Getting Around New York: Which Airport (JFK, LGA or EWR), the Subway and OMNY Tap Payment

The easiest way around New York City is the subway and buses, paid by tapping a contactless card or phone at OMNY readers. From the airports, JFK connects by AirTrain JFK to the subway and Long Island Rail Road, LaGuardia mostly by bus, and Newark by AirTrain Newark to NJ Transit and Amtrak.

Which New York airport is best: JFK, LGA or EWR?

The best airport is the one your flight lands at conveniently, because all three reach the city. This table summarises location and the ways into town.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey publishes airport and connection information. Check it before you fly, because routes and construction works can change.

After a long international flight, allow time for U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection before heading into town, and save your destination in a map app in advance so you do not need to find signal on the platform. If you arrive late at night, check that the train line you want is still running normally.

How do you pay for the subway and buses with OMNY?

OMNY is the tap-to-pay fare system of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). You can tap a contactless credit or debit card, a phone with Apple Pay or Google Pay, or an OMNY card. MetroCard sales ended on 31 December 2025.

1. 1Get your card or phone readyCheck the card has the contactless symbol, or add it to Apple Pay or Google Pay before you fly, and ask your bank whether it works abroad.
2. 2Tap at the readerTap at the OMNY reader at the station gate or the front door of a bus and wait for the approval message.
3. 3Use the same card or phone every timeSwitching cards or devices counts as a different rider, so use the same one all trip and check the latest conditions at omny.info.

How does the New York subway work?

The New York subway runs 24 hours a day, but late at night some lines run less often or on different routes, so check the app or station notices.

• Local trains stop at every station, while express trains skip some, so make sure your stop is served by the express.
• Uptown means heading north towards Harlem and the Bronx, and downtown means heading south towards Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn; read the sign at the stairs before you go down.
• Before transferring, follow the colour and letter signs on the platform walls, and avoid standing in doorways or on stairs when it is busy.
• Check the line letter or number on the train, because different services can share tracks and colours.

When do buses, ferries and walking make sense?

Buses suit east-west trips the subway covers poorly, ferries are good for views and for reaching Brooklyn or Staten Island, and walking works for short distances in Manhattan because the street grid is easy to follow.

• Select Bus Service routes may ask you to pay at a reader before boarding, as shown at the stop.
• For NYC Ferry and the Staten Island Ferry, check schedules and conditions on each service's official website.

Should you take a yellow cab or Uber and Lyft?

Yellow cabs can be hailed on the street and charge by meter, while Uber and Lyft are booked in an app that shows the route in advance. Either may add extra charges such as tolls and congestion fees, so check the details in the app or on official sites.

How do you stay online while getting around New York?

Many subway stations have mobile coverage, and LinkNYC kiosks offer free public Wi-Fi on the street, but signal can drop in the tunnels between stations.

• Download offline maps and screenshot your subway route before going underground.
• Keep automatic time on and carry a power bank, because using maps all day drains the battery quickly.
• Use Google Maps, Citymapper or the Transit app for train times and service changes.
• Public Wi-Fi is open, so avoid banking on it; an eSIM that works in the USA gives you private data instead.

See US eSIM options for getting around New York