Travel Guide
Everything you need to know about arriving at NYC airports and meeting your car service—from international customs to curbside pickup zones. Never feel lost at the airport again.
Arriving at a New York City airport—whether JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark—can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re visiting for the first time, landing internationally, or coordinating ground transportation for your business trip or family vacation. This comprehensive guide walks you through the entire airport arrival and pickup process step-by-step, covering international vs domestic arrival processes, terminal-specific pickup locations at all five NYC-area airports, how professional airport car service works compared to alternatives, and everything you need to know to arrive stress-free.
When you land at JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark, you have several transportation choices. Understanding the differences helps you pick the right option.
Pre-arranged luxury ground transportation with TLC-licensed professional chauffeurs driving executive sedans, SUVs, or Sprinter vans. You book in advance, provide your flight details, and your chauffeur tracks your flight in real-time—adjusting pickup automatically for delays or early arrivals.
Best for: Business travelers, international arrivals, families with children, early morning flights, travelers with heavy luggage, anyone who values reliability.
Pricing: Flat-rate pricing, no surge. All tolls included. Learn more
On-demand app-based rideshare. You request a ride after landing, walk to the designated rideshare pickup zone, and wait for a driver (5–20 minutes). No advance booking, no flight tracking, and dynamic surge pricing that can spike 2–5X during peak demand or bad weather.
Best for: Spontaneous trips without advance booking, solo travelers with carry-on only, off-peak times when pricing is low.
Available at airport taxi stands. Exit the terminal, follow “Taxi” signs, queue at the stand, and a dispatcher assigns the next available taxi. Queue wait times range from 5–45 minutes during peak hours.
Pricing: JFK flat rate $70 to Manhattan + tolls + tip. LaGuardia and Newark are metered (traffic dependent).
Budget option at $10–20 total. JFK: AirTrain to Jamaica Station then LIRR or subway. LaGuardia: M60 or Q70 bus to subway. Newark: AirTrain to NJ Transit to Penn Station. Requires 60–90 minutes and multiple transfers—not ideal for heavy luggage, families, or business travel.
| Feature | Car Service | Uber/Lyft | Taxi | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advance Booking | Yes | On-demand only | No | N/A |
| Flight Tracking | Yes | No | No | N/A |
| Meet & Greet | Inside terminal | Curbside only | Taxi stand | N/A |
| Luggage Help | Professional | Variable | Minimal | Self-carry |
| Pricing | Flat rate | Surge pricing | Metered | $10–20 |
| Free Wait Time | 45–90 min | 5 min max | None | N/A |
| Vehicle Quality | Luxury | Variable | Variable | Train/bus |
| Professional Driver | TLC chauffeur | Contractor | TLC driver | N/A |
Understanding the arrival process helps you coordinate pickup timing and eliminates airport stress.
Your aircraft lands (“wheels down”), taxis to the gate, and parks. Flight tracking systems monitor this exact time.
Exit the aircraft and follow “Baggage Claim” signs through the terminal. Larger terminals (JFK T4/T8) require longer walks.
Locate your flight number on baggage claim screens, wait at the designated carousel. Peak times (3–8pm) may add extra time.
Follow signs for “Ground Transportation,” “Car Service,” or “FHV Pickup.” Different exits for taxis vs car services vs rideshares.
Total domestic arrival time: 25–50 minutes (wheels down to ready for pickup)
Same as domestic. Flight tracking monitors wheels-down time.
Follow “Immigration” or “Passport Control” signs. All passengers must clear immigration at first US entry point.
US citizens show passport and answer questions. Foreign visitors show passport, visa, complete I-94 form. Global Entry members use expedited kiosks (save 20+ minutes).
After clearing immigration, proceed to international baggage claim. Collect all checked bags.
Present customs form (received on flight). Most passengers go through “Nothing to Declare” green lane. Random inspections possible.
After customs, enter the arrivals hall (public area). Follow “Ground Transportation” signs to meet your chauffeur.
Total international arrival time: 45–105 minutes (wheels down to ready for pickup)
Professional car services include 90 minutes complimentary wait time for international arrivals, accounting for customs/immigration unpredictability.
John F. Kennedy International Airport • Queens, NY 11430
NYC’s largest airport (20 miles from Manhattan), handling 62+ million passengers annually. Five active terminals, each with specific pickup procedures.
Air France, Lufthansa, Korean Air, Japan Airlines, Turkish Airlines
Arrivals Level 1, passenger pickup areas A, B, C. After collecting baggage, exit main doors, walk to designated FHV zone, text your chauffeur your zone letter.
Currently limited due to Terminal 1 parking lot closure (JFK reconstruction ongoing). Curbside pickup recommended.
Delta (primary hub), Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, El Al
Arrivals Level 1, FHV spots A1–A3, B1–B3, C1–C4, D1–D4. Follow “FHV” or “Car Service” signs after exiting baggage claim. Chauffeur texts your spot number.
Inside terminal at arrivals hall (after customs for international, after baggage claim for domestic). Chauffeur holds personalized name sign.
Largest JFK terminal—allow 10–15 min walk from gate to baggage claim. Peak international arrivals: 2–6pm (European flights), 5–8pm (Asian flights).
JetBlue (exclusive terminal)
Arrivals Level 1, numbered FHV spots 1–6. Follow “Car Service Pickup” signs after baggage claim.
Available but requires longer walk to parking garage. Curbside pickup recommended (baggage carousels are close to exits).
Smaller terminal with quicker navigation than T4/T8. Peak domestic arrivals 4–8pm.
