Getting to NYC from the Airport
JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark — every transport option with real 2026 costs, travel times, and the scams to avoid.
Updated for 2026
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Select your arrival airport to see every transport option with current 2026 pricing.
JFK — John F. Kennedy
📍 ~16 miles from Midtown · Best public transit link of any NYC airport
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Airport Scams to Avoid
The most common NYC airport scam is the “gypsy cab” — an unofficial driver approaching you inside baggage claim asking “need a ride?” These are unregulated and will overcharge. Always walk to the official taxi stand or rideshare pickup zone.
Gypsy Cabs
Anyone approaching you inside the terminal offering a ride. Not a licensed taxi. No meter. Will overcharge. Always walk to the official taxi stand.
Rigged Meters
Confirm the taxi meter starts at the standard rate. From JFK, the flat rate to Manhattan is $70 — if they try to meter it or quote more, exit the cab.
Rideshare Surge
Always check the fare estimate in both Uber and Lyft before confirming. If one is surging, the other often isn't. The subway or Uber Shuttle is usually faster and cheaper during surge.
Baggage Theft
Keep your bag within sight at all times in airports and on transit. Consider an AirTag in checked luggage. Lock zippers on carry-ons in crowded areas.
Unofficial Shuttles
Use only the official shuttle desks inside the terminal (GO Airlink, SuperShuttle). Unofficial drivers may accept payment and disappear. Confirm all details before paying.
Pro Tips for a Smooth Arrival
Six things that make the difference between a frustrating arrival and an easy one.
Download Uber and Lyft before you fly.
Surge pricing differs between the two — check both if cost matters. Also load your OMNY card (contactless credit card works) for the subway.
Hotels hold luggage before check-in.
Don't drag your suitcase around for your first few hours. Drop it and explore light — you'll have a much better first day.
NJ Transit trains from Newark can be 30–45 min apart.
Check the schedule before boarding so you're not stuck waiting on the platform. Off-peak service is less frequent.
Groups of 3+ often do better with rideshare.
Once you split the cost, rideshare can be cheaper per person than the AirTrain + subway, and far more convenient with luggage.
Late-night at JFK? The A train runs 24/7.
Take the AirTrain to Howard Beach, then the A train through Brooklyn into lower Manhattan. Runs all night, every night.
Peak traffic is brutal. Build in buffer time.
Rush hour (7–9am, 5–8pm) and post-flight surge can turn a 40-minute ride into 75 minutes. If your connection matters, allow extra time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The AirTrain + subway is the cheapest at around $10.40 per person (50–70 min to Midtown). Take the AirTrain to Jamaica station, then the E train into Midtown.
No direct subway line serves LaGuardia. Take the free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus to Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Ave, then connect to the E, F, M, N, or R subway lines into Manhattan.
The NJ Transit train takes 45–60 minutes to Penn Station (34th Street) and costs about $17.85. One ticket covers the AirTrain from the terminal and the NJ Transit train.
Yes — rideshare from JFK costs $70–$100+ depending on traffic and surge pricing. Follow airport signs to the designated rideshare pickup zones. Do not accept rides from people approaching you inside the terminal.
Uber Shuttle is a fixed-rate ($25/person) shared shuttle that runs from JFK terminals 4 & 5 to Grand Central and Port Authority (Route 1) or to Downtown Brooklyn and Chinatown (Route 2). Book in advance via the Uber app.
For public transit: JFK has the best connection (AirTrain + subway). For rail reliability: Newark has the most consistent train service (NJ Transit to Penn Station). For proximity: LaGuardia is the closest but has the fewest transit options.