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New York New Jersey 2026 World Cup Transport Guide
How to get to New York New Jersey for the 2026 World Cup, getting to New York New Jersey Stadium, and traveling around the area during the tournament 🚕
✒️ By the worldcup-travel.com team | 📅 Updated 2 June 2025
Our New York New Jersey transport guide will help you figure out how to get to New York and New Jersey for the 2026 World Cup, and how to get around NYC and its surrounding areas.
Note: All of the information below is current. However, specific transportation guidance will be announced between now and the 2026 World Cup. Sign up for our email list so you get the latest information and deals directly to your inbox 📩 .
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As we’ve noted in the NY NJ World Cup City Guide, New York New Jersey is a combination of two state names and is not one place. But when it comes to helping you travel to New York and New Jersey for the 2026 World Cup, we’ve got you covered!
New York City and its five boroughs make up approximately 300 square miles, and when you include parts of New Jersey, that’s an added 25 square miles. That’s a lot of ground to cover. But traveling around New York and New Jersey is fairly straightforward because of how well connected everything is by public transportation. In other words, for your soccer journey in New York New Jersey you don’t need a car!
While the layout of Manhattan makes driving simple, NYC drivers are known to be aggressive. We don’t recommend driving in the city if you can avoid it. In Manhattan, walking, taking the subway, or grabbing a taxi are the best options for getting around.
If you need to get to New York New Jersey Stadium without taking public transportation, you will need to drive due to the lack of pedestrian walkways surrounding the area. Our recommendation is to hop on a New Jersey Transit train from Penn Station, which stops right at the stadium.
There is one reason to rent a car in the Tri-state are: If you plan on taking your 2026 World Cup adventure on the road, having a car will be necessary, especially if you want to visit other 2026 World Cup host cities.
Ride Like a Local: New York New Jersey Transport Tips
Photos courtesy of Thomas Coneelly
We spoke to football-loving locals to get their take on the 2026 World Cup host cities they call home. Thomas Conneely is a sports-mad NYC local. He shared some transport tips for fans visiting New York New Jersey for the World Cup:
Use public transit! Taxis are expensive, and there are plenty more options for getting to the stadium, preferably the train.
Learn the difference between express and local trains. Once you have this down, you won’t have to waste time underground.
Walk! NYC is very easy to walk around, and it’s the best way to see the city. The subway will get you almost anywhere and it’s cheap, but the service can be spotty, so beware. Ferries are also a cool way to get around. Definitely walk across the Brooklyn Bridge towards Manhattan for cool views.
Get more in-the-know tips from Thomas in our New York New Jersey city guide.
Flying to New York New Jersey for the World Cup
There are two main airports in New York New Jersey for the World Cup, but the closest one to the stadium is Newark International Airport (EWR). Serving over 50 major airlines, EWR is located close to downtown Newark, nine miles southwest of Manhattan. It’s a top choice for the 2026 World Cup because there are plenty of non-stop flights from Europe, South America, Asia, and Oceania. It is also the main hub for United Airlines.
Alternatively, you can fly into John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). It’s twice the size of EWR, and further from the stadium, out in Queens. While it may be further from your final destination, JFK has great public transportation options, hundreds of incoming non-stop international flights per day, and is a main hub for Delta Airlines, JetBlue, and American Airlines.
Newark International Airport – the primary option for flying to New York New Jersey for the World Cup
✅ Close to NYC and the stadium
✅ Main hub for United Airlines
✅ Smaller airport than JFK, making it easier to navigate
You can search for World Cup flights to Newark International from the box below, courtesy of Kiwi.com. Their tech finds flight itineraries that combine multiple airlines. They call it “Virtual Interlining,” and it includes options that aren’t often available anywhere else. This can help streamline the booking process and increase savings.
John F. Kennedy International Airport – secondary option for flying to New York New Jersey for the World Cup
✅ Major international hub
✅ Good public transportation options to get into the city
✅ Main hub for Delta, JetBlue, and American Airlines
Alternative airports for getting to New York New Jersey for the 2026 World Cup
Given that demand for flights to New York New Jersey for the World Cup is going to be high, we want to offer alternative airports that fans can use to get to New York New Jersey. We’ve also included flight search links for each alternative airport to help kick off your research.
New York La Guardia Airport (LGA) could almost be a primary option because of its proximity to Manhattan. Because it mainly operates domestic flights, LGA is a good option if you’re flying to New York New Jersey from within the United States.
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) makes sense if you’re going to watch some 2026 World Cup games in Boston. Note that it’s at least a four-hour drive from New York New Jersey. Visit our 2026 Boston World Cup transport guide to get the specifics.
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is a great alternative to flying into New York New Jersey for the World Cup, especially if you’re going to games in Philadelphia as well. It’s a two-hour drive to NYC, and a main hub for American Airlines. Visit our Philadelphia World Cup transport guide to get more information.
2026 World Cup car rental in New York New Jersey
Will fans need a car in New York New Jersey for the World Cup?
No. In a city where most people don’t even own a car, it’s not necessary for visitors to rent one just to get to the football game. You certainly don’t need one to get around Manhattan, since public transport is so easily accessible. Besides, overnight parking prices are astronomically high, and street parking is nearly impossible to find.
Having a car around New York New Jersey stadium, though, might not be the worst idea, especially if you’re looking into accommodation further out in New Jersey. Where you’ll be sleeping will provide you with the best answer to this question.
