By Adam Guy
Welcome to New York City, where the skyline is iconic, the pizza is legendary, and the traffic is... well, let’s just say it's a unique experience. If you're landing at JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark airports and need to get to Manhattan, you’ve got choices aplenty. Here’s a guide to help you navigate the concrete jungle and avoid the pitfalls of airport transfers. The blog is organized by airport. Scroll down to or click the linked name for the airport where you'll be arriving. Following those sections are tips for a smooth airport transfer and a section on risks and scams to watch out for. Now buckle up—literally!
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
TAXI
Cost: About $70-$90 (including tolls and the tip).
Duration: 40-70 minutes depending on the time of day and the always uncertain state of traffic.
Details: Head to the designated taxi stand, where yellow cabs line up like eager puppies. Remember, the fare to Manhattan includes tolls. You can add the tip at the end of the transaction; 15% or 20% is the norm. YES, you can pay with a credit card for all of it on the touch screen in front of you. Don’t be surprised if your driver becomes your new best friend—traffic can be a great bonding experience!
Important Note: Do NOT take gypsy cabs. Gypsy cabs are the floater people in baggage claim or just outside the terminal who are harassingly asking… “Need a ride? Where ya going?” It’s not a scam, but they are not regulated or metered and unless you know where you are going and how much the relative ride should be from a cab, you’re going to get ripped off.
SUBWAY
Cost: $10.40 per person (Airtrain $8.50 + subway fare $2.90)
Duration: 50-70 minutes total. Ideal if you enjoy people-watching. It’s your first chance to really navigate in NYC and practice using maps, which will prove helpful later.
Details: Take the Airtrain (a monorail from the airport) to Jamaica or Howard Beach subway station. Then switch to the subway. From Howard Beach, you will take the “A” train through Brooklyn, into the Financial District, then through Chelsea, Midtown and the Upper West Side. If you go through Jamaica, the “E” train takes you through Queens and into Midtown. The “J” routes you through upper Brooklyn into Manhattan’s Lower East Side and Chinatown. Refer to the subway map (or Google maps) to determine which one gets you closest to your final destination.
Using the Subway: Worried about using the subway? I wrote an entire NYC Subway 101 blog to ease your concerns.
Cost: $70-$100 (varies based on traffic, weather, time of day, cycle of the moon, if Beyonce is having a good day or not, etc.)
Duration: 30-60 minutes. Time enough to shake the flight off. Be sure to check out the views driving into the city.
Details: Follow signs to the rideshare pickup areas. Use the app to request your ride. Beware of surge pricing; it's like a roller coaster ride, but with your wallet.
PRIVATE CAR
Cost: $100-$250. Pricing depends on the size of your group and vehicle type.
Duration: 30-60 minutes. The red carpet of transportation. The cars are elegant. The drivers are experienced. The service is excellent and predictable. The cost is fixed at booking.
Details: Book in advance for a luxurious, door-to-door experience.
Recommended Services:
SHUTTLE / BUS
Cost: $29 per person for the shuttle OR $2.90 per person for the city bus
Duration: 60-90 minutes. Perfect if you like the nuzzling up to other eager tourists!
Details for Shuttle: Services such as GO Airlink NYC and Super Shuttle, offer shared shuttle rides into Manhattan. Book ahead or on the spot.
Important note: Don’t try using traditional NYC city buses to get from JFK. It’s a hassle. Stick to the subway option.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
TAXI
Cost: Approximately $35-$50.
Duration: 20-40 minutes. This ride might feel like a roller coaster ride, so hold in tight. It might just be the first crazy story from your trip.
Details: Taxis are waiting outside the terminal. Follow overhead signs to the “official taxi line.” Don’t forget to tip your driver. 15% or 20% is the norm. YES, you can pay for all of it with a credit card on the touch screen in front of you in the cab.
Important Note: Do NOT take gypsy cabs. Gypsy cabs are the floater people in baggage claim or just outside the terminal who are harassingly asking… “Need a ride? Where ya going?” It’s not a scam, but they are not regulated or metered and unless you know where you are going and how much the relative ride should be from a cab, you’re going to get ripped off.
SUBWAY
There is NOT a subway stop at LaGuardia. But a free bus/shuttle from the airport will take you to a subway hub in Queens. It’s easier to navigate than you think.
Cost: $2.90 for the subway ride. The Q70 LaGuardia Link bus / shuttle that takes you to the subway station is FREE! (Quite the bargain.)
