Transportation 101: Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) to Manhattan
Located about 50 miles from Manhattan, Long Island MacArthur Airport isn’t the most convenient airport to fly into, but it is one of the least expensive. MacArthur, also known as Islip Airport, is the only New York-area airport from which Southwest Airlines operates.
Bus-to-Long Island Railroad Train: Least Expensive
By far, the least expensive way to get into Manhattan is by taking a bus from the terminal to the closest Long Island Railroad station.
You have two bus options that will get you to the Ronkonkoma LIRR station:
- Colonial Transport shuttle buses make the 10-12 minute ride between the airport and the LIRR station every half-hour between 6:00am to 10:30pm. Look for the Colonial Express sign in front of the baggage claim area. $5
- Suffolk County Bus Transit also offers hourly service to and from MacArthur Airport to the LIRR train station. Look for the S-57 bus in front of the baggage claim area. Buses run everyday except on Sunday and holidays. $1.50
Once you get to the Ronkonkoma LIRR station, trains run frequently to Penn Station in Manhattan with limited service between 1am-4am. Off-peak price is $9.50 and it will take about 90 minutes. Click here for the schedule.
Taxi-to-Long Island Railroad: Inexpensive
Basically the same as above but you would hop a cab to the LIRR station. Taxi fares are generally between $5-10.
Limo: Most Expensive
Expect to pay from $100 to $150 for a private car service from MacArthur Airport to Manhattan. Tolls and gratuity are additional. The trip will take at least 90 minutes if there is absolutely no traffic, that can easily double in times of peak traffic.
My Recommendation: The Taxi-to-LIRR train combo is the best choice for the money. It’s not cost conscious to save $100 by flying into MacArthur Airport just to spend it on a car to the city. __________________________________________________________
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6 Comments
Thanks for the tip. This it the first time I am flying in to this airport and it came in very handy. Now I just need to find a hotel near the Frederick P. Rose Hall
thank you so much for this. it really helps. do you by chance know how much a taxi would be from the airport to lower manhattan? bnr101@yahoo.com
from islip airport to manhattan or Manhattan to Islip Airport. our rate is 125 dolar for a lincoln town car. this rate is all inclusive. you dont have to pay any extra. lowest price in
Found info helpful, but would really like to know approximately how much is would cost to take a cab from ISP to theatre district
Taking a cab from Long Island’s MacArther Airport to Manhattan’s Theater district would be an extremely costly proposition…mainly because they are over 50 miles apart. Your cab fare would be well over $100 (after tip)one way. Hope this helps
thanks for the info!