Upon your arrival in New York, the last thing you want to do is start spending a lot of money. Although it is an expensive city, there are always ways to save some money. This guide covers the cheapest and most practical options from all three New York airports to Manhattan, with updated prices. One important note: MetroCards were discontinued in December 2025. All MTA fares are now paid by tapping your credit/debit card or phone (OMNY system), no MetroCard needed.
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JFK Airport
JFK is New York’s largest airport, located in Queens, 28km from central Manhattan. The cheapest way in:
Option A — AirTrain + LIRR (Recommended)
Follow signs for AirTrain inside the airport. Take it to Jamaica Station, tap your credit/debit card at the exit gates: $8.75.
At Jamaica Station, follow signs for Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to Penn Station or Grand Central:
- Off-peak (evenings, weekends): $5.25
- Peak hours (Mon-Fri 6-10 am, 4-8 pm): $7.25
Total cost: $14.00–$16.00 per person. Travel time: approximately 40 minutes.
💡 Tip: Sit near the front of the LIRR train if you board at Jamaica, it puts you closer to the AirTrain exit.
Option B — AirTrain + Subway (Cheapest)
Take AirTrain to Jamaica Station ($8.75) → tap your card on the subway E/J/Z line → Manhattan. Subway fare: $3.00. Total: $11.75. Slower but cheaper option.
By taxi: Flat rate of approximately $70 + tolls + tip (count on $85-90 total). Plus, a congestion pricing surcharge of $9 applies south of 60th Street.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
LaGuardia is the closest airport to Manhattan (14km), but it has no direct rail connection. It recently completed a full renovation and is now one of the best mid-sized airports in the US. The cheapest way in:
Option A — Q70 LaGuardia Link + Subway (Best Value)
This is the easiest option. Follow signs for the Q70 LaGuardia Link bus outside your terminal. This bus is FREE and runs every 8-10 minutes directly to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Ave, where you connect to E, F, M, R, or 7 subway lines into Manhattan. Subway fare: $3.00. Total: $3.00 per person.
💡 The Q70 has luggage racks, great for travellers with large bags.
Option B — M60 bus + Subway
Take the M60 Select Bus Service ($3.00), which runs along 125th Street in Harlem, connecting to multiple subway lines. Better option if you’re staying on the Upper West Side or Upper Manhattan. Total: $3.00 per person.
Important: Pay your fare at the machine BEFORE boarding, these are SBS (Select Bus Service) routes and inspectors check tickets on board.
By taxi: Metered fare, typically $40-70 + tip and surcharges depending on traffic. Unlike JFK, there is no flat rate.
Newark Airport (EWR)
Newark is in New Jersey, 30km from Manhattan. Two good budget options:
Option A — Newark Airport Express Bus (Easiest)
Board the Newark Airport Express bus from Terminals A, B, or C. Runs every 30 minutes, 4:15 am–1 am. Drops you at:
- Port Authority Bus Terminal (near Times Square)
- Bryant Park
- Grand Central Station
Cost: $18.70 one-way / $30 round-trip. Travel time: 45-60 minutes, depending on traffic.
Option B — AirTrain + NJ Transit Train (Fastest)
Follow signs for AirTrain → Newark Airport Train Station → NJ Transit train to New York Penn Station. Cost: ~$15.75 total. Travel time: approximately 30-40 minutes.
By taxi: Metered fare + tunnel tolls = typically $50-80+ plus tip. Count on $70-90 total.
By Uber/Lyft: $40-100+, depending on time of day and surge pricing.
💡 For a group of 3-4 people, Uber from Newark can be competitive with the bus when you split the cost.
These are the most cost-effective options from all three airports as of 2026. A few general tips: always tap your credit/debit card directly on OMNY readers, no MetroCard needed. If you’re travelling with 4+ people, an Uber or Lyft can sometimes rival the cost of public transport when split. And if you have heavy luggage, the Q70 from LaGuardia and the LIRR from JFK are your best friends; both offer plenty of space for bags.
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For more tips on exploring New York, read our complete New York travel guide
Frequently Asked Questions
The cheapest option is AirTrain to Jamaica Station ($8.75) plus the subway ($3.00) for a total of $11.75. The faster option is AirTrain plus LIRR train, costing $14-16 total with a 40-minute journey.
The cheapest option is the free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus to Jackson Heights, then the subway ($3.00), for a total cost of just $3.00 per person. The M60 bus is also $3.00 and connects directly to Manhattan along 125th Street.
The Newark Airport Express bus costs $18.70 one-way and drops you at Port Authority, Bryant Park, or Grand Central. The NJ Transit train via AirTrain is slightly cheaper at approximately $15.75 and faster at 30-40 minutes.
No, MetroCards were discontinued in December 2025. All MTA fares are now paid by tapping your credit/debit card, phone, or OMNY card directly on the readers.
Via AirTrain and LIRR, approximately 40 minutes. Via AirTrain and subway, approximately 50-60 minutes, depending on your destination.
Not always, JFK taxis have a flat rate of approximately $70, while Uber prices vary and can be higher with surge pricing. For solo travellers, the flat taxi rate offers more price certainty.
LaGuardia is the closest at 14km, followed by JFK at 28km and Newark at 30km. However, proximity doesn’t always mean the fastest journey time. LaGuardia has no rail connection, while JFK has the AirTrain/LIRR route.
