More about: Transfer from/to New York
The Big Apple is one of the most important gateways to the United States, with travellers arriving from all over the world. New York's main airports are JFK (John F. Kennedy), La Guardia in Queens and Newark in New Jersey.
Once you land on American soil, you'll need to choose the best way to get to the centre of New York from the airport. Here are the options for you to choose from, although for me, the best value for money option is to book a private transfer from any of New York's airports.
Private transfer from all New York airports
Whether it's because you're tired after a long flight and don't want to wander around looking for a free taxi, because you're not familiar with the public transport network and prefer not to transfer, or because you don't speak much English and are afraid of getting lost, the most comfortable and fastest way to get to your hotel is with a private transfer from the airport to your hotel in New York
The main difference between a private transfer and a shared transfer is that this time the vehicle and driver will be at your disposal and the vehicle will be just for you and your group, so you won't have to wait for other passengers.
- How it works: This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Depending on the number of people you will have to choose between a private transfer in a luxury sedan for three people, a VIP SUV that can take up to six passengers or a van that can take up to nine passengers. You will then need to provide your flight arrival details and the full address of your Manhattan hotel, flat or home address. Your transfer will be instantly confirmed and you will be given a voucher to present to the driver.
- Luggage: The interior of all vehicles is elegant and spacious and has sufficient capacity to carry the luggage of all passengers (each passenger is allowed a maximum of 1 suitcase and 1 handbag).
- What is the price of this private transfer: The price is per person based on three passengers per car, six passengers per SUV or nine passengers per van. The fare corresponds to an all-inclusive pick-up service, plus local taxes and toll charges. In other words, the cost of this private transfer, from £134, is a fixed amount and does not depend on traffic.
Private transfer from Manhattan to any New York airport
Pre-booking a private transfer from your hotel to the New York airport is the best way to catch your flight home without having to worry about finding a taxi at the last minute on the day of departure or making endless public transport journeys carrying luggage, with all the stress that entails.
An experienced driver who knows the streets of the city will meet you at the door of your hotel in plenty of time to drive you to the terminal where you will catch your return flight. No waiting and no stress, with the peace of mind of knowing that you will arrive in time to board the plane and that you won't pay an exorbitant price for it.
If you land at one airport and have to change to another, you can also count on this service. Forget about the stress of missing a flight thanks to this private transfer.
- How does it work: The private transfer service back to the airport works in the same way as the one on arrival, only this time you will have to indicate the address of your hotel and the details of the departure of your flight. Your transfer will be confirmed and you will be given a voucher to present to the driver.
- Travel time: Depending on the time of day, there may be more traffic. It is recommended to be at the airport 2 hours before your flight departs, although 3 hours is ideal. In this sense, we advise you to calculate additional time to determine the pick-up time at the hotel. And if it is rush hour, add at least 45 minutes for the closest airport (La Guardia) and 75 minutes for the furthest airports (JFK and Newark).
- About luggage: Remember that, if you have special needs or luggage, you can contact the company once you have made your booking so that they can answer any questions you may have. This is a personalised service.
- About the price: This private transfer is very good value for money if you take into account that the service is very similar to a taxi, but you are sure to pay a fixed amount in advance and that the fare will not depend on traffic.
Shared transfer from the airport to your Manhattan hotel
After a long flight where you're exhausted and loaded down with luggage, the last thing you want to do is wander around the terminal looking for a taxi and paying an exorbitant fare or waiting forever on public transport to get to your destination. That's why the most convenient option is to book a shared transfer to your hotel in Manhattan, where you'll travel in modern, fully-equipped minivans.
Their fleet of vehicles has a maximum capacity of eleven passengers. They have plenty of luggage space (each passenger can carry a maximum of one suitcase and one handbag), and will pick you up on arrival at the airport and drop you off at the door of your hotel.
- How does it work: Transfers operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. After booking, you will receive a confirmation email and they will be waiting for you! When your flight lands at JFK, Newark or La Guardia airports, simply go to the Ground Transportation Desk in the terminal and present your printed voucher to one of the agents for instructions.
- What happens if the flight is delayed: At the time of booking, you will be asked for your flight information so that the company can monitor your flight at all times, so they will know if your flight is delayed. Flight delays do not affect the transfer booking.
- Are the prices final: The price you pay at the time of booking is a fixed amount and will not depend on traffic on arrival in New York. However, tips and excess baggage charges are not included.
Shared transfer from Manhattan to any New York Airport
At the end of our stay in New York, our main concern is to get to the airport in time to catch our flight home in peace and quiet, without having to look around for a taxi or make multiple transfers on the city's public transport. Again, as with your arrival, the most convenient option is to book a transfer from the hotel to the airport.
- How does it work: Transfers run every day without interruption. At the time of booking, you will need to provide your return flight details and your hotel address so that the shared transfer driver knows where and when to pick you up. To facilitate the service, our advice is to inform the hotel porter or concierge that you are waiting for a driver to pick you up at the airport.
- Are the prices final: As with the arrival transfer from the airport to your hotel, the prices are final and neither the kilometres travelled nor the traffic can vary the rate, it is a fixed price. On the other hand, tips are not included.
Other options for getting around New York
New York is a city with good transport links. Its public transport network is quite efficient and allows you to move quickly from end to end to explore every corner of the Big Apple.
You can also purchase the New York CityPASS® tourist card which includes transport options such as the ferry to the Statue of Liberty or the Circle Line sightseeing cruise.
Underground
It is one of the largest in the world with more than 1,000 kilometres of track. Trains run 24 hours a day and consist of 26 lines whose names can be numbers or letters. It was opened at the turn of the 20th century and the stations look a little dated and not very clean. Here's our guide to the New York City underground
Buses
If you don't want to use the underground, buses are a convenient option, although you will suffer the consequences of heavy traffic. There are hundreds of bus lines, but to avoid confusion, it's best to look at the line maps at each stop. Bus lines consist of a number and a letter. The letter indicates the borough where the bus operates: Manhattan (M), Brooklyn (B), Queens (Q), Bronx (Bx) and Staten Island (S).
Taxis
Taxis are another way to get around New York. Thanks to their iconic yellow colour, you can spot them from a distance and hail them by raising your hand. Fares are often very high, with small surcharges and tips adding to the cost of the ride. If you want to save money and time, try hailing a taxi going in the same direction you're headed.
Uber
Uber has become a popular mode of transport in New York. You can book them conveniently from the app. Generally speaking, they are cheaper than taxis, but if demand is very high and there are few drivers, fares will skyrocket. If you don't speak English, it's a good option, as you just enter the address you want to go to in the app and there's no need to give directions to the driver.
Sightseeing bus, get around while you get to know New York City
Organising travel logistics doesn't have to be boring. If you're thinking of an original and inexpensive way to get around the city, don't forget that there is the option of getting around the main points of interest on New York's best sightseeing buses Here are some of the options available:
- Sightseeing bus with free stops.
- Night bus tour of Manhattan.
- New York City Night Tour by luxury bus.
- New York City Tour with cruise and bus tour.
- New York contrasts tour by bus.
- New York sightseeing bus tour with Statue of Liberty cruise.
- New York City Night Bus Tour.
And of course, here are all the tips to make the most of your trip: what to see and what to do in New York.