JFK International Airport AirTrain

AirTrain JFK is the train service that operates between JFK International Airport, Long Island Rail Road trains and New York City Subway. It also serves as an on-airport service connecting the airline terminals, rental car facilities, hotel shuttles, and airport parking lots.

JFK-Airport AirTrain Map
Air Train JFK has 3 routes:

  • Howard Beach route

The Howard Beach route ends at the Howard Beach-JFK subway station. It stops at Lefferts Boulevard (connecting transit services - B15 bus) for shuttle buses to long term parking lots A and B and to airport employee parking.

Connecting transit services: A subway train, Q11 bus

  • Jamaica Station route

The Jamaica route ends at Jamaica Station on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) next to the Sutphin Boulevard/Archer Avenue-JFK subway station (to Brooklyn and Manhattan or Queens).

Connecting transit services: E, J and Z subway trains, Q6, Q8, Q9, Q20A, Q20B, Q25/Q34, Q30, Q31, Q40, Q43, Q44, Q60  and Q65 buses

Both routes make a counterclockwise loop through the airport and stop at each terminal.

  • Airline Terminal route

The Airline Terminal route connects 6 terminal stations (Terminal 1, 2-3, 4, 5-6, 7 and 8-9). Route operates in the opposite direction, making a clockwise loop.

All JFK AirTrain stations are wheelchair accessible. Howard Beach subway and Jamaica Long Island Railroad stations are wheelchair accessible too.

JFK AirTrain Fare Information

  • Fare of 5$ at Howard Beach or Jamaica Station
  • Rides between all other JFK AirTrain stations are free
Fresa (not verified)

I will be arriving JFK at 7:45 pm. What's the quickest & cheapest way to get to Bayonne, New Jersey ? Thank you.

misheeme (not verified)

I'm arriving on Sept. 3 at 3pm - 4 adults. What is the best and cheapest way to get to 41 Great Jones Street?

BG (not verified)

Need more info, where is this address located?

Bee (not verified)

I will be arriving to JFK at 6am whats the quickest and least expensive way to get from JFK to Brooklyn?

BG (not verified)

Where in Brooklyn is your destination? Fastest is by taxi, $30-$40. Cheapest is by Airtrain/subway ($7.25), subway route depends on where you're going. Airtrain to Howard Beach Station and A subway will take you to downtown Brooklyn where you can transfer to most other subway lines.

Sabine (not verified)

I will be arriving to JFK airport, Terminal 1, at 2:45 pm. How much is the approximate cab fair to the Leo House (332 West 23rd st. NYC) and how long will it take to get there? Are there any cheaper options? Thanks

JFK_Employee

The taxi fare would be flat $50.50 + tip.
Cheaper than that is either shared ride service(Super Shuttle or Airlink~$20) or public transportation(Airtrain+subway=$7.25).
JFK_E

luckof1

I will be arriving on a Jet Blue flight (i think terminal 5, but my ticket doesn't state so). I am supposed to meet my Daughter at Terminal 1 She's departing on an Alitalia flight. What is the best way to get to Terminal 1 from the JetBlue terminal and where would the best place to meet here at terminal 1. I want to meet her before she checks in for her flight. Sorry, I'm a worried Mom

JFK_Employee

Jet Blue domestic flights only arrive at Terminal 5, International Jet Blue arrive at T4.
If your daughter departs on Alitalia , then you can meet at Alitalia check-in counters(or close by).
Good spot is also the food court which is located on the third floor of T1.
JFK_E

Nigel (not verified)

Whats the best and cheapest way for 4 adults to reach the hotel. Also are there any restaurants open on Christmas Day

Thanks

Nigel, Southampton, UK

Bill (not verified)

We arrive at Terminal 3 and need to get to Federal Circle to locate a hotel Shuttle. It appears that both Howard Beach and Jamaica Station routes from Terminal 3 stop at Federal Circle. Can we take either? Does the AirTrain system run counter-clockwise around the terminals? How long will this take? Thanks for your help.

