City guides
United States of America
New York
Getting Around
New York's public transport system is relatively good and cheap, and it includes buses and the subway. There are also the iconic and ever-present yellow cabs, although they are more expensive. Visitors should avoid unlicensed cabs, sometimes called gypsy or pirate cabs. Lyft and Uber are available.
Visitors can use a combination of these or just get around on foot. Walking is often the best way to see the city. During rush hours, when buses and taxis are caught in gridlock and the subway is overcrowded, stretching the legs can be the quickest option.
Usually, the most efficient way to get around is the 24-hour underground system, especially as most of Manhattan's sights are near subway stations. Like other massive cities, however, this can be extremely confusing at first.
The bus system is simpler but slower; a good option for shorter distances or for travelling across town. Driving in New York is not recommended as traffic is heavy, drivers rude and aggressive, and parking both rare and exorbitant.
Airports
JFK
The airport is located 15 miles (24km) southeast of central Manhattan.
JFK (JFK)
Location
The airport is located 15 miles (24km) southeast of central Manhattan.Getting to the city
Ground Transportation Information is available in the baggage claim, arrival areas of all terminals, and provides information on buses, shared-ride vans and limousines. The AirTrain links the airport to the subway, train, and bus system, which go to the city centre.
SuperShuttle Express is a 24-hour, shared, door-to-door service to anywhere between Battery Park and 227th, including all hotels. The service also reaches the boroughs of Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Staten Island.
Go Airlink is another rideshare service providing shuttles that travel between the airport and the city.
Time
GMT -5 (GMT -4 from March to November).Car rental
Car hire companies represented at all terminals include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz, Enterprise, and National. The AirTrain shuttles passengers between the terminals and the car rental offices.
Airport Taxis
Taxis are available in front of all five terminals, with the general journey time to Manhattan being around 40 to 60 minutes long. Tipping is customary for good service. Travellers should only use taxis from the taxi dispatch booth and refuse offers from others.
Transfer between terminals
Passengers can travel between JFK's five terminals for free on the AirTrain, with any travel beyond that incurring various costs.
Facilities
All terminals have ATMs, bureaux de change, bars, restaurants, and a wide selection of shops. Travellers will be able to find most services in the terminals, including WiFi, medical facilities and information counters.
Parking
JFK has two types of parking. Long-term parking is four miles (6km) from the terminals and served by the free AirTrain. Passengers should allow 30 minutes to reach their terminal. The Central Terminal Area (CTA) parking is adjacent to the terminals and provides daily parking needs.
Signs to the parking facilities are colour-coded to indicate their proximity to terminals. A cell phone lot waiting area is located near the airport's entrance for drivers to wait for disembarking passengers, reducing traffic congestion.
La Guardia Airport
The airport is located eight miles (13km) east of central Manhattan, in the borough of Queens.
La Guardia Airport (LGA)
Location
The airport is located eight miles (13km) east of central Manhattan, in the borough of Queens.Getting to the city
Ground Transportation Information is available in the baggage claim, arrival areas of all terminals. All service arrangements can be made at these counters. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) provides regular bus service between LaGuardia Airport, Manhattan, Queens and beyond with subway connection. A number of car, van and shared ride services are available as well.
Time
GMT -5 (GMT -4 from March to November).Car rental
Car hire companies include Avis, Budget, Dollar, Hertz and National. The Arrivals level of each terminal has either car rental courtesy phones or counters. Free shuttles transport customers between the terminals and the car rental offices.
Airport Taxis
The Welcome Center Ground Transportation Counter is near the baggage claim area, offering information on authorised transportation services. There are taxis available outside each terminal.
Transfer between terminals
Passengers can use the complimentary airport shuttle bus service between our terminals. Buses arrive approximately every 10 minutes but this frequency may vary with traffic conditions.
Facilities
All terminals have ATMs and currency exchange can be found at the Central and US Airways Terminals. Passengers will also find a wide selection of bars, shops and restaurants, but the best choice is at the US Airways, Delta and Central Terminals. Disabled facilities are good, but those with special needs should ideally contact their airline or travel agent in advance.
Parking
Short-term parking is available next to the terminals. Long-term parking is available in Lot 3, although there are limited spaces. Additional long-term car parking is located very close to the airport and can be accessed by following the 'P' to the airport exit.
Express payment machines are located throughout the parking areas. Signs to the parking facilities in the terminal buildings are colour coded to indicate their proximity to the terminals. Free shuttle buses transport passengers to the terminal buildings.