FILE THIS: GETTING TO NEW YORK CITY

Planes, trains, automobiles and ultra-cheap buses all play their part in a trip to the Big Apple. Here's how to get from here to there.

PLANE: Continental flies from all three D.C. area airports to Newark. The US Airways Shuttle flies from Reagan National to LaGuardia; US Airways Express heads there from BWI. United flies from Dulles to all three New York area airports. The Delta Shuttle flies from National to LaGuardia; Delta flies from National and BWI to JFK (some flights from National are on Delta Connection Carriers). American flies from National to LaGuardia and JFK. Fares start at about $110 round trip, with restrictions.

Once on the ground, there are numerous ways to get into town:

D From JFK (718-244-4444, www.panynj .gov/aviation/jfkframe.HTM). Taxi fare for the 15-mile, 30- to 60-minute trip costs $35, plus tolls (about $4) and tip. (From Manhattan to the airport, the cost is metered fare plus tolls/tip.) The airport's free buses bring passengers to the Howard Beach subway station; catch the A train for the 60- to 75-minute ride to midtown. Subway fare is $1.50 (increasing to $2 on May 4, when tokens will no longer be accepted). Free transfers between buses and subways are available with MetroCard, the electronic fare card available at the airport and subway stations (718-330-1234, www.mta.nyc.ny.us).

New York Airport Service Express Bus (718-875-8200, www.nyairportservice.com) operates between JFK and Grand Central Terminal, Port Authority and Penn Station; the fare is $13 one way, $23 round trip (discount for online purchases).

SuperShuttle (800-451-0455, www.super shuttle.com) leaves from the airport every 15 to 20 minutes and is $17 one way; check in at the ground transportation area. Call at least several hours ahead for hotel pickup.

D From LaGuardia (718-533-3400, www.panynj.gov/aviation/lgaframe.HTM). Taxi fare for the eight-mile, 30- to 45-minute trip costs $16 to $27, plus tolls (about $4) and tip. The M60 public bus, which stops at the terminal, goes to 125th and Lexington Avenue in Manhattan.

SuperShuttle charges $15 to anywhere in Manhattan; go to the airport's ground transportation desk. New York Airport Service Express Bus charges $10 one way, $17 round trip (online discount available) between LaGuardia and Grand Central Terminal, Port Authority and Penn Station.

D From Newark (973-961-6000, www.panynj.gov/aviation/ewrframe.HTM). Taxi fare for the 16-mile, 45- to 60-minute trip costs $40 to $60, plus tolls (about $10) and tip.

The Olympia Newark Airport Express (908-354-3330, www.olympiabus.com) leaves from the ground transportation area and goes to Grand Central Station and Port Authority; the trip takes 45 to 60 minutes and costs $12 one way, $19 round trip.

The AirTrain leaves from the gate level and connects to the Rail Link Station, where you can access trains to New York's Penn Station (one way on New Jersey Transit is $11.55 and takes 50 minutes; one way on Amtrak is $26 and takes 25 minutes). Details: 800-626-RIDE, www.njtransit.com; 800-872-7245, www .amtrak.com.

Another option: Take the No. 62 bus ($1.10) to Newark's Penn Station, then get on a PATH train ($1.50) for the 35-minute ride to 33rd Street. Info: 800-234-PATH, www.panynj.com/path/index.html.