Can one move between airports in New York City? Useful tips!
Can one move between airports in New York City? Useful tips! In this article we will discover some small [...]
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Can one move between airports in New York City? Useful tips! In this article we will discover some little tricks for getting around the 3 airports within the vast New York metropolitan area. If you've never been there, it may be a good opportunity to learn more: you can bookmark our article and find it again in your time of need!
Why can one find oneself moving from one airport to another?
In this article:
Never say never in life: sometimes we think that something can't happen just for us, but life as we know is very unpredictable. Previously, we have also talked about missed flights, missed cancelled flights And you name it! And so it is really possible to find yourself in a situation where you have to move to another airport.
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If you think it can never happen, I should then tell you about the time I spent a good 24 h stuck in Stansted London: but that is another story.
When we take a flight, a number of unexpected things can really happen, so knowing how to move between airports could save our day or business meeting for the next day, for example.
There are 3 airports in New York City: JFK: John F. Kennedy, LGA LaGuardia, EWR Newark Liberty International.
We should specify that these 3 airports are only a few miles apart: between JFK and LaGuardia there are 16 km, while Newark Libery Airport is located in New Jersey and is 34 km from JFK and 40 km from LaGuardia.
It is good to be clear about these distances, precisely because we may happen to need to get to the nearest airport, so knowing the exact miles may lead us to choose one over another.
Can one transit between the three airports easily?
The connection between the airports we have mentioned can usually be made via cab or car sharing. Until recently, there was an official bus service: the NYC Airporter, a really efficient system of connecting the three airports. However, as of 2020 it no longer exists, so the remaining options for efficient and fast transportation are: private cab, car sharing, or shared services.
There is also an additional alternative, namely shared shuttle services that provide transit between the three airports, in addition to public transportation.
Generally, transit between JFK and LaGuardia is really easy because the distance is small. In contrast, getting from either of these airports to Newark Liberty can be a bit more complex.
Let's find out together all the transportation options that connect New York's three airports
As we anticipated, transportation can be complex to understand if you have never been to New York. Therefore, it is good to understand all the steps to avoid issues, such as missing your flight for example.
The peak times-especially in Manhattan-are between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. and in the afternoon range from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Therefore, before moving, it is also a good idea to calculate hypothetical travel times, starting well in advance so as not to have complications later on. Cab and Ridesharing services (rental vehicles that you book via app) can really make a difference for a faster connection.
Fares depend on the time of day and especially traffic conditions. The shuttle services mentioned above may be more expensive. However, the fare is clearly stated in advance by the apps. Travel times vary a lot: usually you have to consider taking the means mentioned, an hour between JFK and Newark Liberty, also depends a lot on traffic. Our basic advice is to request and book these services in advance.
Read to learn more: How to get from New York JFK airport to the city center.
How does the public shuttle connection work?
We need to make a clarification: public transportation for a matter of environmental sustainability is the best to use. We at TFC always recommend them. However, remember that transiting between these airports on the same day often results in longer times, so in order not to miss your flight, you should try to arrive as quickly as possible.
Depending on your time and the next flight and connection, you will choose the one that is most comfortable and convenient. With respect to public service, we must say that for both JFK, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty, there is AirTrain service that connects the airport terminals nimbly.
You can travel really easily via AirTrain since John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia are connected to the New York City subway system. AirTrain is a light rail, a surface train that you can find for 365 days a year. It is the fastest way to travel within airports and also to reach the city center.
Inside airports, from terminal to terminal, AirTrain is free. Payment is expected of course if you use the service from one airport to another, you can get to the Jamaica and Howard Beach metro and then move on.
The travel time between JFK and Guardia is 30 minutes-a quick way then to get to either airport. The price is 8.00 $.
How does transportation work between JFK or LaGuardia and Newark Liberty by public transportation?
Again you can use AirTrain, so for passengers going from Newark Liberty to JFK, you will take it at Penn Station to get to the airport.
Instead, passengers from LaGuardia who need to get to Newark Liberty must rely on the M60 bus to connect at Penn Station and then take the AirTrain to the airport. The journey time is 44 minutes.
It is definitely an optimal alternative to private transportation; it may be more inconvenient because of a luggage issue or for those traveling with children.
NB: If you have the MetroCard, you will not necessarily have to recharge every time you use the means. There are also subscriptions that you can evaluate yourself. There is, for example, an unlimited 7-day pass! MetroCard also saves you valuable time in case you have to transit from one airport to another.
In conclusion: can one move between airports in New York City?
As you have seen, there are many ways to get from one airport to another and to New York City. Depending on your needs, you will be able to find the service that suits you without too much delay. New York airports are always open, so you won't have to worry if you have a plane very early in the morning, for example, and have to transit between two airports. You will also be able to take advantage of the lounges there and all the services offered, depending on your schedule and need.