New York Airports
There are three main New York airports. Flying into New York from overseas you will probably come into JFK (John F Kennedy International Airport) or Newark, whereas a domestic flight within the US is more likely to arrive at La Guardia or Newark.
None of these airports are actually in New York City itself and so you will need to find transportation from the airport and this can be costly. La Guardia (EWE) - pronounced La Gwardia - is the closest airport to the city centre, being located in Queens (one of New York's boroughs) and approximately 9 miles from central Manhattan. With the traffic density of the area however this journey can still take 45 minutes depending on the time of day your flight arrives.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on the other hand is about 90 minutes drive from downtown Manhattan. Situated in what feels like the middle of no-where, this is a better airport to arrive from than depart! The reason for this is that there are numerous terminals and each of these has a turn off from the main road. The terminal you leave from depends upon the airline carrier you are flying with - this means that you have to keep a focused view on the sign posts along the road in the JFK area so that you (or your taxi driver) don't miss the turn off for your terminal. When you consider that around 100 airlines use JFK, and there are a number airlines at each terminal, you start to see why arriving couldn't possibly be as stressful as finding the right check-in desk for your departure! The New York transportation system does offer airport buses and these can help you get where you are going earlier, but they may not stop at your terminal which will mean you and your luggage have to find your way to the right one.
Newark (EWE) is the most modern of the three airports and flying into, and out of, here is a good alternative to the stress of JFK. This airport, situated in New Jersey, is about the same distance from Manhattan as JFK but is a far easier one to navigate if you've never been there before.
All of the airports offer a variety of transport transfer options, from taxis to buses to chauffeur driven limos with uniformed drivers who will see to your luggage and open doors for you! Buses offer the most economical option, but if you have a lot of luggage may be difficult. Limos offer expensive luxury but are just the right thing for that special celebration in the Big Apple. Taxis fill the middle ground, but keep in mind that the fare quoted may not include the road tolls which will be added at the end of your journey so be sure to ask before you book your ride.
The airline you choose for your flight will be the main determining factor in which of the New York Airports you use, so if you have an airport preference, do some research before making a reservation so that you know which airline you wish to fly with!
Related Links: Visiting New York, New York Transport
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