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United States

New York City

Neighbourhoods, parks and a harbour skyline

Last reviewed: 14 September 2026

Recommended stay: 3–4 days
Best time to visit: April to June and September to early November
Airports: JFK · LGA · EWR

New York City at a glance

New York City is a city of distinct neighbourhoods, large parks and harbour views, linked by the subway. Times Square and Broadway, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO, Greenwich Village, the High Line and Chelsea are spread across several areas. Coney Island, the Hudson Valley, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. require separate outings. The airports are John F. Kennedy (JFK), LaGuardia (LGA) and Newark Liberty (EWR). Use OMNY or contactless payment and plan one neighbourhood at a time.

Quick information

Recommended stay3–4 days

Best time to visitApril to June and September to early November

AirportsJFK · LGA · EWR

Budget travelAccommodation and any observation deck, Broadway, ferry or rail day drive costs most strongly. Check prices shortly before your trip instead of relying on a fixed estimate.

Spring and autumn suit Central Park, the High Line and harbour decks without peak summer heat or deep winter wind. Summer is hot and crowded; keep museum hours for the Met. Winter is cold for long outdoor queues; check ferry and park conditions.

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

AirTrain JFK and subway

Subway to the AirTrain, then the AirTrain to the terminals

Subway fare plus the AirTrain feeTransport

Must-see sights

Times Square and Broadway

Central Park

Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

Sights

One-day itinerary

Morning: Start in Times Square, then walk towards the southern paths of Central Park.
Lunch: Stop for a deli sandwich or a sit-down lunch near the park before returning to Midtown.
Afternoon: Choose Top of the Rock or the Empire State Building, reserving the entry you want; leave time for the surrounding streets.
Evening: Have dinner in Hell's Kitchen and take a short Broadway walk; add a show only with a suitable booking.

Itineraries

Best areas to stay

Midtown
Times Square and the southern edge of Central Park are within walking distance. Downtown and Brooklyn are reached by subway.
Best for
First visits, Broadway and Central Park
Downtown / Lower Manhattan
Lower Manhattan
Useful for the 9/11 Memorial and Brooklyn Bridge. Central Park is a subway ride.
Best for
The memorial, harbour ferries and the bridge
Greenwich Village / Chelsea
Greenwich Village
Walkable streets. The Midtown observation decks still need a subway ride.
Best for
A neighbourhood stay and the High Line
DUMBO / Brooklyn waterfront
DUMBO
A waterfront stay beside the bridge. Manhattan sights still need the subway or a walk across.
Best for
Bridge views and a calmer evening stay

Approximate budget

Budget
Varies
per day, per person
Simple rooms, slices or delis and subway journeys; excludes travel to New York City.
Mid-range
Varies
per day, per person
Comfortable room, mixed dining, transit and selected decks or museums.
Comfort
Varies
per day, per person
Central stays, frequent dining, private transfers and a reserved ferry or rail day.

Airports

Last reviewed: 14 September 2026

JFK
John F. Kennedy International Airport
24 km from city centre
LGA
LaGuardia Airport
13 km from city centre
EWR
Newark Liberty International Airport
25 km from city centre

Airport to city transport

Last reviewed: 14 September 2026

OptionTimePrice

JFK

AirTrain JFK and subwayJFKTake the A train to Howard Beach, or the E, J or Z to Sutphin Blvd–Archer Av–JFK Airport, and follow the signs to the AirTrain. The AirTrain fee is separate and unlimited passes do not cover it. Check subway service changes, especially at night and at weekends.
Subway to the AirTrain, then the AirTrain to the terminals
Subway fare plus the AirTrain fee
Details
Take the A train to Howard Beach, or the E, J or Z to Sutphin Blvd–Archer Av–JFK Airport, and follow the signs to the AirTrain. The AirTrain fee is separate and unlimited passes do not cover it. Check subway service changes, especially at night and at weekends.
AirTrain JFK and Long Island Rail RoadJFKUsually the quicker rail option from Midtown Manhattan or Downtown Brooklyn. Change at Jamaica Station, where the AirTrain is on the upper level. Not every LIRR train stops at Jamaica, so check the timetable.
Train to Jamaica Station, then the AirTrain
Rail fare plus the AirTrain fee
Details
Usually the quicker rail option from Midtown Manhattan or Downtown Brooklyn. Change at Jamaica Station, where the AirTrain is on the upper level. Not every LIRR train stops at Jamaica, so check the timetable.
Yellow taxi or rideshareJFKTaxis and app-based rides use the pick-up areas outside each terminal; follow the airport signs. Allow for traffic on the roads into the city.
A road journey to the city; the time depends on traffic
Metered or app-quoted fare
Details
Taxis and app-based rides use the pick-up areas outside each terminal; follow the airport signs. Allow for traffic on the roads into the city.

