Arrival & Transport
Arrival by Plane
New York has three airports—pay attention to which one you choose when booking:
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
The main airport for international flights, located in Queens, about 25 km southeast of Manhattan. Most direct flights from Germany (Lufthansa, Condor, United) land here.
- AirTrain + Subway: AirTrain to Jamaica Station or Howard Beach Station ($8.50), then Subway ($2.90) to Manhattan. Cheapest option: about $11.40, 60–75 minutes.
- Taxi: Flat rate to Manhattan: $52 + toll + tip (total cost: about $70–80). 45–90 minutes depending on traffic.
- Uber/Lyft: About $50–80 to Manhattan (surge pricing possible). Pickup at the ride-share area.
- NYC Airporter Bus: From $17 to Grand Central, Penn Station, or Port Authority. 60–90 minutes.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Located in New Jersey, about 25 km southwest of Manhattan. Many direct flights from Europe (United, Lufthansa, Swiss). Often cheaper than JFK.
- AirTrain + NJ Transit: AirTrain to Newark Airport Rail Station (free within the airport, $5.50 for AirTrain), then NJ Transit to New York Penn Station ($15.25). Total cost: about $20, 45 minutes.
- Taxi: About $60–80 to Manhattan (+ toll + tip).
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Located in Queens, the closest airport to Manhattan (13 km), but primarily for domestic flights. No rail connection—by bus (M60 SBS to Harlem, $2.90) or taxi ($25–45 to Manhattan).
Tipp
JFK vs. Newark: Compare prices! Newark is often cheaper (flights AND nearby hotels) and has a fast, affordable train connection to Manhattan (Penn Station) with NJ Transit. The AirTrain + Subway from JFK takes longer but is the cheapest option. NEVER accept a private "taxi driver" at the airport who approaches you—only use official yellow taxis or Uber/Lyft!
Subway—New York's Lifeline
The Subway System
The New York Subway is the backbone of the city: 472 stations, 27 lines, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Yes, it's noisy, sometimes dirty, and a furnace in the summer—but it gets you everywhere for $2.90. Without the subway, New York wouldn't be New York.
Payment
- OMNY (Contactless): Simply pay with a contactless credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay at the turnstile. $2.90 per ride. Daily cap: After 12 rides in 7 days, the rest of the week is free (= automatic 7-day pass for $34).
- MetroCard: Buy the yellow card ($1 deposit) at machines. 7-Day Unlimited Ride: $34—unlimited subway and buses for 7 days. Worth it after 12 rides. Single ride: $2.90.
Subway Tips
- Uptown vs. Downtown: "Uptown" = heading north (higher street numbers), "Downtown" = heading south (lower numbers). Check at the entrance if you're on the right side—many stations have separate entrances for Uptown and Downtown!
- Express vs. Local: Express trains (red or white circle) skip stations—faster, but only for experienced users. Local trains (green circle) stop everywhere.
- At Night: The subway runs 24 hours—but at night, fewer trains run and wait times are longer. Wait on the platforms in the yellow-marked "Off-Hours Waiting Areas" (by the camera).
- Apps: Google Maps or Citymapper (the best app for NYC Transit!) for real-time schedules and routes.
Achtung
On the subway: Keep valuables secure, especially in crowded trains during rush hour. Don't hold your phone unsecured in your hand—"phone snatching" (grabbing the phone before the door closes) happens. Stand at the edge of the platform and watch for the approaching train, not directly at the edge. And: The subway is air-conditioned—outside 35°C, inside 18°C. A light jacket for the temperature shock!
Taxi, Uber & on Foot
Yellow Cabs
The yellow taxis are as iconic as the skyline. Hail one in Manhattan (raise your arm when the roof sign is lit = available). Base fare: $3.50, then about $2.50/km. A typical ride in Manhattan: $10–20. Tip: 15–20%!
- Advantages: Available everywhere in Manhattan, no app needed, fixed rate to the airport (JFK: $52 flat).
- Disadvantages: Stuck in traffic during rush hour (subway is faster!), hard to find outside Manhattan.
Uber / Lyft
Ride-hailing apps work in New York like everywhere: open the app, confirm pickup, get in. Often cheaper than taxis, especially for rides to Brooklyn/Queens. Shared rides (UberPool/Lyft Shared) are even cheaper. Surge pricing during rain, rush hour, and events—then better take the subway.
On Foot
New York is a walk-city—and Manhattan is surprisingly compact. The blocks are short (north-south: about 80 meters, east-west: about 250 meters), and the numbered street grid makes orientation easy: Streets run east-west, avenues run north-south, numbers increase northward. 20 blocks = about 1.6 km = about 20 minutes on foot.
Tip: In New York, pedestrians cross at red lights—it's culture here, not a traffic offense (the police don't enforce it). But: still look left and right!
Citi Bike
Citi Bike is New York's bike-sharing system: over 25,000 bikes at 1,700 stations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. Day pass: $15 (unlimited 30-minute rides). Perfect for short distances and the way through Central Park. Note: Cycling in New York is not for beginners—traffic is aggressive and bike lanes are blocked by taxis and delivery vehicles. It's safe and beautiful in Central Park and along the Hudson River Greenway.
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