Stay airside. Immigration at JFK, EWR, and LGA all average 45-90 min, leaving no safe time for the city.
- JFK T5 (JetBlue): Deep Blue Sushi past security is a solid meal option
- LGA Terminal B: renovated 2022, food hall includes Shake Shack and Jajaja
- EWR Terminal A: Saison Market is the best airside food in Newark — fresh, fast, not overpriced
A tight but possible NYC taste. AirTrain and subway are slower than they look on the map.
- From JFK: AirTrain to Jamaica + LIRR to Penn Station, 35-40 min, $14. Stick to Midtown — one meal, one sight, then back
- From EWR: NJ Transit to Penn Station, 30 min, $13. Eataly Flatiron is 3 blocks from Penn — easy in-and-out
- From LGA: No fast transit link — taxi to Midtown takes 25-40 min, $30-40 each way depending on traffic
- Leave the city 90 min before your departure time to account for re-entry security queues
A proper NYC window. Give yourself 4-5 hours in the city and anchor around two spots.
- JFK to Midtown: 35-40 min by AirTrain and LIRR, or the E train for $2.90 (slower but cheaper)
- EWR to Midtown: 30 min by NJ Transit to Penn Station — puts you between Times Square and Chelsea
- LGA to Midtown: 25-35 min by taxi (the Q70 bus and subway takes 50+ min — take the cab)
- Brooklyn Bridge and DUMBO take 75 min round-trip from Midtown — pair it with pizza in the neighbourhood
New York rewards the full day. Multiple neighbourhoods are realistic once you are on the subway.
- Morning: Lower East Side or Chinatown for breakfast — cheap, crowded, and authentic
- Midday: Central Park from 72nd Street down to the Bethesda Fountain, then Midtown for the energy
- Afternoon: Brooklyn Bridge is 25 min from Midtown by subway — walk across and back via Brooklyn Bridge Park
- Return buffer: JFK 35-40 min, EWR 30 min, LGA 30-40 min by taxi — all need 90 min before departure
