It's up to you to choose according to your desires and your budget. As a reminder, and to help you situate yourself a little better, here is a map showing the 3 airports of New York City as well as their different links with the city center.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy International Airport
JFK Airport is located 26 miles from downtown Manhattan. It is the largest airport in the city, and the 17th airport in the world. About 49 million travelers pass there annually.
You will land and depart from one of the 80 airlines present in the 8 terminals which are spread over 20km2.
Please note that you have the right to have two pieces of luggage with you, which are included in the price of the ticket. What to bring back a whole bunch of souvenir gifts and not to feel guilty during your shopping sessions!
Option 2: the yellow taxi, a comfortable option from JFK
If you're on a more flexible budget and prefer a more comfortable option, don't hesitate to take a taxi. You will find a whole bunch of them waiting for you at the exit of the airport. Thus, you will only have to hail one and indicate the address to which you wish to go.
In addition, it will be the opportunity to board one of these famous New York yellow taxis, so take advantage!
However, the good thing about the taxi is the exchange you can have with your driver. Indeed, it is often pleasant to chat with a local, who will be happy to tell you a few 100% New York anecdotes!
On the other hand, note that the travel time will vary enormously, depending on the time of your departure or arrival. Indeed, the traffic can sometimes be very dense in New York, so do not be in a hurry!
Option 3: private taxi, the luxury option to reach the center
And if you absolutely want to organize everything 100%, know that you can also contact a private taxi company. Thus, you will be sure to have your appointed driver who will ensure you a JFK Manhattan transfer.
Also, I recommend the Camel Limo company, which you can book online in advance. The good thing is that the latter offers a wide choice of vehicles, depending on the size of your group. You should also know that you can get a vehicle even if you are 14 people!
Once at the airport, proceed to the « Pick Up Area », where your driver will be waiting for you.
Option 4 for the JFK Manhattan transfer: AirTrain + metro, an economical option
Another option available to you when it comes to transport between JFK and Manhattan is to take the AirTrain and then the subway. The latter is a train in service since 2003, and the price of a ticket costs 5 dollars.
Note that if you wish to travel between the various terminals of the airport, the AirTrain offers free connections between them.
The AirTrain allows you to reach two metro stations:
- Jamaica station, which will allow you to reach Manhattan with the E line. Ideal for people staying in Midtown or Queens.
- Howard Beach Station, from which you can reach southern Manhattan or Brooklyn with line A.
The subway ticket to Manhattan will cost you $ 2,75.
This is clearly the cheapest option to reach Manhattan since it will only cost you $ 7,75 per person. However, I strongly advise against it because taking the metro with your luggage can sometimes be an obstacle course, especially during rush hour.
Option 5: the public bus to reach JKF airport in Manhattan
That said, if your budget is a bit tight, go for a budget option like the bus, via the NYC Airport Service. You will then be able to board for 17 dollars per person.
In the airport, to find the bus, follow the signs for “Grand Transportation”, which will take you to the bus station. Also, be aware that a bus passes every 30 minutes, so you won't have to rush to miss your bus!
Also, note that if you take the public bus from JFK Airport, the latter will take you to Grand Central Station, Penn Station, or Port Authority. These are the terminals for the bus line, so make sure they are near your hotel. If not, plan to take another bus or metro to reach your destination.
So which of these options transfert JFK Manhattan will you choose? Don't forget to plan ahead in order to save time and concentrate on organizing all kinds of visits. Have a good stay !
