Yellow Cab

When you’ve finally arrived in the Big Apple, the simplest way to get from the airport to the heart of the city is just to walk to the nearest taxi stand after picking up your baggage. New York City is fortunate enough to feature a range of taxicabs like no other. In fact, aside from the Empire State Building, the image most people usually get when they think of New York are the endless yellow taxi cabs driven by some of the boldest taxi cab drivers you’ll ever meet.

If you’ve never visited New York before, it’s a good idea to check with the driver before you start the ride to get an approximate fare. Believe it or not, you may find some limo rates that are cheaper than a cab, as unlike taxicab rates, limo rates are fixed. It may be worth a little indulgence and be only a little more if not less to upgrade to a limo and ride into the New York in style.

It’s also helpful to ask about current traffic patterns in the city, how long it will take and if the driver knows alternate routes in the city. A good taxi cab driver will have all the backdoor routes committed to memory. Surprisingly, you’ll find that many taxi cab drivers are relatively new to the area and won’t know the secret routes that can shave considerable time off your drive. A good taxi cab driver is as good as a golden taxi in New York City.

It’s also a pretty good idea to ask what the airport pickup surcharge is. That way, you can have all the rates laid out in front of you for a more stress free visit to the Big Apple.

Public Transportation

If you’re looking to save a buck, public transportation is by far the most economical way to get out of the airport and into the city, but what you save in money you lose in time. Prepare yourself for a lengthy trip, especially if it’s during rush hour. However, the subway is quintessential to New York and a perfect way to get a feel of the city and the people. Keep in mind that during off hours and some holidays, some subways won’t be running on their usual schedules. It’s a good idea to get a complete schedule of times, especially if you are arriving late at night, early in the morning, or around major holidays like Christmas.

Shuttles

You can also get door-to-door shuttles to and from JFK Airport, which are typically small passenger vans that will take you into the greater New York area. These are much more affordable than a taxi, costing generally half as much. They also have fixed rates, so if you get stuck in traffic in New York City, which can be as common as Seinfeld reruns, the rate will stay the same. However, you’ll have to share the van with other passengers, which can be reminiscent of riding the school bus as you wait for all the other riders to get off before you reach your stop. You may make several stops until the shuttle van is full. It’s helpful if you’re riding a business trip with lots of coworkers, as you can usually fill up the van and limit yourself only to one stop.

Driving your car

If you are interested in driving your own car, check out different JFK airport parking options and affordable off-site parking rates. However, you generally should do this only if you are a native, as traffic in New York can be horrendous, and you’ll have a much better experience as an out-of-towner if you use public transportation.