Flights from Sydney to New York City

The best time to visit NYC

NYC runs the full spectrum of seasons, from really hot summers to frigid cold winters, but there’s plenty going on year-round. Cheap airfares to NYC are easiest to find mid-January to the end of February, but be prepared to bundle up as it’s the coldest time of year. For comfortable weather, consider May to October, though July and August can be hot and humid. Tourism peaks from the Thanksgiving holiday in November until Christmas and again during the summer. April to June and September to early November offer decent weather usually without the overwhelming crowds.

Departing From Sydney Airport

Travellers departing from Sydney Airport (SYD) don’t just have one New York airport to choose from; there’s three options. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is located in the borough of Queens and is a popular point of entry for international travellers. LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is also located in Queens and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in Newark, New Jersey. Travellers can fly from Sydney to NYC with Virgin Australia, Air China, China Eastern Airlines, Emirates, American Airlines, and more. Flights are available with one or two stops, and common stopover locations include Los Angeles, San Francisco and Dallas. The average flight time of one-stop routes is between 20 and 24 hours.

Getting to Sydney Airport

Sydney Airport is located 8 kilometres from Sydney’s CBD and the journey takes about 25 minutes by car if traffic is light. Taxis and rideshare services typically charge between $45 and $55 AUD each way. Alternatively, use the T8 Airport & South bus line, which connects Central Station to the Sydney Airport International Terminal. The one-way fare is $5.80 AUD. Travellers looking to stay off the roads completely can take the Airport Link train. Trains run frequently with direct services from Central, Museum, St James, Circular Quay, Wynyard and Town Hall stations to the Sydney Airport International Train Station. Single fares cost $18.70 AUD.

Parking at Sydney Airport

If you’re driving to Sydney Airport, be prepared to pay a premium for the convenience, with options just steps away from the terminals. Book your space in advance to save on parking.

Where to Park at Sydney Airport

Travellers flying international have three parking options:

• P7: A five-minute walk from the International Terminal. The cost is $61 AUD per day.
• Park & Fly: An unofficial, off-site lot next to the airport with a free shuttle provided. The cost is $177 AUD per week.
• Park on King: The farthest option, this lot is also unofficial and requires shuttle service. The cost is $117 AUD per week.

Arriving in NYC

Travellers from Sydney to NYC typically arrive through JFK Airport, LaGuardia Airport or Newark Airport. LaGuardia is 13.8 kilometres from Times Square, JFK is 24 kilometres away and Newark is almost 30 kilometres away.

How to Get from JFK to Your NYC Hotel or Accommodation

If you’re travelling SYD to JFK, New York City’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) offers the AirTrain from the airport, connecting to subway lines A and E/J/Z and various bus routes. The single ride on the AirTrain costs $5 USD ($6.94 AUD) and a single subway or bus fare costs $2.75 ($3.82 USD). Taxis at JFK charge a flat fare of $52 USD ($72.17 AUD) for trips between the airport and Manhattan. Expect a $4.50 USD ($6.25 AUD) surcharge during peak hours.

How to Get from Newark Airport to Your NYC Hotel or Accommodation

For SYD to EWR flights, Newark Airport also operates an AirTrain that connects to the New Jersey Transit system and Amtrak. Travellers can go from the AirTrain to NJ Transit to NYC’s Penn Station in 30 minutes. The cost to travel from EWR to Penn Station is $13.00 USD ($18.04 AUD). Buses are also available with an Express Bus running from EWR to Grand Central Station. The cost is $16 USD ($22.21 AUD) one-way. Taxis are available with the cost of a one-way ride to NYC starting around $50 USD ($69.40 AUD). There is a $5 USD ($6.94 AUD) surcharge during rush hours and on weekends.

How to Get from LaGuardia Airport to Your NYC Hotel or Accommodation

Travellers coming from SYD to LGA can must take an MTA bus, taxi or rideshare service to reach central Manhattan. Take the bus to the subway or right to Manhattan. A single fare is $2.75 USD ($3.82 AUD). Like taxis out of JFK and EWR, there’s a surcharge during peak times, but at most the cost is $1 USD ($1.39 AUD).

Things to do in NYC

New York City is a sightseer’s dream. Start off with a citywide view from the open-air observation deck on the 86th floor of the Empire State Building or get a different perspective from the Statue of Liberty. Limited tickets sell out months in advance, but you can get a good look at the landmark itself from Battery Park or the Staten Island Ferry. Other famed structures include Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Flatiron Building, and Rockefeller Centre, home to Radio City Music Hall and 30 Rockefeller Plaza, plus their beloved skating rink and Christmas tree during the holiday season. No visit to NYC is complete without a trip to Central Park, the 340-hectare green space smack dab in the heart of the city, and Times Square, the bustling intersection considered the world’s most visited tourist attraction.