Roberta Aguirre
Taking the subway from the airport is a great way to save money and avoid traffic. In some cities, like Atlanta, the subway station is directly connected to the airport, making it a convenient option. However, in other cities, such as New York, you may need to take an airport shuttle or light rail to the nearest subway station. This usually involves purchasing a separate ticket or pass. It's important to consider factors like luggage, mobility issues, and arrival time when deciding whether to take the subway, as it may not always be the most comfortable or convenient option.
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What You'll Learn
Using the subway from JFK Airport to get to Manhattan
The best way to get from JFK Airport to Manhattan depends on your time, budget, and energy. You can take a taxi, but this is likely to be the most expensive option, and it may not be the fastest, depending on the traffic.
If you're looking for a more cost-effective solution, you can take the AirTrain and then transfer to the subway. The AirTrain is a tram that circles all of the terminals at JFK and connects to two transit stations outside of the airport: Jamaica Station and Howard Beach. The AirTrain costs $8.50 if your starting or ending point is outside of the airport, but it's free if you're only using it to travel between terminals. Once you arrive at Jamaica Station, follow the signs to the Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport subway station. A subway ride costs $2.90, and you can use Apple Pay directly at the turnstile. The total travel time depends on where in Manhattan you need to get to, but the entire journey from JFK Airport to Manhattan will likely take between 80 and 90 minutes.
If you're travelling with lots of luggage, you may prefer to take the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), which is a commuter rail service that goes into Manhattan. It's faster but more expensive than the subway. A ticket to Manhattan costs $5 during off-peak periods or $7 during peak periods. The LIRR is also more comfortable and has more seating than the subway.
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How to pay for the subway from the airport
There are several ways to pay for the subway from the airport, depending on which city you are in.
New York City
The New York City subway system offers a flat rate of $2.90 per ride. You can pay for your fare using a MetroCard, the OMNY payment system, or a contactless credit or debit card.
MetroCard
The MetroCard is a pay-per-ride card that can be purchased from vending machines in stations. You can also buy a weekly pass and load it with money. To use the MetroCard, simply swipe it at the turnstile with the logo and the black magnetic strip facing you and the clipped corner on the upper right.
OMNY
The OMNY payment system is a new, contactless fare payment option available at every subway station in New York City. You can use the OMNY card, a contactless credit or debit card, or a mobile device. To pay, tap your card or device on the OMNY reader at the turnstile. It doesn't matter which way the card or device is facing, and you will see a GO signal on the reader when the transaction is successful.
Contactless Credit or Debit Card
You can also use a contactless credit or debit card to pay for your fare directly at the turnstile. Hold the card so that the black magnetic strip is facing you and on the bottom of the card, with the clipped corner on the upper right.
Seoul, South Korea
To ride the subway in Seoul, you need to purchase a "T-Money" card. This is similar to a prepaid credit card, which you can load with money and use to enter and exit the subway system. You can buy the "T-Money" card at a designated subway booth or at a convenience store like Seven Eleven. The subway costs about $1 per ride within the city, but the airport route costs a little more.
Philadelphia, USA
In Philadelphia, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) offers several ways to pay for subway rides.
SEPTA Key Card
The SEPTA Key Card is a reloadable, contactless chip card that you can use for subway, bus, and regional rail rides. You can load passes or travel wallet funds onto the card for seamless travel. The card costs $4.95, but you will be refunded the cost when you register the card online.
Quick Trip Ticket
You can purchase a Quick Trip Ticket from fare kiosks at metro stations for a single one-way ride on select lines.
Contactless Payment
SEPTA also accepts contactless payment methods, including credit/debit cards or mobile payment systems like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay.
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Using the AirTrain to connect to the subway
The AirTrain is an elevated, driverless train system that connects the terminals at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK Airport) in New York City. It is an 8.1-mile-long (13 km) system that operates 24/7 and consists of three lines and nine stations within the New York City borough of Queens.
To connect to the subway from JFK Airport, follow the signs to baggage claim and then to the AirTrain shuttle. The AirTrain has two final destinations: Howard Beach and Jamaica Station. It is generally faster to take the route that goes through Jamaica Station. Look for the overhead monitors to wait for a train that is labelled "Jamaica Train". You don't pay at the airport terminals to hop on the AirTrain (you'll pay later when you get off). Take the AirTrain to its very last stop at Jamaica Station (this ride alone might take up to 20 minutes). From Jamaica Station, you can connect to the Sutphin Boulevard–Archer Avenue–JFK Airport station on the New York City Subway's E, J, and Z trains. The cost of the AirTrain to Jamaica Station is $8.25, and the subway fare is $2.90.
