How to Get to Manhattan by Road, Bus and Air

By air: which airport and how to reach Midtown

John F. Kennedy International (JFK) in Queens is the main international gateway, about 15 miles from Midtown. A taxi to a Midtown hotel runs roughly $70–$90 including tolls and tip; the AirTrain plus Long Island Rail Road to Penn Station costs about $13 and takes 50–70 minutes. Newark Liberty (EWR) in New Jersey is often cheaper for domestic flights and has a direct NJ Transit train to Penn Station for around $15–$20, taking 30–45 minutes. LaGuardia (LGA) is closest to the city, roughly 8 miles, but has no direct rail link—budget $40–$60 for a taxi or use the M60-SBS bus to Harlem for the subway. For a first trip with luggage, I would book a hotel near Penn Station or Grand Central to keep transfers simple.

Flight timing matters: arriving on a weekday after 3pm means rush-hour traffic into the tunnels, so allow 60–90 minutes by car from JFK. Early-morning arrivals clear the roads in 30–40 minutes. If you fly into Newark, the NJ Transit Northeast Corridor line runs 24 hours to Penn Station, which is the most reliable option during peak hours. For LaGuardia, the Q70-SBS bus connects to the 7, E, F, M, R and W subway lines at Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Avenue, a 30-minute ride to Midtown for the $2.90 subway fare. Book a hotel within walking distance of your arrival station if you have heavy bags.

By road: driving in and where to park

Driving to Manhattan is straightforward via I-95 from the south (New Jersey Turnpike) or north (New England Thruway). From the west, I-80 leads to the George Washington Bridge, the busiest crossing, or use the Lincoln and Holland tunnels from New Jersey. Tolls apply: the George Washington Bridge is $17 cash or $16 with E-ZPass for cars, the Lincoln and Holland tunnels $17. Expect 30–60 minutes to cross during peak hours. Once in Manhattan, street parking is scarce and garage rates run $40–$80 per day in Midtown, less in outer neighbourhoods like the Upper East Side or Harlem. I would skip driving for a short city break and use transit; if you must drive, pre-book a garage near your hotel to avoid circling.

Approaching from the north, I-87 becomes the Major Deegan Expressway, which leads to the Triborough Bridge (now the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge) for access to the Upper East Side and Midtown. From the south, I-95 crosses the Delaware Memorial Bridge and continues to the New Jersey Turnpike. If you are coming from Pennsylvania, I-78 delivers you to the Holland Tunnel. For a stress-free arrival, aim to cross into Manhattan before 2pm or after 8pm. Many hotels in Long Island City and Jersey City offer parking for $25–$35 per night, with a 10–20 minute subway ride to Midtown—a practical alternative to costly Manhattan garages.

By bus: intercity coaches and where they stop

Intercity buses are the budget option, with Greyhound, Megabus and Peter Pan serving Midtown. Greyhound and Peter Pan use the Port Authority Bus Terminal at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue, a short walk from Times Square and the subway. Megabus stops on 34th Street between 11th and 12th Avenues, near Hudson Yards. Fares from Boston or Washington, D.C., often range $20–$50 one way if booked in advance, and the trip takes 4–5 hours. The terminal is busy but well-connected; from Port Authority, the A, C, E, N, Q, R, S and 7 trains are all within two blocks. For a hotel, I would choose one within a 10-minute walk of 42nd Street to avoid dragging luggage through crowds.

Buses from upstate New York and New England also terminate at Port Authority. The ride from Albany is about 2.5 hours, from Hartford 2.5–3 hours. Book morning departures to avoid evening rush-hour traffic in the Lincoln Tunnel, which can add 30 minutes. If you arrive late, the area around Port Authority is busy but well-lit; stick to 8th Avenue and 42nd Street for taxis. Short-term parking near the terminal is limited, so use transit to reach your bus. For a stress-free stay, a hotel near Bryant Park or Herald Square puts you within walking distance of the terminal and major subway lines.

By train: the overlooked alternative

Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor brings you directly into Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station from Boston (about 4 hours), Washington, D.C. (3 hours), and Philadelphia (1.5 hours). Fares vary but can be competitive with flying when booked ahead. Metro-North from Connecticut and the Hudson Valley terminates at Grand Central Terminal, and NJ Transit from New Jersey ends at Penn Station. All three stations are in Midtown, connecting to the subway and buses. I would book a hotel near Penn Station or Grand Central if arriving by train—walking distance with luggage beats a taxi queue. For a first visit, the convenience of stepping off the train and into your hotel is worth a small premium.

If you are coming from Long Island, the Long Island Rail Road runs to Penn Station from as far as Montauk, taking about 2.5 hours from the eastern end. From upstate New York, Amtrak’s Empire Service follows the Hudson River to Penn Station, a scenic 2.5-hour ride from Albany. Trains are less affected by road traffic, making them reliable during rush hour. For late arrivals, choose a hotel within a few blocks of the station; the area around Penn Station has several options at various price points. Avoid the temptation to book a cheaper hotel far from transit—the taxi or subway fare and time can erase the savings.