Owais Crawford
New York City is served by three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). JFK is the largest and busiest of the three, located in Queens and serving more than 60 million passengers annually. LaGuardia, also located in Queens, mainly handles domestic flights and is ideal for travellers looking for quick access to Manhattan's landmarks. Newark, located in Newark, New Jersey, handles both domestic and international flights and is less crowded than JFK.
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What You'll Learn
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
John F. Kennedy International Airport, more commonly known by its airport code, JFK, is New York City's main airport. Located in Queens, JFK is the city's largest and busiest airport, serving more than 62 million passengers per year. It is one of three major airports serving New York City, the other two being LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
JFK is well-connected to New York City's public transportation system. The airport is connected to the subway via the A and E lines and the AirTrain, which can be ridden for free between terminals. From Jamaica Station, passengers can also take the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) to Grand Central Madison Station or Penn Station in Manhattan. The AirTrain ride to Jamaica or Howard Beach Stations costs $8.25, and a subway ride from there into the city costs an additional $2.90. JFK is also accessible by taxi, ridesharing services like Uber or Lyft, or airport shuttle services like GO Airlink NYC.
JFK is served by more than 70 airlines, most of which are international. Some of the airlines that fly to and from JFK include Singapore Airlines, Korean Air, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Air France, Finnair, and EgyptAir, JetBlue, and Delta. The airport features modern terminals, decent infrastructure, and a wide range of lounges, shops, and dining options.
The TWA Hotel, accessible via a walkway from JetBlue's Terminal 5, is a unique on-site airport hotel. The hotel is housed in the landmark 1962 TWA Flight Center designed by Eero Saarinen and features restaurants, a food hall, bars, a rooftop infinity pool, museum exhibits, a Twister Room, a photo booth, and other retro treats. Behind the hotel is a cocktail lounge tucked inside a remodelled Lockheed Constellation airplane.
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LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
LaGuardia Airport is named after Fiorello La Guardia, a three-term New York City mayor who was a long-time aviation advocate. In 1927, while serving as a US representative of New York, he criticised the slow progress of both federal and state governments in establishing municipal airports in the city. LaGuardia pushed for the transformation of Governors Island into a combined airport and seaplane base. However, military and shipping concerns eventually shut down the proposal. Nevertheless, LaGuardia and industry leaders agreed that New York City needed a central "express" airport.
LaGuardia Airport is a hub for both American Airlines and Delta Air Lines. The airport has improved significantly since its reopening in 2020, with Terminal B being named the best new airport in the world at UNESCO's Prix Versailles awards. Terminal B now offers popular New York eateries such as Shake Shack, Bubby's, Dos Toros Taqueria, and Talde. However, Terminal A remains an outlier, known more for its art and historical significance rather than its amenities.
When travelling between LGA and New York City, there are various public transportation options available. For Uptown Manhattan destinations, the M60-SBS bus leaves from Terminals A, B, and C and connects to multiple subway lines along 125th Street. The LaGuardia Link Q70 provides a free service to Midtown Manhattan, departing from Terminals B and C and travelling to the Jackson Heights, Queens station. From there, passengers can connect to various subway lines or head to the Woodside stop to board a Long Island Railroad (LIRR) train to Penn Station or Grand Central.
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Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Newark Liberty International Airport (IATA: EWR, ICAO: KEWR, FAA LID: EWR) is one of the three major airports serving the New York metropolitan area, alongside John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA). Located in the US state of New Jersey, it straddles the boundary between the cities of Newark in Essex County and Elizabeth in Union County. It is approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km) south of downtown Newark and 9 miles (14 km) west-southwest of Manhattan.
Newark Airport is a major gateway to destinations in Europe, South America, Asia, and Oceania. It is jointly owned by the cities of Newark and Elizabeth, and the airport is leased to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. It is the second-busiest airport in the New York airport system, serving 43.4 million passengers in 2022, and 49.1 million in 2023, making it the 13th busiest airport in the US and 23rd busiest in the world. The airport serves 50 carriers, with United Airlines being the largest tenant, serving about 63% of passengers.
The airport is conveniently located near the Newark Airport Interchange, the junction between Interstate 95 and Interstate 78, and U.S. Route 1/9. Unlike JFK and LaGuardia airports, Newark Airport is landlocked and does not have runways extending into large bodies of water. It has three runways, with 4L/22R primarily used for takeoffs, 4R/22L for landings, and 11/29 for smaller aircraft or when there are strong crosswinds.
Travelling to and from Newark Airport can be more challenging and expensive compared to the other New York airports. The subway and NJ Transit options can be confusing and require multiple transfers. Taking a taxi can cost $70-100 due to the fare to enter the city and traffic on bridges and tunnels. If you're travelling to Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, or the Bronx, you'll encounter tolls and less convenient flight times. Therefore, it is recommended to consider the trade-offs before choosing Newark Airport, such as saving a significant amount on airfare.
