There are many ways to get from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Manhattan, but have you ever done a head-to-head test to determine the best option?
Here at TPG, we decided to do just that.
Staffers Liam Spencer, Medha Imam and Bella Boccasino recently headed to the Big Apple to put three modes of transportation to the test:
- Train (JFK’s AirTrain to the Long Island Rail Road)
- Ride-hailing service
- Blade helicopter
You probably already have an educated guess as to which came out on top — but second place may surprise you.
Check out the full video here — and keep reading for other considerations for your own trip from (or to) JFK.
Other benefits to help with JFK transfers
In the video, Liam, Medha and Bella all paid “retail” price for their assigned mode of transportation. However, there are several ways they could’ve maximized their purchases.
AirTrain and Long Island Rail Road to Penn Station
Liam’s surprisingly strong showing on the train was the lowest-priced option, but there are a couple of possible avenues to make the most of these transit purchases.
For starters, train travel typically triggers the $300 annual travel credit available on both the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) and the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees).
Alternatively, there are a handful of cards that offer bonus points on general travel purchases — including the Sapphire Reserve and the Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees).
Blade to Manhattan
Bella’s helicopter was pricey, especially with the added car transfer from Blade’s 30th Street helipad to the Empire State Building — though surprisingly not all that much more than Medha’s Uber. Nevertheless, there’s one program that could’ve helped defray the cost: Bilt.
As of Aug. 13, you can now redeem Bilt Cash for Blade flights up to twice per calendar year (up to $350 for each seat). Additionally, Bilt Platinum members receive one free Blade flight per year between Manhattan and either JFK or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). And all Bilt elite members can get 10% off Blade bookings through the Bilt app.
Read more: What is Bilt Cash? How to earn and redeem this new reward currency
Uber to the Empire State Building
Medha came in last in our race, as traffic into Manhattan significantly delayed her arrival. Nevertheless, there are many avenues to save on ride-hailing purchases.
With Uber, you can add select American Express cards to your account to unlock monthly Uber Cash for U.S. Uber rides and Uber Eats orders:
- American Express Platinum Card®: Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash (up to $15 per month, plus an up to $20 bonus in December)*
- American Express® Gold Card: Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash (up to $10 per month)*
*Note: Uber Cash will only be deposited into one Uber account when you add the Amex Platinum or Amex Gold, respectively, as a payment method and redeem with any Amex card.
Meanwhile, those with either the Sapphire Reserve or the Sapphire Reserve for Business will earn 5 points per dollar spent on Lyft rides, plus up to $10 monthly in-app credits (up to $120 annually) through Sept. 30, 2027.
Finally, be sure to link your Uber and Lyft accounts with select loyalty programs to enjoy even more rewards on your rides:
| Service | Loyalty partners |
|---|---|
| Uber | <ul> <li>Earn up to 3 Delta SkyMiles per dollar spent on Uber rides.</li> <li>Earn up to 3 Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar spent on Uber rides.</li> </ul> |
| Lyft | <ul> <li>Earn 2 Bilt Points per dollar spent on Lyft rides.</li> <li>Earn up to 3 Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards points per dollar spent on Lyft rides.</li> <li>Earn 3 Hilton Honors points per dollar spent on Lyft rides.</li> </ul> |
Just note that you must designate a specific earning partner in each app — you can’t earn rewards in multiple programs on the same ride.
Related: How to earn more points and maximize elite status benefits by double-dipping
Bottom line
Three TPG staffers raced from JFK to the Empire State Building, and, not surprisingly, Blade came out on top. However, the AirTrain to the Long Island Rail Road was surprisingly close — while also being the cheapest. And, unfortunately, the ride-hailing option was last by a wide margin due to the horrendous rush-hour traffic at the time.
What’s your favorite way to get to Manhattan from New York City’s airports? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.