Best Airport to Fly Into New York City: Pros & Cons of LGA, JFK, EWR

Choosing the best airport to fly into New York can feel like a mystery. If the cost is roughly the same, which one is the best option?

In this article, we’ll break down the pros and cons of each of the three main NYC airports, with data and opinions to support our list.

And, of course, at the end, we will give you our recommendation for the best airport for flying into NYC.

Why trust us?

We’ve flown in and out of each airport close to a dozen times, both as residents of New York and as travelers before we moved here.

Let’s get right to it. 👇

Note: This article was written by a real live human being, not artificial intelligence. 🥸

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Flying Into Newark Airport to Go to NYC

We’re presenting this list in reverse order, so our least favorite option is first.

That’s Newark Liberty International Airport. Here are a few general points about flying into Newark. 👇

It’s located in New Jersey, across the Hudson from NYC. That means it’s further from the city’s heart than expected.

If you are planning on taking public transportation, the train from the airport to Penn Station in NYC is usually about $16, and then (depending on your final location) another $2.90 for a subway swipe.

The average cost for an Uber/Lyft or taxi from Newark to Manhattan is around $50-$100, depending on various factors.

Stats about Newark Airport Delays

From April 2019 to April 2024, Newark Airport had a 73.1% on-time flight rate, the worst rate of the three main NYC airports.

It also had a 3.96% cancellation rate, which is the worst of the three New York City area airports.

See a trend here? 😜

Pros of Newark Airport

When visiting New York, we could only think of one advantage of flying into Newark Airport.

It’s usually the lowest-cost option for flights alone. That’s it!

Cons of Newark Airport

Anddddd now for the cons. Brace yourself.

Newark Airport cons:

• Has the longest average security wait time of the three airports at 23 minutes, compared to 16 for JFK and 17 for LGA
• It is a trek to get there, and if you don’t hit the train at the right time, you can end up waiting for an extended amount of time for the next train
• Finding the AirTrain can be confusing; it’s not very well-marked
• If you take an Uber or Lyft or any type of driving, it’s the most challenging and confusing airport I’ve ever driven to/from
• You have to go to New Jersey 😜

All things considered, if the cost is much cheaper to fly into Newark, that’s fine.

But all things equal, we try to avoid Newark Airport when flying in and out of New York City!

Flying Into New York via JFK Airport

Onto our 2nd choice for flying into New York, JFK or John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Here are a few things to know about JFK.

JFK is the largest of the three NYC airports, with 128 gates. More gates = more flight options, which is a good thing.

It also has the highest number of destinations globally out of the three options

If you plan on taking public Transportation into Manhattan, you will pay $11.40. That’s for one subway swipe ($2.90) + an AirTrain ride.

Stats about JFK Airport Delays

From April 2019 to April 2024, JFK Airport had a 76.45% on-time rate for flights, which is 2nd best of the three options.

It also had a 2.75% cancellation rate, the lowest rate of the three New York City airports.

Pros of JFK

Flying into New York via JFK is a solid option. Here are some reasons why. 👇

Getting to and from Manhattan to JFK via public transportation is arguably the most straightforward of the three airports. It’s well-marked, relatively easy to navigate, and only requires one simple transfer (in most cases).

@bettertogetherhere JFK Airtrain finally gets tap & go OMNY payments 🙌 No more standing in a 15 minute line to top off a subway card you’ll only use for the AirTrain #jfkairport #nyc #travel ♬ We Are The Champions – Galileo & The Cast Of 'We Will Rock You'

JFK can have the cheapest options depending on where you are flying from. It all depends!

Another perk of JFK is that, due to its size, there are a plethora of lounges, food options, and shops.

Cons of JFK

But it’s not perfect (no airport is).

Here are some of the cons of flying into JFK airport.

Currently, there is a major reconstruction project that won’t be completed until 2028. This affects some of the terminal’s accessibility from the Airtrain.

Generally, construction at an airport can be a nightmare.

While JFK is in NYC (in Queens), it is MUCH further away from Manhattan than you think. That makes it quite risky that you’ll hit traffic if you plan on taking an Uber/Lyft or taxi!

This Episode’s You’ll Have to Check It Out Segment – Gebhard’s Beer Culture

Gebhard’s Beer Culture boasts a wide variety of unique beers, most of which are on draft. Check out their beer and shot combos as well!

They also have a kitchen with delicious burgers and snacks. We loved the pretzel!

Our favorite part of Gebhard’s is the friendly staff and the unique TV choices. While we were there, we watched most of Jaws without sound and then even caught part of Flubber afterward — amazing!

Upstairs, they have 7-9 different pinball machines and even host leagues and competitions!

Check out our full review of Gebhard’s Beer Culture here.

Flying Into La Guardia Airport to Get to NYC

Last, and certainly not least, La Guardia Airport!

While La Guardia used to get a really bad rap, it has been greatly improved in recent years. Many of the terminals have been recently renovated and feel like top-class, clean, and state-of-the-art terminals.

Plus, geographically, it is closest to Midtown Manhattan out of the three main airport options. It’s half the distance of the other two options!

If you plan on using public transportation to and from LGA to Manhattan, it’s the cheapest option! The subway and free bus transfer cost only $2.90.

Stats about LGA Airport Delays

From April 2019 to April 2024, LGA Airport had a 76.62% on-time rate for flights, the best rate of the three choices.

It also had a 3.69% cancellation rate, which is higher than JFK but still lower than Newark.

Pros of LGA

Let us tell you why we love flying to New York via LGA!

• The views when you take off and land are the best (see the video below)
• The new Chase Sapphire Lounge and a fantastic Centurion Lounge
• There are quality shopping options for last-minute souvenirs
• Many of their food options are popular local NYC chains
  • Brooklyn Diner
  • Dos Toros Taqueria
  • Juniors Cheesecake
  • Irving Farm Coffee
  • Bubby’s
  • H&H Bagels
  • Rossi Pizzeria
• If you Uber or Lyft, it is the cheapest and fastest airport by car if you’re coming from Manhattan, Queens, or the Bronx
• Public transportation into NYC is the cheapest of the three airports

@letitbeej Repost because someone reported me for copyright infringement 🤡 #nyc #kanyewest #donda #donda2 #kidcudi ♬ Moon – Kanye West

We absolutely love flying into La Guardia!

Cons of LGA

There are some drawbacks to La Guardia Airport; here are a few:

• The public transportation route can be confusing; the bus stops aren’t super clearly marked and can lead to missing your terminal
• We seem to do more walking to our gate from security than other airports
• It is usually more expensive to fly into, but that slightly higher cost can be worth the convenience

Our Pick for Best Airport to Fly Into New York & Recap

So, our pick for the best airport to fly into New York is La Guardia!

With the recent renovations, close proximity to Manhattan, and fantastic dining and lounge options, it is the best option for getting to and from NYC!

Do you want to learn how to navigate to and from the three airports?

Download our 100% free Ultimate NYC Transportation Guide!

Get it here.