Guide to airports near New York City

New York City has several airports. This makes it easier for you to find affordable airfares. However, it can make your trip planning more difficult. The busiest airport system of the Americas is comprised of three main airports: LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport (Queens) and Newark International Airport (Newark), New Jersey.

No matter which airport you choose, it is important to be aware of the differences between each airport when booking your tickets. Sometimes the cheapest ticket or best schedule will result in you flying into one and then out of another airport. This is unless you end up at the wrong airport when it's your turn to return home.

 

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) 

Location: Jamaica Bay, Queens

Best if: If you need to travel internationally or use public transport to get to the airport.

Avoid If: A cab ride to Manhattan is too expensive.

Distance from Times Square: It takes approximately 40 minutes to get to Times Square. The taxi fare is $52, which does not include tolls and surcharges.

John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK), New York's biggest airport, saw more than 59 million people pass through it in 2017. The airport is located approximately 15 miles from Midtown Manhattan and offers a light rail Air train that connects directly with New York's subway system.

JFK has eight terminals, making it the busiest international airport for passengers entering North America. It is the hub of American Airlines, JetBlue and Delta. It was originally known as Idlewild airport, but it was renamed in honor of the 35th president of the United States.

 

LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

Location: Northern Queens

Ideal if: You require quick and easy access into Midtown Manhattan.

Avoid if: If you need to get to the airport by public transport.

Distance from Times Square: It takes approximately 30 minutes to get to Times Square. A taxi will cost you around $30. This does not include tolls and surcharges.

LaGuardia Airport has served more than 29 million passengers in 2016, but is smaller than Kennedy Airport. LaGuardia Airport is located on Flushing Bay and Bowery Bay, Queens, eight miles from Manhattan.

The airport's facilities are often outdated, and have been the subject of frequent criticisms over the years. In 2015, a reconstruction plan was announced and will be completed by 2026. The new facilities include a single terminal with a people-mover, retail space and a hotel.

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

Location: New Jersey, Newark

Best if: If you need to fly direct to a city that is not served by JFK.

Avoid If: Taxi fare to the airport from New Jersey is expensive due to its location.

Distance from Times Square: It takes approximately 35 minutes to get to Times Square. A taxi will cost you around $60.

Although Newark Airport is in New Jersey, it is an important hub for tourists to New York City. It is just 16 miles from Midtown Manhattan. Newark Airport was the sixth busiest airport in America in 2017, serving more than 40,000,000 passengers. It serves 50 airlines and is home to United Airlines' largest tenant, United Airlines.

Newark Airport, unlike LGA is also linked to the city by train. Air Train Newark connects terminals to Newark Liberty International Airport Station. This station is serviced by New Jersey Transit. It provides direct rail connections from Newark Penn Station and New York Penn Station.

Long Island Islip MacArthur Airport (LIMA)

Location: Ronkonkoma (New York).

Best if: If you're flying Southwest while staying on Long Island.

Avoid If: Manhattan travel can be slow, especially during rush hour.

Distance from Times Square: It takes approximately 90 minutes to drive to Times Square. Private car services are best for this purpose.

MacArthur Airport is located on Long Island and can accommodate more than 2 million passengers each year. The airport is served by Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines and American Eagle. The airport is home to Orlando, Baltimore, West Palm Beach, Fla. and West Palm Beach.

The Long Island Railroad is located 50 miles east from Manhattan. It takes approximately 90 minutes to get to New York City.

White Plains Westchester Airport (HPN)

Location: White Plains, New York

It's best if: It's smaller than New York City and is easier to navigate.

Avoid If: There are no international flights and the flight options are very limited.

Distance from Times Square: It takes approximately 90 minutes to drive to Times Square. Private car services are best for this purpose.

White Plains Airport is located in Westchester and can accommodate over one million passengers each year. The airport is home to five airlines, with JetBlue and Delta being the only mainline carriers. Delta provides service to Atlanta from which passengers can connect to its many international segments.

White Plains lies 33 miles northeast from Manhattan. White Plains is served by the Metro-North Railroad from New York's Grand Central Station. However, a taxi to the airport is still required.

New York Stewart International Airport (SWF)

Location: New Windsor, New York

Best if: If you're flying low-cost on Norwegian Airlines or another airline.

Avoid If: There are no international flights and the flight options are very limited.

Distance from Times Square: It takes approximately 90 minutes to drive to Times Square.

New York Stewart International Airport is located in New Windsor, New York. It can accommodate nearly one million passengers each year. The airport was renamed by the Port Authority in 2018, adding "New York" as an additional word to highlight its close proximity to New York City. The airport's popularity has increased over the years due to its low-cost flights to Europe with Norwegian Air Shuttle. Allegiant Air and American Eagle provide service to Stewart, as well as Delta Connection and JetBlue.

The Stewart International Airport can be found 60 miles north from Manhattan. Although plans were discussed for a light rail connection to the airport's terminal, this service is not yet in place. Passengers must either drive or use a private vehicle to get to the airport. In June 2017, CoachUSA also began providing bus service from Manhattan.