Which New York City airport is the right choice for you? Whether you are coming to New York or traveling to another state, you need to know this airport information before booking a flight.
If you already know which airport you are going to, then here are some useful tips to help you get around quicker and easier.
In this article, we dive into some key facts about each airport, how to get there, maps, hotels, and many more. Read on to find out more.
How Many Airports in New York City
New York City has three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark International Airport (EWR).
Here’s what we know about each airport.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Queens, NY 11430
Phone: 718-244-4444
Opened to the public in 1948, John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is the main international airport and the busiest airport in the New York metropolitan area.
It is located in the New York borough of Queens and is accessible via rail, bus, and car. At present, JFK has eight terminals (Terminals 1 to 8) with each having designated terminal parking for the short-term and long-term.
American Airlines and Delta Air Lines use JFK as their main hub. It is also the focus city of Eastern Airlines, JetBlue, and Polar Air Cargo. Moreover, JFK serves more than 90 airlines from across the globe.
Each year, approximately 60 million passengers visit JFK airport where most of them travel to the busiest routes, including Los Angeles and San Francisco in California, and Orlando and Miami in Florida. London-Heathrow, Paris, and Mexico City are among JFK’s busiest international routes to and from the airport.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Queens, NY 11371
Phone: 718-533-3400
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) opened in 1939 and serves as the main hub for American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
It is located in East Elmhurst in Queens, spanning an area of 680 acres. More than 30 million passengers come to LGA airport annually.
LGA ranks the third-busiest airport in the Tri-state area and is also the 21st busiest in the country.
The top five busiest domestic routes from here are Atlanta, Miami, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, and Dallas. The three active terminals are Terminal A, Terminal B, and Terminal C.
Terminal A is assigned to JetBlue and Spirit Airlines, whereas Terminal B is used for American Airlines and several airlines such as JetBlue, Air Canada, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.
Terminal C is a new terminal that opened in 2022 and serves Delta Air Line, Frontier Airlines, and WestJet.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
3 Brewster Rd, Newark, NJ 07114
Phone: 973-961-6000
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is the oldest among the three New York City airports. It was established in 1928 and was originally called Newark Metropolitan Airport.
Even though it is located in Newark and Elizabeth in New Jersey, it is still considered a New York City airport as it is operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
The international airport is a hub for FedEx Express and United Airlines. It ranks as the 15th busiest airport in the United States, serving approximately 15,892,892 passengers in 2020 and a whopping 46,336,452 passengers in 2019.
Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Atlanta, and Los Angeles are its top five busiest domestic routes, whereas London-Heathrow, Tel Aviv, Toronto-Pearson, Frankfurt, and Toronto-Billy Bishop are its five busiest international routes.
Approximately 50 passenger airlines and nine cargo airlines use the airport. The airport has 121 gates and three terminals: A, B, and C. Terminal A includes gates 10-18, 20-28, and 30-39, whereas Terminal B covers 40-47, 51-57, and 60-68. As for Terminal C, it serves all gates.
New York Airports Map
Referring to the airport maps not only helps you find the designated terminal but also locate parking and other important information.
So if you are not familiar with any of the New York City airports, it is best to check these maps below before going to your flight.
All the map links listed below also have a link to their interactive maps where you can click on a terminal or location and zoom in to explore the available establishments, exits and entrances, toilets, vending machines, and many more.
- Map of JFK– Includes all eight airport terminals, daily parking spaces, long-term parking spaces, motorcycle /bicycle parking, and PWD reserved spaces. It also shows the route of Jamaica AirTrain Station, Howard Beach AirTrain, and Federal Circle AirTrain Station.
- Map of LGA– Includes Terminal A, Terminal B, Terminal C, and all gates per terminal. It also indicates parking, rental car shuttle, pet relief area, cell phone lot, hotel shuttle, taxi pick-up area, express buses to Manhattan, MTA NYC transit bus, and hotels.
- Map of EWR– Includes Terminal A, Terminal B, and Terminal C, as well as P6 economy parking shuttle stops, short-term parking, daily parking, economy long-term parking, PWD designated spaces, cell phone parking lot, and rental car. Brewster Rd, Carson Road, Hotel Rd, Express Rd, and Lindbergh Road are all shown on the map.
