New York City Airports: La Guardia, JFK and Downtown Manhattan Heliport

New York is graced with several conveniently located airports that include La Guardia, JFK and the Downtown Manhattan Heliport. These airports serve the millions of tourists and travellers that pass through the city every year. New York is the hub of international travel and people either use the city as a primary vacation destination, or as a transfer on to another town in the United States (and often another nearby country).

A traveller is advised to find out which of the airports around New York City is the best landing point, based on where they needs to reach and whether they need a transfer flight. Travelling from one airport to another in New York is not always advisable when one has a connecting flight to catch, due to high-density traffic and often unpredictable weather conditions. If a traveller can concentrate their arrival, departure and transfer all from the same airport, then they will be able to enjoy a more relaxed travelling experience. Click to book a flight.

Transportation
Getting to and from La Guardia is quite convenient due to its proximity to the city center. A wide range of wheel transportation is available between the airport and the city including taxis, busses, shuttles and limousines. A selection of these modes of transport is available outside and next to each of the LGA's terminals. For a traveller's convenience, Ground Transport Information counters can be found on the lower baggage claim level of all the terminals. At these counters, a person can receive scheduling information and make reservations for buses, co-ride vans and limousines. For those travellers arriving and departing from the airport in a private vehicle, LGAs plentiful parking facilities are now color-coded according to their proximity to the terminals.

Parking
There are three types of parking facilities available at LGA – metered parking, daily parking and long-term parking.

Metered parking facilities are located at the Marine Air Terminal and costs 50c per 15 minutes. A two-hour limit is in place, and this facility should only be used for a quick drop-off or pick-up.

Daily parking is available at the Parking Garage and in Lots 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The price is $3 for the first half hour and $6 for up to one hour. A further $3 is charged for every hour or part thereof. The maximum cost is $30 for each 24-hour period. The daily parking lot can be used for a maximum of 30 days but no long-term rate is available.

Long term parking is available in Parking Lot 3 at $30 per day for the first two days and after 48 hours, the rate is reduced to $5 per 8 hour period. The long term parking lot has a limited number of spaces and these are allocated on a first-come basis.

In addition to the airport's parking facilities, six private parking facilities are available near to the airport. Each of these parking facilities has its own rates and conditions and possibly offer shuttle services to the airport from their location. Parking facilities for persons with disabilities are located at key points around the airport and are available at a discount rate.

Shops and Food
LGA has extensive facilities and a wide range of food and beverage options to cater for the millions of hungry travellers that pass through its gates every year.

Central Terminal has a wealth of retail shops where travellers can find books, magazines, gifts, jewellery, fashion accessories, tourist paraphernalia, duty free items and gadgets. There are ATMs, foreign exchange services, DVD rentals, office workspace facilities, wireless internet and a shoe-shine service. Fast food options such as pizza, deli-food, sandwiches, burgers, donuts, coffee and pretzels and are served New York-style; while travellers looking for a more formal setting can sit down at a number of restaurants located in the terminal.

Delta Shuttle / Marine Air Terminal has one retail shop, an ATM, shoe-shine service and one restaurant.

Delta Terminal has a number of shops offering gift items and books, as well as an ATM, shoe-shine and vending machine. For those on the prowl for something to eat, this terminal offers fast food choices in coffee, burgers, pizza and a few other eateries.

US Airways Terminal is another well serviced terminal with similar retail shops as offered in the Central Terminal, as well as ATM, wireless internet, foreign exchange and shoe-shine facilities. Food and beverage options include deli food, tacos, ice cream, burgers, Chinese and more.

US Airways Shuttle Terminal has only one shop, an ATM, and a small selection of food and beverage facilities.

Transportation
JFK is connected to the New York subway and commuter rail system which makes access to the airport quite convenient from the city center, despite its relative distance. This service is supplied by AirTrain which stops at all the terminals, car rental areas and subway stations. The service is free within the airport and $5 to reach the subway stations out of the airport. Travel time to Midtown Manhattan is 45 minutes.

Several bus routes link JFK to the subway and the railroad. There are also several private bus lines operating express routes to Manhattan, Hudson Valley and Long Island.

New York 's famous yellow cabs are always on call and charge a flat rate of $45 to central Manhattan.

The fastest, most convenient (and expensive) way to get to JFK is by helicopter. There are scheduled helicopter flights from Downtown Manahattan Heliport to JFK every hour and the flight takes 8 minutes.

Parking
Travellers arriving by private vehicle have the choice of parking their car at Daily Parking or Long-Term Parking.

Long-term parking is located on Lefferts Blvd, which is about 4 miles from Terminal 1-9. There are clearly marked signs indicating the best way to reach the long-term parking area from various entrances to the airport. The parking rates are $15 for the first 24 hours and $5 for each 8-hour period or part thereof.

Daily parking is color-coded according to different areas – Green, Blue, Orange and Red parking lots are next to Terminals 1-9. Daily parking rates are $3 for the first half hour or part, $6 for up to one hour and $3 for every hour or part thereafter. A maximum rate of $30 is charged for each 24-hour period.

Special disabled parking bays are positioned around the airport at discounted prices.

Shops and Food
As the chief airport serving one of the busiest cities in the world, JFK's amenities are obviously top class. Spread between the nine terminals are a wealth of shopping and eating options. If for any reason a traveller cannot find what they want in their specific terminal, they can easily take the AirTrain to another terminal. It should be noted however, that during peak times, the journey may take up to eight minutes and a traveller should budget his time accordingly.

Terminals 1-9 offer expansive retail options in clothing, jewellery, make-up, footwear, sunglasses, watches, accessories, electronics, sporting equipment, gifts, chocolates, speciality retail, luggage, books and music.

Services available throughout the terminals are hotel reservations, foreign currency exchange, ATMs, travel insurance, chapel services, baggage storage, wireless internet, massage chairs, hotel reservations and shoe-shine.

Food and beverage facilities are abundant in JFK airport and these include burgers, bagels, Chinese food, coffee shops, pizza, pasta, pubs, donuts, sushi, French cuisine, deli food and frozen yoghurt.

The Heliport is located on top of the Battery on Pier 6 on the East River which is north of the Staten Island Ferry and south of the South Street Seaport. A traveller can reach the Heliport by direct highway access, with its entrance south of the start of FDR Drive, opposite Vietnam Veteran's Plaza.

DMH is only seven minutes flight from Newark Liberty and Teterboro Airports, and only 15 minute drive from Morriston Municipal Airport in New Jersey. The quick commute is perfect for hectic business executives, pampered travellers and those who wish to grab a unique view of the city.

Four helicopter companies service DMH – Helicopter Flight Services, Liberty Helicopters, New York Helicopter Charter and US Helicopter. The terminal at DMH includes administration offices, a VIP lounge and a passenger waiting area. A tourist gift shop and kiosk is also present, making a traveller's commute even more complete.

New York City Air Travel

With over 100 million travellers using New York's airports annually, the city's aviation authorities have to continuously upgrade the airport facilities to meet commuters' immense travel needs. JFK, the major airport in the area operates 100 airlines' regular scheduled flights - both domestic and international. La Guardia handles mostly domestic flights and the Heliport is a great convenient connection between the city and the airport.

Travellers should always budget their time correctly to avoid undue stress and pressure before and journey. In the current travel climate, security regulations are being updated all the time and travellers should make sure to be fully aware of restrictions which apply to them.

The most important factor however, is a safe and enjoyable journey.