Airports New York City
Airports- Getting in and around
Airports
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New York Airports
ARRIVING & DEPARTING By Air
The major gateways to New York City are JFK International Airport (tel. 1-718-244-4444) and La Guardia Airport (tel. 1-718-533-3400), both in the borough of Queens, and Newark International Airport (tel. 1-973-961-6000) in New Jersey.
New York airports have incoming flights from all over the world. Some sample flying times are: from Chicago (3 1/2 hours), London (7 hours), Los Angeles (6 hours), Sydney via Los Angeles (21 hours).
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is operated by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey under a lease with the City of New York since June 1, 1947. JFK consists of 4,930 acres, including 880 acres in the Central Terminal Area (CTA). The airport has more than 30 miles of roadway and is 12.7 feet above sea level. onstruction began in April 1942, when the City of New York contracted for the placing of hydraulic fill over the marshy tidelands on the site of Idlewild Golf Course. Planned at first for 1,000 acres, the airport grew to five times that size. First commercial flights began on July 1, 1948. The airport was formally dedicated as New York International Airport on July 31, 1948. It was re-dedicated on December 24, 1963 as John F. Kennedy International Airport, following action of the Mayor and Council of the City of New York, and a resolution of the Commissioners of the Port Authority.
Location : JFK is located in the southeastern section of Queens County, New York City, on Jamaica Bay. It is fifteen miles by highway from midtown Manhattan. Geographic reference points are 40¡ 38′ 28.5″ north, 73¡ 46′ 41.9″ west.
Transfers from JFK International Airport
Taxis / cabs
Taxis charge a flat fee of $45 plus tolls (which may be as much as $4) and take 35-60 minutes.
Public Transport (MTA)
The recommended method is to board the LIRR train from Penn Station in Manhattan to Jamaica ($8.75 rush hours, $6.25 off peak weekdays), transfer to the JFK Airport AirTrain at Jamaica ($5, same building). It is a 35-45 minute ride, dependable, and fast. From JFK, take the AirTrain to Jamaica, board the LIRR to Penn Station.
Subway to Manhattan: The cheapest but slowest means of getting to Manhattan or other boroughs is to take the Port Authority’s free shuttle bus, which stops at all terminals, from JFK to the Howard Beach subway station, where you can catch the A train into Manhattan. You can also take the AIR train ($5) to the Howard Beach subway station.
Subway to JFK: From Manhattan or any other boroughs, take the A train to the Rockaways (avoid the A train to Lefferts Blvd), get off at Howard Beach-JFK Airport. Take the Port Authority’s free shuttle bus or the AIR train ($5) to the JFK.
From JFK, you can take the Q10 Bus (there are no luggage facilities on this bus, but you can carry it with you) from Terminal 5 (you can take the Air Train for free from any terminal to #5) to the Union Turnpike-Kew Gardens subway station, where you can switch to the E or F trains that go to Manhattan. You can also take the Q10 Bus to the Lefferts Blvd/Ozone Park Subway Station of the A Train or the 121st Subway Station of the J or Z trains.
The Q3 Bus from Terminal 5 at JFK will take you to the F Train stations of 179th and 169th (to JFK, get on at 169th and from JFK, get off at 179th). You can also take the Q3 bus to the LIRR stations of Hollis or Locust Manor.
You can take B15 Bus from Terminal 5 at JFK to New Lots station of the 3 train at Livonia Ave and catch the number 3 subway train. Or, take the B15 to New Lots Ave of the L at Van Sinderen Ave and take the L train.
Allow at least two hours for the trip; the total cost is one fare ($2.25) if you use the shuttle, or bus fare ($2.25) plus subway fare ($2.25, free transfer from bus if you use metrocard) if you take the Q10 or B15 to the train. Buses accept MetroCard, or exact change (no pennies or bills); the subway accepts only the Metrocard.
See how to buy a metrocard.
For bus and subway information, contact Gray Line Air Shuttle (tel. 1-212-315-3006 or 1-800-451-0455) or New York City Transit (MTA, tel. 1-718-330-1234).