MS (not verified)

You can take either one - both stop at FC. It will take you ~10 mins.

dianecat

Getting to JFK at 11pm, would like to get to east hartford. what cheap options do you suggest

JFK_Employee

Try Connecticut Limo - they may be still running.
1-800-472-LIMO (5466) or (203) 783-6800
or dial 12 from Ground transportation self-service phones.
JFK_E

martiste

from what I read, Airtrain operates in a clockwise position - how long would it take to go from terminal 6 to terminal 4, and is there a faster/shorter way to do this, please?

JFK_Employee

It takes less than a minute to get from T5/6 station to T4 station.
JFK_E

dianaflorida (not verified)

We have a 10 hour layover @ JFK and we would like to visit the statue of liberty. We arrive @ 12p on Delta, then we would like to check in our bags @ Virgin Atlantic for our flight to London @ 10:30p, and head to Battery Park for the ferry. Can we do it? If so, what is the quickest and cheapest way to accomplish this? Could we be able to check in our bags or should we keep them in luggage storage @ JFK?

Thanks

BG (not verified)

You can do it if things fall into place perfectly. Let's look at your time frame:
Arrive at 12noon check/store bags for later flight, taxi/public transportation to Battery Park/Castle Clinton, get there around 2pm, purchase ferry tickets, wait in line for the ferry (best to book tickets online! www.statuecruises.com) which stops at the Statue first and then Ellis Island. Depending on what time you catch the ferry will dictate how much time you will have to spend there. Last ferry leaves Statue at 6pm. Return trip to JFK to arrive by 8pm or thereabouts. Check with Virgin Atlantic when the earliest you can check bags. There's luggage storage facilities in terminals 1,4,8. Taxi will be fastest to/from JFK.

chi (not verified)

When is the earliest airtrain to Jamaica?

BG (not verified)

Airtrain runs 24/7.

bs Hines (not verified)

WHat line would we need to take to get to the ferry terminal to Weehawken?

BG (not verified)

There are three NY Waterway ferry terminals but for the most frequent service to Weehawken (Port Imperial and Lincoln Harbor) use the Midtown/39th St. terminal: take Airtrain to Jamaica Station and then take the E subway to 42nd St. Look for the red/white/blue free NY Waterway shuttle bus which runs along 42nd St. See www.nywaterway.com for info.

MKPerth

Hi,
My family of 5 will be arriving on American Airlines at Terminal 8 at 6pm and wish to get to the Chelsea District (West 23rd St/8th Ave)

Just to confirm I can take the Airtrain to Jamaica Station then transfer on the E Line which should take me straight to the corner of 23rd/8Ave.

What would be the approx fare be and time taken to reach destination.

Thanks so much.

MKPerth

Thanks BG.
Seems like a lot better and cheaper option than the hassles of getting a taxi/shuttle and paying tolls.
We are staying at Leo House and would only be a half a block walk from the station

BG (not verified)

Yes, the E subway from Jamaica Station to 23rd St. is correct. Airtrain fare is $5 per person and subway fare is $2.25 per person and travel time is a little over 1 hour.

CarolMedeiros

Hi all!
I´m from Brazil and i´ll be at JFK on the 09/18/2010 at 16pm (American Airlines).
I don´t know which terminal I will arrive yet, but I need know how to get to 401, 7th Avenue. Could you help me???

sanjoy (not verified)

i shall arrive jfk terminal 4 from new delhi at 6am on 27 august and shall take a connecting american airlines flight to cleveland from terminal 8 at 330pm the same day. can i check in my baggage with american airlines at 6am or do i have to wait till the afternoon?

MS (not verified)

You can check in your bags with AA any time after 3am as long as the flight is on the same day.

NASIRUDDIN (not verified)

I SHALL ARRIVE AT TERMINAL-4 AND THEN TAKE ANOTHER FLIGHT FROM TERMINAL -8.HOW DO I KNOW WHICH AIR-TRAIN G SHOULD TAKE?

MS (not verified)

All the trains that stop at T4 go to T8 - take any.
T8 is three stops away either way.

cecil (not verified)

I am coming into grand central, going to Penn station. I need to be at Kennedy by 230 pm. How do I get from Penn Station to the airport and how long will it take?

It looks like I take the Long Island Railroad. What do I ask for? And it appears I do not arrive at Kennedy directly. Please help. Thanks.

