Short answer: LaGuardia is often easiest, Newark can be excellent for Penn, and JFK is the strongest all-rounder when the flight is better

For many Times Square visitors arriving at LaGuardia Terminals B or C, the free Q70 plus subway creates the cheapest straightforward public-transit option. The airport is also geographically close to Midtown, so a taxi or ride-hail can be attractive when traffic is reasonable.

Newark is more competitive than its New Jersey address suggests because NJ TRANSIT runs to New York Penn Station, just south of Times Square. JFK is farther away but gives you multiple reliable rail choices and the clearest official yellow-taxi pricing structure for Manhattan.

Choose LaGuardia when proximity and low-cost public transit matter most

For Terminals B and C, the Q70 LGA Link is fare-free and connects with subway options that continue directly toward Midtown. A full-fare traveler therefore mainly pays the current subway fare for the city leg.

LaGuardia has no subway station inside the terminals, so the transfer still includes a bus-to-train change. For a traveler with one suitcase this can be easy; for a family with several bags, a metered yellow taxi or ride-hail may be worth the extra cost.

Choose Newark when Penn Station geography works for your hotel

NJ TRANSIT currently lists New York Penn Station at about 30 minutes from Newark Liberty Airport Rail Station and $17.25 for an adult ticket. That is especially useful for hotels on the south side of Times Square, the Garment District or near Penn Station.

The airport rail station is not the passenger terminal itself, so include the airport connection and waiting time in the full transfer. After New York Penn, walk or take a short subway ride depending on the hotel block and luggage.

Choose JFK when the flight is stronger or you want multiple transfer options

JFK AirTrain costs $8.75 for the first rider and connects through Jamaica with the E subway and Long Island Rail Road. For a standard solo AirTrain-plus-subway trip, the current total is $11.75 before any separate choices such as LIRR.

JFK also has a clear yellow-taxi rule for Manhattan: TLC currently sets a $70 flat fare before applicable surcharges, tolls and gratuity. That makes the road-transfer comparison easier for groups than at airports with purely metered or quoted pricing.

Groups and luggage can reverse the cheapest-looking answer

Public transit is mostly priced per person, while a taxi or car is shared by the vehicle. As the party grows, the direct-car premium can shrink — especially when several suitcases, a stroller, mobility needs or a late arrival make transfers more difficult.

JFK also uses AirTrain group pricing for eligible groups using the same payment method, so compare the actual group fare rather than multiplying the first-rider price by every traveler.

Your exact Times Square hotel block changes the ranking

Times Square is not one doorway. A hotel near 42 St–Port Authority may favor the E train. A hotel near Penn Station can make Newark or JFK LIRR more attractive. A property farther east may change which subway exit or final taxi leg is easiest.

Map the final five to ten blocks with luggage before choosing between two otherwise similar flights. The airport-to-Manhattan headline time is less useful than the airport-to-your-hotel route.

Do not compare only one fare number

A fair airport comparison includes the flight price, baggage rules, airport transfer, hotel location, arrival time and the cost of recovering from a disrupted connection. A $10 ground-transport saving is not important if the flight arrives hours later or requires an extra connection.

For ride-hail and private-car services, use a live or date-specific quote close to the trip. Demand pricing, tolls, airport pickup fees and vehicle size can move the total significantly.

A simple Times Square airport decision

• Best flight is at LGA B/C + manageable luggage — start with LaGuardia and compare free Q70 + subway with a taxi
• Hotel is near Penn Station or the south side of Times Square — Newark can be exceptionally practical by NJ TRANSIT
• JFK has the best flight or you want several robust rail options — use AirTrain + E/LIRR or compare the $70 Manhattan taxi flat fare
• Family/group with several bags — compare total group transit cost with a direct vehicle, not one traveler’s fare
• Late-night arrival — check live rail/subway service before committing to a transfer plan
• Two flights are otherwise equal — choose the airport whose transfer ends closest to your actual hotel entrance