Roberta Aguirre
If you're looking to get from JFK Airport to New York City, you have a few options. The AirTrain is free within the airport, and you can pay your fare when you exit at Jamaica Station, where you can also buy a MetroCard from a vending machine or newsstand. You can also buy a pre-valued MetroCard from a Hudson Newsstand in the airport. However, some travellers have reported that MetroCards purchased at the airport cannot be topped up with an unlimited purchase, so you may need to buy a separate card for the AirTrain. Alternatively, you can use a contactless credit card or mobile payment to tap into the subway or bus, with the weekly fare cap being the same as the price of a 7-day MetroCard.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can I buy a MetroCard at JFK Airport? | No, you can't buy a MetroCard at the airport terminals. However, you can purchase a packaged pre-valued MetroCard at a newsstand in the airport. |
| Where can I buy a MetroCard? | You can buy a MetroCard at Jamaica Station, which is the last stop of the AirTrain from JFK Airport. You can purchase it from the vending machines or newsstands at Jamaica Station. |
| How much does a MetroCard cost? | The 7-day unlimited ride pass costs $32. Additionally, you need to pay $5 for the AirTrain link to Jamaica Station. |
| Can I use a contactless card instead of a MetroCard? | Yes, you can use any contactless credit card or mobile payment method to tap into the subway or bus. The weekly fare cap is the same as the price of a 7-day MetroCard ($34). |
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What You'll Learn
Where to buy MetroCards at JFK Airport
If you're looking to buy a MetroCard at JFK Airport, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to note that you don't need to buy a MetroCard at the airport if you're only using the AirTrain, as it is free to board at the airport and you pay when you get off at Jamaica Station. At Jamaica Station, you can purchase a MetroCard from vending machines or a newsstand before going through the fare gates.
However, if you need a MetroCard as soon as you arrive at JFK Airport, you may be able to find pre-valued MetroCards at newsstands in the terminals. These pre-valued cards may not be the best option if you're looking for an unlimited 7-day pass, as they cannot be topped up for unlimited use. Additionally, some travellers have reported that cards purchased at the airport are coded differently and cannot be refilled.
To purchase an unlimited 7-day pass, you may need to use a MetroCard vending machine at Jamaica Station or at the Sutphin Boulevard/Archer Avenue/JFK Airport subway station. You can use cash or a debit/credit card at these vending machines. It's worth noting that the Sutphin Boulevard/Archer Avenue/JFK Airport subway station machines can get very crowded.
Alternatively, you can simply tap into the subway or bus with a contactless credit card or mobile payment device. The weekly fare cap is the same as the price of a 7-day MetroCard, and you can use the same payment method for the AirTrain, although the fare is separate from the weekly cap.
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Can I buy a MetroCard at the airport terminal?
Yes, you can buy a MetroCard at JFK Airport, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, there are no MetroCard vending machines in the airport terminals. However, some newsstands in the terminals sell pre-valued MetroCards, and you can purchase a 7-day unlimited MetroCard at Hudson Newsstand in the airport.
If you plan to use the AirTrain to get to Jamaica Station, you don't need to buy a MetroCard at the airport. The AirTrain is free within the airport, and you only pay when you get off at Jamaica Station. At Jamaica Station, you can buy a MetroCard from the vending machines or a newsstand before going through the fare gates.
It's important to note that MetroCards purchased at the airport may have different coding and cannot be refilled or topped up with an unlimited ride pass. Therefore, if you plan to use the AirTrain and the subway extensively, you may be better off buying your MetroCard at Jamaica Station after arriving by AirTrain.
Additionally, you can now use any contactless credit card or mobile payment device to tap into the subway or bus, and the weekly fare cap is the same as the price of a 7-day MetroCard. This may be a more convenient option than purchasing a MetroCard, especially if you don't need to use the AirTrain.
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Buying a MetroCard after exiting the AirTrain
If you plan to ride the AirTrain twice, you can add $17 to the card ($8.50 x 2), which is the cost of two rides. You can also add value for subway rides, which will cost $2.90 per ride with a pay-per-ride MetroCard. If you plan to ride the subway more than four times, it may be worth purchasing an unlimited 7-day MetroCard for $32. However, note that the AirTrain card and the unlimited 7-day MetroCard cannot be the same card.
If you are travelling with a group, you can save money by purchasing a 10-trip card for $26.50. This card is valid for 30 days after its first use and can be shared among multiple people.
