Things to do / Travel Guide
All roads may have once led to Rome, but today they lead to New York City (NYC). The most important hub in the northeast United States, New York City is served by three major airports, two train stations, a bus depot, and countless highways.
New York City Airports
Two of the airports serving New York City are in New York City proper, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA). The third, Newark Liberty International (EWR), is across the Hudson River in New Jersey. Of the three, JFK is the largest, and LaGuardia is generally (but not necessarily) domestic. A benefit of flying through LaGuardia is its compact size and proximity to Mid-town and upper Manhattan. Most international flights are through Kennedy.
You can get from the airports to New York City via several means of travel - train, bus, subway, taxi, or even limousine. Private transportation will cost a lot more than public transportation for this trip.
If you take a taxi from the airport, be aware that there are lists of flat fares from each airport to major NYC destinations. Either ask for the fare before getting into the taxi, or ask for a metered ride.
If you are looking to impress a friend or just interested in 12 minutes of some of the most amazing city views on the planet, take a helicopter to the airport. Several companies serve Manhattan, EWR, JFK and LGA. You should probably book in advance – you can't hail a helicopter in New York. Not yet.
Getting from Kennedy Airport (JFK) to Manhattan
- AirTrain JFK connects the various JFK terminals to the Jamaica LIRR station and the New York subway system. The transfer between the AirTrain and the LIRR is quite simple. The LIRR is the faster of the two options, making the trip from Jamaica to Penn Station in about 25 minutes. If you are continuing on Amtrak or if you need to be around 34th Street and 7th Avenue, the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) is the best option.
- AirTrain JFK connects to both the Jamaica and Howard Beach subway stations, as well with a easy transfer. If your destination is not near Penn Station, you might as well go straight to the subway. The E, J and Z lines are reached by taking the AirTrain to its Jamaica station and the A train is reached by getting off at the Howard Beach station. Getting from Kennedy Airport to Manhattan takes about 35 minutes by subway from Jamaica.
- The New York Airport Service operates a shuttle bus every 20 minutes that connects JFK with Penn Station, the Grand Central Terminal, and the Port Authority. The cost is around $15 for all destinations in Manhattan.
- SuperShuttle offers door-to-door service 24/7, 365 days a year. Be advised, however, that a SuperShuttle may make a number of stops to pick up or drop off passengers along the way. The cost is less than $20 for destinations in Manhattan.
- If you want to make your way into or out of the city in style, travel by limousine. While they cost more, they make good time (traffic permitting) and are much more relaxing than any of the other means of transportation. For families and larger groups, a limo or a car service may even be the most inexpensive option. Make sure you tell them how many people you are and use the $5 off coupon.
Getting from LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Manhattan
In spite of the fact that LaGuardia is the oldest area airport and still very popular among domestic business flyers, getting from LGA to Manhattan is difficult. Public transportation is limited to a local bus (M60), which goes to Upper Manhattan. You can transfer to the subway at 125th Street, but it will take a long time to get to the Midtown skyscrapers that seemed so close as you were landing. Another bus option from LGA to Manhattan is the Q33, which gets you to the nearby subway station.
SuperShuttle, private limos and car service as well as the New York Airport Service are the best options for getting to Manhattan from LGA. See the description in the JFK section, above.
Getting from Newark Airport (EWR) to Manhattan
- The AirTrain is the quickest and most pleasant way to get from EWR to Manhattan. The AirTrain connects the airport terminals with the Newark Airport Station on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor Line. You will be in New York's Penn Station in under a half hour.
- The Newark Liberty Airport Express heads to Midtown and Lower Manhattan, with stops at various points and major hotels. Get off at Grand Central or Penn Station if you are continuing on by train or at the Port Authority Bus Terminal if you are heading out by bus.
- SuperShuttle is a good option for individual travelers, while families and groups may do better with a limo, sedan or airport car service, as described in the JFK section.
Getting to Manhattan and New York City by Train
Amtrak runs routes from many major East Coast cities, including Boston and Washington DC, to Penn Station, but the ride can be quite pricey. Depending on the distance, flying might actually be the cheaper option. Commuter rail service is available from Long Island, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Upstate New York. Also to be mentioned is PATH - The Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corporation. This rail train system connects New Jersey to Manhattan and all the urban railways, transporting literally hundreds of thousands of people a day.
Getting to Manhattan and New York City by Bus
Busing into NYC is the cheapest, but also the most time-consuming option. Greyhound, Trailways, and Peter Pan operate regularly-scheduled routes from major cities on the East Coast, like Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington DC, into New York City's Port Authority.
If you are traveling into New York City from Boston and you are looking to save some money, try one of the Chinatown bus lines, but be aware that you'll probably be sitting on a rather old and uncomfortable bus for four hours. Operating out of borrowed space in storefronts, these companies offer bus services from Chinatown in NYC to Chinatown in Boston.
For a much more luxurious trip from Boston into NYC, though at a much higher cost, take the LimoLiner. The 28-seat vehicle is designed for comfort. The seats are large, comfortable, and even recline. Passengers will likely appreciate unlimited mobile phone service and free Internet access during the four hour trip. There is even a meeting room in the back of the bus. You can also just sit back and enjoy free snacks and reading material, or watch a DVD movie or satellite TV.
Driving Distance to to New York City
Below you'll find the approximate distances and driving times to New York City from other major cities.
- Distance from Washington DC to New York City: 230 miles, 5 hours
- Distance from Philadelphia to New York City: 90 miles, about 2 hours
- Distance from Boston to New York City: 200 miles, 4.5 hours
To get to Manhattan and the Bronx, take I-95 North and cross over at either the Lincoln Tunnel or the George Washington Bridge. For Staten Island, take I-95 North to the Korean War Veterans Parkway. For Brooklyn or Queens, take the Korean War Veterans Parkway to I-278 (Pow-Mia Memorial Highway) over the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. Once across, you can take the Belt Parkway to all locations in these two boroughs.
Airports Serving Manhattan and New York City
Getting-There
John F Kennedy Intl Airport (JFK)
Long Island-MacArthur Airport (ISP)
Westchester County Airport (HPN)
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