JFK vs EWR vs LGA: Which New York Airport Should You Fly From?

Fares shown are modelled estimates, not live quotes.

Save a price alert

Fare reviews and notifications are paused while the fare feed moves to a new provider. You can save a route now.

Airport Breakdown

JFK

John F. Kennedy International

Best for

Long-haul international flights to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. JFK has the most premium carrier options (British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, Emirates) and consistently the best flight frequency for transatlantic routes. If you're flying business or first class internationally, prices here are often competitive.

Not ideal for

Domestic flights and budget travel. JFK has the longest travel time from Manhattan (60-90 minutes via LIRR or car), making it brutal for quick turnarounds. Terminal experiences are aging except for newly renovated T1/T4. Airport fees are highest of the three.

Cheapest for: Europe (especially London, Paris, Frankfurt) and Asia-Pacific (Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore). Competitive pricing on Caribbean (Barbados, Jamaica, Turks & Caicos) due to volume. Round-trip to London often $50-150 cheaper per person than EWR/LGA because of carrier competition.

Getting There

AirTrain ($8.50) + LIRR ($8.25 peak, $6.50 off-peak) = $16.75 total, 60-75 minutes from Penn Station. Taxi/Uber $50-80 depending on traffic (typically 45-70 minutes). No subway connection—this is the major pain point. Avoid during evening rush (4-7 PM) when LIRR adds 20+ minutes.

Pro Tip

Book JFK flights 2-4 weeks out for transatlantic routes. Price gaps widen closer to departure because Europeans book earlier, and you'll catch mid-week sales. Terminal 4 (international) has the best food and retail; avoid Terminals 2 and 3.

EWR

Newark Liberty International

Best for

International travel when you're willing to cross the river for meaningful savings. United's main hub here means excellent frequency to Europe, Latin America, and Caribbean. Best choice for business travelers on expense accounts who value reliability over convenience. Also surprisingly strong for connecting flights.

Not ideal for

If you live in Manhattan or Brooklyn. The NJ Transit path adds 45-60 minutes and crosses water (mentally draining). Rental car return is inconvenient if you've driven in from upstate. Terminal infrastructure is aging despite recent renovations.

Cheapest for: Latin America and Caribbean (Mexico City, Cancun, Montego Bay, San Juan, Cartagena) because United's network there is unbeatable. Europe secondary hubs (Dublin, Brussels, Vienna) often undercut JFK. South America (Brazil, Colombia) significantly cheaper—sometimes $100-300 less round-trip than JFK.

Getting There

PATH train from World Trade Center or 33rd Street: $3.25, 25-30 minutes to Newark Airport, then light rail/AirTrain to terminals (additional 5 minutes). Total cost $3.25, total time 35-40 minutes from Midtown. Cheaper and faster than JFK's AirTrain if you're downtown. Taxi/Uber $35-55 (30-45 minutes from Manhattan depending on traffic). NJ Transit bus from Port Authority ($2.75, but 70+ minutes—skip this).

Pro Tip

Check United's flash sales on Thursdays—EWR gets first access and the best fares often post on United.com before third-party sites catch on. If you're flying Latin America, EWR undercuts the other two airports by 15-25% consistently.

LGA

LaGuardia Airport

Best for

Domestic flights under 4 hours (Boston, DC, Florida, Chicago, Nashville). Fastest airport to reach from Manhattan (20-30 minutes via M60 bus or taxi). Most convenient for Astoria/Long Island City residents. Delta's stronghold for Northeast regional flights with frequent departures.

Not ideal for

International travel—severely limited international capacity. Only 50 destinations vs 150+ at JFK/EWR. Terminals are cramped, retail is limited, and security lines often back up due to size constraints. No lounge access improvements coming until 2027. Avoid if you value international carrier choice.

Cheapest for: Domestic flights under $150. Boston ($69-89), Washington DC ($49-79), Fort Lauderdale/Miami ($59-99), Cancun/Montego Bay ($129-179). LGA-Boston is often $20-40 cheaper than JFK due to lower landing fees. Caribbean pricing is competitive with EWR when Delta has sales.

Getting There

M60 SBS bus from 125th Street (Harlem) or from Astoria Boulevard: $2.90, 20-30 minutes depending on traffic. Taxi/Uber $25-45 (15-25 minutes from Midtown, highly variable). Subway to M60 bus is cheapest option overall. Closest airport to Manhattan by time, not distance. From Upper East Side, taxi often faster than other two airports.

Pro Tip

Book LGA domestic flights for Tuesday/Wednesday departures—Delta has structural underutilization mid-week, and you'll find 20-30% discounts vs weekend fares. LGA-Boston is chronically underpriced; it's the airline's way of filling Northeast capacity Delta can't move through Atlanta.

Our Verdict

Choose JFK for Europe/Asia long-haul with carrier choice; choose EWR if you're going Latin America, Caribbean, or value the PATH train's speed/cost from downtown; choose LGA for domestic flights under 4 hours and fastest airport access from Manhattan. If you live in Brooklyn/Queens, EWR is often worth the extra 15 minutes to save $100-200 on international flights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which New York airport is cheapest overall?

EWR wins on Latin America/Caribbean by $100-300 per round-trip. JFK wins on Europe by $50-150. LGA wins on domestic flights under $100. Context matters more than the airport—compare final prices on Google Flights with all three as departure points, not assumptions.

Which has the most international flights?

JFK dominates with 160+ international destinations and the most carrier choice. EWR is second with 150+ (but United-heavy). LGA is a distant third with ~50 destinations and almost no transcontinental international service.

Which airport should I use if I'm flying from Manhattan?

LGA for domestic (20-30 min via M60 bus). EWR for international Latin America/Caribbean (35-40 min via PATH). JFK only if flying transatlantic with specific carrier preference—the 60+ minute journey isn't worth it otherwise unless prices are $150+ cheaper.

Are there significant price differences between the three airports?

Yes, consistently. EWR averages 10-15% cheaper on Latin America (United's hub advantage). JFK averages 5-10% cheaper on transatlantic (carrier competition). LGA domestic fares beat the others by 15-25% for Northeast routes. Differences disappear on less competitive routes.

Which airport has the best terminal experience?

JFK Terminal 4 (international carriers) has the newest food/retail. EWR Terminal C (United) is solid post-renovation. LGA is cramped and aging across all terminals. For domestic, EWR and LGA are equivalent headaches.

How much should I budget for ground transportation from each airport?

LGA: $2.90 (bus) or $25-45 (taxi/Uber). EWR: $3.25 (PATH) or $35-55 (taxi/Uber). JFK: $16.75 (AirTrain+LIRR) or $50-80 (taxi/Uber). LGA is cheapest overall; EWR is fastest public transit; JFK is slowest and most expensive.