JFK Airport is New York City’s largest and an arrival can be a bit overwhelming to a new traveler. Fortunately, the airport is well-signed and also very well-connected to Manhattan by public transportation. So if you arrive into JFK Airport and aren’t fortunate enough to have a ride waiting, you will still be able to make it into Manhattan using any of the following options.
Car Service Companies
These companies allow you to reserve a car, van, minivan or even a limousine in advance. They will be at the airport waiting for you when you arrive and will take you directly to your destination. You must add toll and parking fees as well as a tip on top of the price but this method of transportation could still work out to be affordable if you have a large group of people traveling.
Express Bus
Buses leave JFK Airport every 30 minutes between about 6am and 11pm. Buses drop passengers off at Grand Central Station, the New York Port Authority Bus Terminal, and Penn Station. This method is cheap but if traffic is heavy it will take a while.
Helicopter
Forget limousines, if you really want to travel in style take a helicopter from JFK Airport to Manhattan. US Helicopters operate a service between the airport and Midtown (at East 34th Street) and Downtown (at 6 East River Piers). You are limited to one small piece of luggage and it is expensive, but it only takes 10 minutes to Manhattan.
Shuttle Bus
Shuttle bus services offer shared rides from JFK Airport into Manhattan. This means that you might have several stops at other hotels before reaching your final destination. If you are one person this service is good value but if you are more then a taxi might be a better option.
Subway
JFK Airport is connected to New York’s subway system by an Airtrain that drops passengers either at either Jamaica Station or Howard Beach stations. From here you can get anywhere the subway goes, including Manhattan. This option is cheap and it allows you to avoid traffic but if you are traveling during rush hour and have a lot of luggage it could be a bit stressful.
Taxi
Taxis are available outside of each terminal at JFK Airport, usually at a taxi rank. Taxis operate on a flat rate into Manhattan but charge extra for tolls and a tip. It works out to be economical if you have three or four people travelling and not a lot of luggage.