New York taxi fares rise: don't get caught out on airport runs

Business travellers taking a taxi to and from New York City's airports will be socked with a fare hike of nearly 20 percent from this September.

With public transport to and from New York's airports still a frustrating mix of airport peoplemover and either cramped, escalator-less subways or suburban rail, most business travellers will jump in a cab.

Check out all our tips and tricks for dealing with Kennedy in the AusBT JFK Airport Guide! 

There's a flat rate for the main airport, John F Kennedy (JFK), but second airport Newark (EWR) taxi rides get an airport surcharge, with journeys to/from smaller sister LaGuardia (LGA) on regular metered fares.

The flat rate fare between JFK and Manhattan rises $7 to $52, so don't get caught out by objecting to what could otherwise be seen as price gouging out-of-towners.

Getting to or from Newark airport across the Hudson in New Jersey, you'll pay $2.50 more, with the Newark surcharge being hiked to $17.50 from September. (Newark fares are a flat rate, negotiated before you set off.)

LaGuardia trips and other taxi rides in New York see a ten cent rise per "click" of the meter -- so that rises to 50c per fifth of a mile (320m) or 60 seconds in stopped traffic.

Remember, fares include neither tolls nor tip, which adds a further 20 percent or so onto the base fare.

Read more: how to tip properly in the USA to show you're a savvy business traveller

John Walton

Aviation journalist and travel columnist John took his first long-haul flight when he was eight weeks old and hasn't looked back since. Well, except when facing rearwards in business class.