How to Get to the New York Airports Locations
Finding the best mode of transportation depends on where you are coming from. Aside from driving to the airport or hiring a car service, all New York City airports are accessible via subway, taxi, train, and bus. Here’s how you can reach these airports via public transportation.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
NYC Subway System
The NYC Subway system is connected to the AirTrain station of JFK. It usually costs $2.75 to travel via NYC Subway using the MetroCard and $8 if you need to pay for the AirTrain fare.
Route 1:
- Take the E, J, or Z subway lines and drop off at Sutphin Boulevard Station.
- Head to Jamaica Station and transfer to the AirTrain JFK.
Route 2:
- Take the A train going to Far Rockaway.
- Head to Howard Beach Station and transfer to Airtrain JFK.
AirTrain JFK
From the NYC public transportation, you need to transfer to AirTrain JFK. It is the most convenient mode of transportation to travel around the airport.
The ticket is FREE from all stations except Jamaica and Howard Beach stations, which costs $8. The train brings you to all the terminals, parking areas, hotel shuttles, rental cars, and NYC buses.
Howard Beach station connects to subway A, Lefferts Blvd station connects to NYC Bus B15, Q10, and Q3, and Jamaica station connects to subway E, J, and Z, and Long Island Rail Road.
Bus – Most of the public buses will drop you off at Lefferts Blvd AirTrain Station. Lines Q3, Q10, Q10 LTF, and B15 link to Lefferts Blvd AirTrain Station. These lines are available 24 hours, except for Q10 LTD which is only available from 6:30 am to 9:30 pm.
Route 1:
- Take Bus lines Q3, Q10, Q10 LTF, and B15 going to Lefferts Blvd.
- Transfer to AirTrain Lefferts Blvd.
Taxi
From Manhattan, taxis going to JFK airport charge a fixed rate of $52 plus tolls and tips. They also charge an additional 50 cents for the MTA State surcharge.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) bus
The bus line you need to use depends on which terminal you are headed to or where you are coming from. Q70 SBS LaGuardia Link serves LGA’s Terminals B and C.
This bus line is used by several neighborhoods including Queens (except Astoria, Elmhurst, Rego Park, Corona, Flushing), Manhattan (Midtown or South of 59 St), and Long Island.
Another bus line connecting to Terminals B and C is Q72, which serves Elmhurst and Rego Park in Queens. For Terminals A, B, and C, you can hop on to Q48 and M60 SBS where you can use your OMNY or MetroCard.
If you are coming from Glendale and Jackson Heights in Queens, ride the Q47 line which serves Terminal A only.
Route 1:
- From uptown Manhattan, take the M60-SBS line and drop off at your designated LaGuardia airport terminal.
Route 2:
- From Queens, take the Q70-SBS line and drop off at Terminal B or C.
Route 3:
- From Long Island, take the Long Island Rail Road train and drop off at Woodside.
- Transfer to the Q70 bus line.
MTA Bus Connection To Subway And Rail
Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad are connected to the MTA buses. Q70 SBS LaGuardia Link and Q47 connect to 7, E, F, M, and R subway lines at 74 St/Roosevelt Av, while Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Woodside station at 61 St/Roosevelt Av links to Q70 SBS only.
M60 SBS connects to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, A, B, C, and D subway lines at 125 St and Metro-North Railroad at Harlem-125 St. For Q72, it serves M, R subway lines at 63 Dr/Rego Park and Q48 is for 7 subway line at 111 St or Roosevelt Av.
Taxi
Unlike JFK airport, taking a taxi to the airport is set at a metered rate starting at $2.50 and plus 50 cents per 1/5 mile.
Depending on where you are coming from, it can cost between $25 to $100 or more, excluding tips and tolls. For instance, going to Pelham Bay in the Bronx is about $27 to $34.
If you are going to the airport from Pelham Bay, it is more or less the same amount. The same goes when traveling to Coney Island in Brooklyn, which is about $55 to $71, so you can expect the same cost going to the airport as well.