If you are taking the AirTrain to Howard Beach, you can connect to the MTA A Subway. The cost of the AirTrain to Howard Beach is $7.75, and the subway fare is $2.90.
You can buy a MetroCard at a vending machine or at an information point in the main stations. You can also buy a 10-trip AirTrain card that looks like a regular MetroCard with the AirTrain logo on the back. This card can be used for both exiting and entering the AirTrain and is valid for 30 days.
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Ridesharing to the subway from the airport
Ridesharing is a convenient way to get from the airport to the subway, especially if you have a lot of luggage. There are designated spots for rideshare pick-ups and drop-offs at each airport terminal. Major ridesharing companies like Uber, Lyft, and Revel operate at airports and can legally pick up and drop off passengers at terminal buildings.
If you're travelling light, taking a rideshare to the subway from the airport can save you money compared to taking a taxi. Ridesharing companies usually charge less than taxis, and you can save even more money by using the carpool option, where you share a ride with strangers. This is a safe option, as many people in New York do it. However, ridesharing can be expensive and often takes longer than public transportation, especially during rush hour. Wait times for rideshares can also be long, especially during peak arrival times, so it's a good idea to start hailing a ride as soon as you land.
If you're using Uber at Newark Airport, for example, go to the baggage claim area, exit on the arrivals level, and look for the signs for ground transportation and ride app pickup. An Uber ride from Newark to Times Square will cost around $70. At JFK Airport, each terminal has designated spots for rideshare pick-ups and drop-offs, and you can also use ridesharing to get to the AirTrain, which connects to the subway.
Ridesharing is a good option if you want a more direct and comfortable journey to the subway from the airport, but if you're on a budget, public transportation and shared shuttles are cheaper options.
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Using the subway from Seattle-Tacoma Airport
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) is located approximately 15 miles south of downtown Seattle. There are several ways to get from the airport to the city centre using public transport, including bus, train, and subway.
By Train
The Link light rail 1 Line runs from the airport to Westlake Station in downtown Seattle, with trains arriving every 8-15 minutes and the journey taking around 38-40 minutes. The train fare is $3. From the airport, follow the signs for the Link light rail and take the complimentary Train-to-Plane shuttle to the light rail station. From baggage carousel 16, go up one floor to the skybridge level, turn left through the parking garage, and take the shuttle to the light rail station.
By Bus
The Sound Transit and King County Metro bus routes also serve the airport. The Sound Transit express buses stop at the south end of the main terminal on the lower drive, while the King County Metro bus routes stop near the Link station on International Boulevard. From the airport, follow the signs for the Link light rail and take the pedestrian bridge to the bus stop.
By Subway
The Seattle Center Monorail runs between Westlake Center in downtown Seattle and Seattle Center at the base of Queen Anne Hill. Trains depart every 10 minutes, with a one-way adult fare of $3.50.
By Taxi or Ride-Share
Taxis and ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft are available on the third floor of the parking garage. One-way rides to downtown Seattle range from $50-$70.
By Shuttle
The Premier Airport Shuttle offers shared and private shuttle services starting from $34.35 per person to downtown Seattle hotels. Shuttle Express also offers a service between the airport and any Seattle destination, with reservations available by phone or online.
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Frequently asked questions
You can take the AirTrain and then the subway. The AirTrain costs $8.50 and the subway ride costs $2.90, so the total cost is $11.40. The AirTrain runs 24 hours a day and circles the airport, connecting the different terminals and parking garages. You can take the AirTrain to Jamaica Station and from there, take the New York subway train.
The Airport MARTA station is directly connected to the domestic terminal of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. You can take a southbound red or gold line train to the airport. If you are starting on the blue or green line, go to the Five Points Station and follow the signs to the Southbound train platform.
You can take the Link light rail from the airport to the heart of downtown Seattle in around 38 minutes. From baggage claim, follow the signs for the Link light rail. From the north end of the terminal, go up one floor to the skybridge level.
You can pay with a MetroCard or the tap-to-pay system, OMNY. You can purchase a MetroCard from vending machines at the airport or subway station.
