A Newbie's Guide To Manhattan Airport Transportation Options
by Elliot Simpson
Three different airports with numerous transportation options service the Manhattan area. So, it's easy to see why getting from the airport to their Manhattan hotels can be such a stressful situation for first-time visitors. By researching your options, and choosing a Manhattan airport transportation option before arriving in the Big Apple, you can eliminate a lot of the stress that comes with planning the perfect New York City getaway.
Taxi
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey regulates ground transportation options at LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark airports. All three airports have taxi stands located outside of the arrivals terminals, and it's imperative that you follow the procedure at the taxi stand if you plan to take a cab into Manhattan. For your own safety:
- Ignore offers of transportation inside the terminal. It's illegal for drivers to solicit people inside the airports, and many of those who do are unlicensed and/or uninsured.
- Avoid non-uniformed people offering to help with your baggage. If you need assistance, ask a uniformed porter or airport employee.
- If you are unsure whether a taxi driver or porter is legit, visit the Port Authority Welcome Center. There are welcome center locations at all three airports, in each arrivals terminal.
Cab fares differ between airports, and approximate cab fares don't include tips, tolls, or rush-hour or late-night surcharges. As of 2015, approximate cab fares are:
- Between $50 and $70 from Newark Liberty International Airport to Manhattan
- $52 flat fare from JFK International Airport to Manhattan
- Between $25 and $37 from LaGuardia Airport to Manhattan
Car Service
The easiest way to get from any of the area airports to your Manhattan hotel is by hiring a car service. If you make reservations for a car service before you arrive, your driver will meet you at baggage claim to help you with your luggage. Also, because you've prearranged your ride, you don't have to worry about calculating cab fares or paying additional tolls or surcharges because the car service company includes everything in your fee. If you didn't hire a car service before you arrived, and you're leery about taking a taxi into the city, you can visit the Port Authority Welcome Center or one of the self-service kiosks in the arrivals terminals to make car service reservations.
Public Transportation
Public transportation is the cheapest way to get from any of the airports to Manhattan. However, it can be confusing for first-time visitors. Trains and buses run between JFK and Newark airports to Manhattan, but only bus service is available between LaGuardia and Manhattan. There are several different routes, and some require you to connect with another bus or train route to get to your destination. So, if you decide to use public transportation, you need to make sure you know exactly which route to take before you arrive at the airport.
There are several ways to get the airport into Manhattan. However, as a first-time visitor, some of the options can be intimidating. It's perfectly normal for first-time visitors to be slightly nervous about getting to their hotel once they arrive in the Big Apple. Just remember, if you're a little leery about taking public transportation or a taxi, you should make car service reservations as soon as possible. Galaxy Coach is a car service in your area you can contact for information.
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About Me
Do you use a taxi service often? Do you know how to pick and choose which taxi service you use? Are there any taxi sharing groups in your area that you can take part in to save on the cost of transportation each day? Are there safety measures that you should take each time you get in a taxi? You will find the answers to many of questions about using a taxi service around town on my website. It is my hope that the many things that I have learned about using a taxi for the past 56 years can help you during your taxi use.