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Glossary termTolls, E-ZPass & congestion pricing

Airport Access Fee: Meaning for TLC Drivers

The airport access fee is a Port Authority charge on taxi and for-hire airport trips: $3.50 per app pickup or drop-off, $2.00 per taxi pickup from March 2026.

  • Reviewed
  • 1 min read
  • 3 official sources

Definition

Airport access fee

A Port Authority per-trip charge on taxi pickups and for-hire pickups and drop-offs at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airports.

On this page (6)
  1. The schedule
  2. Why it matters to TLC drivers
  3. Where you will see this term
  4. Common mix-ups
  5. FAQ
  6. Sources

The airport access fee (full name: airport ground transportation access fee) is a per-trip charge set by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for taxis and for-hire vehicles serving its airports. Since March 15, 2026 it is $3.50 for each for-hire pick-up and each drop-off (limos, black cars, app trips) and $2.00 for each taxi pick-up. It is not a toll and not a TLC fare item, but it shows up next to them on receipts and pay statements.

The schedule

Official rates · As of Oct 12, 2026

Airport ground transportation access fee (Port Authority)

Vehicle and eventBefore Mar 15, 2026From Mar 15, 2026From Mar 15, 2027From Mar 15, 2028
For-hire vehicle pick-up$2.50$3.50$4.50$5.00
For-hire vehicle drop-off$2.50$3.50$4.50$5.00
Taxi pick-up$1.75$2.00$2.25$2.50
  • The Port Authority says the increase is to be aligned with its peer airports.

Source: Port Authority: Approved Fee Changes – Aviation (PDF). Rates change — check the source before you rely on a number.

Why it matters to TLC drivers

  • Taxi drivers see it on the meter as part of the fare at pick-ups. TLC's fare page lists "Airport Access Fee — Taxi: $2.00 for pick up only at LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy Airports."
  • App drivers see an airport fee on trip records and receipts. TLC's trip data has a separate airport_fee field. TLC's high-volume data dictionary still describes it as $2.50, which was the rate before March 15, 2026.
  • Who bears it on app trips is not stated in any official source we opened. Check how your company shows it on your pay statement; congestion and fee lines on pay statements explains the other lines.

Where you will see this term

  1. Taxi meter and receipt

    Added on JFK and LaGuardia pick-ups.

  2. App rider receipt

    Usually listed as an airport fee. See what the airport fee on an Uber receipt is.

  3. TLC trip records

    The airport_fee column used in airport statistics.

  4. Port Authority fee schedules

    Listed as the airport ground transportation access fee.

Data on how many trips carry it: airport fee trip statistics and NYC airport trip statistics.

Common mix-ups

  • Not the LaGuardia surcharge. Taxi trips to and from LGA carry a separate $5.00 TLC surcharge.
  • Not the Newark surcharge. Taxi trips to Newark carry a $20.00 Newark surcharge plus tolls both ways, under TLC's fare rules. Whether you must take a Newark trip: do taxis have to go to Newark Airport?
  • Not a toll. Bridge and tunnel tolls are separate, and an unpaid toll bill can bring a toll violation fee.
  • Not the congestion charge. The MTA's Congestion Relief Zone per-trip charge is for trips in Manhattan at or below 60th Street.

All toll and fee terms: tolls hub.

Frequently asked questions

Who charges the airport access fee?

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airports. Its full name is the airport ground transportation access fee.

How much is it?

From March 15, 2026: $3.50 for each for-hire vehicle pick-up and each drop-off, and $2.00 for each taxi pick-up. Approved increases follow on March 15, 2027 and March 15, 2028.

Is it a toll?

No. A toll is charged for crossing a bridge or tunnel. The access fee is charged for a ground transportation trip at the airport.

Do taxis pay it on drop-offs?

TLC's fare page lists the taxi fee for pick up only at LaGuardia and JFK, and the Port Authority's schedule lists a taxi pick-up rate only.

Sources

Last reviewed against the official sources on .

  1. Port Authority of NY & NJ: Approved Fee Changes – Aviation (PDF) panynj.gov
  2. NYC TLC: Taxi Fare nyc.gov
  3. TLC data dictionary: High Volume FHV trip records nyc.gov

Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the official source.

TLC Help is not a law firm and is not affiliated with the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission or OATH. Explanations on this site are general information, not legal advice. Legal representation is provided by independent attorneys and OATH-registered representatives in our network.

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