New York Airports

Airports in New York

New York airports are your first point of contact with the city. There are four airports in New York: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and New York Stewart International Airport (SWF). Even though all four are located around Manhattan, each airport has pros and cons. Below, I will tell you everything you need to know about the New York airports to help you compare them.

New York Airports

There are some differences between the four airports in New York, such as the transfer options to the city, facilities and flights. When flying to New York from Australia, you can land at JFK Airport or Newark Airport. The other airport, LaGuardia, is only for domestic flights. You can fly to New York Stewart International Airport if you have a stopover in Iceland or Denmark.

New York Airports - Map

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

JFK Airport is a well-known airport which receives many flights from Australia. The airport is in the borough of Queens, approximately 26 km from Manhattan. It can get very busy at John F Kennedy International Airport; it’s not known as one of the busiest airports in the United States for no reason! The crowds depend on the number of flights arriving and departing at the same time. If you’re lucky, you’ll be outside within an hour of arriving, but it could also take two hours or more.

Eric’s Tip: “If given the choice, I would always go for JFK Airport. You can easily get to the city with the JFK AirTrain and the subway. However, if you depart or arrive at JFK Airport, you are unlikely to see Manhattan.”

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

Newark Airport is located in New Jersey, a separate state from New York. The airport is about 28 km from Manhattan. Although Newark Liberty International Airport is much smaller than JFK Airport, it’s important to note that clearing customs and collecting your luggage could take at least one to two hours. Because of its location in a different state, transfer options from Newark Airport tend to be more expensive than those from JFK Airport.

Eric’s Tip: “If you are flying into Newark or LaGuardia Airport and can sit by the left window, definitely do so! You will then have a good chance of getting a view of Manhattan.”

LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

LaGuardia Airport is located in Queens, about 13 km from Manhattan. This airport is primarily used for flights within the United States. You could arrive at LaGuardia Airport when you fly to New York from another part of America or when you fly on to another destination in the United States after your trip.

New York Airports - Landing at LaGuardia Airport

New York Stewart International Airport (SWF)

Another airport in New York State is New York Stewart International Airport. You will only fly here from Australia if you have a stopover in Iceland or Denmark. At a distance of more than 105 km from Manhattan, this airport is the furthest away, making a transfer from the airport to New York difficult and/or expensive.

 

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) LaGuardia Airport (LGA) New York Stewart Airport (SWF)
Distance to Manhattan 26 km 28 km 13 km 105 km
Transfer costs From $11.40 From $16 From $5.80 From $5.80
Transfer options
  • JFK AirTrain
  • Taxi
  • Private transfer
  • Shared shuttle
  • Train
  • Helicopter

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  • Taxi
  • Private transfer
  • Airport bus
  • Shared shuttle
  • Train
  • Helicopter

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  • Taxi
  • Private transfer
  • Shared shuttle
  • Public transport

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  • Airport bus
  • Public transport
  • Private transfer
  • Taxi

Mobile Passport Control Yes Yes No No
Customs Yes Yes No Yes
Luggage storage There is no luggage storage at the airport. Arrange your luggage storage here.

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