New York Airport Transfers

After a long trip we all want to get to the hotel as quickly and comfortably as possible. And if it's cheap, even better. Here are the different options
New York Airport Transfers

Other popular activities in New York

More about: New York Airport Transfers

The Big Apple is one of the most important gateways to the United States, welcoming travelers from all over the world. The main airports in New York are JFK (John F. Kennedy), La Guardia in Queens, and Newark in New Jersey.

Once you land on American soil, you'll have to choose the best way to get to downtown New York from the airport. Here are the options so you can choose, although for me, the best value for money is to book a private transfer from any of New York's airports.

Private transfer from all New York airports

Private transfer in New York| ©Hanners Egler
Private transfer in New York| ©Hanners Egler

Whether you're tired after a long flight and don't want to hunt around for a taxi, you're unfamiliar with the public transport network and would rather not change buses or trains, or you don't speak much English and are worried about getting lost, the most comfortable and quickest way to get to your hotel is with a private transfer from the airport to your hotel in New York.

The main difference between a private transfer and a shared transfer is that in this case, the vehicle and driver will be at your disposal and the vehicle will be just for you and your group, so you won't have to wait for other passengers.

  • How it works: This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Depending on the number of people, you can choose between a private transfer in a luxury sedan for three people, a VIP SUV that can carry up to six passengers, or a van that can accommodate up to nine travelers. You will then need to provide your flight arrival details and the full address of your hotel, apartment, or private residence in Manhattan. Your transfer will be confirmed instantly, and you will receive a voucher to present to the driver.
  • Luggage: The interior of all vehicles is elegant and spacious and has enough capacity to transport all passengers' luggage (each passenger is allowed a maximum of one suitcase and one carry-on bag).
  • What is the price of this private transfer? The price is per person based on three passengers per car, six per SUV, or nine passengers per van. The fare includes an all-inclusive pick-up service, as well as local taxes and tolls. In other words, the cost of this private transfer, starting $173, is a fixed price and does not depend on traffic.

Book a private transfer from New York airports

Private transfer from Manhattan to any airport in New York

Book your transfer online| ©Priscilla du Preez
Book your transfer online| ©Priscilla du Preez

Booking a private transfer from your hotel to New York airport in advance is the best way to catch your flight home without having to worry about finding a taxi at the last minute on the day of departure or making endless journeys on public transport with your luggage, with all the stress that this entails.

An experienced driver who knows the city streets will pick you up at your hotel door with enough time to drive you to the terminal where you will catch your return flight. No waiting, no stress, and peace of mind knowing that you will arrive on time to board your plane and that you won't pay an exorbitant price for it.

If you land at one airport and need to transfer to another, you can also count on this service. Forget the stress of missing a flight with this private transfer service.

  • How does it work? The private transfer service back to the airport works the same as the arrival service, except that this time you will need to provide your hotel address and flight departure details. Your transfer will be confirmed immediately and you will be given a voucher to present to the driver.
  • Travel time: Depending on the time of day, there may be more traffic. We recommend arriving at the airport 2 hours before your flight departure, although 3 hours is ideal. We advise you to allow extra time when calculating your hotel pick-up time. During rush hour, add at least 45 minutes for the nearest airport (La Guardia) and 75 minutes for the furthest airports (JFK and Newark).
  • About luggage: Remember that if you have special needs or luggage requirements, you can contact the company once you have made your reservation to resolve any questions. It is a personalized service.
  • About the price: This private transfer is very good value for money when you consider that the service is very similar to a taxi, but you are guaranteed to pay a fixed price in advance and the fare will not depend on traffic.

Book a private transfer from New York airports

Shared transfer from the airport to your hotel in Manhattan

Shared transfer in New York| ©Kyle Cesmat
Shared transfer in New York| ©Kyle Cesmat

After a long flight, when you're exhausted and carrying luggage, the last thing you want to do is search the terminal for a taxi and pay an exorbitant fare or wait forever for public transportation to get to your destination. That's why the most convenient option is to book a shared transfer to your hotel in Manhattan, where you'll travel in modern, fully equipped minivans.

Their fleet of vehicles has a maximum capacity of eleven passengers. They have enough space for luggage (each passenger can bring a maximum of one suitcase and one carry-on bag), pick you up upon arrival at the airport, and drop you off at the door of your hotel.

