source — always the most current version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from travelers flying in and out of New York City.
1 Which NYC airport should I fly into?
JFK — Largest international hub. Widest range of airlines and destinations. Rail access via AirTrain to subway or LIRR. Flat taxi rate from Manhattan. Best for international flights and travelers who want a reliable transit option.
LaGuardia — Closest to Midtown (about 8 miles). Primarily domestic. No direct rail link, but subway and commuter rail connections via the M60 and Q70 bus routes bring thousands of passengers daily. Known for delays and cancellations — factor that in for time-sensitive travel.
Newark — United Airlines hub, with extensive domestic and international routes, including strong transatlantic service. Terminal A is newly rebuilt and among the best in the region. NJ Transit rail connects directly to Penn Station. Fares are sometimes cheaper, particularly to Europe.
2 Which airport is best for international flights?
JFK is New York’s primary international hub, with the most airlines, the most destinations, and the most non-stop long-haul routes. Terminal 4 handles Delta and many international airlines; Terminal 1 covers Air France, Lufthansa, Korean Air, and others.
Newark is also a major international airport — United’s hub here includes extensive transatlantic and transpacific routes. For travelers flying United or Star Alliance partners, EWR can be just as good as JFK.
LaGuardia is primarily domestic. A handful of international routes exist but it’s not where you’ll find the major international connections.
3 Do I need a REAL ID to fly?
Yes — as of May 7, 2025, REAL ID is required for domestic flights within the United States. Look for a star in the upper corner of your license — that’s the REAL ID mark. If your license isn’t compliant, you’ll need a U.S. passport or another acceptable federal ID at the security checkpoint.
4 Is TSA PreCheck worth it for flying out of NYC?
Yes — especially at JFK and Newark, where standard security lines can be substantial. TSA PreCheck allows you to keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on, leave your laptop in your bag, and use a dedicated lane that moves significantly faster. At busy terminals like JFK Terminal 4 or Terminal 5, PreCheck can save 20–30 minutes during peak hours.
5 What are the best and worst times to travel through NYC airports?
The best time to travel is mid-morning to early afternoon — roughly 10am to 2pm. Early morning flights (before 7am) also tend to have fewer delays since aircraft haven’t had a chance to fall behind schedule yet.
The worst times are Friday afternoons, Sunday evenings, and holiday weekends. LaGuardia in particular is consistently ranked among the worst airports for on-time performance — if your schedule is flexible, JFK or EWR are more reliable during high-travel periods.
6 Where do Uber and Lyft pick up at NYC airports?
All three airports have designated rideshare pickup zones — not at the terminal curb.
JFK — Rideshare pickups are at a centralized lot accessed via the AirTrain (one stop from most terminals, free within the airport loop).
LaGuardia — Rideshare pickups are in designated parking areas accessible by a short walk or shuttle from the terminals. Follow the app’s in-terminal signage carefully.
Newark — Rideshare pickup is at a dedicated lot near Terminal B. Always confirm the exact location in your app before you arrive at baggage claim.
7 How do I get through customs faster when arriving internationally?
Global Entry is the single best tool for international arrivals. It allows U.S. citizens and eligible foreign nationals to bypass the standard customs line and use automated kiosks instead — typically cutting the process from 45–60 minutes down to under 5 minutes. Global Entry also includes TSA PreCheck. Enrollment requires an application, background check, and in-person interview.
Mobile Passport Control is a free app alternative that can also speed up the process for U.S. citizens — JFK and Newark both support it.
8 Which airport has the best terminals and amenities?
Newark’s Terminal A, which reopened in 2023, is widely considered the best new terminal in the New York area — spacious, modern, with good dining and natural light. LaGuardia’s Terminal B is also impressive after its recent rebuild.
At JFK, the experience varies by terminal. Terminal 4 (Delta hub) and Terminal 5 (JetBlue) are well-regarded. The famous TWA Hotel in the landmarked 1962 Saarinen terminal is worth a visit even if you’re not staying there.