When traveling to New York City, I always prefer to fly into John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) over LaGuardia Airport (LGA) — even though the latter is the closest airport to Manhattan.
Let’s look at the 5 reasons I think JFK is the better New York-area airport to fly into.
1. More Flights To Choose From
Like Reagan Airport in Washington, D.C., LaGuardia Airport has restrictions on the flight distances it can serve. If you’re looking for a long-haul or cross-country flight, you’ll likely have to fly out of JFK Airport anyway, which provides a bevy of options.
Furthermore, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines claim both LaGuardia and JFK as hubs. Both airlines will operate shorter domestic flights out of LaGuardia and longer flights predominantly out of JFK.
»Related:JFK Airport Lounge Hopping: Making the Most of My 11-Hour Layover
2. You Can Get a Flat Fare Taxi to Manhattan
If you’re taking a taxi to Manhattan, you can always find a flat-fare ride of $70 (without tip) out of JFK. This means that no matter the amount of traffic, you’ll always pay a set price to most locations in Manhattan. This can be especially useful when traffic is horrendous, as it often is, to be guaranteed to ride at a certain price.
If traveling with multiple passengers, you can all use 1 taxi and easily split the ride. In the end, the taxi fare may come out less than using the AirTrain and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), as I’ll explain below.
3. Rail and Metro Options
Oddly enough, LaGuardia Airport does not have a direct rail link. To get to the subway, you must take a bus from the airport to the nearest subway station, which can take some time, depending on traffic. After all, time is money!
At JFK, take the AirTrain, which stops at all terminals. It will take you to Jamaica Station within 10 minutes and catch any Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) train bound for Penn Station or Grand Central. When you arrive at Jamaica Station, take a look at the departures board and find a train departing within the next few minutes. (You could also take the E, J, or Z subway lines to the city for only $2.90 one-way, but there are many local stops.)
I personally find rail transportation to be guaranteed. There’s no risk of traffic, and the Air Train and LIRR trains usually run on time, so it’s a predictable way to get to Manhattan within a specified amount of time.
When taking the train, you’ll need to account for an $8.50 ticket just to ride the Air Train to Jamaica station, and then either $8.25 (off-peak) or $11.25 (peak) LIRR ride to Penn Station or Grand Central.
Hot Tip: You can purchase LIRR tickets on the MTA Train Time app (iOS, Android). If you’re taking the train outside of the windows of 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on the weekdays, you can purchase a discounted City Pass as seen in the screenshot above, which will only cost you $5 to get from Jamaica Station to Manhattan.
4. Easier Access to Long Island and Other Areas
JFK Airport isn’t much farther out on Long Island than LaGuardia Airport by distance. All things considered, they’re relatively close.
However, JFK is much better situated if you visit points east on Long Island, starting with Nassau County and moving out towards Garden City and Uniondale, thanks to the extensive rail network of the LIRR. If you’re not headed into Manhattan, JFK is a much better airport to fly into than LaGuardia.
Similarly, JFK is the closer airport to Staten Island and Brooklyn, so if you’re traveling to those boroughs, JFK will be your best bet. As with all of NYC, traffic can be quite bad, so ensure you’re allowing plenty of time to reach your final destination.
5. Airfares Out of JFK Tend To Be Cheaper
I find that you can save some money by flying into JFK rather than LaGuardia, where Delta, JetBlue, and American all compete as domestic U.S. airlines. Because of this, and the increased capacity at JFK, airfare tends to be quite reasonable.
In addition, because of all of the international airlines, flying abroad can be relatively cheap compared to JFK. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is held captive by United Airlines and its fortress hub there, while flights at LaGuardia are relatively high due to its preferability among business travelers.
Why JFK Might Not Be the Best Airport For You
JFK is a great airport, but there are a few downsides:
- Because JFK is farther than LaGuardia, you need to factor in traffic to and from the airport — at least 90 minutes during rush hour.
- LaGuardia Airport is known for its “shuttle” flights, especially those to Washington, D.C., and Boston. These regular flights are unique to LaGuardia.
- JFK is a massive airport, and navigating connections between terminals isn’t easy. You may find it easier to fly into Newark or LaGuardia.
- Like many airports, JFK is undergoing a lot of construction and renovation. Traffic may be impacted by this, so you may want to consider this added time when flying into or out of JFK.
Final Thoughts
When flying into New York City, JFK is my preferred airport. It has the best transportation options to Manhattan, and there are also a lot more flights to the airport I can choose from.
While LaGuardia is closer to the city, I still find JFK better for the average traveler. I will recommend it to anyone who asks!