Expect higher prices for car rentals in New York New Jersey during the 2026 World Cup
Unfortunately, like many services tied to travel during the 2026 World Cup, car rental companies are going to hike their prices. The good news is that if you book early, you could lock in a decent price. Just make sure your reservation allows for free cancellation and changes, if you change your mind,
New York New Jersey car rental companies & peer-to-peer rental options
New York and New Jersey airports service all the popular car rental companies, including National, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, SIXT, and Avis. The car rental facilities are on-site at JFK International and accessible by the Airtrain. At Newark International, the car rental companies are located in the Terminal A parking garage.
You can look for 2026 World Cup car rental options beyond airports, just factor in the cost of getting to/from that location.
In addition to the big car rental companies, there are also peer-to-peer car rental options like Turo, where you rent a person’s car rather than a car from a company. This option might offer increased inventory for car rentals in and around Boston during the 2026 World Cup.
🚗Tip: If you are looking for car rentals in New York or New Jersey for the 2026 World Cup, we recommend Qeeq.com, where you will always pay the lowest price.
Qeeq’s Price Drop Protector 📉 tracks prices daily, and if the rental price drops after you book, Qeeq rebooks at the lower price and saves you the difference. They offer free cancellation and no credit card fees, and you can even pay with crypto if that’s your vibe.
Benefits of using Qeeq for World Cup car rental
💸 Always pay the lowest price with Price Drop Protector
🆓 Free cancelllation on most rentals + no credit card fees
💲 Secure bookings with deposits from $1
🌐 Option to pay with cryptocurrency
🔍 Search 1000+ brands from small local businesses to national rental companies
Alternatively, Trip.com (part of the same group as Skyscanner.com) allows you to search car rental deals from all of the big companies — with free cancellation, no credit card fees, and extra discounts for incentive.
Buses to New York New Jersey for the 2026 World Cup
Getting to New York by bus from nearby host cities could be a viable option. A bus journey from Boston to NYC takes four hours, on average, while a bus from Philadelphia will get you there in just under two hours.
If you’re considering traveling on a bus to New York New Jersey for the World Cup, Port Authority is in Times Square is where you will land. As one of the busiest bus terminals in the world, Port Authority sees about 8,000 buses come and go every day. It services all the major bus companies that travel long-distance, like Greyhound, PeterPan, and Trailways. You can also catch local bus routes and commuter lines, including New Jersey Transit buses, which are a good option for getting to the 2026 World Cup games at New York New Jersey Stadium. The 351 Meadowlands Express will cost you $14 roundtrip.
There is also the famed Chinatown Bus, which makes stops up and down the Northeast, including Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., and offers more affordable fares than the bigger carriers. You’ll just need to factor in possible traffic delays for bus travel to and from other 2026 World Cup host cities, so build in a buffer.
Getting to New York New Jersey by Train
Trains to New York New Jersey for the World Cup are great for fans traveling around the Northeast, even if Amtrak pales in comparison to the rail networks of Europe and Asia. If you’re looking to travel to 2026 World Cup games further outside the Northeast area, there aren’t many non-stop or speedy options via train, but prices are lower than for a flight, as long as you book in advance.
Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan is the NYCs main hub for Amtrak's regional and long-distance rail service. It also connects commuter lines, like the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North lines, which offers passengers service to parts of New York and Connecticut. Penn Station is also a stop on the NYC subway system.
Getting a train from New York New Jersey to nearby 2026 World Cup host cities, such as Boston (4.5 hours away) or Philadelphia (approximately 1 hour), is a breeze. Just hop on Amtrak’s Northeast Regional line. You can even visit Baltimore or Washington, D.C., if you’re looking to explore more of the USA outside of the 2026 World Cup host cities.
Public transport in New York New Jersey
New York’s subway system operates 24/7, 365 days a year. It’s vast, fast, and efficient, but you can always expect some delays and closures along certain lines. That’s par the course in most metropolitan cities.
The PATH rail system is a great way to travel between Manhattan and Hoboken/Jersey City for 2026 World Cup purposes. You can catch the PATH train at five different locations in Manhattan: World Trade Center, Christopher Street, 14th Street, 23rd Street, and 33rd Street. The MTA bus system also provides extensive service throughout the five boroughs and New Jersey, while ferries offer a scenic route that’s perfect for summertime exploring. For only $34, you can purchase a seven-day MetroCard for unlimited subway service and local bus rides.
Tip: If you use your credit/debit card or smartphone/watch for seven days, you’ll still only be charged $34 in total. Check the MTA website for more information on prices and routes.
Getting to the New York New Jersey Stadium for the World Cup by public transportation is possible, and there are quite a few options to do so via subway, rail, or bus. One of the simplest ways to get to the New York New Jersey Stadium for 2026 World Cup games is the 351 Meadowlands Express, which will cost you $14, roundtrip, from Port Authority.
You can read more on the NJ Transit page, or sign up for the worldcup-travel.com email list to get the latest World Cup travel updates and deals directly to your inbox.
Using ridesharing apps in New York New Jersey
Uber and Lyft are available, but we prefer to do what all real New Yorkers do when they need to get somewhere – hail a cab. NYC Yellow Cabs are as iconic as Black Cabs in London and Tuk-Tuks in Bangkok. The fare can tick up pretty quickly, but you can’t beat a quick ride. Remember: Light on means available, light off means they’ve got already passengers or the driver is off duty.
