I love nothing more than a nice taxi ride to the airport – it definitely starts your travels out on the right foot, and god knows I could use a little less travel-related drama – but if my flight is at any time other than 5AM, I can’t rationalize springing for the $50 (or so) tab. Fortunately, NYC-area airports have a variety of affordable transportation options. 

My favorite ways to get a move on:

JFK:

–       Option #1: Take the A/E/J/Z to Howard Beach (A) or Sutphin Boulevard (E/J/Z), and then switch to the AirTrain (this takes pretty much forever, but is the cheapest way to get there – just the cost of the subway + $5 for the AirTrain). I do this if I have a bunch of extra time to spare, light luggage, and a good book.

–       Option #2: Take the LIRR from Penn Station to Jamaica (about $13; a little more if, like me, you routinely arrive too late to buy a ticket in the station and must buy it on the railroad), and then switch to the Airtrain. This is what I usually do.

NEWARK:

–       Option #1: Take NJTransit to Newark Airport, and then switch to the Airtrain (the $15 NJTransit ticket includes the price of the Airtrain ticket)

–       Option #2: Take Amtrak from Penn Station directly to the airport (quicker than NJTransit, but more expensive). I don’t do this. 

–  Option #3: Take a bus from Port Authority ($14 one-way). 

LAGUARDIA:

–       Option #1: Take a cab. It’s not that expensive (about $25 to Manhattan), especially if you’re splitting the fare with a friend. This is what I do, and why I like flying out of Laguardia best.

–       Option #2: Take the M60 bus.

There are also lots of great (and low-cost) shuttle services to and from the airports; I like Super Shuttle. 

Any other tips for getting to/from NYC airports?