One of the most frequently asked questions while living in New York is this.

Which airport is best to go to when traveling to New York?

When I first settled in New York, I was always confused about whether to use JFK, Newark, or LaGuardia.

First, JFK Airport. John F. Kennedy International Airport is the flagship airport of New York.

Most international flights from around the world arrive at JFK. Korean Air, Asiana, and the recently popular ZIPAIR also come to JFK.

If you are coming from or going to Korea, you can almost always expect to use JFK. However, the downside is that it is 'far.' It's fine if you live in Queens or Long Island, but for those living north of Manhattan or in the Bronx, it's common to take a ride that takes over an hour. You can also take the subway and AirTrain, but it can be a real hassle if you have a lot of luggage and it snows in winter. On the other hand, the terminals are spacious and clean, and the duty-free shops are decent. Since it's an international flight, check-in is relaxed, and security checks are spacious, which is nice.

Next is LaGuardia Airport (LGA). To be honest, it used to be the least favorite airport among New Yorkers, but it has completely transformed in recent years due to renovations.

Now it has a clean and modern feel, and the restaurants are quite good. This airport specializes in domestic flights. If you frequently travel to major cities like Boston, Chicago, or Atlanta, LGA is the best choice. Especially for those living in Manhattan or Brooklyn, it takes about 30 minutes to get there by Uber from home. However, the downside is the weather. Delays often occur when it rains or is foggy. The runways are short and next to the beach, so landings can be bumpy at times.

Finally, there's Newark Airport (EWR). Although it's in New Jersey, it can sometimes be closer than JFK when considering Midtown Manhattan.

Especially for those living in Times Square or Chelsea, Newark is surprisingly convenient. It's also a hub for United Airlines, so it's highly recommended for frequent United flyers. Another advantage is that security checks are surprisingly quick, so the time from check-in to the gate is short. The downside is transportation. Taking the PATH to Newark can be a bit cumbersome, and if you take NJ Transit, you might miss the train by 20 minutes if you're not careful. Renting a car is also good, but there can be unexpected traffic jams.

To summarize the conclusion:

If it's an international flight + going to Korea, use JFK,
If it's a domestic flight + living in Manhattan, use LGA,
If it's United Airlines + living in New Jersey or Midtown, use Newark.

Additionally, always compare ticket prices and time slots. There are often cases where JFK is $900 on the same day, while EWR is $550.

Also, if you have a flight at 7 AM from JFK, you might have to leave home at 4 AM, so choosing a convenient airport can affect the quality of your trip. Especially in winter, JFK or EWR tend to have lower delay rates than LGA.

Personally, I use LGA for business trips, JFK for family vacations, and Newark when I need to grab a cheap ticket quickly.

These days, all three airports have completed renovations and are much more comfortable than before, so the choice depends on the traveler's preference and ticket prices.

If you make good use of New York's three airports, you can reduce both transportation and stress by half.