New York, NY

New York travel guide

Three airports, five boroughs, endless reasons to go

Find flights to New York See fares from $69

Airports: JFK John F. Kennedy International Airport · LGA LaGuardia Airport · EWR Newark Liberty International Airport
Region: US Northeast
Best time to visit: April–June and September–early November bring mild weather and manageable crowds.
Shortest flight: 2h 15m from Chicago
Round trips from: $69 (live)
Time zone: America/New York

About New York

New York rewards walkers. Manhattan's grid makes it hard to get lost, and most of what visitors want — Central Park, the museums on Fifth Avenue, Broadway, the High Line, the World Trade Center memorial — sits within a few subway stops of Midtown. Brooklyn (Williamsburg, DUMBO, Park Slope) and Queens (Astoria, Flushing) are where locals eat and where hotel prices drop.

Getting in: from JFK take the AirTrain ($8.50) to Jamaica and the LIRR (about 20 minutes to Penn Station, $7–$11) or the E subway line ($2.90). From Newark, NJ Transit trains reach Penn Station in about 30 minutes ($16). LaGuardia has no rail link; the Q70 bus connects to the subway for free, and taxis to Midtown run $40–$60 plus tolls and tip. Airport taxis from JFK charge a flat $70 to Manhattan.

Stay in Midtown for first-timers, the Lower East Side or Williamsburg for nightlife, and the Upper West Side for a quieter base near Central Park. Budget $10–$15 for a classic slice-and-soda lunch, $25–$40 per person for dinner at neighborhood spots, and much more in Manhattan's headline restaurants. Tip 18–20% at sit-down restaurants and $1–$2 per drink at bars.

Best time to visit

April–June and September–early November bring mild weather and manageable crowds. December is magical but expensive; January and February have the lowest fares and hotel rates.

Where to stay

Neighborhoods our travelers like: Midtown, SoHo, Williamsburg, Upper West Side, Lower East Side.

Flights to New York: typical round-trip fares

What economy round trips to JFK usually cost from major US cities, alongside the lowest live fare we can see in the next 90 days. Prices are per traveler and include taxes.

From	Flight time	Typical fare	Lowest live fare	Actions
Los Angeles (LAX)	5h 25m	$218	$201 · Wed, Oct 7	Search dates →
Chicago (ORD)	2h 15m	$128	$81 · Wed, Oct 7	Search dates →
Miami (MIA)	3h 5m	$118	$102 · Wed, Oct 14	Search dates →
Dallas (DFW)	3h 35m	$176	$106 · Wed, Oct 14	Search dates →
Atlanta (ATL)	2h 20m	$134	$69 · Tue, Oct 6	Search dates →
San Francisco (SFO)	5h 30m	$232	$238 · Tue, Oct 6	Search dates →

Typical fares are editorial estimates for economy round trips booked 3–8 weeks out. Live fares refresh several times a day and are shown for the cheapest departure date we found.

Airports in New York

What to do in New York

The places our editors send first-time visitors.

1
Central Park
843 acres of lawns, lakes and paths in the middle of Manhattan. Rent a bike at Columbus Circle or walk the Mall to Bethesda Terrace.
2
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
One of the world's great museums. Pay-what-you-wish for New York State residents; $30 for everyone else, and worth a full day.
3
Broadway
Same-day discounted tickets at the TKTS booth in Times Square can cut prices in half; lotteries and rush tickets go for $30–$50.
4
The High Line and Hudson Yards
An elevated railway turned park, running 1.5 miles from the Meatpacking District to the Vessel at Hudson Yards.
5
Brooklyn Bridge to DUMBO
Walk the bridge from Manhattan in the morning, then explore DUMBO's cobblestone streets, Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Time Out Market.

New York weather by season

Average highs and lows in °F, with what each season means for fares and crowds.

Winter

40° / 28°

Cold with occasional snow; lowest fares and hotel rates.

Spring

62° / 46°

Cherry blossoms in April; pleasant by May.

Summer

84° / 69°

Hot and humid; free outdoor concerts and movies.

Fall

64° / 50°

Crisp and clear — the best season to visit.

Travel tips for New York

Buy a contactless-ready credit card or phone wallet and tap to pay on the subway — OMNY caps fares at $34 per week automatically.
Fly into Newark for lower fares from the West Coast; the train to Penn Station is often faster than a taxi from JFK.
Book Broadway shows on Tuesday or Wednesday nights for the best availability and prices.
Museums on Fridays: MoMA and the Whitney offer free or pay-what-you-wish evening hours.
Skip the airport taxi line at LaGuardia during rush hour; the M60 bus to Harlem–125th Street connects to several subway lines.

New York flights: frequently asked questions

Which New York airport should I fly into?

JFK has the most international and West Coast flights; LaGuardia is closest to Manhattan for domestic trips; Newark often has the lowest fares and a fast train to Penn Station. Compare all three — we show them together.

How do I get from JFK to Manhattan?

Take the AirTrain to Jamaica Station and then the LIRR (about 20 minutes to Penn Station) or the E subway line. A yellow taxi charges a flat $70 plus tolls and tip.

Is New York expensive?

Hotels average $250–$400 per night in Manhattan; Long Island City and Brooklyn are cheaper. Food ranges from $3 dollar slices to Michelin-starred tasting menus, and the subway costs $2.90 per ride.