New York - where best to fly into

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Hi, my DS (19) will be flying to New York next month on his own to meet up with DH (his dad) who is working over there for a little while.
DH is in Manhattan and we're not sure yet if he'll be able to meet DS at the airport.

Is there a 'better' airport for DS to fly into and what would be the safest best way of getting from the airport to Manhattan?

As you can probably tell, I'm panicking over someone who's a foot taller than me travelling to a no-doubt very safe country 😊

TIA

Either JFK or Newark. JFK has the benefit of a flat fare for taxis into central Manhattan. Only licenced cabs are allowed to pick up and you know you’re not going to get shafted (although don’t forget to tip).

Depending on time of day it can take just as long to get from Newark though. I would get an Uber from Newark for more control over the fare.

The shuttles are much cheaper but take forever. Feeling brave then both airports have train services into Manhattan then grab a cab.

You can get the subway into Manhattan from JFK - it's very easy

Thanks @BookwormButNoTime & @Howlongtillwegetthere

Agree with the above, either JFK or Newark. Easiest way is to simply get a cab - at the airport, there is an official queue and you will be directed into a cab so no worry about getting a scam driver. I’ve been in/out of both a few months ago and from memory, think I was £60/£70 one way. JFK is fixed rate. And yes, he’ll be fully expected to tip! Most credit card machines will have various tip %s so just click on the one you want to pay. 10% absolute minimum, usually 20%.
There is no direct public transport straight into Manhatten so taxi is easiest but definitely not the cheapest!

I think JFK personally as the shuttle into Manhattan is super easy (even I could manage it 🤣)

Public transport is only one change and is very easy - AirTrain from JFK to the subway station and then subway direct to Manhattan (about $10 total) - depends how confident a traveller he is/whether you are looking for a cheaper option

Newark is a much easier airport to get through (immigration etc). There’s a train straight into Manhattan.

Shuttle bus from JFK to Manhattan.

Cheap, straightforward.

Traffic from JFK to Manhattan can be soooo slow though. I used to do that journey at least once a month on a bus and it was often horrendous.

Both equally fine and very easy to get the train into Manhattan, or could book super shuttle or another shared ride type transport, which will drop him off at the door. It probably matters more where in Manhattan Dh is more than anything as certain places will be more straightforward from one or the other.

either airport is fine and public transport is cheap and quicker than getting taxis

Air train/subway is cheap and easy - there are helpful walkthrough videos on YouTube.

Easiest with a small trolley case or backpack though.

JFK is slightly easier, I'd say. Taxis are cheaper, approx $55 plus tolls/tips to Manhattan, but from Newarks it's around $120 plus tolls/tips.

Public transport is easy too - From JFK it's the Airtrain to Howard Beach subway station, then A train into Manhattan, total cost $10.75. From Newark it's air train to Liberty, train to Newark Penn, then PATH train to World Trade Centre. I think the total is around $15. However, we took a taxi to Newark Penn for $25, then PATH for $2.75

As a total curve ball, my friend now flies to Boston and gets the train over - the time spent on the train is effectively the time spent queuing at immigration (easily 2 hours at JFK each time I have been, although that was pre-Covid), and it gets you into the city centre. Boston immigration generally seems like a smoother process than New York.

Easier still is flying to NY via Dublin.

You do Immigration in Dublin Airport.

Where are they staying in NYC? If Brooklyn then JFK is easier, otherwise Newark is a more pleasant experience

DS has Irish passport :)