AirTrain JFK
AirTrain JFK is the easiest way to get to, from and around Kennedy International Airport. AirTrain connects with MTA New York City Transit subways and buses and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). There is no cost to use the Airtrain between the Terminals 1-8. You are required to pay only at the Jamaica Station and Howard Beach Station when you enter/exit.
Howard Beach Route: This route begins and ends at Howard Beach Station with stops at Lefferts Boulevard, Federal Circle and all passenger terminals. The following connections are available at the Howard Beach Station –
NYC Subway: A Train
NYCT Bus: Q11
Long-Term Parking
JFK Airport
Jamaica Station Route: This route begins and ends at Jamaica Station with stops at Federal Circle and all passenger terminals. The following connections are available –
NYC Subway: E, J and Z trains at Sutphin Boulevard-Archer Avenue Station
LIRR: Jamaica Station
NYC Bus: Q6, Q8, Q9, Q20A/B, Q24, Q25, Q30, Q31, Q34, Q40, Q41, Q43, Q44, Q54, Q56, Q60, Q65
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) has been operated by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey under a lease with the City of New York since June 1, 1947.
Located in the Borough of Queens, New York City, bordering on Flushing Bay and Bowery Bay. It is eight miles from Midtown Manhattan. Geographic reference points are 40° 46′ 36.2″ north, 73° 52′ 23.7″ west. LaGuardia consists of 680 acres and 72 aircraft gates. The airport is 12.7 feet above sea level.
Transfers from La Guardia Airport
Taxis / cabs
Taxis cost $17-$29 plus tolls (which may be as high as $4) and take 20-40 minutes. Group taxi rides to Manhattan are available at taxi dispatch lines just outside the baggage-claim areas during most travel hours (except on Saturday and holidays). Group fares run $9-$10 per person plus a share of tolls.
The Gray Line Air Shuttle serves major Manhattan hotels directly to and from the airport. The fare is $13 per person; make arrangements at the airport’s ground transportation center or use the courtesy phone. Shuttles operate 7 AM-11 PM.
Public Transport (MTA)
The most economical way to reach Manhattan is to ride the M-60 public bus ($2, coins or metrocard) to 125th Street. You will also get a free transfer from Bus to Train station if you use a metrocard. From 125 and Lexington you can take the 4, 5 and 6 subway train to midtown (Take the downtown train).
From 125 and Malcolm X Blvd/Lenox Av take the 2 or 3 trains downtown.
From 125 and Broadway you will get the 1 train.
From 125 and St. Nicholas you can take the A B C or D downtown trains to midtown.
You need a $2 Metrocard for subway access or bus. Buses accept the MetroCard, or exact change (no pennies or bills). See how to buy a metrocard.
Alternatively, you can take Bus Q-48 from La Guardia to the Main Street-Flushing station, where you can catch the 7 train.
You can also catch the privately operated Q-33 to either the Roosevelt Avenue-Jackson Heights subway station, where you can switch to the E or F train, or the 74th Street-Broadway station, where you can switch to the 7 train.
Allow 90 minutes for the entire trip to midtown. For bus and subway information, contact Gray Line Air Shuttle (tel. 1-212-315-3006 or 1-800-451-0455) or New York City Transit (MTA, tel. 1-718-330-1234).
Water Shuttle / Ferry
The Delta Water Shuttle runs between La Guardia Airport’s Marine Air Terminal and Wall Street (Pier 11). The trip takes about 45 minutes. The fare is $15, $25 round-trip.
For ferry information, call Delta Water Shuttle (tel. 1-800-543-3779).
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has operated Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) under a lease with the City of Newark since March 22, 1948.
Newark Liberty is located in Essex and Union Counties between the New Jersey Turnpike (accessible from Exits 13A and 14), U.S. Routes 1 & 9 and I-78. EWR is about 16 miles from midtown Manhattan.
Downtown Manhattan Heliport
The Downtown Manhattan Heliport is one of the most advanced heliports in the industry and provides the ultimate in user comfort and convenience. The DMH, located at the foot of Wall Street on the East River is just minutes away from Kennedy, Newark Liberty, LaGuardia and Teterboro Airports, making it convenient for busy executives, leisure travelers and sightseers who want to experience the sweeping views of the New York and New Jersey skyline from high above.