Getting to and From NYC Airports From Brooklyn

By

Updated on 09/13/21

Fact checked by

Road Sign Against Bridge And Sky In City — Katrin Sauerwein/EyeEm/Getty Images

Getting to and from the three major New York area airports can be expensive and time-consuming. So, plan ahead. Here are ideas about how to navigate your way to and from Brooklyn to New York City's three airports: JFK International Airport (JFK), LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and Newark Liberty International Airport.

In general, the most expensive Brooklyn-to-airport trip is to Newark, followed by JFK, and then LaGuardia. JFK is the easiest to access via public transportation. But none of the area airports is served by a direct rail connection to Brooklyn, as you might find in some European cities.

01 of 03

JFK

JFK airport new york city usa — Walter Bibikow/Getty Images

You have five options for getting to and from JFK airport.

Cabs and Ride-Sharing Services

You can either call a ride-sharing service or use the green "Boro taxis" to prearrange a pickup in Brooklyn. Allow about an hour for travel time. Alternatively, you can take ridesharing services like Uber or Lyft.

Public Transit

You can take the AirTrain which will leave you at various points in NYC that are accessible to Brooklyn via subway or you can take the AirTrain and LIRR combo. Also, MTA's Trip Planner offers real-time travel options for taking the AirTrain and subways with estimated times depending on the day and hour you'll be en route.

Private Express Bus

You can take the NYC Airport Express Bus, which leaves JFK Airport about every half hour and takes passengers to Port Authority Bus Terminal, Grand Central Station, and Penn Station in Manhattan.

Shared-Ride Vans or Private Car Services

These can be organized in advance. The vans are larger than cabs but are also are more expensive. The airport website recommends Airlink New York, All-County Express, and ETS Air Shuttle. Recommended private car services include Carmel Car, Dial 7 Car & Limousine, and ExecuCar.

Drive and Park

Of course, you can drive and park your car in an overnight lot. Check the airport parking website for rates and information, and to see how full various parking lots are as well as current pricing.

02 of 03

LaGuardia

As with JFK, you have five options for getting to and from Brooklyn to LaGuardia.

Cabs and Car Services

You can either call a ride-sharing service or use the green "Boro taxis" to prearrange a pick up in Brooklyn. Allow a half hour to an hour for travel time; ask the dispatchers. You won't have to pay any tolls for your trip to LaGuardia and back, but tips, a cabbie waiting time if you arrange a pickup, parking, and any other fees are not included. Good news: There are no additional fees for extra passengers.

Public Transportation

This is the least expensive option, so read the full details on traveling between Brooklyn and LaGuardia via public transportation. Also check out MTA's Trip Planner for real-time travel options, with estimated times depending on the day and hour you'll be en route.

Private Express Bus

You can catch a private express bus to and from LaGuardia that departs about every half hour. Going to the airport, you can catch the bus at Manhattan's Port Authority Bus Terminal, Grand Central Station or Penn Station. Coming from the airport, the NYC Airport Express Bus will drop you at these same major transportation centers. From these hubs, you can easily pick up a subway from anywhere in Brooklyn.

Shared-Ride Vans

Reservations for shared-ride vans and private car services can be made at the welcome center located on the arrivals level of each terminal. If the counter is closed, there is a convenient self-service kiosk nearby where you can contact authorized shared-ride or private car services. Note that these are only cost-effective if you are traveling with a group; otherwise, they will be more expensive than a cab.

Drive and Park

You can also drive to LaGuardia. There's onsite parking, as well, for a fee. Check the website to determine which terminal has availability.

03 of 03

Newark

Although many Brooklynites use JFK or LaGuardia, Newark is a viable and easy option. If you've booked tickets from Newark, here are three ways to help you get to the airport—and back—without (hopefully) any hassles.

Budget-Friendly Option

You can save some cash by taking public transportation to Newark. Use the subways to connect to the Newark AirTrain from any point in Brooklyn, or from Newark to Brooklyn. It's the cheapest way to go, and sometimes (for instance on Thanksgiving and other busy holidays) also the fastest.

AirTrain Newark doesn't take you into Manhattan or Brooklyn. It's just a quick ride from (or around) the airport to a dedicated "Rail Transfer Station,” where you then board a regular New Jersey Transit commuter train into New York Pennsylvania Station. There are escalators and elevators in case you have heavy luggage.

Easiest Route

The most comfortable way to get to and from Newark is also the most expensive: By taxi or car service. It's a long trip so be prepared to pay for the service. You can call a car service or use the green "Boro taxis" to prearrange a pick up to take you to Newark. Reserve a day in advance, or two days during the holidays.

If you're not up for using an app, you can go old school and call one of the car services—those services also go to and from Brooklyn to Newark Airport.

Drive and Park

If you've rented a car during your stay, you can always pick it up at Newark Liberty, which is conveniently located on the New Jersey Turnpike (Interstate 95). Or you may prefer to just drive to Newark and park your car, but be aware that you will need to pay for parking at the airport