The 3 Closest Airports to times square new york city

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The 3 Closest Airports to Times Square New York City

New York City is served by three major airports, all located outside of Manhattan but accessible via various transportation methods. Choosing the right one often depends on your airline, final destination within the city, budget, and tolerance for travel time. Here’s a look at the three airports closest to the heart of Midtown Manhattan, Times Square.

1. LaGuardia Airport (LGA)

LaGuardia is geographically the nearest airport to Times Square and is considered the closest major airport. It primarily handles domestic flights, though it does have some service to Canada and the Caribbean. LGA has undergone significant renovations recently, vastly improving the passenger experience in its newer terminals.

  • Distance to Times Square: Approximately 8-10 miles (typically 30-60 minutes by car, highly dependent on traffic).

  • Address: Queens, NY 11371

  • Pros: Closest distance to Manhattan, newly renovated terminals are modern and efficient.

  • Cons: Limited public transportation options directly to Manhattan (mostly buses or requires transfers), can experience delays, fewer international flights.

  • Airlines: Serves most major domestic carriers including Delta (hub), American Airlines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, Spirit Airlines, Air Canada.

  • Car Rental: Major companies available (e.g., Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National/Alamo).

  • Official Website: https://www.laguardiaairport.com/

  • Phone: (718) 533-3400

  • Rating: Approx. 4.0/5 (Post-renovation improvements)

2. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

Located across the Hudson River in New Jersey, Newark is often a convenient option, especially for those heading to the west side of Manhattan. It’s a major hub for United Airlines and serves numerous domestic and international destinations.

  • Distance to Times Square: Approximately 15-18 miles (typically 45-90 minutes by car/transit, highly dependent on traffic and tunnel congestion).

  • Address: 3 Brewster Rd, Newark, NJ 07114

  • Pros: Good public transport connection via AirTrain Newark to NJ Transit trains (direct to Penn Station, near Times Square), major international hub.

  • Cons: Located in New Jersey (taxi/rideshare fares to NYC can be higher), train connection requires extra fee for AirTrain, road traffic through tunnels can be severe.

  • Airlines: Major hub for United Airlines. Also served by JetBlue, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and many international carriers (Lufthansa, British Airways, Air Canada, SAS, etc.).

  • Car Rental: Major companies available (e.g., Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National/Alamo, Thrifty).

  • Official Website: https://www.newarkairport.com/

  • Phone: (973) 961-6000

  • Rating: Approx. 3.8/5

3. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

JFK is New York’s largest and busiest airport, handling the majority of the region’s international flights. Located in Queens, it’s further out than LaGuardia but offers good public transportation links. It’s a major hub for American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, and a focus city for JetBlue.

  • Distance to Times Square: Approximately 15-17 miles (typically 45-90 minutes by car/transit, highly dependent on traffic).

  • Address: Queens, NY 11430

  • Pros: Most flight options (especially international), good public transport via AirTrain JFK connecting to NYC Subway (A/E/J/Z lines) and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR to Penn Station).

  • Cons: Can be the longest travel time to Manhattan depending on traffic/transit mode, large and potentially confusing layout, train connection requires extra fee for AirTrain.

  • Airlines: Hub for American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and focus city for JetBlue. Serves almost all major domestic and international carriers.

  • Car Rental: Major companies available (e.g., Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National/Alamo, Payless, Thrifty).

  • Official Website: https://www.jfkairport.com/

  • Phone: (718) 244-4444

  • Rating: Approx. 4.0/5

Conclusion

While LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is geographically the closest airport to Times Square, Newark (EWR) and JFK are often comparable in terms of travel time due to traffic patterns and public transportation options. LGA is also the closest major airport to Times Square, handling significant domestic traffic even with fewer international routes compared to JFK and EWR. Your best choice will depend on specific flight availability, price, and preferred mode of ground transportation.

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