Traveling To Jfk Airport: Exploring Train Accessibility And Options

Travellers can get to JFK Airport from New York Penn Station by train, taxi, car, shuttle, subway, tram or town car. There is no direct train from New York station to JFK Airport, but there are services departing from New York Penn Station and arriving at Terminal 8 via Jamaica Station. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 30 minutes. The cheapest way to get from New York to JFK Airport is to drive, which costs $3-$5 and takes 24 minutes. The fastest way to get from New York to JFK Airport is to taxi, which costs $95-$120 and takes 24 minutes.

Getting to JFK from Penn Station

There are several ways to get to JFK Airport from Penn Station. Here is a step-by-step guide for each option:

Option 1: Using the E Train and AirTrain

• Take the express E train heading uptown to Jamaica Center.
• Get off at the Sutphin Blvd Archer Ave stop (the second to last stop).
• Walk up to the second level and look for signs to the AirTrain.
• Take the elevator to the AirTrain level. If you take the escalator, you will need to walk a short distance to get to the AirTrain station.
• Purchase an AirTrain ticket for $8.25 at the kiosk or use your MetroCard.
• Board any AirTrain that arrives and check which terminal you need by checking the JFK website or asking your airline.

Option 2: Using the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and AirTrain

• Take the LIRR train from Penn Station to Jamaica Station.
• Purchase an LIRR ticket at the station from a ticket vending machine, ticketing desk, or on your phone via the TrainTime app.
• Show your ticket to the conductor on the train.
• Upon arrival at Jamaica Station, take the stairs, elevators, or escalators to the upper level, where you will board the AirTrain.
• Purchase an AirTrain ticket at the kiosk for $8.25 or use your MetroCard.
• Board any AirTrain that arrives and check which terminal you need by checking the JFK website or asking your airline.

Option 3: Using the A Train and AirTrain

• Take the A train to Far Rockaway-Mott Av.
• Make sure your train is headed to Far Rockaway. Do not take the train to Ozone Park–Lefferts Blvd, as it does not go to Howard Beach/JFK Airport.
• Get off at Howard Beach/JFK Airport, where you can catch the AirTrain.
• Purchase an AirTrain ticket for $8.25 at the kiosk or use your MetroCard.
• Board any AirTrain that arrives and check which terminal you need by checking the JFK website or asking your airline.

Additional Information:

• The E train ticket costs $2.75, while the LIRR train ticket costs $7.25 one way.
• The AirTrain fare is $8.25 on top of your subway or railroad fare.
• Children under 5 ride free on the AirTrain.
• You cannot use unlimited passes or MetroCards on the AirTrain.
• It is recommended to use OMNY or have money on your MetroCard before heading to the airport to avoid long lines.
• If taking the LIRR, sit near the front of an eastbound train to be closer to the AirTrain when you disembark at Jamaica.
• The LIRR travel time from Penn Station to Jamaica is about 20 minutes, while the E train takes about 40 minutes.
• The LIRR offers more comfort and convenience, especially for travellers with luggage.

The AirTrain from Howard Beach/JFK Airport

The AirTrain is a direct and convenient way to get to JFK Airport from Howard Beach. The journey takes approximately 6 minutes and costs $8-$9. The AirTrain runs from Terminal 8 to Howard Beach, NY, and operates every day, with trains departing every 10 minutes.

To get to the AirTrain from Howard Beach, you can take the train, taxi, town car, or tram. The tram is the cheapest option, costing $9, while the AirTrain is the fastest.

If you are taking the subway, make sure to take the A train to Far Rockaway-Mott Av. The A train to Ozone Park–Lefferts Blvd does not go to Howard Beach/JFK Airport. Once you arrive at Howard Beach-JFK Airport Station, you can transfer to the AirTrain.

The AirTrain fare is $8.50 in addition to your subway or railroad fare, and you cannot use unlimited passes on the AirTrain. It is recommended to use OMNY or have a MetroCard with money on it before heading to the airport to avoid long lines. Children under 5 ride for free.

The LIRR train from Penn Station

The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is a commuter rail service that offers a direct transfer from JFK Airport to midtown Manhattan. Although JFK Airport does not have a train station on its premises, the LIRR is accessible via the AirTrain, which connects to all airport terminals.

To get to Penn Station from JFK Airport via the LIRR, you will first need to take the AirTrain to Jamaica Station. The AirTrain operates 24/7, with routes running every 7 minutes during peak hours and every 15 minutes during off-peak hours. The journey from JFK terminals to Jamaica Station takes approximately 15 minutes, and the AirTrain fare is $8.50.

Once you arrive at Jamaica Station, you can transfer to the LIRR, which operates around the clock with a frequency of approximately 3 minutes during rush hour and 5-20 minutes during off-peak hours. The LIRR ticket price varies depending on the time of day: during peak hours (6:00 am-10:00 am on weekdays), the ticket costs $10.75, while during off-peak hours, weekends, and holidays, it costs $7.75. The journey from Jamaica Station to Penn Station in midtown Manhattan takes around 20 minutes.

It is important to note that the LIRR is a separate service from the subway, and you cannot use a MetroCard or the subway ticket for this leg of the journey. LIRR tickets can be purchased at the station from a ticket vending machine or ticketing desk, or through the MTA TrainTime app on your phone.

The total journey time from JFK Airport to Penn Station using the LIRR, including the AirTrain transfer, is approximately 35 minutes.

The E train from Penn Station

The E train is a good option if you are looking for an inexpensive and efficient way to get to JFK Airport from Penn Station. It is important to note that the train can be crowded and there may not be a lot of room for luggage. The ride takes about 40 minutes, and the cost of the E train ticket is $2.75. If you take the Air Train, you will need to purchase a separate ticket for $8, which can be added to your Metro card.

The LIRR train is another option to get to JFK Airport from Penn Station. The LIRR train is more expensive than the E train, but it is faster and more comfortable. The LIRR train takes about 20 minutes, and the cost is $7.25 one way. The Air Train ticket can be purchased separately for $8 or using your Metro Card.

Both the E train and the LIRR train are viable options for getting to JFK Airport from Penn Station. The E train is the best option if you are looking for a cheap and easy way to get to the airport, while the LIRR train is a better choice if you have luggage and want a more comfortable ride.

The A train to Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue

The A train runs between 207th Street in northern Manhattan and two terminals in Queens: Ozone Park-Lefferts Boulevard and Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue. The Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue station is the eastern terminal station of the New York City Subway's IND Rockaway Line. It is the busiest subway station on the Rockaway peninsula as of 2016. The station was renovated between 2009 and 2012, with elevators, yellow tactile warning strips, and metallic facades added to the station.

The original surface station was opened in 1869, with the current elevated station beginning operation as a subway station on January 16, 1958. The Far Rockaway station was originally built by the Far Rockaway Branch Railroad, a subsidiary of the South Side Railroad of Long Island. Construction began in September 1868, and the station was opened on July 29, 1869. The station has a rich history, having been converted into a freight house and later remodelled and reopened in 1881. The current station features a bodega called the "A Line Deli", which was originally a cafe built along with the station in the 1950s.

The A train is a convenient and efficient way to get to JFK Airport, offering a direct connection to the Airtrain. It is important to be mindful of the different branches of the A train to ensure you are on the correct route to the airport.

Frequently asked questions