...besides White Plains, what's the best airport to fly into?

LaGuardia or Stewart-Newburgh.

IF someone is meeting you, Stewart is ok. It is a long ride, but not heavy duty traffic. There isn't much in the way of public transportaion to get you over to White Plains. The train that runs into NYC from Beacon won't get you to White Plains; you would have to take a taxi $$$ or bus to get east to WP.

So, if you have to use public transportation, then LGA is your best bet. Way easier to get to WP from LGA via shuttle etc.

Agreed. LGA is best. The only exception would be if you are flying more than 1500mi (limit for LGA) and can get a non-stop into JFK.

Thanks all for your answers. So, would it be best even if it cost more to fly directly into White Plains?

Whether White Plains or LGA is better depends from where you are coming. The number of cities from which you can fly to White Plains is limited. If you need to make a connection in someplace like Chicago regardless, then yes, I would say White Plains is better.


If you can get a non-stop flight to LGA then that may be better.

Other considerations.

A lot will have to do with WHEN you plan to arrive. Mid day traffic would not be a problem to/from LGA, but it would be better to avoid rush hour. Weekend LGA is simple to get to.

Also, will you be renting a car, taxi, public transportation, or is someone picking you up?

JG2,
Thanks for the info. Turns out she's going to be staying with a friend in Manhattan the first night, so guess LGA or JFK would work. What about Newark? Is that hard to Manhattan from them. Seems flights are a bit cheaper into Newark.

Newark is similar to JFK in terms to distance. Difficulty and cost will depends on mode of transport - JFK better for some, EWR better for others.

If pricing is significantly better going to EWR, then I'll pick EWR. You still get the same choices of - buses, trains, taxis, car services, helicopters.

rkkwan,
Thanks for the information.

If you are staying in midtown, then Newark can be easier. If on the upper east side, then definitely LGA.

Please also bear in mind that if one is traveling with serious luggage, then JFK and EWR arrivals will truly need a taxi $$$ into Manhattan (like $65). Taxi from LGA into Manhattan even with heavy luggage will only be about one-half ($28-35).