New York City is a fascinating tourist attraction, and if you are a visitor from overseas, you are most likely utilizing the John F. Kennedy Airport to arrive to the city. Unlike how you imagined, however, you realize that the JFK Airport is a bit too far and inconveniently located, especially if you are staying at the city, in Manhattan. You research ways to transport to the city, but you are frustrated, because it’s either too expensive, or very time consuming. So, what are the best ways to get from the JFK Airport to Manhattan? BookBuses.com compiled this list for travelers like you, so that your travelling is as seamless and enjoyable as possible!

EASY SEARCH FOR CHARTER BUSES

PICK-UP LOCATION

DESTINATION

PICK-UP

DEPARTURE

RETURN

DEPARTURE

Round Trip

One-Way Trip

Once you get to the JFK Airport, you will have to take the Airtrain to transport from terminal to terminal. The Airtrains are free, and you will be able to easily move to a different part of the airport depending on your means of transportation, listed below!

5 Best ways to get from JFK to Manhattan

1. Taxi / Uber

TIP: only use the service of official taxi companies.

Since getting picked up by a friend is not an option, you can find, or request a taxi or Uber to go from the JFK Airport to Manhattan . It costs approximately $65 per taxi, if you include possible toll fees and tax and Uber tends to vary depending on the time. But what if you are a large group of travelers? Then, taxis can get pretty expensive, and it’s not very practical to call up multiple taxis at once, thereby scattering your group in the city.

Cost: $52 + tips + extra charge for tunnels/bridges/rush hour, total cost around $70

Time: minimum 50 min. (expect it to be twice as long during the rush hour)

Pros: comfortable, fairly fast.

Cons: not for big groups, expensive.

2. Public Transportation

Group Travel to Manhattan from JFK - Two Ways with Public Transportation.

Using public transportation is no doubt the cheapest way to get to the city, but taking a bus from JFK to Manhattan it is very time consuming. Additionally, after hours of traveling by flight, you might be too tired to withstand another hour or two of standing in the subway or the bus with all of your luggage. Regardless, you can take the subway or bus by taking the Airtrain to Jamaica Station, or Howard Beach. You can also take the Long Island Railroad to get to the city.

If you need to go to North Manhattan, you would have to take JFK AirTrain and go to Jamaica Station, from where you go on Long Island Rail Road (Port Jefferson) take and you will get directly to Pennsylvanian Station in 20 min.

On the other hand, if you have to go to South Manhattan, you use a JFK Airtrain to get to Jamaica Station, from where you go to Pennsylvanian Station by Long Island Rail Road, after which you switch to subway - MTA New York City Transit (34 Street - Penn Station) and go to Chambers St. Station, single subway ticket will cost you $2.75.

If you need more information about public transportation in New York City and how to get around from JFK Airport - visit JFK - Public Transportation.

Cost: $ 7.75 (+ $1 card fee for new MetroCards)

Time: 90 min.

Pros: no traffic.

Cons: transfers, not comfortable.

If you are traveling with a big group (12+ people), taking an Airtrain and moving around the city will be complicated, since you will have to all buy separate Airtrain cards, subway cards, carry luggage while changing lines, etc. It is very exhausting and long, we recommend renting a bus if you travel in a group, it won’t be as expensive and complicated as you think. Check Bookbuses for more information about how to rent a bus from JFK to Manhattan.

3. Direct Bus - NYC Express Bus from JFK Airport

New York City Express Bus is the official bus operator that brings passengers to Manhattan from JFK. You can find it at the Terminals 1, 4 and 8, following the re signs. In case you arrive to another Terminal, you may take the AirTrain.

The Bus goes into Manhattan and drops people at two places:

Times Square / Bryant Park
Grand Central Terminal

Cost: $19 (NOTE: if you have more than two suitcases, you must pay additional fees)

Time: 90 min.

Pros: room for luggage, direct from the terminal to manhattan.

Cons: extra fees, transfers.

4. Rent a Charter Bus from BookBuses.com

This is similar to using a JFK to Manhattan shuttle bus, except that you can rent a bus to take you from JFK to Manhattan of desired size and type, travel with your group together, and be picked up from and dropped off to wherever you’d like. You can book buses ranging from luxurious charter buses to economical school buses. Instead of having to research into different charter bus companies to rent these buses, you can easily use the website BookBuses.com to search and compare price quotes and book buses for whenever and wherever you’d like. The process to book them are seamless and simple, because BookBuses takes care of all the details for you, and traveling from JFK Airport to Manhattan will be smooth and easy, because you will be picked up from and dropped off to wherever you’d like! Visit the BookBuses website at bookbuses.com, or call (646) 679 7864 to look up different bus possibilities for your group today!

Cost: may vary.

Time: 60 min.

Pros: you choose when and where to be picked up, price, suitable for big groups.

Cons: traffic.

At Bookbuses.com it has never been easier book a rental bus. Use the search box to access search, pricing, and booking instantly to rent buses. Bookbuses.com helps event planners and professional organizers source charter buses, no matter the location in the country. Comfortably browse your quotes and pick the offer that you find the best.

BookBuses.com | (646) 801 6280

☏ Call us now (646) 801 6280

5. Rent a Car from JFK to Manhattan

If you don’t have a big group of people, renting a car might be the most comfortable and convenient way to move around New York City. There are many car rental companies at the airport, you can go directly to the one you prefer and rent a car right after you landed. We recommend using a service called Zipcar, it is an easy and fast car rental service, where you just have to sign up online, get your special Zipcard, book by the hour or day, get your car at any time you need and have a wonderful ride to the park. Renting an economy class car for one day with Zipcar will cost you around $200.

Google and GPS are your best friends, when travelling by car.

Time: 60 min;
Cost: $200 per car (8 hours - full day);
Pros: Flexible, easy, fast;
Cons: Traffic, additional costs - toll roads, not convenient for big groups, oil charges.

Featured