Jfk Airport Train Options: A Guide To Getting There

There are several ways to get to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York by train. From Midtown Manhattan or Downtown Brooklyn, you can take the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and the AirTrain. If you're coming from outside of Midtown Manhattan or Downtown Brooklyn, you can take the subway and the AirTrain. If you're coming from Metro-North territory, you can take the train to Grand Central and then transfer to an LIRR train stopping at Jamaica. The AirTrain connects to all airport terminals and costs $8.50.

Getting to JFK from Grand Central

Getting from Grand Central to JFK Airport in New York has been made easier by the opening of a new Long Island Rail Road terminal annex. This new service means you can get from the famous Manhattan train station to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in Queens without having to go via Pennsylvania Station (Penn Station).

Firstly, take the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) train from Grand Central to Jamaica. The new terminal annex is called Grand Central Madison and consists of a two-level concourse with four platforms and eight tracks. Trains run roughly every 30 minutes and the cost of a ticket is between $7.75 and $10.75, depending on whether you are travelling during peak or off-peak times.

When you arrive at Jamaica Station, transfer to the AirTrain. This connects to all JFK terminals. The AirTrain fare is $8.50 and you can use OMNY or your MetroCard to pay at the turnstiles. You can't use unlimited passes on the AirTrain. Children under 5 ride free.

If you are travelling from outside Midtown Manhattan or Downtown Brooklyn, or if you want a cheaper option, you can take the subway and then transfer to the AirTrain at Jamaica Station. Take the E, J, or Z train to Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport, or the A train to Howard Beach-JFK Airport. The subway fare is $2.90 and then you can transfer to the AirTrain for $8.50.

If you are arriving at Penn Station via Amtrak, you can transfer to the LIRR for a 24-minute ride to Jamaica Station. You can also transfer to the E subway line in Penn Station and travel to Jamaica for a cheaper fare of $2.75, plus the $5 AirTrain fee.

The AirTrain connection

The AirTrain is a crucial connection for travellers looking to get to JFK Airport via public transport. It is accessible from the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and the subway. The AirTrain connects to all airport terminals and costs $8.50 on top of your subway or railroad fare.

If you're coming from Midtown Manhattan or Downtown Brooklyn, you can take the LIRR to Jamaica Station and then transfer to the AirTrain. This option will cost $13.50 or $15.50 for most riders from Manhattan or Brooklyn. Alternatively, if you're outside of Midtown Manhattan or Downtown Brooklyn, you can take the subway to either Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport or Howard Beach-JFK Airport and then transfer to the AirTrain. This option will cost $11.40 for most riders.

It's important to note that you can't use unlimited passes on the AirTrain. To avoid long lines, it's recommended to use OMNY or have a MetroCard with money on it before heading to the airport. Children under 5 can ride the AirTrain for free.

If you're coming from Manhattan, you can also take the LIRR from Penn Station or Grand Central to Jamaica Station and then transfer to the AirTrain. The cost of the train ticket between Grand Central and Jamaica is between $7.75 and $10.75, depending on peak or off-peak times. The AirTrain from Jamaica to JFK Airport costs $8.

Subway and AirTrain options

If you're coming from outside of Midtown Manhattan or Downtown Brooklyn, or if you want to save on fares, you can take the subway and the AirTrain to get to John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Option 1: Take the E, J, or Z train and the AirTrain

• Take a Jamaica Center-bound train to Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport.
• Follow signs to the AirTrain after you get off the subway. You'll need to leave the subway fare zone by going through the turnstiles.
• Look for elevators, an escalator, and stairs to the upper level, where Jamaica Station is located straight ahead.
• Transfer to the AirTrain at Jamaica Station. You can board any AirTrain that arrives.

This option includes a $2.90 subway fare and an $8.50 AirTrain fare. Use OMNY or your MetroCard at the AirTrain turnstiles to pay the AirTrain fare. You can use unlimited-ride MetroCards on the subway, but not on the AirTrain.

Option 2: Take the A train and the AirTrain

• Take a Far Rockaway-bound train to Howard Beach-JFK Airport. Make sure your train is headed to Far Rockaway, as Lefferts Boulevard-bound trains don't connect to the airport.
• Transfer to the AirTrain at Howard Beach-JFK Airport Station. You can board any AirTrain that arrives.

This option also includes a $2.90 subway fare and an $8.50 AirTrain fare. Use OMNY or your MetroCard at the AirTrain turnstiles to pay the AirTrain fare. You can use unlimited-ride MetroCards on the subway, but not on the AirTrain.

If you're coming from Midtown Manhattan or Downtown Brooklyn and prefer a faster option, you can consider taking the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and the AirTrain, although this option is more expensive.

Long Island Rail Road and AirTrain

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) does not have a train station inside or adjacent to its terminal premises. However, the closest train station to the airport is Jamaica Station, which serves the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR).

If you are coming from Midtown Manhattan or Downtown Brooklyn, or if you want to save time, you can take the LIRR to Jamaica Station and then transfer to the AirTrain, which connects to all airport terminals. The AirTrain fare is $8.50 on top of your railroad fare, and you can use OMNY or your MetroCard to pay. Please note that you cannot use unlimited passes on the AirTrain.

The LIRR is the busiest commuter train in the northern part of America, with 735 everyday routes. It offers direct transfers to Midtown Manhattan and passes through Brooklyn, also calling at Long Island City Station while providing connections to Atlantic Terminal. The LIRR operates around the clock, with trains arriving at a frequency of approximately every three minutes during rush hours and every 5-20 minutes during off-peak hours. The journey from Jamaica Station to Midtown Manhattan takes around 20 minutes. Therefore, the total journey time from JFK Airport to Midtown Manhattan, including the AirTrain transfer, is approximately 35 minutes.

When travelling on the LIRR, it is recommended to sit near the front of an eastbound train as this will put you closer to the AirTrain when you disembark at Jamaica Station. At Jamaica Station, you can take the stairs, elevators, or escalators to the upper level, where you can board the AirTrain.

Cheapest travel options

The cheapest way to get to JFK Airport from Manhattan or Brooklyn is to take the subway and the AirTrain. This option will cost $11.40 for most riders, including a $2.90 subway fare and an $8.50 AirTrain fare. The closest subway station to JFK Airport is Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport. To get there, you can take the AirTrain from JFK Airport to Jamaica, and transfer to the subway.

If you are travelling outside of Midtown Manhattan or Downtown Brooklyn, or if you want to save on fares, you can take the E, J, or Z train and the AirTrain. This option will also cost $11.40 for most riders, including a $2.90 subway fare and an $8.50 AirTrain fare.

Another option is to take the A train and the AirTrain, which also costs $11.40 for most riders. Make sure your train is headed to Far Rockaway, as the Lefferts Boulevard-bound trains don't connect to the airport.

Please note that the AirTrain fare is $8.50 on top of 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 you head to the airport to avoid long lines. Children under 5 ride free on the AirTrain.

Frequently asked questions