New York is second only to London in the number of air passengers who arrive and depart each year.
For that reason, it also can be very economical to fly here. Most of the world's major airlines maintain a presence in what they consider America's most important city.
New York Airfares and Stopovers
Some North Americans en route to off-season Europe will find some the best airfares run through New York. British Airways is among the carriers offering cheap Trans-Atlantic flights from JFK.
A bargain stopover in New York is definitely possible in the winter months. But fares to New York itself can be attractive, too.
JetBlue bills itself as New York's budget carrier. They mainly serve Florida, California and the Northeast with one-way fares that can be as low as $39 USD.
The key is searching airline special offer sites until you find a good fare.
And Now the Bad News
Flights into and out of New York might be a bargain at times, but delays are frequent and the airports are overcrowded.
Let's start with La Guardia, generally ranked atop the list of airports to avoid if at all possible.
Need evidence? Studies show 15.6% of all La Guardia flights are delayed at least 15 minutes. Make certain there are no alternatives before booking into or out of LGA. If you find a low fare into LGA, weigh the savings against the time you are likely to lose in delays.
JFK offers somewhat better efficiency, but you'll be dodging construction. No less than $9 billion USD will be spent here before 2006 to build new parking, light rail, roadways and terminal improvements. Their web site can help you map out a route through the confusion to-and-from your airline.
Newark Liberty (EWR) is about 16 miles from JFK and sometimes provides cheaper outbound flights. Getting there involves time and tolls, so plan and budget accordingly.
Arrival and Departure Strategies
Rule One: Avoid taking a cab.
From EWR to Manhattan, fares run between $34-55 USD. It's at least $30 from JFK, if you can find one. LGA cab fares to Manhattan are in the $22-$30 range. These prices do not include tolls or tips.
Much better budget options exist with the Port Authority's Airport Express Buses. The one-way costs are $12-$15 USD; they vary only slightly by airport. During operating hours (6:40 AM-11:40 PM), you'll rarely wait more than 45 minutes for a bus. Manhattan service includes East Side, West Side, and Penn Station venues.
The budget champion to-and-from the airport is MTA. If you're confident navigating the system, a combination of buses and subway can take you anywhere for $2.00 USD. That is possible only with a MetroCard, which allows free transfers.
Click "next" to find out how to get around NYC on a budget.