Alaska Airlines, Iberia, LOT Polish Airlines
Arrivals Level 1, letter-designated FHV spots A–C. Follow FHV signs after customs (international) or baggage claim (domestic).
Available inside terminal at arrivals hall.
American Airlines (primary hub), Qatar Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific
Arrivals Level 1, third row near parking lot. FHV spots G1–G3, H1–H3. Text chauffeur your spot number.
Available inside terminal near baggage claim areas.
Major American Airlines hub. International arrivals peak 3–7pm. Allow 10 min walk from gate to baggage claim.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) • Queens, NY 11371
NYC’s closest airport to Manhattan (10 miles, 25–45 minutes), handling 31+ million passengers annually. Primarily domestic flights with two modern terminals opened in 2022.
Air Canada, American, Southwest, United
Arrivals Level 1, middle lane near parking lot. Follow “Car Service” or “FHV” signs, text chauffeur your door number.
Available inside terminal near baggage claim. New terminal (2022) with modern, efficient design and clear signage.
Delta (exclusive Delta terminal)
Arrivals Level 1, designated pickup zones. Same process as Terminal B—follow “Car Service” signs, text door number.
Available inside terminal. Newest terminal (completed 2022) with state-of-the-art facilities and efficient baggage claim (10–15 min typical).
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) • Newark, NJ 07114
NYC’s New Jersey airport (18 miles from Manhattan), handling 46+ million passengers annually. Three terminals, United Airlines hub. A $20 New Jersey surcharge applies for pickups or dropoffs.
JetBlue, Southwest, Air Canada, Spirit
Arrivals Level 2 (same level as baggage claim exit). All passenger pickups on Level 2. Exit baggage claim, follow “Car Service” signs, text chauffeur door number.
Newest terminal (opened 2022 replacement)—modern design with the most efficient Newark pickup process (Level 2 pickup = minimal walking).
United (most domestic flights), Air Canada, Alaska, Porter
Arrivals Level 1 (ground level after baggage claim). Follow FHV signs to designated areas, coordinate with chauffeur via text.
Available inside terminal near baggage claim.
United (international & premium), Lufthansa, Air France, Emirates, British Airways, Singapore Airlines
Arrivals Level 1 after baggage claim/customs. Follow FHV signs to designated pickup rows.
Highly recommended for international arrivals. Chauffeur waits inside arrivals hall after customs exit with name sign for immediate luggage assistance.
Largest Newark terminal with longest walks (10–15 min). Major international hub with peak arrivals 2–7pm.
For private jet travelers, charter flights, and corporate aviation at Teterboro and Westchester County airports.
Teterboro, NJ 07608
12 miles to Manhattan • 20–35 minutes
Busiest private jet airport in North America (120,000+ operations annually). Serves NetJets, Flexjet, VistaJet, and charter brokers. FBOs include Signature Flight Support, Atlantic Aviation, and Meridian Teterboro.
White Plains, NY 10604
30 miles to Manhattan • 40–60 minutes
80% corporate/charter flights, convenient for Westchester and Connecticut residents. FBOs: Million Air, Signature Flight Support, Atlantic Aviation, Ross Aviation.
One of the biggest advantages of professional car service over rideshares or taxis is automatic flight tracking. Here’s how it works and why it eliminates stress.
Wait time starts from wheels-down (not scheduled arrival):
45–60 min
Covers deplaning, walk, baggage claim, exit. Typical: 25–50 minutes.
90 min
Covers immigration, baggage, customs. Even a 60-min customs line is within the free window.
Both options are available with True North VIP. Here’s how to decide which is best for your trip.
Your chauffeur enters the terminal, waits inside at baggage claim or the arrivals hall (post-customs for international flights), and holds a personalized name sign. They greet you upon sight, assist with luggage from carousel to vehicle, and escort you through the terminal.
Your chauffeur waits in the vehicle at the designated airport FHV pickup zone. You collect baggage independently, exit the terminal, text your chauffeur your door number, and they pull up within 2–5 minutes.
| Aspect | Meet & Greet | Curbside |
|---|---|---|
| Chauffeur Location | Inside terminal | FHV pickup zone |
| Name Sign | Yes | No |
| Luggage Assistance | Carousel to vehicle | Curbside to vehicle |
| Terminal Guidance | Yes | No |
| Speed | +5–10 min | Faster |
Recommendation: For international arrivals, choose meet & greet. For domestic, curbside works well.
Booking your airport pickup is simple. Here’s what you need and what to expect.
Confirmation email with reservation number, trip details, and total cost. SMS confirmation with booking reference.
Chauffeur assigned (name, contact number). Vehicle details provided (make, model, color, license plate). Tracking link sent.
Flight tracked automatically. Chauffeur texts 30 min before estimated exit. You text back status updates as you deplane and collect bags. Seamless pickup at curbside or meet & greet inside terminal.
For frequent business travel, set up a corporate account with monthly billing, trip logs, and a dedicated account manager.
Flat rates, flight tracking, professional chauffeurs. Book your airport car service today.
True North VIP is a New York City-based premium chauffeur and black car service. The company provides airport transfers to JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Teterboro, and Westchester County airports, along with hourly charters, corporate ground transportation, wedding and event service, and city-to-city travel. Service covers all five NYC boroughs, Northern New Jersey, Connecticut, Westchester County, Long Island, and the Hamptons, with TLC-licensed professional chauffeurs and a fleet of executive sedans, luxury sedans, SUVs, and Sprinter vans available 24/7.
To book a ride, visit truenorthvip.com/book or call +1‑347‑321‑9929.
