Getting from the airport to Manhattan can cost $3 or $130, depending on which airport you land at, how many people are with you and what time it is. The calculator compares every option for your group. Taxi fares come from the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission; transit fares are 2026 published fares, which change from time to time, so check before you travel.
Airport to Manhattan: every option compared (2026)
| Route | Cost | Time to Midtown |
|---|---|---|
| JFK: AirTrain + subway | ≈$11.75 / person | 60–75 min |
| JFK: AirTrain + LIRR (Jamaica) | ≈$14–$16 / person | 45–60 min |
| JFK: yellow taxi (flat fare) | $90–$105 / cab | 45–75 min |
| JFK: Uber / Lyft | $70–$120+ | 45–75 min |
| LaGuardia: bus + subway | $3.00 / person | 45–60 min |
| LaGuardia: yellow taxi (metered) | $55–$75 / cab | 25–45 min |
| LaGuardia: Uber / Lyft | $45–$85 | 25–45 min |
| Newark: AirTrain + NJ Transit | ≈$16–$19 / person | 35–50 min |
| Newark: taxi | $100–$130 / cab | 35–60 min |
| Newark: Uber / Lyft | $80–$130+ | 35–60 min |
JFK taxi flat fare: what's included
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Flat fare, JFK ↔ Manhattan | $70.00 |
| MTA state surcharge | $0.50 |
| Improvement surcharge | $1.00 |
| Congestion surcharge (south of 96th St) | $2.50 |
| Congestion pricing toll (south of 60th St) | $0.75 |
| Rush hour (weekdays 4–8 pm) | $5.00 |
| Airport pickup fee (JFK and LaGuardia) | $2.00 |
| Tolls (e.g. Queens-Midtown Tunnel) | ≈$7.46 |
| Tip (15–25%) | $10.50–$17.50 |
Trips between JFK and anywhere other than Manhattan use the regular meter. Only take taxis from the official taxi line. Don't accept rides from people approaching you inside the terminal.
LaGuardia
LaGuardia is the closest airport to Manhattan. Taxis run on the meter ($3.00 start, then $0.70 per fifth of a mile or per minute in slow traffic) plus a $5 LaGuardia surcharge, the standard surcharges, the $2 pickup fee, tolls and tip. On public transit, the bus-plus-subway trip costs one $3.00 fare thanks to the free OMNY transfer.
Newark
Newark is in New Jersey, so different rules apply. Leaving the airport, taxis use New Jersey zone fares, and you pay the Hudson River crossing toll into New York ($16.79 at peak with E-ZPass in 2026). Going to Newark from the city in a yellow cab costs the meter plus a $20 Newark surcharge plus tolls. The train is usually the best value: AirTrain to Newark Airport station, then NJ Transit to Penn Station, about $16–$19 combined. Buy the ticket before boarding, because conductors add an onboard surcharge.
Which option is best for you?
- Solo with a carry-on: AirTrain + subway (JFK) or bus + subway (LaGuardia) are hard to beat.
- Two or more people with luggage: a taxi often costs less per person than you'd think, especially the JFK flat fare.
- Weekday afternoons: the LIRR from Jamaica avoids rush-hour traffic on the Van Wyck and the tunnels.
- Late at night: taxis and rideshares are faster and safer than waiting for infrequent trains.
Driving yourself? See tolls, congestion pricing and parking in our driving cost calculator, and check what a ticket would cost with the parking ticket calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a taxi from JFK to Manhattan?
Yellow taxis charge a $70 flat fare between JFK and Manhattan, plus a $0.50 MTA surcharge, $1.00 improvement surcharge, $2.50 congestion surcharge and $0.75 congestion pricing toll for trips south of 96th and 60th Streets, a $5 weekday rush-hour surcharge (4–8 pm), tolls and tip. Expect about $90–$105 in total.
What is the cheapest way from JFK to Manhattan?
The AirTrain to Jamaica or Howard Beach plus the subway, about $11.75 per person in 2026 ($8.75 AirTrain + $3.00 subway). AirTrain plus the LIRR from Jamaica is faster and costs roughly $14–$16.
How much is a taxi from LaGuardia to Manhattan?
LaGuardia taxis use the meter, plus a $5 LaGuardia surcharge, the standard surcharges, tolls and tip. Most trips to Midtown total about $55–$75.
What's the cheapest way from LaGuardia to Manhattan?
Take a bus to the subway (for example the Q70 LaGuardia Link to Jackson Heights or the M60 to upper Manhattan). With OMNY's free bus-to-subway transfer, it costs a single $3.00 fare.
How much does it cost to get from Newark Airport to Manhattan?
AirTrain plus NJ Transit to Penn Station costs about $16–$19 one way, depending on the source. Taxis from Newark use New Jersey zone fares plus Hudson River tolls, typically $100–$130 with tip. NYC yellow taxis going to Newark add a $20 surcharge.
Is Uber cheaper than a taxi from JFK?
Sometimes. Uber and Lyft prices change with demand, so they can be cheaper than a taxi at quiet times and much more expensive during surges. The taxi flat fare from JFK is predictable, so compare both before you book.
Sources & methodology
Prices are compiled from published provider price lists, government fee schedules and quotes, then adjusted for 2026. See how we price.