EWR, JFK, or LGA for Manhattan Cruise

Sailing on the NCL Gem in October so we need to finalize our flights. Originally we were going to fly into LGA because we are staying in Times Square. But after reading of the transportation nightmare at LGA we are unsure. Considering we are not going until this October shouldn't some of the traffic problems have been fixed by then? Would like to hear advice from people familiar with LGA recent problems. If not flying into LGA, then suggestions on the best airport to fly into with transportation cost to Times Square. Flight costs to JFK & EWR are about the same.

The LGA construction project will be several years in duration, so traffic woes aren't going to disappear by October. However traffic can vary and it's not necessarily that bad all the time. If you're not traveling with any particular time constraints and if the cost to fly into LGA is significantly less than flying into EWR or JFK I would still use LGA. However if you're flying in the day of your cruise, or if you have to catch an early flight on disembarkation day, I'd stay away from LGA.

Ground transportation costs are quite variable depending on the mode of transportation you're using. If you want the easiest possible ground transportation, and don't mind paying the highest price then a car service would be cheaper from JFK than EWR because the trip from EWR require paying tolls of about $20. The tolls would be added to basic fare of about about $45 plus tip from either. If you were looking for the cheapest possible transportation from the airport and can handle your luggage on mass transit you can take AirTrain and subway from JFK to Manhattan for $7.75 per person. From EWR you do AirTrain and NJ Transit for $13 per person. The fare from EWR for a senior would be a few dollar less. There are also airport buses that go to midtown. From EWR it would cost $16 per person one way, from JFK $18. There are discounts on the bus fare for senior citizens or the purchase of a round trip ticket.

I agree that the LGA problems will continue for a couple of years. But landing and leaving LGA should be easier than trying to check in for your flight there. I would take a yellow taxi from LGA into Manhattan and your hotel. Also October is after the heavy summer travel season.Have a good trip and cruise.

If your flight is on disembarkation, better choose a flight not ealier than mid afternoon if taking La Guardia. Traffic is so unpredictable in area around LGA that some needed to get off their vehicle and just walk and bring their luggage to the terminal just to catch a flight.

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It is easier and quicker to get from EWR into manhattan than either lga or kennedy

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I depart and arrive from LGA all the time. Much closer to Manhattan. JFK is a nightmare. Try to get non rush hours flights that arrive after 9 am and leave before 3 pm

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I flew in and out of LGA twice in last 11 days and had no problems getting in and out , trip can take as little as 20 mins. Durring traffic both times Friday about 5pm it took a hour to get to midtown ( close to pier) also had huge delay because of parades yesterday and trip took 80 mins to go from midtown to LGA.

It is easier and quicker to get from EWR into manhattan than either lga or kennedy

 

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It might be - but on a good day - and they do happen- LGA is significantly easier, quicker and substantially less expensive.

You can get from ewr to midtown as cheap as from lga

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You can get from ewr to midtown as cheap as from lga

 

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Car service from EWR costs more that from LGA.

With a 22" rollerboard and a backpack/small cabin bag, it's easy for some to take mass/public transit to go to all 3 airports - it just involved some transfers, stairs, elevators and/or escalators; plus, time & patience from/to the pier.

Flight delays, according to latest data is worst at EWR, followed by LGA, and JFK is better but still on the list of being horrible with summer time delays.

Do take into consideration of flying into one airport and fly home using another airport - car service fares are "easiest" for all 3 airports, as taxi fares are most unpredictable for LGA, high for EWR but a flat one in between for JFK from the M.C.T.

Keep in mind NYC has issues with Amtrak and regional/commuter trains (rails) and the problem is likely going to be worst on weekends with fewer riders - and the announced cutback on schedules. Whichever airport & options, book flight schedules with plenty of time to allow for transfers and not rush - ships have lately been delayed at random (NCL)

Car service from EWR costs more that from LGA.

Much more...particularly when tolls are added in.

And mass transit will also cost more to or from EWR. If you can handle your luggage you can take the Q70 SBS from LGA and transfer to a subway to Manhattan, or do the reverse to go from Manhattan to LGA. There's no option nearly as inexpensive to or from EWR.

Path to 33rd or new jersey transit to penn station

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Path to 33rd or new jersey transit to penn station

 

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You can't get PATH at EWR. You have to take NJ Transit from EWR to Newark Penn Station and then take PATH from there. Fare would be $8.50 for the NJ Transit leg due to the $5.50 AirTrain access fee, plus $2.75 for PATH for a total of $11.25.

NJ Transit from EWR to NY Penn Station is $13.

Either of those is far more expensive than $2.75 for the Q70 sbs with a free transfer to the subway to get from LGA to midtown.

You can get from ewr to midtown as cheap as from lga

 

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NO, you cannot.

It is possible to use public transportation from Newark at lower cost than car service from LGA -- but it is foolish to mix apples and oranges: public transport from LGA to midtown is cheaper than public transport from EWR; similarly, car service (or any other mode) from LGA is cheaper than from EWR.

It's also possible to use M60-SBS serving LGA and upper Manhattan, the bus route goes over the RFK (Triborough) Bridge via Astoria - onto 125th Street (historic Harlem) stopping along the way, at Eastside subway lines as well as Westside subway lines. This is a lesser known airport connection and travel time is about 75 minutes or less to the Times Square & Grand Central area, where popular hotels are situated.

Fare is $2.75 p/p plus the cost of a MetroCard ($1)

Q70-SBS connects to the E subway line, express services (ending at Jamaica/LIRR for the JFK AirTrain) to Manhattan - local service would be on the F or #7 subway lines, and LIRR Woodside Station.

Highly visibility Metrocard vending kiosk/machines - accepting cash & credit cards are located inside LGA terminals near the bus stops, to ride the SBS buses, be sure to get a validated receipt as proof of payment, as teams of NYPD Transit Police do patrol & check all riders for fare payment - multi-lingual instructions are provided.

Then there's uber or left. Share a ride. Around $13 pp from JFK and $10 pp from LGA plus toll

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