LGA

Q70 LaGuardia LinkLGAThe Q70 serves Terminals B and C but not Terminal A. From Terminal A take the airport shuttle to Terminal B, or use the M60 SBS. The subway fare is paid separately when you continue.
Frequent bus to the Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Avenue and 74 St–Broadway subway station and to the LIRR at Woodside
Free
Details
The Q70 serves Terminals B and C but not Terminal A. From Terminal A take the airport shuttle to Terminal B, or use the M60 SBS. The subway fare is paid separately when you continue.
M60 Select Bus ServiceLGAThe M60 SBS serves Terminals A, B and C and runs along 125th Street in Harlem. It is a paid Select Bus route, so check the current payment rules before boarding.
Direct bus to Harlem and Astoria Boulevard, with subway connections
Standard bus fare
Details
The M60 SBS serves Terminals A, B and C and runs along 125th Street in Harlem. It is a paid Select Bus route, so check the current payment rules before boarding.
Taxi or rideshareLGAFollow the airport signs to the taxi stands and rideshare pick-up areas. Use licensed taxis or a ride-hailing app rather than offers inside the terminal.
A road journey to the city; the time depends on traffic
Metered or app-quoted fare
Details
Follow the airport signs to the taxi stands and rideshare pick-up areas. Use licensed taxis or a ride-hailing app rather than offers inside the terminal.

EWR

AirTrain Newark and NJ TransitEWRNJ Transit and Amtrak serve Newark Liberty Airport station, and the AirTrain links it with the terminals. Because of construction work, AirTrain service has at times been replaced by shuttle buses, so check current notices before you travel.
Train to Newark Liberty Airport station, then the AirTrain to the terminals
Rail fare plus the AirTrain access fee
Details
NJ Transit and Amtrak serve Newark Liberty Airport station, and the AirTrain links it with the terminals. Because of construction work, AirTrain service has at times been replaced by shuttle buses, so check current notices before you travel.
Newark Airport Express (Coach USA)EWRThe bus serves Grand Central, Bryant Park and the Port Authority Bus Terminal and stops at all three terminals. Check the current timetable and stop locations on the Coach USA website.
About 50 minutes to Midtown Manhattan, according to the airport
Coach fare
Details
The bus serves Grand Central, Bryant Park and the Port Authority Bus Terminal and stops at all three terminals. Check the current timetable and stop locations on the Coach USA website.
Taxi or rideshareEWRFollow the airport signs to the taxi stands and rideshare pick-up areas at your terminal. Use licensed taxis or a ride-hailing app.
A road journey to the city; the time depends on traffic
Metered or app-quoted fare
Details
Follow the airport signs to the taxi stands and rideshare pick-up areas at your terminal. Use licensed taxis or a ride-hailing app.

Getting around

Last reviewed: 14 September 2026

OptionTimePrice

Subway, OMNY and walkingExplore one area on foot, then take the subway to the next. Times Square to Central Park is a long walk with a child. Check the last trains before you leave and keep children close on platforms.
Best for Midtown, Downtown, the High Line, Greenwich Village and Brooklyn Bridge
OMNY or MetroCard rules
Details
Explore one area on foot, then take the subway to the next. Times Square to Central Park is a long walk with a child. Check the last trains before you leave and keep children close on platforms.
Bus, ferry and taxiCity ferries and the Staten Island Ferry are part of movement, not only sightseeing. A car is usually unnecessary in Manhattan.
Useful for harbour crossings, late returns and when a bus matches a crosstown street
OMNY, ferry or taxi fare rules
Details
City ferries and the Staten Island Ferry are part of movement, not only sightseeing. A car is usually unnecessary in Manhattan.

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New York City at a glance

Quick information

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

Must-see sights

One-day itinerary

Best areas to stay

Midtown

Downtown / Lower Manhattan

Greenwich Village / Chelsea

DUMBO / Brooklyn waterfront

Approximate budget