Duration: 40-60 minutes. The ride from LaGuardia on the bus / shuttle takes 15-20 minutes. The subway ride into Midtown will take between 15-25 depending in which line you take and your final destination.
Details: Take the Q70 LaGuardia Link bus to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue. The pickup spot is located outside each terminal’s baggage claim. Follow signs to the Q70 / LaGuardia Link bus. Then make sure to get on the right bus. It might be crowded. Be patient and tolerant. The last and only stop is the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue subway station.
Using the Subway: There are 5 lines that serve the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue station. Be sure to figure out which one makes the most sense to use to get close to your final destination. Have concerns about using the subway? Read this handy dandy NYC subway 101 blog I wrote to ease your concerns. You can DO IT! There’s also an information booth in the station to assist if needed.
Cost: $30-$50 (varies with demand, which can be as unpredictable as NYC weather).
Duration: 20-40 minutes. The perfect time for a mini-nap or a deep, philosophical conversation with your driver.
Details: Rideshare pickups are outside the terminals. Use the app to request your ride. Just remember, surge pricing can make your wallet feel like it’s been through a workout.
PRIVATE CAR
Cost: $80-$120. Because you deserve a little pampering.
Duration: 20-40 minutes. A quick jaunt through the city, minus the anxiety of merging into oncoming traffic.
Details: A private car service is like having your own personal chauffeur, minus the awkward small talk. Perfect for arriving in Manhattan like royalty. The cost is fixed at booking.
Recommended Services:
SHUTTLE / CITY BUS
Cost: $29 per person for the shuttle OR $2.90 per person for the city bus.Duration: 60-90 minutes. It’s an economy trip, but it works!
Details for Shuttle: Services such as GO Airlink NYC and Super Shuttle, offer shared shuttle rides into Manhattan. Book ahead or on the spot.
Details for City Bus: Besides the shuttle to the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Ave subway station, two city buses will take you into or towards Manhattan. Both can be picked up outside baggage claim. Follow the signs to Ground Transportation
M60: This bus takes you from LaGuardia Airport to various stops in Manhattan, including the Upper West Side and Harlem. It also connects to several subway lines, allowing you to transfer to different parts of Manhattan.
Q47: This bus connects LaGuardia to the Astoria area in Queens, where you can transfer to the N or W subway lines at the Astoria-Ditmars Boulevard station. From there, you can travel into Manhattan.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
For those who don’t know, Newark is in New Jersey, but close enough to NYC to be considered its third major airport.
TAXI
Cost: Approximately $85-$100 (including tolls, because NYC is all about the extra charges).
Duration: 40-70 minutes. Traffic and time of day can be the make or break on this one. In the morning, lots of people are headed into the city. In the afternoon, they are headed back to Jersey.
Details: Taxis are readily available. Follow overhead signs in the airport to Ground Transportation. Look for the official taxi lines.
Important Note: Do NOT take gypsy cabs. Gypsy cabs are the floater people in baggage claim or just outside the terminal who are harassingly asking… “Need a ride? Where ya going?” It’s not a scam, but they are not regulated or metered and unless you know where you are going and how much the relative ride should be from a cab, you’re going to get ripped off.
TRAINS (NOT SUBWAY)
You will be using a combination of AirTrain and New Jersey Transit to get to Manhattan.
Cost: $16.80 per person. Per the Newark Airport website …When you buy a NJ TRANSIT ticket to or from Newark Liberty International Airport Station, that one ticket includes the AirTrain Newark portion. The AirTrain access fee is not charged for children 11 and under or for customers using monthly passes with the airport as the origin or destination. You must use your ticket twice regardless of which direction you’re traveling. You’ll need to show the ticket to the conductor on the NJ TRANSIT or Amtrak train, and you’ll need the ticket to pass through the fare line at Newark Liberty International Airport Station. Be sure to take the ticket with you.
Duration: 45-60 minutes. This includes your AirTrain ride, likely wait for a NJ Transit Train and the ride into Manhattan.
Details: Take the AirTrain (a monorail from the airport) to the Newark International Airport Station. Once there, buy a ticket at the available machines to Manhattan/ 34th St Penn Station. Scan your ticket, walk through the turnstile, and head down to the tracks. Look for the NJ Transit track headed to NYC. Amtrak trains also stop at this station. Don’t get on Amtrak. On weekdays, between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., at least six NJ Transit trains arrive every hour at the airport station. Between 9 p.m. and midnight, four trains arrive every hour.