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Transport options to and from the airports
New York City is served by three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). All three airports are accessible by public transit, taxi, rideshare, or rental car.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
JFK is New York City's main airport and is located in Queens. It is the largest and busiest of the three airports, serving more than 62 million passengers per year. The airport is connected to the subway via the A and E lines and the AirTrain, which provides free transportation between the airport's eight terminals. To access the AirTrain, purchase an OMNY card or use OMNY on your smartphone. The AirTrain connects to the NYC subway, rail, and bus network at Jamaica and Howard Beach Stations. From Jamaica Station, you can take the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) to Grand Central Madison Station or Penn Station in Manhattan. The subway from Jamaica Station provides access to Brooklyn, Queens, Midtown, and Lower Manhattan, while the Howard Beach Station connects to Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan, and the Rockaways.
The cheapest way to get to and from JFK is by subway, which takes around 50-60 minutes to reach Manhattan and costs around $3, in addition to the AirTrain fare of $8.25. The total time to get to Manhattan by public transportation is approximately 90 minutes.
Taking a taxi, Uber, or Lyft is the most expensive way to travel to and from JFK, with fares starting at $70, excluding tolls, tips, and surcharges.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
LaGuardia Airport is also located in Queens and is about 8 miles from Manhattan. It is the closest airport to Manhattan and serves more than 30 million passengers annually.
To get to Uptown Manhattan from LGA, you can take the M60-SBS bus from Terminals A, B, and C, which connects to multiple subway lines along 125th Street. For Midtown Manhattan destinations, the LaGuardia Link Q70 provides a free connection to the Jackson Heights, Queens station, where you can transfer to various subway lines or the Woodside stop for the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) to Penn Station and Grand Central.
LaGuardia Airport is accessible by NYC subways and buses, which are the cheapest transportation option.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Newark Liberty International Airport is located in a different state, New Jersey, and is about the same distance from Manhattan as JFK. It is notoriously challenging to reach by subway and NJ Transit, and taxi fares typically range from $60 to $80, excluding tolls.
The AirTrain at Newark Airport serves all three terminals, providing free connections to rental cars, hotel shuttles, and parking lots. There is an additional $8.25 fee for AirTrain journeys connecting to the city via the Newark Liberty International Airport Station. From the airport station, you can take NJ Transit or Amtrak trains directly to Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan, with fares starting at $20 one way.
Another option for travelling between Newark Airport and Manhattan is the Coach USA shuttle bus. Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are also available at the airport, with fares from Newark to Times Square costing around $70.
General Considerations
When travelling to and from New York City's airports, it is essential to consider the luggage you are carrying. Public transportation options may involve crowded vehicles and stairs, making roller bags inconvenient. Carry-on-sized travel backpacks are generally recommended for easier navigation.
Additionally, it is advisable to buy tickets or add value to your MetroCard or OMNY card before your journey to avoid long lines at the airport.
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Amenities and services at each airport
New York City has three main airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). Each airport offers a range of amenities and services to cater to the millions of passengers who pass through each year.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
JFK is New York City's main airport and is located in Queens. It is the largest and busiest of the three airports, serving more than 62 million passengers annually. The airport is easily accessible via public transportation, including the AirTrain, which connects to the NYC subway, rail, and bus network. JFK offers a wide range of dining and shopping options, as well as lounges and a rooftop pool. The TWA Hotel, accessible from Terminal 5, features restaurants, a food hall, bars, a rooftop infinity pool, museum exhibits, and a cocktail lounge inside a remodeled Lockheed Constellation airplane.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
LaGuardia Airport is also located in Queens, about 8 miles from Manhattan. It is the smallest of the three primary airports and primarily handles domestic flights. LaGuardia has improved significantly in recent years, with Terminal B being named the best new airport in the world at UNESCO's Prix Versailles awards. The terminal offers a variety of dining options, including New York favorites such as Shake Shack, Bubby's, and Dos Toros Taqueria. LaGuardia is accessible via public transportation, with bus and subway connections to Manhattan and other parts of New York City.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Newark Airport is located in Newark, New Jersey, and is about the same distance from Manhattan as JFK. It handles both domestic and international flights and is known for its modern facilities. Newark is accessible via the AirTrain Newark monorail, which connects to NJ Transit commuter trains and Amtrak intercity trains. The airport is generally less crowded than JFK and LaGuardia. While it is further from the city, it can be a convenient option for those looking to avoid the higher tolls associated with travelling to and from Manhattan.
In addition to these three major airports, New York City also has several satellite and reliever airports, including Teterboro Airport, the oldest operating airport in the metropolitan area, and Westchester County Airport, located about 33 miles north of the city.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no one answer to this as New York City is a big place. If you're going to Brooklyn, Queens, or the east side of Manhattan, JFK will be your closest airport. If you're headed to Manhattan, LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is the closest airport, located about 8 miles from Manhattan.
The easiest but most expensive way to travel between JFK and New York City is by taxi, Uber, or Lyft. NYC taxis charge a $70 flat rate, plus tolls, tips, and other surcharges. Rideshare services are also available to and from JFK but can often cost more than taxis due to fluctuating rates. JFK is also connected to the subway via the A and E lines and AirTrain, which you can ride for free between terminals.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) has been praised for its dining options after its reopening in 2020, with Terminal B being named the best new airport in the world at UNESCO's Prix Versailles awards. You can find popular New York restaurants here, including Shake Shack, Bubby's, Dos Toros Taqueria, and Talde. JFK Airport is also home to a variety of dining options, including a food hall, bars, and a rooftop infinity pool at the TWA Hotel.
