List of Major Airports in New York One Can Travel From

The largest city in the world, New York, has the largest airport system in the United States. This system is the world’s second-largest airport system when it comes to passenger traffic and the world’s largest in terms of total flight operations.

There are three main airports supporting the metropolitan area: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). These three airports are jointly operated by New York and New Jersey Port Authority.

If you want to know more about the Airports in New York, you are at very right place. Here, we discussed all about these Airports. Let’s discuss about the Airports in New York.

Airports in New York

The following sections discuss in details about the three-

1. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK): AKA “The Airport”

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is one of the busiest airports in the USA. it serves almost 41 million passengers annually. It Located in the New York borough of Queens, approximately 20km southeast of Lower Manhattan. It is the largest among the three airports that are operating in New York. Both domestic flights within the USA as well as international flights to places like Canada, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, and the Pacific fly from this bustling airport.

There are as many as 125 aircraft gates in the airport and 8 terminals and boasts about the arrival and departure of over 100 airlines. The runway extends to over 15km and is also home to over 40km of taxiways used for moving aircraft around the airport.

With millions of passengers arriving and departing this airport every year, it is essential that there is easy access. These parking facilities are available for more than 18000 vehicles and this service is available for the short term, long term, and even a cell phone lot.

As far as a connection from the airport to the city is concerned, An Airtrain connects to the city’s Subway and the Long Island Railroad, as well as taxis from the airport, are also available. Taking a taxi would cost around $45 to Manhattan and between $20 to $64 around the city to destinations such as the Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport.

JFK is approximately 30 minutes from Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, American Museum of Natural History, and a number of other popular attractions. These are some things one need to know before choosing JFK for their travel-

How to reach John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)?

Reaching JFK from Manhattan

People choose JFK over other airports just because it is most easily accessible by public transport. It takes about an hour to 90 minutes to get to JFK on the train, and 30-40 minutes if one takes a cab or car. But, it will cost just $7.75 ($2.75 for the subway + $5 for the AirTrain) if one takes the subway while it takes $40-$70 to book a cab. So if one has an ample amount of time in hand, he/she can take the subway and save some money.

Using the subway to reach JFK

One can use the blue line i.e. the A and E trains to/from Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. Then, transfer to the AirTrain at Howard Beach Station (A train) or Jamaica Station (E train). It is advisable not to take the train to not take the Lefferts bound A train to JFK which takes a detour.

Flight Options at JFK

JFK serves almost all destinations in the world. It also has flight options to Iceland which previously had to be traveled from Boston. There is a direct flight to Europe too. JFK should be chosen if one’s final destination is in Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene or most other neighborhoods in nearby Brooklyn

2. LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

LaGuardia Airport (LGA) basically provides domestic flight services. If one is flying into a New York airport from anywhere else in the US, chances are he/she will be arriving at LaGuardia. It is located just 13km east of midtown Manhattan on the Grand Central Parkway in Flushing in the borough of Queens. It provides services to more than 20 million passengers annually.

Apart from the majority of the domestic flights it also services some international flights to and from Latin America, Europe, and the Pacific Rim. LaGuardia Airport is closest to Manhattan among the three airports that operate in New York.

There are a total of 26 airlines in LGA and 5 operating terminals including 4 concourses in the main terminal building. All significant aircraft activities as well as international connections operate from Central Terminal Building while the rest of the terminals are utilized by individual airlines and smaller domestic aviation services.

There are a number of amenities in the airport and transport services which include free buses connecting the airport terminals and parking lots. Buses and limousines are available from the airport but the taxi is the most common mode of transport. A taxi trip may take 20-40 minutes depending upon the traffic and would cost anything between $16 to $26 excluding bridge tolls which may cost an additional $3. There are specific areas to board the cabs.

LaGuardia airport is approximately 15 to 20 minutes from Times Square, Central Park, Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, American Museum of Natural History, and a number of other popular attractions.

How to reach Manhattan/Brooklyn from LaGuardia Airport?

The best way to get to Manhattan/Brooklyn is to book a taxi or rideshare service. The subway lines stop after a mile from the airport. The taxi fare to get to LGA may vary from $20-$40 depending on the distance. The subway plus bus transfer may cost around $2.75 but is not advisable to people with heavy luggage and time shortage.

Flight Options at LaGuardia Airport?

Although LGA is smaller in size and operations than JFK, it serves both international and domestic destinations. LGA is big and flies everywhere. Choose this airport if your final destination is in Long Island City or Astoria in Queens; Williamsburg in Brooklyn or other Brooklyn neighborhoods close to the Brooklyn-Queens expressway; Manhattan’s East Side; the Bronx.

Note: LaGuardia Airport is the closest airport to New York City.

3. Newark Liberty International (EWR) Airport

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), opened in 1928, was initially known as Newark Metropolitan Airport and it was the United States’ first major airport. It is located on the municipal boundaries of Newark and Elizabeth in New Jersey, approximately 24km southwest of midtown Manhattan.

Newark is technically a “New York City” airport even though it’s in a different state. EWR airport is home to 27 gates and has a central terminal that measures 425 acres. It employs almost 24000 employees which cater to over 34 million passengers annually. EWR has both domestic and international flights. It is further from the city as compared to the other airports and is less crowded but has better facilities.

EWK has a varied range of transport options which includes an AirTrain connecting with New Jersey Transit services and the Amtrak national rail network. Car rental and shuttle transfer services are also available. Taxis are a popular option for getting from the terminal to parking lots and other popular destinations. Newark Liberty is approximately 25 to 30 minutes from Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, American Museum of Natural History and a number of other popular attractions.

How to Get to and from Newark Airport by subway/bus?

The Newark Airport Express shuttle bus is the best way to get from Newark to Manhattan and is one of the best things about the airport. It travels fast. A one-way trip costs around $18. It starts working from 4:45 am to 2 am and stops at Port Authority, Grand Central, and Bryant Park and doesn’t stop anywhere else. People can also take a cab which will cost around $70-$100 excluding bridge tolls. Taking the Subway and NJ Transit will cost around $15.25 [$12.50 + $2.75 (MTA) ]