From JFK, LaGuardia and Newark to Your Hotel
Public transit routes and fares for six districts. Checked November 11, 2026.
All three airports have transit routes that avoid road traffic. This page shows the official fares and the usual route to each district.
Fares
| Ride | Fare | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Subway and local bus | $3 per ride. A 7-day fare cap of $35 applies when you use the same card or device. | MTA |
| AirTrain JFK | $8.75, a separate fare from the subway and the LIRR | JFK Airport |
| LaGuardia Link Q70 bus | Free | MTA, LaGuardia Airport |
| LIRR within New York City (CityTicket) | $5.25 off-peak, $7.25 peak | LaGuardia Airport |
| AirTrain Newark | $8.75 on its own. The fee is included in an NJ Transit rail ticket to or from the airport. | Newark Airport, NJ Transit |
| NJ Transit, Newark Airport to New York Penn Station | $17.25 for an adult, about 30 minutes on the train | NJ Transit, Newark Airport |
| Newark Airport Express bus (Coach USA) | $23.50 one way, $39.50 round trip, about 50 minutes | Newark Airport |
You pay the subway by tapping a contactless card, phone or wearable, or an OMNY card. The MTA says you can no longer buy or refill a MetroCard as of January 1, 2026. You get one free transfer between the subway and bus within two hours when you use the same card or device.
JFK
JFK's own site says the subway or the LIRR is the best way in, because it avoids traffic. The AirTrain links the terminals to two connection points: Jamaica station (LIRR, and the E, J and Z subway at Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport) and Howard Beach-JFK Airport (A subway). JFK says it is about 20 minutes from Penn Station or Grand Central Madison to the AirTrain.
LaGuardia
The Q70 LaGuardia Link is a free nonstop bus from Terminals B and C to the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Av subway station (E, F, M, R, 7) and 74 St-Broadway (7). The MTA says buses run every 8 to 10 minutes. If you arrive at Terminal A, the M60 bus is quicker to Manhattan, or you can take the airport shuttle to Terminal B. The MTA says the trip can take an hour or more, so allow plenty of time. For uptown Manhattan, the MTA suggests the M60 Select Bus all the way.
Newark
Newark is in New Jersey, but it is a common way into Manhattan. The AirTrain connects the terminals to Newark Liberty International Airport Rail Station, where NJ Transit trains run to New York Penn Station. NJ Transit says the ride is about 30 minutes and $17.25 for an adult, with the AirTrain fee included. Terminal A is not directly on the AirTrain: the airport says it is a walk of about 15 minutes or a shuttle bus. The Newark Airport Express bus stops at every terminal and serves Grand Central Terminal, Bryant Park and the Port Authority Bus Terminal. For Lower Manhattan, NJ Transit lists about 45 to 55 minutes by NJ Transit to Newark Penn plus the PATH train, at $12.30 plus $3.00. The airport's own page lists a slightly lower fare to Newark Penn, so check the fare when you buy.
Route to each district
| District | From JFK | From LaGuardia | From Newark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Midtown | AirTrain to Jamaica, then the LIRR to Penn Station or Grand Central Madison | Q70 to Jackson Heights, then the 7 to Times Sq-42 St or Grand Central-42 St, or the E, F, M or R | NJ Transit to New York Penn Station, or the express bus to Grand Central, Bryant Park or Port Authority |
| Upper West Side | AirTrain to Jamaica, the LIRR to Penn Station, then the 1, 2 or 3 uptown | The M60 Select Bus for uptown Manhattan, or the Q70 and the subway | NJ Transit to Penn Station, then the 1, 2 or 3 uptown |
| Lower Manhattan | AirTrain to Jamaica, then the E to the World Trade Center | Q70 to Jackson Heights, then the E to the World Trade Center | NJ Transit to Newark Penn, then PATH to the World Trade Center |
| Downtown Brooklyn and DUMBO | AirTrain to Howard Beach, then the A to Jay St-MetroTech or High St | Q70 to Jackson Heights, then the R to Jay St-MetroTech or Court St | NJ Transit to Penn Station, then the A or C to Jay St-MetroTech or High St |
| Williamsburg | AirTrain to Jamaica, then the J (or Z) to Marcy Av | Q70 to Jackson Heights, the 7 to Court Sq, then the G to Metropolitan Av or Lorimer St | NJ Transit to Penn Station, the A, C or E to 14 St-8 Av, then the L to Bedford Av |
| Long Island City | AirTrain to Jamaica, then the E to Court Sq | Q70 to Jackson Heights or 74 St-Broadway, then the 7 to Court Sq, Hunters Point Av or Vernon Blvd-Jackson Av | NJ Transit to Penn Station, then the E from 34 St-Penn Station to Court Sq |
Before you go
- JFK notes that many subway and LIRR stations are accessible, not all of them. Check station elevators on the MTA site if you travel with large bags or a stroller.
- Weekend and overnight subway service changes are common. Check mta.info for the day you land.
- Taxis and car services are another option. Fares are metered or quoted, and we do not list them here.
Sources: mta.info (subway and bus fares, LaGuardia guide), jfkairport.com (public transportation), laguardiaairport.com (public transportation), newarkairport.com (public transportation and AirTrain), njtransit.com (Newark airport page), Port Authority travel advisory. We have not timed these routes ourselves. Subway line details are checked against the MTA map. Last checked November 11, 2026.