Using the Subway: Depending on your final destination, you may jump on the subway once you arrive at Penn Station, NJ Transit’s final destination. The Red and Blue subway lines serve Penn Station. To reach other lines, exit Penn Station and walk. Need some help with the subway? If only someone wrote down instructions.... Oh wait, I DID! Check out this blog on the basics of using the NYC subway.
Cost: $85-$120 (varies based on demand, which can be as fickle as a cat’s mood).
Duration: 30-60 minutes. Ideal for catching up on your favorite podcast or pondering the universe.
Details: Head outside from baggage claim and follow signs for Ground Transportation, Ride App Pick Up, and/or Passenger Pick-Up. This is where all rideshare partners at Newark International Airport meet travelers for pickup. Use the app to summon your ride but beware of surge pricing—your budget might just have a small freak-out.
PRIVATE CAR
Cost: $90-$140. A small price to pay for avoiding the hustle and bustle.
Duration: 30-60 minutes. The perfect amount of time to pretend you're in a movie montage of your life.
Details: Private car services provide a touch of luxury. Just sit back, relax, and pretend you’re a movie star. The cost is fixed at booking.
Recommended Services:
SHUTTLE / CITY BUS
Cost: $37-$42. Basically the price of a Venti Mocha at Starbucks these days. Am I right?
Duration: 60-90 minutes. Perfect for when you want to sit still and contemplate your life choices.
Details for Shuttles: Services such as GO Airlink NYC and Super Shuttle, offer shared shuttle rides into Manhattan. Book ahead.
Details for City Bus: MTA buses do not run directly from Newark Airport. While you can use a combination of NJ Transit buses and then switch to MTA buses in Manhattan, this is complicated and time consuming. The trains are a much better option.
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Tips for a Smooth Airport Transfer
Check Traffic: Use apps like Google Maps or Waze to avoid traffic jams that could turn your ride into an epic saga.
Plan Ahead: During peak times, extra travel time is your friend. Think of it as padding for the unpredictable nature of NYC.
Consider Your Luggage: If you’re traveling with a mountain of luggage, a taxi or private car might be your best bet. No one likes a luggage tug-of-war on public transit.
Book in Advance: For private car services and rideshare options, booking ahead can save you both money and stress.
Risks and Scams To Watch Out For
Unofficial Taxis: Stick to the official taxi stands. If someone offers you a ride and looks like they’re about to pull a rabbit out of a hat, just walk away.
Overcharging or Meters Rigged: Make sure the taxi uses a meter and is authorized. Check the rate card. If the fare seems suspicious, you might be in the wrong movie—one where you lose money. You might get charged the price of a small country if you’re not careful.
Shuttle Scams: Use reputable shuttle services and confirm all details before you pay. Like a bad blind date, you might end up paying more for less.
Rideshare Surge Pricing: Check the fare estimate in the app before booking. If surge pricing is in effect, consider alternative options. You might experience price hikes that make your eyes bulge.
Baggage Theft: Keep an eye on your bags at all times. Use luggage locks and keep valuables close—NYC is exciting, but your stuff doesn’t need its own adventure. Consider hiding an Airtag in your luggage. Overkill? Maybe. But at least you can track your suitcase if it walks away.
FYI: The "Other" Airports
There are two other airports that serve New York City.
One is called Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) located in Islip, NY in the middle of Long Island. If you fly into this small, regional airport, you will need to take a taxi or rideshare to the closest Long Island railroad station. From there, you can buy a ticket into Manhattan. The ride should take approximately 90 minutes.
The other airport, called Teterboro Airport, is located in Bergen County, New Jersey, just 12 miles from Midtown Manhattan. This is a private airport. If you are flying into this airport, you will be taking a private vehicle into the city for sure. The airport can probably arrange it… or your personal assistant, if you get my drift.
Armed with this guide, you’re ready to tackle New York City’s airports with confidence and a plan. Enjoy the ride and welcome to the Big Apple—where adventure begins the moment you step off the plane!
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What can you do while you’ve arrived in New York City? ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING! There’s just so much from museums to Broadway and sports to strolling Central Park. Or how about a private tour? I know a great GUY (Me) who would love to show your family or group some of NYC’s iconic and off-the-beaten path neighborhoods. I Know A Guy NYC Tours offers private, personal, and fun adventures around the city. Lots of guests have enjoyed the experience See what they had to say!
Check out what tours are like by following I Know A Guy NYC Tours Facebook or Instagram. You’ll completely get the vibe.
Thanks for reading this blog! If you would like to chat about your upcoming trip and possible tour ideas, please contact me at aguy@iknowaguy.nyc or 404-915-9901 I'm quite friendly!
© All photos by Adam Guy
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