Flights to New York
Land at JFK, LaGuardia or Newark and be in Manhattan within the hour: Broadway curtains, Central Park loops, bagels in the Village and ferry rides past the Statue of Liberty.
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Time zone
- Eastern Time (ET), UTC−5 / UTC−4 in summer
- Plug type
- Type A / B (120 V, 60 Hz)
- Main airport
- JFK – John F. Kennedy International
Overview
New York City rewards visitors who treat it as five distinct places rather than one skyline. Manhattan packs the headline sights into a walkable grid: the Metropolitan Museum of Art and MoMA, Times Square's theaters, the Empire State Building and the High Line, the elevated park built on an old freight rail spur along the West Side. Downtown, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and the Staten Island Ferry's free crossing past the Statue of Liberty sit a short walk apart.
Cross the East River and the pace changes. Brooklyn's DUMBO frames the Manhattan Bridge between warehouse buildings, Williamsburg runs on vintage shops and rooftop bars, and Prospect Park offers a quieter alternative to Central Park. Queens is the city's most diverse borough, and a ride on the 7 train to Flushing or Jackson Heights is one of the best food crawls in the country.
Getting around is easiest underground: the subway runs 24 hours a day, and you can tap a contactless card or phone with OMNY at every turnstile. Three major airports serve the region, so check which one puts you closest to where you're staying. Midtown and Queens are quickest from LaGuardia, lower Manhattan and Brooklyn often work well from JFK, and Newark is handy for the West Side and New Jersey.
Highlights of New York
Walk the High Line to Hudson Yards
Follow the 1.45-mile elevated park from the Meatpacking District's Gansevoort Street north through Chelsea, stopping at Chelsea Market on the way.
Staten Island Ferry at sunset
The free ferry from Whitehall Terminal passes the Statue of Liberty and Governors Island, with a classic view back to the lower Manhattan skyline.
The Met and Museum Mile
The Metropolitan Museum of Art anchors Fifth Avenue's Museum Mile, which also includes the Guggenheim and the Neue Galerie along Central Park's eastern edge.
Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO
Walk the bridge from City Hall to Brooklyn, then drop down to Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Washington Street view of the Manhattan Bridge.
A Broadway show
The Theater District around Times Square has about 40 Broadway houses; the TKTS booth in Duffy Square sells same-day tickets.
Where to stay
Midtown
Walk to Broadway, Rockefeller Center and Grand Central; ideal for first-timers and short stays who want the most subway lines at the door.
Greenwich Village & West Village
Tree-lined streets, jazz clubs and Washington Square Park; suits couples and return visitors who want neighborhood charm.
Lower Manhattan
The Financial District and Tribeca put the 9/11 Memorial, the ferries and quick subway links to Brooklyn close by; often quieter on weekends.
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
A creative base with food halls, waterfront parks and nightlife, one or two L-train stops from Manhattan; good for repeat visitors and younger travelers.
Airports and getting into town
From JFK, take AirTrain JFK to Jamaica and switch to the LIRR (about 20 minutes to Penn Station or Grand Central Madison) or the E subway; allow roughly 45–75 minutes door to door. From LaGuardia, the free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus reaches the subway at Jackson Heights in about 10–20 minutes, or a taxi to Midtown typically takes 25–45 minutes. From Newark, AirTrain plus an NJ Transit train reaches Penn Station in about 30–40 minutes. Taxis from all three airports use official taxi stands, and traffic can double journey times at rush hour.
Best time to visit
Late April through June and September through early November are the sweet spots, with mild temperatures for walking, spring blooms in Central Park and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and fall color by late October. The US Open tennis in Flushing Meadows (late August into September) and the New York City Marathon on the first Sunday of November draw big crowds. July and August are hot and humid, while December brings the Rockefeller Center tree and holiday windows but also peak hotel demand.
Airlines flying to New York
Popular routes to New York
Flying out of New York
Travel tips from our desk
- Tap a contactless bank card or phone at OMNY readers on the subway and buses; once you've paid for 12 rides within a seven-day period on the same card or device, further rides in that period are free.
- Check your terminal before heading to JFK: the New Terminal One began opening in phases in 2026, and several international airlines are moving there gradually.
- Newark's AirTrain is being replaced; through November 13, 2026, shuttle buses substitute for it on most weekday mornings and early afternoons, so budget extra time.
- Book timed-entry tickets in advance for popular spots such as the 9/11 Museum, Statue of Liberty pedestal and crown, and observation decks.
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United States
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Flights to New York — frequently asked questions
Which airport should I fly into for New York City?
JFK handles most long-haul international flights and many transcontinental ones, LaGuardia is closest to Midtown and focuses on domestic and Canadian flights, and Newark is often quickest for the West Side of Manhattan and New Jersey. Compare schedules across all three.
When is the best time to visit New York?
Late April to June and September to early November offer the most comfortable walking weather. Summer is hot and humid, and December is festive but busy.
How do I get from the airport to Manhattan?
Use AirTrain JFK with the LIRR or subway, the free Q70 bus from LaGuardia to the subway, or AirTrain Newark with NJ Transit to Penn Station. Taxis wait at official stands at every terminal.
Do I need a car in New York City?
No. The subway runs 24 hours, buses fill the gaps, and parking is scarce. Most visitors never drive.
Is the subway easy to use for visitors?
Yes. Lines are labeled by letter or number and color, and you can tap a contactless card or phone at OMNY readers. Check for weekend service changes on the MTA app before you ride.
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