Newark International Airport (EWR)
AirTrain Newark
The fastest and easiest mode of transportation to and from the airport is via AirTrain. The train connects to stations in Manhattan. It is available every five to 15 minutes for 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. A ticket going to or from EWR airport station costs $7.75.
Train
Amtrak trains and NJ transit connect to the Newark Liberty Airport Station where you can use the AirTrain Rail Link. Those coming from New York City, Long Island, Upstate New York, and Westchester can access the Newark Liberty Airport Express to reach Terminals A, B, and C.
Route 1:
- Travel via NJ Transit from New York Penn Station and drop off at Newark International Airport station.
- Transfer to the AirTrain and get off at your designated terminal.
Route 2:
- From Lower Manhattan, take the PATH train from World Trade Center Station going to Newark Penn Station.
- Transfer to NJ Transit going to Newark International Airport station.
- Transfer to the AirTrain and get off at your designated terminal.
Express Bus
If you are coming from New York City, use the Express Bus for $18 one-way or $30 roundtrip. The bus serves three stops: Grand Central Station, Bryant Park, and Port Authority Bus terminal 41st Street.
From Grand Central Station, the bus drops you off at Terminal A. From Bryant Park, it takes you to Terminal B. Lastly, from Port Authority Bus Terminal, it takes you to Terminal C.
Taxi
Going to Manhattan from the airport is usually between $50 and $70. You can say the fee is almost the same if you are going to the airport from Manhattan. These sample fees are estimated and do not include tolls and tips.
Airport Hotels for Convenience
Whether you need a place to stay for a layover or simply want a hotel conveniently near the airport, there are several hotels to choose from within and near the airport.
These hotels are usually accessible via shuttles or trains, so it is easy to check in fast. This list contains five hotels you can choose from for every airport.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
TWA Hotel
6 central Terminal Area Jamaica, NY 11430
Phone: 212-806-9000
Comfort Inn & Suites
137-30 Redding Street Ozone Park, NY 11417
Phone: 718-659-7777
Crowne Plaza
138-10 135th Avenue Jamaica, NY, 11436
Phone: 718-530-1160
Days Inn & Suites
137-08 Redding Street Ozone Park, NY 11417
Phone: 718-845-6666
Radisson Hotel JFK Airport
135-30 140th Street Jamaica, NY 11436
Phone: 718-322-2300
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Airway Inn
82-20 Astoria Blvd East Elmhurst, NY 11370
Phone: 800-356-0250
Comfort Inn and Suites
60-30 Maurice Avenue Maspeth, NY 11378
Phone: 718-457-5555
Aloft New York LaGuardia Airport
100-15 Ditmars Blvd, Queens, NY 11369
Phone: 718-512-0248
Hampton Inn New York – LaGuardia Airport
102-40 Ditmars Blvd, Queens, NY 11369
Phone: 718-672-6600
LaGuardia Plaza Hotel
102-40 Ditmars Blvd, Queens, NY 11369
Phone: 718-457-6300
Newark International Airport (EWR)
Best Western
101 International Way Newark, NJ 07114-2314
Phone: 973 621-6200
Best Western Robert Treat Hotel
50 Park Pl Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: 800 843-0156
Courtyard by Marriott Newark Airport
600 Routes 1 & 9 South Newark, NJ 07114
Phone: 973 643-8500
Doubletree Newark
128 Frontage Road Newark, NJ 07114
Phone: 973 465-9661
Holiday Inn
450 US Route 1 South Newark, NJ 07114
Phone: 973 242-0900
Shops and Restaurants at the Airport
While waiting for your flight, don’t forget to check out the shops, amenities, and restaurants at the airport. Use the links below to guide and help you find whatever store you want to visit.
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
- Newark International Airport (EWR)
Planning a trip to New York City?
New York City is blessed to have major airports for international and domestic travel. On top of that, traveling to and from the airport has never been easier because of the convenient public transportation, including numerous train lines and buses.
So when it comes to deciding which is the best airport, it all boils down to your airline of choice and destination in the Big Apple.
Have you been to these three major airports? Share with us your experience and some essential tips in the comments sections below.
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