  • How does it work? Transfers operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. After making your reservation, you will receive a confirmation email and with that, they will be waiting for you! When your flight lands at JFK, Newark, or La Guardia airports, simply go to the "Ground Transportation Desk" in the terminal and present your printed voucher to one of the agents to receive instructions.
  • What happens if my flight is delayed? When you make your reservation, you will be asked for your flight information so that the company can monitor it at all times and know if your flight is delayed. Flights with minor delays do not affect your transfer reservation.
  • Are the prices final? The price you pay when you make your reservation is a fixed amount and will not depend on the traffic when you arrive in New York. However, tips and excess baggage charges are not included.

Book a private transfer from New York airports

Shared transfer from Manhattan to any New York airport

New York bus lane| ©Tetiana Shyshkina
New York bus lane| ©Tetiana Shyshkina

At the end of your stay in New York, your main concern is probably getting to the airport on time to catch your flight home without any hassle, without having to search for a taxi or make multiple transfers on public transportation. Once again, just like when you arrived, the most convenient option is to book a transfer from your hotel to the airport.

  • How does it work? Transfers run every day, all day long. When you make your reservation, you'll need to provide your return flight details and hotel address so that the shared transfer driver knows where and when to pick you up. To make things easier, we recommend informing the hotel doorman or concierge that you are waiting for a driver to take you to the airport.
  • Are the prices final? As with the arrival transfer from the airport to your hotel, the prices are final and neither the kilometers traveled nor the traffic can affect the fare; it is a fixed price. However, tips are not included.

Book a private transfer from New York airports

Other options for getting around New York

New York taxi| ©Luke Stackpoole
New York taxi| ©Luke Stackpoole

New York is a well-connected city. Its public transportation network is quite efficient and allows you to quickly get from one end of the city to the other to explore every corner of the Big Apple.

You can also purchase the New York CityPASS® tourist card, which includes some transportation options such as the ferry to the Statue of Liberty or the Circle Line sightseeing cruise.

Subway

It is one of the largest in the world with over 1,000 kilometers of track. Trains run 24 hours a day and consist of 26 lines, which are named with numbers or letters. It was inaugurated in the early 20th century and the stations feel somewhat outdated and not very clean. Here is our guide to the New York subway.

Buses

If you don't want to use the subway, buses are a very convenient option, although you will suffer the consequences of heavy traffic. There are hundreds of lines, but to avoid confusion, it is best to take a look at the line maps at each stop. Bus lines are made up of a number and a letter. The letter indicates the district where the bus operates: Manhattan (M), Brooklyn (B), Queens (Q), Bronx (Bx), and Staten Island (S).

Taxis

Taxis are another way to get around New York. Thanks to their iconic yellow color, they can be spotted from afar and hailed by raising your hand. Prices are usually very high, as small surcharges and tips add to the fare. If you want to save money and time, try to hail a taxi going in the same direction as you.

Uber

This has become a very popular means of transportation in New York. You can easily book a ride using the app. In general, they are cheaper than taxis, but if demand is high and there are few drivers available, fares will skyrocket. If you don't speak English, this is a good option, as you just need to enter the address you want to go to in the app and you don't need to give the driver any directions.

Book your New York CityPASS® tourist card

Tourist bus, get around while you discover New York

Tourist bus| © Midjourney - Joaquín Montaño
Tourist bus| © Midjourney - Joaquín Montaño

Organizing your trip doesn't have to be boring. If you're looking for an original and economical way to get around the city, don't forget that you can visit the main attractions on New York's best tourist buses. Here are some of the options available:

And of course, here are all the tips you need to get the most out of your trip: what to see and do in New York.

Book your hop-on hop-off bus tour

Reviews from other travellers

4.7
· 8215 Reviews
  • U
    U. O.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    The experience was practical, but waiting times could be improved.
  • N
    N. H.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    The shuttle service was punctual and comfortable, perfect for avoiding the stress of getting to and from the airport in New York.
  • D
    D. G.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    I loved using this service to get from the airport to my hotel in New York, it was very comfortable and fast. I always recommend it to my friends when they visit the city.
  • A
    A. G.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    It's very good, they take you quickly and without hassle. I liked it a lot, I recommend it.
  • Z
    Z. L.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    The airport transfer service was efficient, but I think they could improve on punctuality and better communication prior to the service.