Here you can find out how to get to New Jersey best, fastest and cheapest from all 3 airports in New York! Many New York vacationers are now opting for nearby New Jersey to save some money on their vacation budget.
There are 3 airports in the New York Area:
All three airports are well connected to the infrastructure and so you can choose from several options for the transfer to New Jersey, depending on your taste. And no matter from which airport you start your transfer to the hotel or to your accommodation: you always have many options from low budget to super comfortable!
JFK Airport
It sounds a lot further than it is: New Jersey is really just a stone’s throw away from Manhattan. Public transport is perfectly connected, especially if you are staying near the Hudson River, i.e. around Jersey City, Hoboken, Edgewater, or Weehawken. Many commuters live in these cute little towns with skyline views. Here you benefit from a quick and uncomplicated connection to Manhattan.
By Taxi ($62): There is also a flat rate (including toll) here, so there are no nasty surprises. For $62 including Toll, you can easily reach Manhattan. Then, depending on where you live in New Jersey, get off at Penn Station, the WTC, or the Port Authority bus station.
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Our tip: you are guaranteed to be approached by people at the airport exit who ask you if you want a taxi. These are private individuals and not yellow cabs! So say NO – when you come out of JFK airport you will already see the official yellow taxis at a stand. You go there, you will be assigned a taxi and then you can be sure that you will not be ripped off.
Per SuperShuttle Manhattan ($15): The “SuperShuttle Manhattan” is a shared taxi that takes 6-8 people to Manhattan for around $15. Each additional person only pays half! But what can be exhausting: in the worst case, everyone else is driven to their desired destinations first and you are the last to go. Then, depending on where you live in New Jersey, get off at Penn Station, the WTC, or the Port Authority bus station.
By official private transfer – ideal for families ($25): This transfer service is a good alternative to taxis and the shuttle bus because here you can book your transfer from the airport for up to 6 people. You will then drive from JFK to Manhattan in either an SUV – or in the normal option – in a car similar to the one pictured.
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If you take the luxury transfer, up to 14 people can go to Manhattan at once. This also includes stretch limousines if you want to get from JFK to Manhattan or back in a befitting way! Surprising but true: you can also be driven to Manhattan in a limousine, befitting your status. The prices correspond to those of a normal taxi ride for 2 people.
By bus ($15): The New York Airport Service Express bus stops at Grand Central Station, Port Authority, Penn Station, and Bryant Park (approximately $15 per person). Get off here at either Port Authority Bus Terminal Station or Penn Station to switch!
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By subway ($7.50): You can also get to Manhattan cheaply with the subway and the MetroCard (here you can find more information about the Metrocard).
Do you want to go to the Port Authority Bus Terminal, the WTC, or Penn Station?
You have 2 options for your trip to Manhattan by subway.
The first thing you need to do is take the AirTrain at JFK, which will take you to either Jamaica Station or Howard Beach Station. From both stations, you can reach the Port Authority Bus Terminal, the WTC, and Penn Station.
Howard Beach to Port Authority Bus Terminal: Take the line to Manhattan. You get off at 42 St – Port Authority Bus Terminal Station and can continue by bus from here.
Howard Beach to Penn Station: Take the line to Manhattan. You get off at 34 St – Penn Station and from here you can continue by train or PATH.
From Howard Beach to the WTC: Take the line to Manhattan. You get off at Fulton St Subway Station and can continue with the PATH from here.
From Jamaica Station to Port Authority Bus Terminal: From Jamaica Station, walk to “Sutphin Blvd – Archer Av – JFK Station” (takes about 3 minutes) and take the line bound for Manhattan. Get off at 42 St – Port Authority Bus Terminal Station and continue by bus from here.
From Jamaica Station to Penn Station: Walk from Jamaica Station to “Sutphin Blvd – Archer Av – JFK Station” (takes about 3 minutes) and take the line towards Manhattan. Get off at 34 St – Penn Station and here you can continue by train or PATH.
From Jamaica Station to the WTC: Take the line to Manhattan. You get off at World Trade Center Station and can continue with the PATH from here.
The cost of the AirTrain is $5.
You should plan a travel time of 60 to 70 minutes for the journeys including AirTrain.
The transfer from La Guardia Airport to Manhattan is just as easy as from Kennedy Airport in Queens: La Guardia Airport is just under 14 kilometers (8 miles) from midtown Manhattan. So the transit to Manhattan takes just under half an hour.
By Taxi ($30 – $36): Definitely use the yellow cabs and not the black private services – they are officially licensed by the city and therefore very trustworthy!
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You will find the taxis in front of each terminal. At each of these taxi stands, there is a kind of stand from which you will be guided to the right vehicle. Cost per person: $30 – $36.
By NYC Airporter ($13): You can use this express bus from 5 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. These buses run every half hour to Grand Central, Penn Station, and the Port Authority Bus Terminal. From there you will continue to New Jersey. Price per person: $13
By Bus M60 ($2.50): The M60 bus goes to 125th Street in Manhattan and costs $2.50 per person.
Via SuperShuttle ($15-$19): These shared taxis will take you to Manhattan for $15-$19 (depending on destination). The advantage here is clearly the price: you can get from LGA to Manhattan for little money. You should plan about 1.5 hours for the journey. Because passengers are driven to their hotels in Manhattan – if yours is the last one on the route, it will take a little longer. Then, depending on where you live in New Jersey, get off at Penn Station, the WTC, or the Port Authority bus station.
Now you’re almost done, the first part of the transfer is behind you. Now it’s only 1x change and off to New Jersey!
Basically, you have three options: The PATH, the NJ Transit train, or you can take the bus from the Port Authority. However, there are often many options open to you.
Attention: Since the beginning of 2019, there is NO Path running from/to the WTC station on weekends. This means that you have to switch to the ferry, which is used as an alternative means of transport. The ferry takes you to the “Harbor Side” station in New Jersey in 5 minutes.
From there you have to walk 5 minutes towards Exchange Place. From there, the Path continues within NJ again. You can get the ticket in the Oculus at the Path Station which costs the same as a regular Path Ticket on weekends. Remediation and repairs are needed on the Path due to the long-term effects of Superstorm Sandy. You can find more information here.
Find all information about the NJ Transit train from Penn Station here.
By taxi (from $100): Of course, you can also take a taxi directly from the airport and drive to New Jersey. This will not be cheap, however, as drivers like to charge a hefty premium when going to the other state. The clock is then also switched off – we personally do not recommend this to you, as we have also fallen on our face there before.
The driver ended up pretending not to understand me and charging an exorbitant sum for a ride from the Meatpacking District to New Jersey. It is better to use the more cumbersome method of changing trains at the train/subway/bus stop relevant to you.
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