Ruth Haines
New York City is served by three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Each airport has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of location, accessibility, and amenities. So, which is the best airport for travellers visiting Manhattan?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Closest Airport to Manhattan | LaGuardia Airport (LGA) |
| Best Airport for Commute to/from Manhattan | LaGuardia Airport (LGA) |
| Best Airport for Domestic Travel | LaGuardia Airport (LGA) |
| Best Airport for International Travel | John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) |
| Best Airport for Travel to/from New Jersey | Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) |
| Best Airport for Travel to/from Brooklyn and Queens | John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) |
| Best Airport for Travel to/from Midtown and Lower Manhattan | Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) |
| Best Airport for Travel to/from Manhattan by Subway | John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) |
| Best Airport for Overall Travel to/from Manhattan | John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) |
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What You'll Learn
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
JFK is easily accessible from Queens, Brooklyn, and Long Island. The airport connects to the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) and the MTA subway, making it convenient to get to and from Manhattan. It is also a hub for major airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue, which has its own terminal, T5, featuring an outdoor dog run and other amenities. The TWA Hotel, accessible from Terminal 5, is a unique on-site airport hotel with restaurants, a food hall, bars, a rooftop infinity pool, museum exhibits, and more.
Travellers can commute to and from Manhattan and JFK via taxi, Uber, Lyft, or Blade helicopter. While taxi, Uber, and Lyft are more expensive options, they offer convenience and ease of access to and from the airport. The Blade helicopter service provides a seamless transfer between JFK and Manhattan in under five minutes, although it comes at a higher cost of $195 per seat.
Compared to other airports in the region, such as LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), JFK offers a wider range of airlines and flights due to its larger size. However, some consider JFK to be farther from Manhattan, and the AirTrain, which connects the airport to public transportation, has been criticised for its reduced frequency, adding to the overall commute time.
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LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
LaGuardia Airport is the smallest of New York City's three airports. It was established in 1929 and began operating as a public airport in 1939. It is named after Fiorello H. La Guardia, a former mayor of New York City. The airport has undergone significant renovations, addressing previous criticisms of its subpar facilities.
The airport offers several public bus options, including the M60-SBS bus, which connects to the 125th Street 4, 5, 6 subway station for travel to and from uptown Manhattan. Additionally, the Q60 bus operates a direct service to Harlem and the Upper West Side. LGA does not have a direct subway connection, but passengers can take the E, F, M, or R train to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue or the 7 train to 74th St-Broadway, then transfer to the free Q70-SBS LaGuardia Link bus, which serves terminals B and C. A complimentary shuttle is available to Terminal A if needed.
LaGuardia Airport is served by eight carriers: United, American, Delta, Air Canada, Frontier, Southwest, Spirit, and JetBlue. These airlines offer direct flights to cities across the United States, Canada, Aruba, the Bahamas, and Bermuda. The airport served 30.6 million domestic passengers in 2023, making it the third-busiest airport in the New York metropolitan area in terms of passenger volume.
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Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
If you're deciding which airport to fly into in New York City, one of the best options for Manhattan is Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Located in New Jersey, EWR is approximately 9 miles (14 km) west-southwest of Manhattan, making it a convenient option if you're staying in New Jersey or on the west side of Manhattan.
EWR is easily accessible by public transportation. The CoachUSA bus, for example, provides a direct and cost-effective connection from any terminal to Grand Central Station. If you're commuting from Brooklyn or Queens, however, be aware that travelling to EWR can be tedious and expensive by car. In that case, it might be worth considering a different airport or mode of transportation, such as the Blade helicopter service, which offers transfers to and from EWR and Manhattan.
EWR is a major international airport serving the New York metropolitan area. It is jointly owned by the cities of Newark and Elizabeth and is the second-busiest airport in the New York airport system, serving 49.1 million passengers in 2023. The airport is a hub for United Airlines, with more than 30 airlines flying in and out, including major international carriers such as American Airlines, British Airways, Emirates, and more.
Each terminal at EWR has a food court, with Terminal C being particularly renowned for its culinary offerings. In 2019, Terminal C was named 'Best for Foodies' in the nation by Fodor's Travel Awards, thanks to its $120 million renovation plan, which included the addition of 55 new restaurants headed by celebrity chefs.
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Transport options to Manhattan
There are three major airports serving New York City: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Each airport offers a range of transport options for reaching Manhattan.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
JFK is located in Queens, about 15 miles southeast of Midtown Manhattan. It is the largest and busiest of the three airports, serving more than 60 million passengers annually. The airport is easily accessible from Queens, Brooklyn, and Long Island. It connects to the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) and the MTA subway, making it a convenient option for those travelling to various parts of the city.
- Subway: The subway is an affordable option, with a fare of $2.75 when using a MetroCard.
