Flights to New York
Three airports serve the New York area, and which one you fly into changes the trip as much as the flight itself.
Getting to New York
New York is served by three major airports rather than one, and they are not interchangeable. JFK handles most long-haul international traffic and sits in Queens, roughly an hour from Midtown by car in ordinary traffic. LaGuardia is the closest of the three to Manhattan and is used mainly for domestic routes, but it has no direct rail connection. Newark Liberty sits across the Hudson in New Jersey and has its own direct train link into Pennsylvania Station.
Airports serving the area: John F. Kennedy International (JFK), LaGuardia (LGA) and Newark Liberty International (EWR).
What to know about New York
That means the cheapest-looking option is not always the simplest. A fare into Newark that arrives during the evening rush can cost you more time and money on the ground than a slightly higher fare into LaGuardia. When you call, tell the representative where you need to end up in the city rather than only the airport code, and they can help you weigh the whole journey rather than just the flight.
- JFK is the usual choice for international and long-haul arrivals.
- LaGuardia is closest to Manhattan but serves mostly domestic routes.
- Newark has a direct train connection into Pennsylvania Station.
- Allow generous time for the transfer between airport and hotel on arrival day, especially in the evening peak.
When people travel to New York
Demand in New York peaks around Thanksgiving, the December holidays and the weeks either side of New Year, and again in early autumn when the weather is at its best. Late January and February are usually the quietest months and often the easiest to travel through, though winter weather can affect schedules. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking the city.
Routes we are asked about most
Travellers most often ask us about nonstop service from the West Coast, direct and connecting routes from the Midwest and South, and overnight departures from Europe.
Availability and schedules are set by the airlines and change frequently. Call for current options on your dates.
Need help with a flight to New York?
Speak with a travel representative for assistance with available flight options for your dates.
Independent travel reservation assistance. Not affiliated with any airline.
Other destinations
We can help with most routes worldwide. These are some of the destinations travellers ask us about most.