How does a shuttle transfer work in New York?
To get from the airport to your Manhattan hotel, a shuttle service once existed. We no longer offer it due to significant service deterioration.
Shuttle transfers are not available at this time
- Update, June 16, 2025: Due to numerous negative customer reviews, we no longer offer this shuttle transfer service on our site. Popular before the pandemic, the service has struggled to recover. Problems occur consistently with each booking.
- Customers now wait an hour or longer before boarding a shuttle. The shuttle also stops at other terminals, which adds significantly to your travel time.
- Return transfers are worse. Many customers have been completely forgotten by the operator. At certain times, the company clearly lacks drivers and vehicles. They simply choose which passengers to pick up without explanation.
- These issues are why we’ve stopped offering this service. We hope service quality will improve someday and will keep you updated.
- In the meantime, you’ll find other reliable and efficient ways to get from the airport to your Manhattan hotel. Visit our guide to airport transfers in New York.
- Curious how a shuttle transfer actually worked? Forum member Chriscau shares a photo guide from his arrival at JFK Airport. Hopefully this will be useful again someday.
1/ Look for the Ground Transportation sign
After you exit the plane, you’ll go through US immigration. Present your passport and answer questions about your stay. Next, collect your luggage from the baggage carousel and pass through customs.
Once through customs, you’ll enter the arrivals hall. Look for the “Ground Transportation” sign with the small icon showing a taxi and bus. Follow the arrow—it leads to your shuttle.
2/ Check in at the counter
After a short walk, you’ll reach the Ground Transportation counter. As you can see in Chriscau’s photos, it’s clearly marked. Staff will be waiting to help you.
Approach the attendant and show your voucher—the confirmation email you printed before your trip. This is the confirmation message you received after paying for your transfer reservation.
3/ Get your ticket
The attendant will give you a long ticket that includes your reservation details and confirms your transfer is paid. In the “payment” field, you’ll see “voucher”.
Your ticket also has a reservation number, which the agent will circle. This number matches your shuttle number to Manhattan. Ground Transportation staff group departures by neighborhood based on which hotels need to be served.
4/ Wait for your shuttle
Keep your ticket handy and wait nearby. Chriscau recalls: “We stayed close to the counter as the attendant instructed, waiting for our shuttle to be called. Then the attendant walked us to the shuttle.” Your driver will come to meet you and take your bags. “The driver wanted to see both the voucher and the ticket from the attendant,” Chriscau notes.
5/ On your way to New York!
Settled in? Once the driver closes the trunk and counts passengers, you’re off. Along the way, you’ll watch the New York skyline come into view, including the Empire State Building. Welcome to New York!
How do you book a shuttle?
We no longer offer shuttle transfers due to current service issues and negative feedback. However, we offer other services that are much more reliable and highly rated by our visitors. Visit our page on airport transfers in New York.