Email this guide
Print the full guide
United States of America
- The Basics
- Currency
- Travel Health
- Public Holidays
- Useful Contacts
- Airports
- Visa & Passport
-
Cities
- New York City
Airports in New York
John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Overview
One of the busiest airports in the USA and indeed the world, John F Kennedy International Airport in New York City is a major travel hub for national and international flights in North America. Located 12 miles (20km) from downtown Manhattan in Queens, the mammoth facility is used by more than 90 airlines.
Flights to John F Kennedy International Airport are available from cities all around the world, including Paris, Mumbai, Tokyo, Montreal, Beijing, Panama City, Moscow, Los Angeles, Cairo, Sydney, Johannesburg, Seoul, and many other destinations.
Sometimes going by the shorter moniker JFK, the airport is a huge facility with eight terminals and has every kind of shop, restaurant, or entertainment option a passenger could wish for. Terminal 4 houses a great art museum and large shopping complex.
Unfortunately, the large size of the airport makes it confusing to navigate, and passengers making connections will need to allow a lot of time between flights to get from one gate to another. Security is also very strict, though the facility handles its large volume of traffic efficiently.
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, providing 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 Manhattan 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. Similarly, NYC Airporter is an express bus service that transports passengers from JFK to stations like Grand Central and Penn, and the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
Time
GMT -5 (GMT -4 from March to November).
Contacts
Tel: (718) 244 4444
New York La Guardia Airport (LGA)
Overview
One of the busiest airports in the US, despite the fact that it is New York's smallest, New York La Guardia Airport is located in Queens, eight miles (13km) east of downtown Manhattan in New York City. Seeing more than 24 million passengers each year, La Guardia is a popular facility due to its close proximity to Manhattan.
Despite its popularity, La Guardia has consistently ranked last for customer satisfaction and on-time arrivals among US surveys. While the facility itself is pleasant enough and well-maintained, long queues at customs and immigration facilities are a normal occurrence.
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. Public buses service the city and connect with the New York subway; the Q33 and Q47 service Manhattan and Queens. The New York Airport Service Express Bus leaves regularly for all areas in Manhattan. The SuperShuttle Manhattan is a 24-hour, shared door-to-door service that goes to all areas of the city.
Time
GMT -5 (GMT -4 from March to November).
Contacts
Tel: (718) 533 3400
Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
Overview
Situated near the Canadian border, roughly halfway between New York City and Toronto, Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF) is the most convenient method of accessing one of North America's premier tourist attractions: the thundering Niagara Falls.
The romance of the biggest waterfall in North America has drawn sightseers and honeymooners for decades, attested to by the millions of passengers passing through the gates of Buffalo Niagara International Airport each year.
The airport is smaller by far than the behemoths found in Toronto and New York City, but it is also more basic. Thus, passengers will gain the convenience of shorter queues and cheaper flights at the expense of bells and whistles, like high quality restaurants and fancy shops.
For something to do while waiting for your flight, don't miss the pre-security art gallery called 'The Gallery - Where Buffalo Niagara shows off', which features rotating exhibitions of artworks made by local artists.
Location
The airport is located 11 miles (18km) from Buffalo.
Getting to the city
NFTA-Metro Bus and Rail provides public transport to and from the airport, and shuttles, taxis, and rental cars are also available.
Time
GMT -5 (GMT -4 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).
Contacts
Tel: (716) 630 6000
Westchester County Airport (HPN)
Overview
Located a quick drive from White Plains on the state border between New York State and Connecticut, Westchester County Airport mainly caters for corporate planes. However, flights to Westchester County Airport are also available from a number of cities across the United States.
A popular feature of the Westchester County Airport is the observation deck on the third level. Although small, Westchester County Airport has a modest selection of dining and shopping options to entertain those with a bit of extra time to spend at the airport.
Location
The airport is eight miles (13km) from White Plains in New York State.
Getting to the city
Bee-Line Bus 12 runs from the airport to White Plains and the local train station, from which passengers can catch the MTA Metro-North Railroad. Bus fare is $2.75 and the buses stop on the central traffic island just outside the terminal building. The other options for getting into White Plains are catching a taxi, using an app based taxi service like Uber or renting a car, though some hotels may offer airport transfers for guests.
Time
GMT -5 (GMT - 4 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).
Contacts
Tel: (914) 995 4860
Elmira Corning Regional Airport (ELM)
Location
The airport is situated seven miles (11km) northwest of Elmira.
Getting to the city
C-Tran bus route 20 connects the airport to Elmira between roughly 8am and 6pm on weekdays, and between 10am and 5pm on Saturdays. Adult bus fare is about $2.25. A number of hotels offer airport shuttles for their guests and taxis and rental cars are also available.
Ride-hailing apps such as Lyft are also available to passengers at the airport.
Time
GMT -5 (GMT -4 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).
Contacts
Tel: (607) 739 5621
Greater Binghamton Airport (BGM)
Location
The airport is situated 11 miles (18km) north of Binghamton.
Getting to the city
Taxis, airport shuttles, and rental cars are available to get into town.
Time
GMT -5 (GMT -4 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).
Contacts
Tel: (607) 763 4471
Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR)
Location
The airport is situated nine miles (14km) northeast of downtown Syracuse.
Getting to the city
Taxis to and from the William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center will link travellers to Syracuse through Centro's bus network.
Time
GMT -5 (GMT -4 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).
Contacts
Tel: (315) 454 4330
Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport (ITH)
Location
The airport is situated five miles (8km) northeast of downtown Ithaca.
Getting to the city
TCAT bus route 32 services the airport between 7.50am and 9.30pm on weekdays, and bus route 72 services the airport between 8.45am and 11pm on Saturdays, and between 7.45am and 4.45pm on Sundays. Taxis and rental cars are also available.
Time
GMT -5 (GMT -4 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).
Stewart International Airport (SWF)
Location
The airport is situated six miles (10km) west of Newburgh.
Getting to the city
Getting to and from the airport using public transport can be complicated. Those wanting to take the Metro-North Train to New York City can catch the Leprechaun Bus, which transports passengers to the Beacon Station.
The public Shortline Bus also services the airport daily, transporting passengers to the Newburgh Terminal. Taxis and rental cars are also available.
Time
GMT -5 (GMT -4 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).
Contacts
Tel: (845) 838 8200
Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC)
Location
The airport is situated five miles (8km) southwest of downtown Rochester.
Getting to the city
Rochester Transit Service buses service the airport every day of the week, with an adult bus fare of $1. A number of hotels in the area offer airport shuttles for their guests, while taxis and rental cars are also available.
Time
GMT -5 (GMT -4 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).
Albany International Airport (ALB)
Location
The airport is located about six miles (10km) from the city centre.
Getting to the city
Regional and long-distance local bus, taxi, limousine, and car rental services are available at the airport to transport passengers to the city centre.
Time
GMT -5 (GMT -4 from mid-March to the first Sunday in November).
JFK Taxis: the taxi fares above are intended as a guideline only.
Become our New York Travel Expert
We are looking for contributors for our New York travel guide. If you are a local, a regular traveller to New York or a travel professional with time to contribute and answer occasional forum questions, please contact us.
