Which airport in New York is the best and cheapest?

airport in New York

Which airport in New York is the best and cheapest?

Published on 14 December 2025 New York Info

For tourists planning a city break to New York, there are three major airports they can land at: JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia. This blog post provides step-by-step instructions on which New York airport is most suitable for your trip and which offers the lowest transfer costs to get to Manhattan.

1. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

John F. Kennedy Airport is located in Queens. Moreover, this airport in New York is the largest and most frequently used for international flights. Many travelers from Europe land here, which often makes ticket prices competitive.

How much does a plane ticket to JFK Airport cost?

A round-trip ticket from Europe to this New York airport costs an average of between €500 and €800. From the United States, the price usually ranges from $150 to $300, depending on the distance and the season.

How long is a flight to JFK Airport?

A direct flight from Europe to JFK Airport takes an average of 7 to 8 hours. From the United States, flight times vary considerably. Flights from the East Coast often take 1 to 3 hours, while flights from the West Coast average 5 to 6 hours.

2. LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

LaGuardia Airport is close to Manhattan. However, this New York airport primarily caters to domestic flights. There are no direct flights from Europe. Therefore, this airport is especially convenient if you’re traveling from another American city.

How much does a plane ticket to LaGuardia Airport cost?

From the United States, you’ll pay an average of $120 to $250 for a plane ticket to this airport in New York. Flights from Europe aren’t readily available, requiring a transfer.

How long is a flight to LaGuardia Airport?

LaGuardia Airport only handles domestic flights. A flight from the east coast of the United States takes an average of 1 to 3 hours. From the center of the country, the flight time is around 3 to 4 hours.

3. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

Newark Airport is located in the state of New Jersey. However, this New York airport is part of the metropolitan area. Many international flights, including those from Europe, land here. This makes Newark a popular alternative to JFK.

How much does a plane ticket to Newark Airport cost?

A return ticket from Europe to this New York airport costs an average of €500 to €800. From the United States, you usually pay $140 to $280.

How long is a flight to Newark Airport?

A direct flight from Europe to Newark Airport takes an average of 7 to 8 hours. From other parts of the United States, a flight usually takes 2 to 6 hours, depending on the departure point.

How much does a transfer from New York airports cost?

After arriving, you’ll want to travel to Manhattan quickly and affordably. Fortunately, there are good options from every New York airport.

1. Transfer from JFK Airport

The cheapest option is the AirTrain + metro. This costs about $11 together. Another option is a taxi, which has a flat rate of about $70.

2. Transfer from LaGuardia Airport

The cheapest way to travel from LaGuardia Airport is by taking the free bus (such as the Q70 or M60) to the subway. The subway fare is $2.90, which is the total cost to Manhattan.

3. Transfer from Newark Airport

The cheapest option is the AirTrain combined with the train. Together, they cost about $15. If you choose a taxi, there’s no fixed fare and you’ll pay an average of around $70, depending on traffic and surcharges.

How long does a transfer from the airport to the city center take?

The travel time from New York Airport to Manhattan depends on the mode of transportation and traffic conditions.

1. JFK Airport: By AirTrain and subway, the transfer takes an average of 60 to 75 minutes.

2. LaGuardia Airport: By bus and subway, you can reach Manhattan in approximately 45 to 60 minutes.

3. Newark Airport: By AirTrain and train, the journey to Manhattan takes an average of 50 to 65 minutes.

Which New York airport is best to land at?

Airport transfer to Manhattan airport in New York

Personally, I always fly from Amsterdam to JFK Airport and then take the AirTrain and subway to downtown Manhattan. This is not only the cheapest option, but also a great way to experience the real New York and connect with the locals.

Newark Airport is also a good choice. Both airports offer competitive ticket prices and excellent airport transfers. If you’re flying within the United States, LaGuardia Airport is often the cheapest and fastest. However, JFK remains popular because of its fixed taxi fares and direct subway connection.

In short, the best airport in New York depends on your departure point and budget. By comparing options beforehand, you’ll save both time and money.

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