The Closest Airport to the 9/11 Memorial in Lower Manhattan

Which airport should I fly into for the 9/11 Memorial?

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). It is the closest of New York City’s three major airports to the 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center site, located about 10 miles west across the Hudson River in New Jersey. On a good traffic day, you are looking at 25 to 35 minutes door to door by car or rideshare.

JFK is roughly 16 miles southeast in Queens. LaGuardia is about 12 miles northeast, also in Queens. Both involve longer drives and more variable traffic, particularly if your flight lands during the weekday morning rush between 7 and 9:30 AM.

How do I get from Newark Airport to the 9/11 Memorial?

You have two solid options:

Option 1: NJ Transit + PATH (public transit, ~45 min) - Take the AirTrain from your terminal to Newark Liberty International Airport Station. - Board an NJ Transit train toward New York Penn Station, but get off at Newark Penn Station (the first stop). - Transfer to the PATH train (World Trade Center line). It runs directly to the World Trade Center / Oculus station, which is literally underneath the 9/11 Memorial plaza. - Total cost: roughly $15 one way (AirTrain fee + NJ Transit fare + PATH fare).

Option 2: Car, taxi, or rideshare (~25-35 min) - Taxis from EWR to Lower Manhattan run a flat-ish rate of approximately $50 to $70 plus tolls and tip. - Rideshare (Uber, Lyft) typically costs $40 to $75 depending on demand. - The route uses the NJ Turnpike to the Holland Tunnel or, less commonly, the Lincoln Tunnel. Morning rush can push this to 45 minutes or more.

Local tip: If you land before 7 AM, take the car. Traffic through the Holland Tunnel is light and you will be at the Memorial in under 30 minutes. If you land between 7:30 and 9:30 AM, the PATH train is more predictable.

How do I get from JFK or LaGuardia to the 9/11 Memorial?

From JFK: - AirTrain to Jamaica Station, then the E train (subway) to World Trade Center / Chambers Street. About 60 to 80 minutes total. Cost: $8.25 AirTrain + $2.90 subway = ~$11. - By car or rideshare: 45 to 75 minutes, $55 to $90 depending on traffic and tolls.

From LaGuardia: - LaGuardia has no direct rail connection. Take the Q70 SBS bus to the 7 train at Mets-Willets Point or the M60 SBS bus to the N/W train at Astoria Blvd, then ride the subway downtown. Total time: 60 to 90 minutes. - By car or rideshare: 40 to 60 minutes, $40 to $70.

Neither JFK nor LaGuardia beats Newark for a Lower Manhattan destination. Period.

What is there to do on a Sunday morning in Lower Manhattan for history lovers?

You landed early. The Memorial plaza is open every day starting at 7:30 AM, free of charge. Walk the twin reflecting pools, read the names, and take in the Survivor Tree. The 9/11 Memorial Museum opens at 9 AM (last entry at 5 PM on Sundays). Adult tickets are $33; reserve online in advance.

From there, a five-minute walk south brings you to St. Paul’s Chapel on Broadway, the oldest surviving church in Manhattan (built 1766). George Washington worshipped here after his inauguration. It served as a relief station for recovery workers after September 11 and still displays artifacts from that period. Free to enter.

Other morning stops within a 10-minute walk: - Federal Hall National Memorial (26 Wall Street): the site of Washington’s inauguration. Free admission. - Trinity Church (Broadway at Wall Street): Alexander Hamilton’s burial site in the churchyard. - The Oculus (Westfield World Trade Center): Santiago Calatrava’s transit hub and shopping center. Open early, architecturally stunning, and a good spot for coffee.

What are the best dining options in the Financial District for a nice dinner?

After a full day of exploring, Lower Manhattan delivers:

• Nobu Downtown (195 Broadway): High-end Japanese. Reservations essential.
• The Capital Grille (120 Broadway): Steakhouse, classic power-dinner energy.
• Manhatta (28 Liberty Street, 60th floor): Danny Meyer’s restaurant with panoramic views of the harbor and Statue of Liberty. Prix fixe and à la carte.
• Augustine (5 Beekman Street, inside The Beekman hotel): French brasserie in a landmark atrium.

For something more casual, Eataly Downtown (4 World Trade Center) has multiple counters and a sit-down restaurant with Italian fare.

Are there affordable vegetarian-friendly lunch spots in the Financial District?

Yes, and you do not have to hunt for them.

• Dig (multiple FiDi locations): Build-your-own bowls with seasonal vegetables. Lunch under $15.
• Sweetgreen (various locations near the WTC): Salads and grain bowls, $12 to $16.
• Taïm (nearby in the West Village or via delivery): Falafel and cauliflower shawarma. Outstanding.
• Eataly Downtown (4 World Trade Center): Grab a margherita pizza or a vegetable-focused pasta at La Pizza & La Pasta.
• Zucker’s Bagels (nearby Tribeca location): Veggie cream cheese on a fresh bagel. Classic New York, under $10.

The Oculus food hall also has a rotating set of quick-service options with vegetarian plates.