Several airports serve New York City. That makes it easy for anyone who wants to visit – either for pleasure or business – to have better options when it comes to airfare. However, this can also make it a challenge to plan your sightseeing as you have more than a few airports to choose. So, the question here is “Which airport is closest to New York City?”

Closest Airport to NYC – LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

The airport nearest New York City is LaGuardia Airport (LGA). It is approximately 8.2 miles or 13.3 kilometers from the city, a good distance away so you can come to the city as soon as possible. LaGuardia Airport is in Northern Queens, 30 – 90 minutes way from Times Square depending on traffic. To the northeast, it is around 2.6 kilometers or 1.6 miles from Jackson Heights. To the southwest, it is 2.5 kilometers or 1.6 miles from College Point.

While it is smaller than Kennedy Airport, it’s a domestic airport it serves over 25 million passengers every year. LaGuardia Airport is undergoing reconstruction because many of its facilities were outdated. As such, it has been often criticized in the last few years. Because of that, the airport is being reconstructed, which is set to be completed in 2026. By that time, it should have new and better facilities such as a single terminal building, a new hotel, and retail space.

LaGuardia Airport is the best choice if your destination is Manhattan. Since it is closest to midtown Manhattan, arriving here means you can have easy and quick access to where you need to be. On the other hand, this airport is best to avoid if you will be using public transportation as it will not be a great experience. In that case, it is better to choose one of the many other airports in NYC.

What Other Airports are Close to NYC?

New York City has three main airports including LaGuardia Airport. The other two are Newark International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey and John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) in Queens. Whichever of these airports you will be flying in, it is crucial to know their differences beforehand. That way, you can get the best schedule and the cheapest ticket or get to your destination the quickest way.

On that note, below are some things to know about JFK and EWR airports:

John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK)

John F. Kennedy Airport is in Jamaica, Queens, around 40 – 100 minutes away from Times Square depending on traffic. It is the city’s largest international airport with over 50 million travelers coming through it year after year. Since it is quite away from Manhattan, this isn’t the ideal airport you want to arrive at if your destination is the center of New York City. Otherwise, you will be met with an expensive cab ride. On the other hand, you can access it through public transit and it’s ideal for flying internationally.

From here, you will be traveling around 16 miles to get to midtown Manhattan. One way to do that is through the light-rail Airtrain. It is connected directly to the New York City MTA subway system, which is great for traveling with ease. Out of all in North America, JKF has the most hectic international air passenger gateway. Its functioning 6 terminals are often packed with travelers from all areas of the globe. Common airlines that land in JKF include JetBlue, Delta, and American Airlines.

Newark International Airport (EWR)

Newark International Airport is not exactly in New York City. Rather, it is in Newark, New Jersey, but still, it serves as an important hub for people who visit NYC. After all, it is only 16 miles away from midtown Manhattan. It has been named as the 6th busiest airport in the country in 2017 having been visited by over 40 million travelers that year. Another notable aspect of this airport is how it caters to 50 carriers, including United Airlines, the largest of its tenants.

Whether it is in LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy Airport or Newark Airport, it is great to be ready with a car service to help you get to various places in New York City. For parents with their children, they can also take advantage of the safety and convenience Kidmoto offers. With us, you can have an easier time traveling throughout NYC.