Which NYC Airport is the Best to Fly Into?
Congratulations! You’ve decided to visit New York City! Fun and adventure awaits you. No doubt you’re making a list of the best things to do in New York City, making hotel reservations, and then you get to booking your flights! You may notice there are three major airports that service New York City. The three airports that fly into New York are Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK. Which NYC airport is the best to fly into? The somewhat satisfying answer is that they are all about equally convenient, and equally inconvenient. There is public transportation that can get you to and from each airport. Which is best may simply come down to which airport is offering the best prices and best times for you. Still, it’s good to know a little about each NYC airport before making your decision. Here is our overview of all three major NYC airports. Oh, and since we love Times Square, we’ll be basing all travel times to and from Times Square. While you’re in Times Square, check out the Welcome to Times Square billboard. You can appear on a Times Square billboard for as low as $150 a day! It’s the best way to welcome yourself to New York.
LaGuardia (LGA)
LaGuardia airport is approximately 8.8 miles from Times Square. The commute via cab will take approximately 30 minutes. The commute using public transit will take approximately 37 minutes. O.k., we hear you asking how long does it take to walk from LGA to Times Square. It will take a brisk 2 hours and 38 minutes.
The best way to get to Times Square from LGA using public transportation is to take the Long Island Railroad and connection to the free LaGuardia Link Q70 bus.
LGA underwent a multimillion dollar renovation and has been voted one of the best airports in America. The food options are largely locally NYC chains so you can get a taste of the big apple. Each terminal features stunning art work. It is truly a sight to behold. However, LGA might not be a possibility for you.
Despite its upgrades, LGA is still a relatively small airport. To ease congestion, LGA has a perimeter rule that says no flights further than 1500 miles away can land at LGA unless they are coming from Denver or flying on Saturdays. A such, most international flights to not fly in or out of LGA.
JFK (JFK)
JFK airport is 16.5 miles from Times Square. The commute via cab will last approximately 41 minutes. The commute using public transportation will take approximately an hour and ten minutes. If you choose to walk, 5 hours and 12 minutes.
JFK airport connects to the MTA subway A, E, J, and Z trains. You will also need to use the AirTrain for which you’ll have to pay a fare to get to the subway from your terminal.
JFK airport is the only airport in NYC to have a fixed fare to cabs going into Manhattan. That fare is $70 before tip and tolls, and an extra surcharge during peek hours.
JFK also recently underwent a huge makeover, and has become much more pleasant to fly in and out of in terms of food and shopping options, and simply overall comfort. It is also much larger than JFK, and is a great option for international travel.
Newark (EWR)
Newark flies into New Jersey. It might seem funny to include an airport in a totally different state, but Newark is still very convenient to New York City. In fact, it’s closer to Times Square than JFK airport is! Newark is 13.4 miles from Times Square. The commute via cab will take approximately 30 minutes. The commute using public transportation will take approximately 37 minutes. If you choose to walk, 7 hours and 56 minutes. Newark airport has teamed up with NJ Transit to offer an easy and inexpensive train that costs just $8 per ticket.
Of course, if you are staying outside of midtown, the answers to “which airport is best” might be totally different. For example, if you’re staying in New Jersey, Newark might be far more convenient. LGA has a really great bus, the M60, that runs into Harlem 125th st. If you’re staying in Brooklyn or Queens, Newark become far less convenient, and you should opt for LGA or JFK if possible. But ultimately, all three airports are great choices!