The Best Way To Get From
JFK Airport To Manhattan (and back again)

If you want to start your visit to New York City off on the right foot, you'll want to make your arrival to the Big Apple as easy possible. So, how do you plan on getting from JFK Airport to your hotel in Manhattan?

Well, here are five ways you can travel from JFK to anywhere in Manhattan. What's best for you depends on your budget and any time constraints you may have. Happy Traveling!

  1. Travel By Taxi

    This is by far the easiest way to get from JFK to anywhere in Manhattan (anywhere in the entire city really) for up to a party of four, but of course its not the cheapest.

    According to rules set out by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission, new york city taxi cabfor trips between (to and from) Manhattan and JFK International Airport, the flat fare is $52.00 plus any tolls and a NYS Tax of $.50.

    Where do you find a Taxi? There are signs that will direct you to the taxi stands outside ever terminal in the airport. There will be queues/lines of taxis waiting to take you where you want to go. An attendant should be there to answer any questions. Only take official Yellow Cabs! If someone offers to give you a ride. Run. Its probably a scam.

    How Long Should it Take? That depends on the traffic. If you fly into JFK at 5:00 PM (rush hour), you'll be luck if it only takes you two hours to get to your destination. Typically it should take an hour or so.

    For more information about taking taxis in New York City, go to NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission's Website.

  2. Hire a Car Service to Pick You Up

    Do you want someone to help you carry your luggage to the car? Do you want anything from a luxury sedan to 10 passenger limo to pick you up? Do you want to impress your fellow travelers? Then you'll want to hire a car to pick you up at the airport.

    We natives like to use Carmel Car & Limo Service or Dial 7 Car & Limo Service. They've both been around a long time and have excellent service and reasonable rates. Of course there are many others to choose from. Search the web.

    You will find out how much the fee will be when you hire the car. Be sure to ask about any wait time fees in the event your plane is late.

  3. Airport Shuttles

    There are several Airport Shuttle companies to choose from and truthfully, if you have a large party traveling with you (more then 4 adults), this might be the best way to go unless you hire a private transportation.

    Once you reach the airport, you can proceed to the Ground Transportation desk to get information on where you catch your shuttle, or you can use one of the courtesy phones in the baggage claim area. Keep in mind that you may not be the only passenger in the van, and you may have to go along for the ride while other passengers are dropped off at their destination first.

    Take a look at NYC Airporter and Super Shuttle, and compare their schedules and pricing. Often times they will have online specials, making it even more affordable.

  4. The Airtrain

    If you want to save some money traveling back and forth to JFK Airport, than the Airtrain to the subway, and the subway to your hotel is the best way to go. It will only cost you a very economical $7.25 per person. Airtrain at JFK Airport But be forewarned, you'll have to drag your luggage up and down a lot of stairs, and then you still have to get from the subway station to your hotel.

    You can board the Airtrain in the airport and travel to either the Howard Beach Station, where you can catch the A Train, or Sutphan Boulevard Station, where you can catch the E, J or Z Train. The Airtrain costs $5.00 and entrance to the subway system costs $2.75 totally $7.75.

    For more information on the Airtrain, go to The MTA's Website. And here's a link to an article that has easy instructions on riding the NYC Subway System.

  5. Have A Friend Pick You Up At the Airport

    Of course, this is the absolute best way to get from Kennedy to your destination, and truthfully, this is how most of us natives do it. If your friend really likes you, its free!

Happy Traveling



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The Best Way To Get From LaGuardia Airport (LGA) To Manhattan.

Four Ways To Get From Newark Airport (EWR) To Manhattan.


Carmel Car Service!