Toni

Hi again,
Still in the first step planning stages of our trip. A friend told me yesterday that it's easier to get to Manhattan from Newark NJ airport then it is from the JFK or La Guardia.
Any commments on this?
Thanks again

ray

I believe Continental terminal has a new tram to Manhattan for about $6.00.

nyer

"airtrain" which is a combination of you from Newark to Penn station in Manhattan for $11.55 each way, not $6.
It's preety painless unless you have heavy luggage (there are stairs and long corridors involved on the NYC end).

LGA is traditionally the closest to NYC and the cheapest to get to/from, but it all depends on whether you take cabs, airport bus or train, or regular public bus / subway.

If the airfare to one is dramatically different, take the lowest. Otherwise, count on taxi fares such as:
LGA-$25 LFK $45 Newark $50 (inclusive of tolls and tip)

pam

If you really want cheap, take a bus/subway from LGA or JFK for $1.50.

You'll just need to get some maps ahead of time to know where you're going.

KJS

It all depends on where in NYC you are going and the time of day...-
Newark: You can now take the airtrain from Newark into Penn Station. Cost is $11.55 pp each way. Trains leave at least hourly, with more trains leaving during the morning & evening "rush" hours. Catching a taxi from Newark into the city runs between $40-50(depending where you are going - the fares are fixed + tips and tolls)
JFK -- No choice for train service. Taxi fares are flat fee of $35 into the city + tip & tolls. However, depending on time of day, the trip may be a very long one.
LGA -- No choice for train service. Taxi is metered, but average fare should be about $20-28 + tip & tolls

Personally, I would choose LGA or EWR, as JFK can be a long ride. I live in lower Manhattan, so I always fly in and out of EWR because I can get there in 15 minutes. If you're staying mid-town, then it's basically a toss up. (depending on how much you want to pay for convenience)

Toni

We are going to be staying at the Warwick hotel (I believe that is considered "Midtown?")
The fare from CA to Newark is about $60. less. then JFK or LaGuardia.

xxx

if you're saving $60 per person, take the flight to Newark. Even if you go by cab, you'll only pay about $15 more each way (for as many as fit in the cab--usually 3 or 4)than to LGA (which is the cheapest.

xxx

The savings in time to me would be worth it to fly into LGA especially if you are staying at the Warwick in Midtown. The longest it has ever taken me to get to Midtown is 30 minutes from LGA. I would only take the train/bus/subway cheap route if I had several hours to kill.

Jason

LaGuardia is the most convenient of the three to downtown NY. All things being equal, I would choose LGA. If it was $60 less to fly to Newark, and I was travelling alone, it would be a tough call. Taxi from Newark to NY would be about $40-50. From LGA it would $25-30. So right there your $60 savings becomes a $35 savings. It depends on what it's worth to you to have a quicker cab ride. If you have a family of 4, however, than the Newark option becomes more attractive, since you would be saving $240 by flying there, and the cab would be pretty much the same.

A wild-card is the Airtrain, which I have never tried. If it was quick and easy, and I was travelling light and without kids, I'd give it a shot.

I see no advantage to JFK over Newark, especially considering the $60 difference.