- Bus: The Q70-SBS LaGuardia Link bus is free and travels to the Jackson Heights, Queens station, where you can connect to various subway lines.
- Long Island Railroad (LIRR): The LIRR is accessible from the Woodside stop, with trains stopping at Penn Station and Grand Central.
- Taxi: Taxis are available outside the arrivals area of each terminal. NYC taxis charge a $70 flat rate, plus tolls and tips.
- Ride-hailing: Uber and Lyft services are available, with rates fluctuating based on demand.
- Blade Helicopter: Blade offers a helicopter transfer between JFK and Manhattan in under 5 minutes, priced at $195 per seat.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
LaGuardia Airport is located in Queens, about 8 miles from Manhattan, making it the closest airport to the borough. While it does not have a direct subway connection, LGA offers several bus options and rideshare pickups for travel into Manhattan and the outer boroughs.
- Subway and Bus: The M60-SBS bus connects LGA to the 125th Street 4, 5, and 6 subway station. The bus fare is $2.90, and the subway fare is $2.75 with a MetroCard.
- Express Shuttle Bus: This service operates between 11 am and 7 pm, with a trip duration of 1 to 2 hours. The fare is around $16.
- Taxi and Ride-hailing: While pricier, these options are faster than the express bus. Taxi fares start at $40, excluding additional charges.
- Blade Helicopter: Blade offers a 5-minute helicopter charter between LGA and Manhattan.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Newark Airport is located in New Jersey and is easily accessible if you're staying in New Jersey or on the west side of Manhattan. While commuting to EWR from Brooklyn or Queens can be tedious and expensive by car, it may be the best option for specific flight times or airlines.
- AirTrain and NJ Transit Train: Combining the AirTrain and NJ Transit is a fast route, typically taking under an hour. The total cost is around $15.
- NJ Transit Bus: The bus to Port Authority costs roughly $10, while the express bus to Grand Central Terminal is approximately $18.
- NJ Transit bus/Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH): Take the bus to Newark Penn Station, then board the PATH train to the World Trade Center for a total fare of $2.75 with a MetroCard.
- Taxi and Ride-hailing: Fares start at $50 from Newark to Manhattan.
- Blade Helicopter: Blade offers a 5-minute helicopter transfer between Newark Airport and Manhattan, priced at $195 per seat.
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Cost and convenience
When it comes to cost and convenience, there are a few airports that are worth considering when travelling to Manhattan. Here is some information about each to help you decide which one suits you best:
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
JFK is New York City's main airport, located in Queens, about 15 miles southeast of Midtown Manhattan. It is the largest and busiest of the three major airports serving New York City, with more than 60 million passengers passing through each year. It is easily accessible from Queens, Brooklyn, and Long Island, and offers connections to the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) and the MTA subway. However, travelling to and from JFK by taxi, Uber, or Lyft can be expensive. NYC taxis charge a $70 flat rate, plus tolls, tips, and other surcharges for rides to and from Manhattan. While Uber and Lyft services are also available, their rates can often be higher than taxis due to demand fluctuations.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
LaGuardia Airport is located in Queens, about 8 miles from Manhattan, making it the closest airport to the borough. While it is not connected to the subway system, LGA offers several public bus options, including the M60-SBS bus to Uptown Manhattan and the free LaGuardia Link Q70 to Jackson Heights, Queens, where you can connect to various subway lines. Rideshare pickups are also available at LGA. Following an $8 billion transformation, LaGuardia has been praised for its modern amenities and efficient Uber/Lyft pickup zone.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Newark Liberty International Airport is located in Newark, New Jersey, making it a convenient option for those travelling to New Jersey or Pennsylvania. While it is easily accessible from the west side of Manhattan, travelling to and from Brooklyn and Queens can be time-consuming and expensive, especially by car or taxi. Fares for taxis and ride-hailing services from Newark to Manhattan start at $50. However, there are more affordable options, such as the NJ Transit bus to Port Authority for approximately $10 or the express bus to Grand Central Terminal for about $18.
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Frequently asked questions
The best airport for Manhattan depends on where you are travelling from and to, as well as your budget. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is the largest and busiest of the three major airports serving New York City, and is accessible via the subway and AirTrain. LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is the smallest of the three airports, located in Queens, and is accessible via the subway, bus, or ride-share. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is located in New Jersey, and is accessible via the AirTrain, NJ Transit train, bus, or taxi.
To get to Manhattan from JFK, you can take the A or E train to the AirTrain, which will take you to the airport. The total cost of the subway and AirTrain is $7.75. You can also take a taxi or ride-hail to the airport, or a Blade helicopter for $195 per seat.
To get to Manhattan from LGA, you can take the subway, bus, or express shuttle bus. The subway and bus fare is $2.75 with a MetroCard. A taxi or ride-hail will be faster but pricier. You can also take a Blade helicopter charter for $195 per seat.
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