LaGuardia wins on paper
The Q70 bus is free and the subway is $3.00. JFK is $11.75 by AirTrain and subway; Newark around $20–25. The gap matters for a family.
Airports
Which New York airport should you fly into?
JFK, Newark and LaGuardia all work, but they are not interchangeable. The right choice depends on where you sleep, when you land and what you will spend on the transfer.
The short answer
Start with your hotel, not the airport
For most first trips, take the flight that suits your dates and budget into any of the three. Midtown is served from all of them, and journey time matters less than where you sleep.
If you have a choice: JFK for long-haul and late arrivals, Newark for United and the west side, LaGuardia for domestic flights and Midtown.
Checked 2 November 2026. Transfer fares, journey times and airport options were verified against official sources. Things change — confirm before you book. How we check.
The comparison
JFK, Newark and LaGuardia, side by side
Distances are approximate; times are typical and move with traffic.
| Airport | Distance to Midtown | Main airlines | Public transport and cost | Taxi or rideshare | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JFK | About 15 mi (24 km) southeast | Long-haul carriers, Delta, JetBlue, American | AirTrain + E subway $11.75, 50–60 min. AirTrain + LIRR $14 off-peak / $16 peak, 30–40 min. AirTrain runs 24 hours. | Yellow cab $70 flat plus tolls and tip (around $90–110), 45–75 min | Long-haul flights and late arrivals |
| Newark (EWR) | About 16 mi (26 km) southwest, in New Jersey | United's hub plus international carriers | AirTrain + NJ Transit around $20–25 to Penn Station, 30–45 min. Coach USA bus around $18. | Metered cab or rideshare — confirm the fare first | United flights and the west side |
| LaGuardia (LGA) | About 8 mi (13 km) east | Domestic and short-haul: Delta and American | Free Q70 bus + subway $3.00, 45–60 min. No rail link. | Metered cab around $35–55 plus extras, 25–45 min | Domestic flights and a Midtown hotel |
Fares are one-way per person and change; check current fares. Times assume normal traffic.
How to choose
Four decisions that settle it
Weigh these in order. The first that matters to you usually decides it.
LaGuardia by cab, JFK by LIRR
A LaGuardia cab is typically 25–45 minutes. JFK's AirTrain plus LIRR reaches Penn Station in 30–40 minutes; Newark's rail link takes 30–45. All are slower at rush hour.
JFK or Newark
For Europe, Asia and other long-haul routes, choose JFK or Newark. LaGuardia handles domestic and short-haul flights.
JFK is the most forgiving
The JFK AirTrain runs 24 hours and the subway runs overnight. Newark and LaGuardia transfers thin out overnight, so plan a cab or pre-booked rideshare.
Step by step
How to get from each airport to Manhattan
Use the transfer that matches your budget and luggage. Pay contactless on the subway and buses.
JFK — AirTrain, subway or the LIRR
- Follow the AirTrain signs from your terminal. The AirTrain is $8.75 and connects all terminals with Jamaica and Howard Beach.
- Get off at Jamaica for the E, J and Z subway lines and the LIRR, or at Howard Beach for the A train.
- From Jamaica, take the E into Midtown: the $3.00 subway fare makes the total $11.75, and the journey takes 50–60 minutes.
- For Penn Station, take the LIRR instead: AirTrain and LIRR together cost $14 off-peak and $16 at peak, in 30–40 minutes.
Newark — AirTrain and NJ Transit
- Take the AirTrain from your terminal to Newark Airport station.
- Continue on NJ Transit to New York Penn Station. AirTrain and train together cost around $20–25 and take 30–45 minutes.
- The Coach USA bus is an alternative at around $18, useful when the rail line is disrupted.
- Check the timetable before a late arrival: service thins out overnight.
LaGuardia — free bus, then subway
- There is no rail link. Take the free Q70 bus from outside the terminal.
- The Q70 connects with the subway in Jackson Heights, where several lines continue into Manhattan.
- Pay the $3.00 subway fare with a contactless card or phone; the bus itself is free. Allow 45–60 minutes.
- A metered cab is around $35–55 plus tolls and tip and takes 25–45 minutes.
Official information: JFK, Newark, LaGuardia, MTA fares, LIRR and NJ Transit.
Timing
Late landings and early departures
The transfer is the part most likely to go wrong when trains are quiet or roads are empty.
JFK is easiest after midnight: the AirTrain and subway run all night, though some lines run less often. At Newark, NJ Transit and the Coach USA bus thin out overnight; at LaGuardia the Q70 is the only public option, so take a cab late at night.
For an early flight, work back from the airline's check-in cut-off, not the departure time. Pre-book a cab if the first train leaves too little margin.
Questions
Airport questions
Which New York airport is closest to Manhattan?
LaGuardia, at roughly 8 miles (13 km) east of Midtown. JFK is about 15 miles (24 km) southeast and Newark about 16 miles (26 km) southwest, across the Hudson.
Which airport is cheapest to reach Manhattan from?
LaGuardia: the Q70 bus is free and the subway is $3.00. JFK is $11.75 by AirTrain and subway; Newark around $20–25 by AirTrain and NJ Transit.
Can I fly into LaGuardia from Europe or Asia?
Not on long-haul intercontinental flights. For Europe, Asia and other long-haul routes, use JFK or Newark; LaGuardia is domestic and short-haul.
Which airport is best for a late-night arrival?
JFK is usually the most forgiving: the AirTrain runs 24 hours, the subway runs overnight and there is a staffed taxi rank. Newark and LaGuardia transfers thin out overnight.
Should I fly into Newark if I am staying in Manhattan?
It can work well, especially for Penn Station and the west side: AirTrain plus NJ Transit reaches Penn in 30–45 minutes for around $20–25. Check overnight service before a late flight.
Keep going
Where to next
Once the airport is settled, these pages answer the next questions.
Getting around New York
Subway fares, OMNY capping, taxis, PATH, ferries and step-free travel in one place.
Where to stay in NYC
Eleven areas compared by price, subway access and who each one suits.
Plan your trip
Booking order, how long to stay and the framework for the visit.
Budget guide
Daily bands, hotel taxes, tipping and a worked five-day example.
Next step
Sort the transfer before you book the flight
A cheap fare can cost more once the transfer is added. Compare the whole journey, not the ticket.