Transferring between JFK, LaGuardia and Newark means leaving one airport, collecting your bags, traveling by road and going through security again at the other. The drive itself can take 30 minutes (JFK to LaGuardia off-peak) to well over an hour (Newark to JFK or LaGuardia in traffic). For connections on separate tickets, allow at least four to five hours between scheduled arrival and departure — more for international arrivals or at peak times. A pre-booked car with flight tracking is the most reliable way to make the transfer.

Typical drive times (by car)

Transfer Distance (approx.) Typical drive
JFK ↔ LaGuardia About 10–12 miles 25–60 minutes
Newark ↔ JFK About 30–35 miles 60–120 minutes
Newark ↔ LaGuardia About 25 miles 50–100 minutes

Traffic, time of day and weather make a big difference. See our route pages: JFK to LaGuardia, Newark Airport to JFK and Newark Airport to LaGuardia.

Why separate tickets are risky

If your connection is on one ticket, the airline is responsible if you miss it. On separate tickets, you are — and a missed flight can be expensive. Build in generous buffers.

The full timeline

  1. Deplane and collect bags (20–40 minutes; longer internationally).
  2. Customs and immigration for international arrivals.
  3. Drive to the other airport.
  4. Check in and drop bags before the airline’s cutoff.
  5. Security, then walk to your gate.

Tips

  • Book the car in advance with your arriving flight number.
  • Choose meet and greet so your chauffeur can help with bags.
  • Avoid rush hours where possible.
  • Consider an overnight stay if the connection is tight or late at night.