From the airport to Manhattan: here's how to do it quickly and stress-free

You land in New York, your legs feel like pudding and all you want is:
"How do I get here to Manhattan as fast as possible?"

Let me take you by the hand. This is how I approach it myself - with and without kids, and with and without jet lag. 😉

**1. What airport are you arriving at?

New York has three airports:

• JFK Airport (JFK) - this is where most flights from Belgium and the Netherlands land.
• Newark (EWR) - located in New Jersey, but about the same as JFK in terms of travel time to Manhattan.
• LaGuardia (LGA) - mainly for domestic flights within the US.

If you're coming from Belgium or the Netherlands, chances are you'll be at JFK or Newark. LaGuardia is more for those already hopping around in the US.

2. My favorite: Uber (or Lyft) - and why I'm not a fan of the yellow cab

After a long flight, with suitcases and maybe kids along, this is simply the fairest option:
Uber or Lyft.

Why Uber / Lyft?

• You order your ride in the app.
• You immediately see price indication, driver, license plate and type of car.
• You are picked up at the terminal and dropped off at your hotel or apartment.
• Often newer, cleaner cars than the classic yellow cabs.

In terms of price - depending on traffic and time - you're usually somewhere around:

• From JFK to Manhattan: ± 85-100+ USD per ride (all in).
• From Newark to Manhattan: often 80-120 USD per ride.

That's per car, so with 3-4 people, that per person is often not too bad.

Why I recommend the yellow cab less

Yellow cabs are iconic and nostalgic, absolutely. They are part of the street scene, just like the yellow school buses.

But quite honestly, from experience:

• Many cars are older and "run down."
• Interior is often worn and sometimes dirty
• Suspension and comfort are not always top after so many miles
• Air conditioning and driving style are sometimes... let's say: very New York 😅

Can you still take a yellow cab?
Yes, of course.
But if you are arriving for the first time, tired and you just want to get to Manhattan in comfort, clean and predictable, I personally always prefer to choose Uber or Lyft.

3. Beware of "Uber" scammers

At JFK and Newark, men are always walking around shouting:
"Taxi, cab!" or "I'm your Uber!"

Meant to be sweet? Sometimes. But often mostly expensive, or just not official.

Important rules:

• Uber only works through the app.
• You order your ride, see in the app:
• name of the driver
• license plate
• type of car
• You only get into the car that matches 1-to-1 with what's in your app.

Does someone come up to you and say, "I'm your Uber," but you don't see it in your app?
👉 Just kindly ignore them and walk on to the official pickup area.

4. Provide internet: eSIM, roaming or wifi

To use Uber or Lyft, you need data.

Your options:

• Arrange eSIM before departure
  → My favorite. You land, cell phone on, instant internet.
• Roaming through your provider
  → Check rates beforehand, some formulas are okay, others painful.
• Wifi at the airport
  → Can work, but is sometimes slow or unstable just when you want to order that Uber.

My advice: buy an eSIM before departure. Settled once, then less stress.

5. Public transportation from JFK (cheaper, slightly more hassle).

Want to save a bit, or like being "among New Yorkers" right away?
Then JFK + public transportation is a good option.

This is how it works from JFK

1. You first take the AirTrain from the terminal to Jamaica Station or Howard Beach.

- AirTrain ticket: count on ± 8.50 USD per person.
2. Then you choose:
- AirTrain + subway to Manhattan, or
- AirTrain + LIRR train (Long Island Rail Road) to Manhattan.

What is the approximate cost?

• AirTrain + subway:
• AirTrain: ± 8.50 USD
• Subway: ± 2.90 USD
  → Total: about 11-12 USD per person single ride.
• AirTrain + LIRR train:
• AirTrain: ± 8.50 USD
• LIRR (depending on hour and ticket type): roughly 7-12 USD
  → Total: approximately 15-20 USD per person.

Conclusion JFK:

• Budget-friendly: AirTrain + subway
• Slightly more expensive but faster & more comfortable: AirTrain + LIRR

With a backpack and some energy: great.
With three suitcases, baby carriage and overtired kids: slightly less of a party 😉

6. Public transportation from Newark (New Jersey → Manhattan)

Newark is in New Jersey, but even from there you can easily get to Manhattan.

This is how it works from Newark

1. You take the AirTrain Newark from the terminal to Newark Liberty International Airport Station.

- AirTrain admission: about 8.50 USD.
2. There you transfer to a NJ Transit train to New York Penn Station in Manhattan.
- Train ticket: varies, but is usually in the "a few dollars to around ten" category.

All together, you're usually a lot cheaper than a cab or Uber, especially if you're traveling alone or in pairs.

Important:

• The subway doesn't run in New Jersey.
• So: first AirTrain + train to Manhattan, and only then possibly subway further to your hotel.

7. And LaGuardia?

Arriving at LaGuardia (LGA)?

• You have buses that connect to the subway,
• Or again you just opt for Uber/Lyft, with prices usually a little lower than JFK/Newark because the ride can be shorter, depending on where you need to be in Manhattan.

Since most Belgians and Dutch do not land at LaGuardia, I'll keep it short here: Uber usually remains the most relaxed option there as well.

8. What do I recommend as a guide?

After more than 15 years of driving, walking and guiding around this city, I see this pattern every time:

• First time New York? Jet lag? Lots of luggage or kids with you?
  → Take Uber or Lyft.
  You pay more, but arrive in Manhattan quietly, directly and without hassle.
  And yes: new, cleaner cars really make a difference after a long flight.
• You travel light, know your way around a bit and want to save money?
  → AirTrain + subway/train is perfectly doable and much cheaper per person.

9. Get more out of New York than just the ride?

The transfer from the airport to Manhattan is just the beginning.
Want to not only get to the city quickly, but also see more, understand more and waste less time searching?

👉 Come with newyork.be.

Book een Nederlandstalige tour of ervaring, get guided by someone who lives here, and really get the most out of your days in New York.

Less stress, less wasted time.
More stories, more places, more New York. 💛