You can also use a contactless credit card or mobile payment to tap into the subway or bus. The weekly fare cap is the same as the price of a 7-day MetroCard ($34). Be sure to use the same card or device for each tap to take advantage of the weekly cap. Contactless payment is also accepted on the AirTrain, but the $8.50 fare does not count towards the weekly cap.
Finally, be aware that you may encounter strangers trying to sell used MetroCards near the Sutphin Blvd/Archer Ave/JFK Airport subway station.
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Using a contactless card or mobile payment instead
Using a contactless card or mobile payment is a convenient alternative to purchasing a MetroCard at JFK Airport. Here are some benefits and considerations for opting for contactless payments:
Contactless Card or Mobile Payment Options:
- Convenience and Simplicity: Contactless payments offer a seamless travel experience. You can simply tap your card or mobile device at the turnstiles to pay for your fare, eliminating the need to purchase and top up a MetroCard. This is especially useful if you are visiting New York and do not plan to use the subway extensively.
- Weekly Fare Cap: Using a contactless payment method provides the same weekly fare cap as a 7-day MetroCard. The weekly cap is currently $34, ensuring that you won't spend more than a weekly unlimited MetroCard. Just remember to use the same card or device for each tap to accumulate towards the cap.
- Airtrain Compatibility: Your contactless card or mobile payment can also be used for the AirTrain from/to JFK Airport. The AirTrain fare is $8.50, which does not count towards the weekly fare cap. However, please note that if you plan to use the AirTrain, you may need to purchase a MetroCard specifically for that purpose, as some sources indicate that a 7-day pass cannot be used for the AirTrain.
- No Need for a MetroCard: Unlike traditional MetroCards, contactless payments do not require you to purchase or carry a physical card. This can be advantageous if you are travelling with minimal luggage or prefer a more streamlined payment experience.
- Group Travel: Contactless payments can be a convenient option when travelling in a group. While one pay-per-ride MetroCard can be used by multiple people, using individual contactless cards or devices ensures that each person can tap and pay for their own fare, making it easier to manage payments for larger groups.
Considerations:
- Foreign Transaction Fees: If you are using a foreign bank or credit card, you may incur additional currency conversion fees with each tap. In such cases, a MetroCard might be a more cost-effective option. Consider using a payment app that allows you to transfer funds into dollars and select dollars as your currency to avoid these extra charges.
- Limited Acceptance at AirTrain: While you can use your contactless card or mobile payment for the AirTrain, it is important to note that the AirTrain may require a separate MetroCard purchase. This is because the AirTrain fare is often not included in unlimited ride passes, and you may need to purchase a special AirTrain MetroCard.
- Technology Integration: Some users have reported that certain payment methods, such as Apple Pay, are not accepted at all locations, including the AirTrain. While contactless payments are widely accepted, there may be instances where specific payment methods are not supported due to varying technology integrations.
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Buying a MetroCard at Jamaica Station
You can buy a MetroCard at Jamaica Station, which is the last stop of the AirTrain from JFK Airport. It is a 5-minute walk from Jamaica Station to the subway station entrance. You can buy a MetroCard from the vending machines or a newsstand before going through the fare gates.
There are a few options for the type of MetroCard you can buy. You can buy a 7-day unlimited ride pass for $32, but you will also have to pay $5 for the AirTrain link to Jamaica Station and $1 for a new card, bringing the total to $38. Note that some travellers have reported that the AirTrain card cannot be topped up with the unlimited purchase, meaning you would need to buy two separate cards.
Alternatively, you can simply tap into the subway or bus with a contactless credit card or mobile payment device. The weekly fare cap is the same as the price of a 7-day MetroCard ($34), and you can use the same card or device for each tap-in towards the weekly cap. You can also use your contactless card or device for the AirTrain, but the $8.50 fare does not count towards the weekly cap.
If you are planning to take the subway from Jamaica Station, you will arrive at the Sutphin Blvd/Archer Ave/JFK Airport subway station, which is served by the E, J, and Z trains. You can take the next Manhattan-bound train (the E, J, or F train) to reach Midtown Manhattan in about 20 minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can buy a MetroCard at JFK Airport. You can buy a 7-day unlimited ride pass at Hudson Newsstand in the airport.
You can also buy a MetroCard from vending machines or newsstands at Jamaica Station.
The 7-day unlimited ride pass costs $32. You will also have to pay $5 for the AirTrain link to Jamaica Station.
No, there are no MetroCard vending machines in the terminals. However, some newsstands in the terminals sell packaged pre-valued MetroCards.
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