Getting to and from the Airport
Taxis and car services are undeniably convenient — and undeniably expensive. With tip and toll, it can cost $55 or more just to get to JFK. Below, some cost-conscious alternatives for the frugally minded jet-setter. (Check the price key below.)

Key
Prices are listed as follows:
¢ - travel cost of under $10
$ - $10-$20
$$ - more than $20

Convenience rankings on a scale of one-to-four stars based on complexity, length of travel, and service options.

AirTrain
This Monorail-like service transports airline passengers to and from the different airport terminals. Take New Jersey Transit or Amtrak to Newark Liberty International Airport Train Station. From there, AirTrain picks up passengers every 3 minutes between 5 a.m.-midnight and every 15 minutes between midnight-5 a.m.

Suggested route from Manhattan: Take NJ Transit from New York Penn Station to Newark Liberty Airport Station. The ride takes about 20 minutes. NJ Transit trains run from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m. with 3-to-4 trains to Newark Liberty Airport every hour during peak morning times, and 7-to-10 trains every hour during peak evening times. From there, you can catch the AirTrain. (Total cost: $11.55 for adults)

• Price: $
• Convenience: * *

#62 Bus
Take NJ Transit from New York Penn Station to Newark Penn Station. The ride takes about 15 minutes and costs $3.30. From there, take the #62 bus ($1.10) on Penn Station Bus Lanes to the Newark Airport Terminals. Buses run every 20 minutes or so and take about 25 minutes to arrive at the airport. (Total cost: $4.40 for adults)

• Price: ¢
• Convenience: **

Newark Airport Express
The bus leaves from Newark Airport and from five stops within Manhattan approximately every 15 to 30 minutes from 4 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. A one-way trip takes from 45 to 60 minutes and costs $12. Roundtrip is $19. Children under 16 ride free!

Manhattan departure and arrival stops include Grand Central Terminal, Penn Station, Port Authority Bus Station, Chinatown, and Lower Manhattan. A hotel shuttle is available for midtown destinations ($16 one way from Newark). See website for specific locations and schedules.

• Price: $
• Convenience: * * *

The A Train
Catch the A train to Far Rockaway to the Howard Beach/JFK Airport stop. The ride takes about 70 minutes from lower Manhattan. Then, pick up the AirTrain to the airport which stops at every terminal. Budget an additional 15 to 30 minutes to get to your terminal. Total cost: $2 or Metrocard for subway fare; $5 or Metrocard for AirTrain fare.

• Price: ¢
• Convenience: *

Trans-Bridge
A Pennsylvania-based bus company, Trans-Bridge services New Yorkers between Port Authority and JFK Airport for $19 round trip. Three trips daily.

• Price: $
• Convenience: *

The M60 Bus
Take the A, B, C, D, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 trains to 125th Street in Harlem, or the 1 and the 9 to 110th or 116th Sts. and Broadway. Then, pick up the M60 bus to the airport. Expect travel time of 40 to 90 minutes. The bus stops at all major terminals. Total cost: $2 or Metrocard.

• Price: ¢
• Convenience: *

Q33 or Q48
Take the 7 train to the 82nd. St. Jackson Heights stop and transfer to the Q33 bus to the airport.

Take the 7 train to the 111th Street and Roosevelt Avenue stop and transfer to the Q48 to the airport. The bus takes approximately 30 minutes. Total cost: $2 or Metrocard.

• Price: ¢
• Convenience: *

Multiple Airports

New York Airport Service Express Bus
These buses to and from Manhattan (Grand Central Station, Port Authority Bus Terminal, Penn Station) and Midtown hotels offer a convenient transportation option. Rates vary slightly ( round trip $17 to $26) depending on pick-up location and destination. If you book online, you can usually get slightly cheaper fares. Budget 40 minutes to an hour-and-a-half travel time.

• Airports: LGA, JFK
• Price: ¢ - $
• Convenience: * * *

ETS Air Shuttle
Brooklyn, Bronx, or Queens residents can request this shared ride door-to-door ground transportation service to any of the three airports. Rates, which begin at $25, and times vary according to pick-up and destination.

• Airports: LGA, JFK, EWR
• Price: $$
• Convenience: * * * *

Super Shuttle Manhattan
This shared ride door-to-door ground transportation services all of New York City and the surrounding areas. Rates, which start at around $15 to $50, and time vary according to pick-up and destination.

• Airports: LGA, JFK, EWR
• Price: $ - $$
• Convenience: * * * *