BG (not verified)

From Grand Central there is a NYAS express bus to JFK. You can also take the uptown #6 subway one stop to 51st St. and transfer to the E subway to Sutphin Blvd./JFK. Then take Airtrain to from there to your terminal. If you decide to go to Penn Station the LIRR will take you to Jamaica Station and the Airtrain as above.

Menno (not verified)

We will arrive at JFK - 4 and have to go to Port Autority 42st or to 42st/7th Av.
What is the best way in evening by public transport. How long does it take ?

BG (not verified)

Take Airtrain from your terminal to Jamaica Station and transfer to the E subway to 42nd St./Port Authority. Travel time is about 1 hour.

vlove (not verified)

hello BG !!! my name is vanessa , i want to know if i take the train from 103 and lexington ave i take the 6 to 42nd st then what? i wanna go to jfk but i dont know how to get there can you tell me how ?.i really appriciated thank you !!!!

Rosie (not verified)

I am arriving on Sep 4th to JFK and need to connect to EWR, which is the best and cheapest way to do it? Tks

CarolMedeiros

Hi all!
I´m from Brazil and i´ll be at JFK on the 09/18/2010 at 16pm (American Airlines).
I don´t know which terminal I will arrive yet, but I need know how to get to 401, 7th Avenue. Could you help me???

Anonymous1 (not verified)

You could also take the AirTrain JFK to Sutphin Blvd/Jamaica Station. Then transfer to the Long Island Rail Road towards Penn Station. Make sure to buy your ticket for the Long Island Rail Road before you get on at a ticket machine.

AirTrain JFK: $5
LIRR: $5.75 OR $8, depending on the time of day.

Anonymous1 (not verified)

You should take the JFK AirTrain to Sutphin Blvd/Jamaica Station. At Jamaica Station, transfer to the E train to Manhattan. Take the E train to Penn Station and get off at street level. When you get off at Penn Station, walk east on 34 street toward 7th avenue. Make a right on 7th Avenue and the address should be on the left side of the street.
The AirTrain is $5 and the Subway is $2.25.

Student with one checked bag (not verified)

Hi all
My international air france flight arrives at 12:45. I then have to go to Jet Blue terminal and take a domestic flight that leaves at 2:50 pm. Will this leave me enough time to check in?
Thanks in advance

JFK_Employee

You should be fine as long as Air France is on time.
JFK_E

V.Shome (not verified)

Hi,
am reaching JFK ON THE 4TH OF SEP'10 6AM.
Want to go to my Hotel in NEWARK, NJ.Pl guide me as to what transportation will be the cheapest and quick way to reach my hotel.

Anonymos (not verified)

Hi,
I arrive from an international flight at 5:20pm JFK terminal 3, can I catch a 8:10pm flight at Newark Airport, or is it impossible?

JFK_Employee

This would be very tight - grab a cab as soon as you clear customs at T3; hope there is no traffic on the way and be there before 7:10 pm. Good Luck!
JFK_E

Katie L (not verified)

If you arrive at terminal 8 and need to leave from terminal 3 which air train should I take? Are there three different air trains?

JFK_Employee

Take any train only on track 2.
JFK_E

moutemoute (not verified)

Hi,

I have 2 hours to arrive in Terminal 4, take my luggage, go to Terminal 6 and check-in for an international flight? Do you think that is possible? How long is the train betwwen the terminals?

Thanks

JFK_Employee

Yes, it is possible. Airtrain between terminal 4 and 5(that is where Jet Blue is located at) takes only a minute.
JFK_E

Robbe (not verified)

Hi all,

I'll be at JFK airport on the 22 of August with the following schedule:

Departing London Heatrow: 08.30 Sun 22 Aug 2010
Arriving JFK: 10.59 Sun 22 Aug 2010

Departing JFK: 22.15 Sun 22 Aug 2010
Arriving Buenos Aires: 10.15 Mon 23 Aug 2010

Therefore I'll have 11 hours between my arrival at JFK and my next departure to Buenos Aires.

Considering that I've to be at the airport 3 hours before my flight in order to pass the check in, do you think I'll have enough time to take a train and visit New York?

Which train I should take?

Tanks for your help.

JFK_Employee

Yes, you do have enough time to do that. Take Airtrain from any terminal to Jamaica Station and then Subway E to 42nd street(Times Square). It takes 1:15-1:30 min to get there.
JFK_E