You’ve booked your flight, secured your hotel, and planned your itinerary – your dream trip to NYC is almost here! But there’s one last detail to sort out: how to get from the airport to your hotel. Don’t worry – I’ve got you covered! This guide breaks down the best transportation options from JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark so you can start your adventure stress-free.
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JFK
How to Get from JFK to Times Square by Train
Public transportation is the cheapest way to get from JFK to Times Square, but it’s not always the most convenient – especially if you’re traveling with multiple suitcases or arriving after a long flight. Many NYC subway stations don’t have escalators or elevators, meaning you may have to carry your luggage up and down stairs. Plus, trains can get crowded, so be prepared to stand during your journey.
That said, if you’re up for the adventure and want to save some cash, here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Take the AirTrain
Find the AirTrain JFK, which connects all terminals. It’s free if you’re traveling between terminals or parking lots, but if you’re heading to a subway or train station, you’ll need a $8.50 ticket. You can pay with a MetroCard or tap your contactless bank card.
Choose your destination: Jamaica Station (for the subway and Long Island Rail Road) or Howard Beach Station (for the A train).
Step 2: Choose Your Train Option at Jamaica or Howard Beach Station
- Subway ( $11.40 total, ~1 hour)
From Jamaica Station, take the E subway train toward the World Trade Center ($2.90 fare) and get off at Penn Station, which is the closest stop to Times Square.
- Long Island Rail Road ($13-$19, ~30 minutes)
From Jamaica Station, take the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) toward Penn Station.
Alternative Routes from Jamaica Station
- E train to Upper Manhattan (W. 125th St.),
- J or Z train – Southern Queens & Northern Brooklyn
- LIRR to Grand Central
Alternative Route from Howard Beach
- A train – Lower Manhattan (below W. 14th St.)
Final Stop: Penn Station – Times Square
- If you arrive at Penn Station, Times Square is just a 5-minute walk away.
- If you need to go further, you can transfer to the 1, 2, 3, N, Q, R, or W subway lines to reach your hotel.
How to Get from JFK to Times Square by car
Taxi
Grabbing a yellow taxi is the simplest and most hassle-free way to get from JFK to Times Square. There’s a flat fare of $70 to Manhattan, but keep in mind that additional tolls, fees, and tips will bring the total to around $90-$100. If convenience is your priority, a taxi is a great choice – just head to the official taxi stand outside the airport and hop in!
Uber/Lyft
Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft provide a clear upfront fare, which many travelers prefer. However, in NYC, these services can sometimes be more expensive than a taxi, especially during peak hours or surge pricing. If you like the ease of booking through an app and knowing your fare in advance, this could be a good option.
Private Transfer
A private transfer offers a fixed price and is ideal for travelers with lots of luggage or those traveling in a group. Since the cost is set in advance, you won’t have to worry about tolls or surge pricing. This is a great option if you want a stress-free arrival with door-to-door service.
Here you can book your private transfer:
Besides public transport or car services, you can also take a shuttle bus (but it takes a long time and costs between $20-$40), rent a car (not really recommended since traffic is crazy and parking is very expensive), or even book a helicopter transfer, which costs between $150-$250 per person (check Blade or Uber Copter if you’re interested).
LAGUARDIA
How to Get from LaGuardia to Times Square by Public Transport
LaGuardia Airport is the closest airport to Manhattan, but unlike JFK or Newark, it does not have a direct train or subway connection. You can catch a bus and then a train.
Step 1: Take the Bus from LaGuardia
Since there’s no subway station at LaGuardia, you’ll first need to take a bus.
Find Q70 SBS LaGuardia Link outside Terminals B & C – the bus is free if you transfer to the subway within two hours (pay with OMNY/contactless or MetroCard). There are two places you can take the bus to: Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Ave Station or 61 st St-Woodside Station
There are also other buses available but they are not free
Step 2: Choose Your Train Option
- Subway ( $2.90, ~45-50 minutes total)
From Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Ave, take the E train toward the World Trade Center and get off at Times Square-42nd St.
- Long Island Rail Road ( $7-$11, ~35 minutes total)
From 61st St-Woodside Station, take the LIRR to Penn Station and walk 5 minutes to Times Square
Alternative Subway Routes from Jackson Heights
- E train – Times Square
- 7 train – Hudson Yards
How to Get from LaGuardia to Times Square by Car
Taxi
Catching a yellow taxi is one of the easiest ways to get to Times Square from LaGuardia. Unlike JFK, there is no flat fare, so the final cost depends on traffic. It usually cost $45-$60 plus tolls and tip
Uber/Lyft
Available to get, good if you want to know your price upfront
Private Transfer
A private transfer offers a fixed price and is ideal for travelers with lots of luggage or those traveling in a group. Since the cost is set in advance, you won’t have to worry about tolls or surge pricing. This is a great option if you want a stress-free arrival with door-to-door service.
Here you can book your private transfer:
NEWARK AIRPORT
How to Get from Newark to Times Square by Train
Getting to Times Square from Newark is pretty easy even though this airport is located in New Jersey, about 16 miles (25 km) from Manhattan. Public transport a great option – and the cheapest one
Step 1: Take the AirTrain Newark
- Find the AirTrain at your terminal. The airtrain connects all airport terminals for free but costs $8.50, paid when transferring to NJ Transit or Amtrak.
Step 2: Choose Your Train Option
- NJ Transit ($15.75 total, ~30 minutes)
NJ Transit train to New York Penn Station runs every 10-15 minutes and it takes about 25 minutes to reach NYC. From New York Penn Station, either walk 5 minutes to Times Square or transfer to the 1, 2, 3, N, Q, R, or W subway lines.
- Amtrak ($30-$60, ~25 minutes)
It’s more expensive, but the journey takes about the same time.
How to Get from Newark to Times Square by Car
Taxi
You can find a taxi outside the terminal but since you can take a bridge or tunnel, taxis from Newark charge extra for tolls. The average price is $100
Uber/Lyft
Price is shown upfront but it still can be pricey
Private Transfer
A private transfer offers a fixed price and is ideal for travelers with lots of luggage or those traveling in a group. Since the cost is set in advance, you won’t have to worry about tolls or surge pricing. This is a great option if you want a stress-free arrival with door-to-door service.
Here you can book your private transfer:
Both LaGuardia and Newark have public buses and rental cars, but they aren’t the best options. Buses take too long due to traffic and multiple stops, and rental cars aren’t practical because of heavy traffic and expensive parking. It’s easier to take a train, taxi, or private transfer instead.
I hope this guide helped you figure out the best way to get from New York City airports to Times Square. Even if your hotel isn’t in Times Square, New York’s subway system makes it easy to reach your destination. I highly recommend using the CityMapper app, which gives you step-by-step directions, real-time updates, and even fare estimates to help you navigate NYC like a pro.
If you’d rather skip public transport on your first day, you can take a taxi from Penn Station, which might be cheaper than a direct airport taxi. Whether you choose the train, subway, shuttle or getting around New York City is easier than you think – so enjoy your trip!
