Table of Contents
Kennedy Airport Ground Transportation
AirTrain JFK The Ultimate Airport Connector
AirTrain JFK offers the most efficient way to navigate JFK Airport, seamlessly connecting all passenger terminals to vital points within and beyond the airport.
Key Connections
- Airport parking lots
- Hotel shuttle pick-up area
- Rental car center
- NYC’s public transportation network at Jamaica and Howard Beach Stations, offering access to:
- Subway
- Long Island Rail Road
- Public buses
24/7/365 Availability
AirTrain JFK operates around the clock, every day of the year, ensuring accessibility and convenience for all travelers.
Why Choose AirTrain?
With ongoing transformative construction at JFK, AirTrain provides the optimal choice for getting to and from your terminal, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free journey.
Swift Connections to Manhattan
- Jamaica Station is a mere 20-minute ride from key Manhattan hubs like Grand Central Madison, Penn Station, and Atlantic Terminal via the Long Island Rail Road.
- Seamless Long Island connectivity is also available.
Effortless Subway Access
- Connect to the A/E/J/Z subway lines at the Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport and Howard Beach subway stations.
AirTrain JFK: Your Gateway to Seamless Airport Travel
Effortless Terminal Connections
- Enjoy complimentary AirTrain service between all passenger terminals at JFK Airport.
- Stay informed about service updates by checking the AirTrain platform monitors.
Connecting to NYC’s Public Transportation Network
- AirTrain provides convenient access to NYC’s public transportation system at Jamaica and Howard Beach Stations.
- Explore our comprehensive public transportation page for detailed information on connection options, including travel to Manhattan.
Parking Lot Accessibility
- AirTrain stations are strategically located adjacent to color-coded short-term parking lots at each terminal, as indicated on the map.
- Long-term parking lots are easily accessible near Lefferts Boulevard Station, connected to the terminals via the Howard Beach AirTrain line.
Hotel Shuttles and Rental Cars
- Reach all airport hotel shuttles and rental car facilities at Federal Circle Station on the AirTrain, accessible from both the Jamaica and Howard Beach lines.
Rules and Policies for a Pleasant Journey
- Maintain a clean and comfortable environment by refraining from eating, drinking, or smoking within the AirTrain system.
- Bring your strollers, luggage carts, baggage, and small caged domestic animals on board.
- Bicycles are welcome on AirTrain, with a limit of four bicycles per car at a time. For detailed information on bicycle policies, please call (718) 570-1048.
Accessibility for All
- All AirTrain trains and stations are ADA-compliant, and equipped with elevators and escalators for easy access.
- Each vehicle offers two designated wheelchair spaces.
- Wheelchair-accessible connectors are available at Jamaica and Howard Beach Station, facilitating smooth transfers to and from the Long Island Railroad and subway platforms.
Enhanced Accessibility Features
- Visual signs on trains and in stations assist the hearing impaired.
- On-board destination announcements and guide dogs cater to the visually impaired.
- Tactile platform warning surfaces and raised-letter and Braille signs further enhance accessibility.
How Much Does The AirTrain Cost?
- From Howard Beach or Jamaica Station
- $8.50 for a single AirTrain transpot
- Children under 5 years old ride Free
JFK Airport Public Transportation
Connecting JFK Airport to NYC’s Public Transportation Network
JFK Airport offers seamless connections to NYC’s public transportation system. To access these options, you’ll typically need to take the AirTrain to either Jamaica or Howard Beach Station.
- For detailed information about the AirTrain system, click here (insert appropriate link).
NYC Subway System
- AirTrain conveniently links all passenger terminals with NYC’s subway system at Jamaica and Howard Beach Stations.
- At Jamaica Station, connect to the E line or the Long Island Rail Road.
- At Howard Beach Station, access the A-line.
- NYC subways offer flexible payment options, accepting credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, Wallet Pay, the OMNY card, and MetroCard. You can also use these contactless methods or a MetroCard to pay for your AirTrain single-ride fare.
- For more information, visit the MTA Official Website.
Long Island Rail Road (LIRR)
- For a faster option from Jamaica Station, consider the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR).
- This commuter rail connects Jamaica Station with major Manhattan hubs:
- Penn Station (west side of Midtown)
- Grand Central Terminal (east side of Midtown)
- Atlantic Terminal (Downtown Brooklyn)
- The LIRR also serves all Long Island destinations.
- Fares and schedules vary by time and day, but travel times are generally shorter than using the subway.
