The AirTrain is the fastest way to move around JFK and connect to New York City's public transit — but fares, free zones, and payment rules trip up a lot of travelers. Here's everything you need to know before you tap in.
⚠️ Pro Tip: Free Inside the Airport, Paid to Leave It
Riding the AirTrain between terminals, parking lots, rental cars, and hotel shuttles is always free. You only pay when you ride to or from Jamaica Station or Howard Beach Station — the exits that connect to the subway and LIRR. Tap OMNY only at those two stations.
What Is the JFK AirTrain?
The AirTrain is a fully automated, elevated people mover that connects:
- All passenger terminals
- Parking lots
- Hotel shuttles
- Rental car facilities
- Two rail stations: Jamaica and Howard Beach
- