Steps for shared shuttle airport transfer in New York
Getting from New York airports to your hotel or apartment in Manhattan by shared shuttle offers good value for money. Here's how it works.
A Service That Has Declined Significantly Since Covid
Before Covid, whenever I stayed in New York, I’d take a shared shuttle for airport transfers between JFK and my Manhattan hotel. The shared shuttle cost a bit more than the subway, but it had two major advantages:
- Much more convenient than dragging luggage up and down subway stairs.
- Much more relaxing. Instead of watching your bags on the subway, a driver handles everything. Plus, you get a beautiful introduction to New York. I always loved watching the Manhattan skyline appear gradually and crossing the Queensboro Bridge in the van.
Compared to a taxi, which was far more expensive, the shared shuttle offered good value. But that was before Covid.
Since Covid, the service hasn’t recovered. The company is severely understaffed. There aren’t enough drivers or vehicles. We’ve had problems with every customer who traveled after Covid, so we’ve stopped offering this transfer option. Some people waited hours at the airport for a shuttle that arrived already full from the previous terminal. Others were forgotten when they needed to get to the airport.
We recommend exploring other options for your airport transfer in New York.
1/ Head to the Welcome Center
After you collect your luggage and clear customs, you’ll enter the terminal’s arrivals hall. Look for signs saying “Ground transportation”. In some terminals, they’re right near the passenger exit. You’ll see a large counter marked “Welcome Center”.
Unfortunately, wait times have become extreme since Covid. One traveler waited nearly 2 hours for a transfer that takes less than an hour.
2/ Show Your Voucher
Approach one of the agents and show your voucher—the exchange slip you received when you booked your transfer through our New York airport transfers section. The agent will ask which hotel you’re heading to, then assign you to one of the departing shuttles. They’ll give you a coupon with a “Reservation #”—your booking number (circled in my photo above).
3/ Wait for Your Number to Be Called
After a few minutes, a driver will arrive with a list and call out the numbers of passengers boarding his shuttle. If you struggle with English numbers, just show him your coupon with your number. Drivers are used to this and will let you know right away if you’re on their shuttle. Shuttles are organized to group passengers heading to nearby neighborhoods, so you won’t drive all over New York.
4/ Follow Your Driver and You’re Off!
Your number’s been called? Just follow the driver. The van is waiting right outside the terminal. The driver will open the large trunk—hand over your luggage and give him your printed voucher. You won’t need it anymore, and it’s proof for the driver that he’s transported you.
Everyone aboard? Let’s go! Tip: if the air conditioning feels too cold, speak up. As my driver once said: “I’m here to please you.” The driver is there to make your trip comfortable.
5/ Welcome to New York!
After crossing Queens, you’ll see the Manhattan skyline appear with the Empire State Building. That moment never gets old for me! 🙂 The driver will then head to the first hotel to drop off the first passengers.
Shuttles carry a maximum of 9 passengers. Since most people travel in pairs or with children, there usually aren’t too many stops. If you’re the last one dropped off, enjoy the mini tour of the city! 🙂
Once you arrive, the driver will unload your luggage. If he was friendly, cheerful and helpful, tip him. $2 to $5 per person is appropriate, with $2 being the minimum. Enjoy your stay! 🙂
Book Your Shared Shuttle
Shared transfers are available from and to all three New York airports (JFK, Newark and LaGuardia). You can book your shared transfer directly in our New York airport transfers section. Make sure you choose the right transfer: there are transfers to and from hotels, and transfers to and from apartments.
When you book through our site, I receive a copy of your voucher. If your printer breaks down, you forget your voucher, or you make a mistake with your name, date or anything else, I can make the correction for you. Handy! 🙂