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New York is served by three major airports, and the cheapest fare is not always the best trip — the transfer from Newark or JFK can eat two hours that LaGuardia would not.
Which airport
JFK — south-east Queens, fifteen miles out. The main long-haul international gateway with the widest choice of carriers. AirTrain plus LIRR to Penn Station is 50 to 65 minutes; AirTrain plus the E or A subway is cheaper and 75 to 105 minutes.
LaGuardia — northern Queens, eight miles out, mostly domestic and short-haul. Completely rebuilt between 2016 and 2022 and now genuinely good. The free Q70 bus plus a subway ride gets you to Midtown in 40 to 50 minutes for a single fare, which is the fastest and cheapest airport run in the city.
Newark — New Jersey, sixteen miles out. Frequently the cheapest on transatlantic fares. AirTrain plus NJ Transit to Penn Station is about 45 minutes.
If your itinerary is Midtown-heavy and you have a choice, LaGuardia. If you are flying long-haul, JFK or Newark. If price is the deciding factor, check Newark.
When fares are lowest
Late January to early March is the cheapest window on transatlantic and domestic routes alike, by a wide margin.
The second half of August is soft.
Late September, October and the two weeks before Christmas are the most expensive.
Midweek departures — Tuesday and Wednesday — are consistently cheaper than Friday and Sunday, and the difference on a transatlantic ticket can be substantial.
Practical
Immigration on international arrival is the wild card. Budget up to two hours from wheels down to being on a train, and more at JFK in the evening when several long-haul flights land together. Do not book anything for the first three hours after a scheduled arrival.
ESTA or a visa. Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries need an approved ESTA before boarding, applied for online in advance, valid two years. Everyone else needs a visa. Apply early; approval is usually quick but not always.
Departing, allow more time than you think. Security at JFK Terminal 4 and Newark Terminal C backs up badly at peak, and the road journey out from Manhattan is unpredictable at rush hour.
Do not accept a ride from anyone who approaches you inside the terminal. Licensed taxis queue outside at a marked rank with a dispatcher.
Full detail on every route into the city is in the airport transfer guide.