LIRR Peak Fares
- Peak fares apply during weekday rush hours on trains scheduled to:
- Arrive in NYC terminals between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
- Depart NYC terminals between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM.
- On Metro-North, peak fares also apply to weekday trains leaving Grand Central between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM.
LIRR Off-Peak Fares
- Off-peak fares are charged:
- Weekdays outside of rush hours (6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM)
- All day on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
- To determine the exact fare for your trip, refer to the LIRR schedules or the TrainTime app.
- Visit the MTA Long Island Rail Road Official Website [invalid URL removed] for detailed information.
CityTicket and Combo Ticket
- For travel within New York City on the LIRR or Metro-North, take advantage of the CityTicket:
- $5.00 during off-peak hours
- $7.00 during peak hours
- If transferring between the LIRR and Metro-North, use the Combo Ticket for a flat $8.00 fee. This allows you to start your journey on one railroad and transfer to the other at Grand Central Terminal.
Taxi Service JFK Airport
Important Safety and Taxi Information for JFK Airport
Stay Safe and Informed
- Beware of Unauthorized Transportation Offers: Ignore transportation offers from solicitors within the terminal. Soliciting ground transportation is illegal, and many of these individuals are unlicensed and uninsured.
- Seek Official Assistance: For reliable ground transportation information, visit the Port Authority Welcome Center in the arrivals area of each terminal. Uniformed staff are available to assist you.
- Use Authorized Taxi Stands: Head directly to the designated taxi stands outside each terminal for safe and legitimate transportation.
- Avoid Unofficial Baggage Assistance: Ignore non-uniformed individuals offering to help with your baggage. Seek assistance from uniformed porters or airline employees instead.
JFK Taxi Information
Key Tips for a Smooth Ride
- Tipping: Tipping is customary for good service.
- Flat Fare to Manhattan: Taxis at JFK Airport have a flat fare of $70 for trips between the airport and Manhattan.
- Peak Hour Surcharge: A $5.00 surcharge applies during peak hours (4:00 PM – 8:00 PM weekdays, excluding holidays), resulting in a fare of $75.00.
- Taxes and Surcharges:
- A 50-cent NY State tax is added to trips within New York, but not to trips to New Jersey.
- A New York State Congestion Surcharge applies to trips that begin, end, or pass through Manhattan south of 96th Street:
- $2.50 for Yellow Taxis
- $2.75 for Green Taxis and For-Hire Vehicles (FHVs)
- $0.75 for shared rides
- One Fare, Multiple Passengers: One fare covers all passengers traveling to the same destination.
- Passenger Limits: New York City taxis have a limit of four passengers (five in minivans).
- Initial Meter Reading: The meter must read $3.00 at the start of the trip, except for JFK-Manhattan flat fare trips.
- Airport Access Fee: A $1.75 Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) per-trip Airport Access Fee applies to pickups only.
- Receipts: Always obtain a receipt for your trip.
Sample Fares from JFK International Airport
- JFK to Manhattan: The flat fare is $70 to the first destination in Manhattan (plus tolls and tips). The taximeter and receipt should clearly indicate that the trip is a flat fare. Peak time and night surcharges do not apply to these trips.
For further information, please call the
NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission at 718-391-5501
Car Rental
Renting a Car at JFK Airport A Seamless Experience
Locating Your Rental Car
Finding your rental car at JFK is simple
- Arrival Level: Proceed to the arrival level of your terminal. Rental car counters or courtesy telephones with instructions for contacting rental companies are typically located near the baggage carousel.
- AirTrain to Federal Circle: Once you’ve contacted your rental company, take the AirTrain to Federal Circle Station, where you’ll find the rental car facilities.
Paying for Tolls with Your Rental Car
Understanding Your Rental Car Company’s Policy
- Check with Your Agency: Contact your rental car agency to understand their specific policy for paying tolls.
- E-ZPass® Transponders: Some companies provide E-ZPass® transponder tags. If your rental includes one, familiarize yourself with its use and any associated fees or charges.
- Fees for Unpaid Tolls: Rental car companies have varying policies regarding unpaid tolls, so it’s crucial to clarify the specifics beforehand.
Options for Toll Payment
If your rental car doesn’t include a transponder, or if you prefer not to use the rental company’s tag, you have two options:
- Cash Payment: Pay the toll directly using cash at the toll booth.
- Personal E-ZPass® Transponder: If you have an E-ZPass® account, you can use your own transponder to pay the toll. Important Note: If you use your personal E-ZPass® transponder, DO NOT add the rental car’s license plate number to your own account. This could result in incorrect charges or complications with your account.
