New York City Transportation / Air
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John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
JFK is 15 mi/24 km east of Midtown and about 20 minutes farther (in light traffic) by car than La Guardia. Be sure to leave yourself ample time to get there, especially on Friday afternoons and during rush hours -- traffic can make the journey long and costly. As far as convenience to Manhattan, both La Guardia and Newark airports are superior.

Connecting Transportation

Best way:

If you're traveling alone and not in too great a hurry, the most efficient and inexpensive way to get to and from JFK is via a New York Airport Service bus that takes travelers to midtown Manhattan. (Be advised that, because of the airport's distance from Manhattan and the congested highway system, it can take well over an hour -- and sometimes closer to two -- to reach Manhattan.) Buses generally link the airport with Grand Central Terminal and the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Catch the bus right outside the baggage claim. US$13-$15 one-way. Phone 718-875-8200. http://www.nyairportservice.com.

Other options:

SuperShuttle operates a 24-hour, door-to-door service to Manhattan (handy, but because it's a shared-ride system, you'll likely have to make additional stops which can eat up valuable time). Rates are approximately US$13-$22, depending on your destination. Phone 212-258-3826. http://www.supershuttle.com. You'll also find hotel courtesy vans in the ground transportation area outside the baggage claim. And taxis are plentiful, with rides to Manhattan for a flat fee of US$35 plus tolls (fares to Brooklyn or Queens are determined by the meter).

Although it runs 24 hours a day, the subway is not a safe way to get from the airport to Manhattan after dark. It's also not recommended if you're carrying much luggage. But if you're up for the adventure during the day, free buses leave from the long-term parking lots every 10-20 minutes (after 8 pm, every 30 minutes) and take passengers to the Howard Beach-JFK Airport subway station.

Rental cars and private car services are also available.

Connecting Transportation

Best way:

Many visitors will immediately jump in a taxi, which is an attractive option (fares to Midtown run US$20-$25 plus tolls and tip). But the most inexpensive way to get to and from La Guardia is the New York Airport Service. Buses operate between the airport and Grand Central and Port Authority Bus Terminal. At Grand Central you can pick up a free minibus shuttle for Penn Station and many Midtown hotels. Buses stop outside the baggage claim of each terminal. US$10-$12 one-way. Phone 718-875-8200. http://www.nyairportservice.com.

Other options:

SuperShuttle operates a 24-hour, door-to-door service to Manhattan (additional stops for other passengers will likely eat up valuable time). Rates are approximately US$13-$22, depending on your destination. Phone 212-258-3826. http://www.supershuttle.com. You can also catch the Q33 Bus from the lower level of the airport terminal to the Roosevelt Avenue subway stop in Queens. Rental cars and private car services are available for arriving passengers.

Newark International Airport (EWR)
Newark International Airport is 16 mi/26 km west of Midtown in New Jersey, but traffic can sometimes make the trip into the city last an hour or more.

Connecting Transportation

Best way:

Olympia Trails Airport Express Bus operates three routes from Newark Airport: to New York's Penn Station and then Grand Central Terminal; to the New York City Port Authority; and to Midtown hotels (connects through Grand Central). Buses stop outside the baggage claim at terminals A, B and C. US$11 one-way, US$21 round-trip. Phone 212-964-6233. Toll-free 888-622-7200. http://www.olympiabus.com.

Other options:

The much ballyhooed, new monorail service that connects to rail lines is handy if you don't have too much luggage to deal with. AirTrain Newark takes you to the Newark International Rail Link station, not far from the airport terminals. From there you can take Amtrak or New Jersey Transit into the city. Depending on how you choose to get into the city, it can be as cheap as US$8-$11.

New Jersey Transit Authority's Bus 302 (Air Link Shuttle) and Bus 62 stop at all terminals and run to Newark's Penn Station, not New York City's. From Newark's Penn Station, you can take the PATH subway train into Manhattan.

SuperShuttle service to Manhattan costs about US$15-$19.

Plenty of taxis wait outside the baggage claim. The taxi fare to Manhattan from Newark can run more than US$45. Rental cars and private car services are also available.