JFK or LGA to Manhattan?
 

Arriving 2:30PM Wednesday. Normally fly LGA.
Which is better: JFK or LGA mid-afternoon?

Traffic is probably similar from either one. Slightly cheaper and maybe faster from LGA if going uptown or midtown. Price and time will be similar from either one to downtown.

(You do know the fare from JFK to Manhattan is fixed? Plus tip and toll.)

no, did not know that.
Do you have a preference?

Preference would depend in part on where your destination is. Also, travel by taxi or public transit?

midtown. taxi.

Oh, then IMO definitely LGA. (Look at a map and you'll see that it's much closer geographically to midtown than JFK, and a straight shot up the Grand Central Parkway to either bridge or tunnel.) The fixed fare is only for JFK-Manhattan, but the proximity of LGA to midtown makes it my airport of choice. Mid afternoon, midweek arrival shouldn't be a problem.

[If you were to have said public transit, then my preference would be JFK, as the options from LGA aren't great.]

Agree with ggreen 100% (I have to change planes to fly to LGA, and still do that sometimes rather than flying into JFK, especially if I'm heading, as I often am, to the Upper West Side)

Great! Thanks, Everybody! Then I will stick w/ LGA.

I always fly into LGA if the opportunity arises. There is only one route from JFK to the City but if you get a good cabbie, there are the back streets to the 59th Street Bridge and many take us to the Williamsburg because we live downtown.

Also there is a huge cab stand along the right hand side of the AA terminal. So if you are near, walk around and do not wait in front of the terminal.

Thanks, Adu....how are you? Happy New Year! B-)

Which airline? I fly Jet Blue 99% of the time and their terminal at JFK is great. If you have light or only carry on, you can take the subway from JFK to Manhattan for a total of $7.50

Thank you Ocean, we are just fine. And hope you have a healthy and prosperous New Year. And enjoy our city.

Do you need some restaurant recommendations or are you set?

<i>There is only one route from JFK to the City</i>

Adu, by which you mean the Belt to the BQE, the Van Wyck to the GCP, or North Conduit to Atlantic Ave to the (Brooklyn or Manhattan) Bridge? ;)

They must take the Van Wyck which is always a mess. And you could take the other routes but you might want to get to your hotel the same day.

LOL :-P

adu, always looking for restaurant recs for dinner...seafood, Italian, Thai....or anything really. B-)

Here is a list I have posted a few times before and are mainly East Village

Indian-Banjara, Mitali, Brick Lane

Inexpensive Italian- La Marca (3rd Ave. and 22 Street, only opened noon-10 PM, Mon-Fri) Great Value

Nicky's Vietnamese Sandwiches (limited seating)

Burgers-Black Iron ( also have wonderful onion rings and veggie fries), Paul’s (local divey spot), Corner Bistro (on everyone’s list, zoo on weekends)There are many new places that we have not been to and there is a separate topic where everyone weighs in.

Pork sandwiches-Porchetta (that is all they offer and limited seating)

Medium priced Italian- Cacio e Pepe, Gnocco, Supper (cash only), Luzzos (Wood burning pizza oven), Inoteca, Perbeco, La Lavanga, Le Zie

Expensive Italian- I Coppi (For dinner and great brunch)

Inexpensive Eastern European- Veselka, Ukranian National

French Bistro- Casimir, Flea market (for atmosphere), Lucien

Greek-Pylos (little more expensive)

Tapas- Tia Pol, Bar Carrera, Café Mono (more expensive)

Dessert-Veniero's, DeRobertis for the frozen lemon thing and tortonis.

Bagels- Ess-a-Bagel

Brunches-Five Points, Blue Ribbon Bakery, City Bakery (18th off 5th), Cafecito (Ave C), Clinton Street Bakery (our favorite but must go during the week, weekend is a zoo)

Pizza-Motorino Lombardi's, Totonno's Pizza Fresca.

Pizza by the slice-Artichoke (14th Between First and Second) Bizarre service with a line because the pizza is good and the management is goofy

Hole in the wall-Stage (next to Stomp) great cheap home made soups

French fires-Pomme Frites

Seafood-Mary’s Fish Camp (cramped, no reservations) Mermaid Inn, Luke’s Lobster (just lobster rolls, limited seating)

Ice Cream-Cones on Bleecker, Il Laboratorio de Gelato, Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, Cones and Sundaes (East 10th), Grom (Italian chain)

Chinatown-Big Wong. Joe’s Ginger, NY Noodletown

Dim Sum-Jing Fung, Golden Unicorn

Jewish Delis-2nd Ave Deli, Katz’s (These are expensive for sandwiches but worth every bite)

Turkish-Turkish Kitchen (Very good values are the daily prix fixe lunch and Sunday buffet)

Expensive-Gotham, Toqqueville

Thanks, adu!

I'm a little contrarian on this. If you are willing to take the Airtrain, I'd actually recommend JFK over LGA on a Wednesday afternoon. Depending on where in Manhattan you are going, it can be quite a bit faster to take the Airtrain over a taxi, even from LGA (though that is generally my airport of preference).

If taking a taxi, then DEFINITELY (and really no contest) LGA.

I have taken the Airtrain on many occasions and would never rule it out. But if you are staying on the eastside anywhere but near the "E" train stops it can be inconvenient and time consuming.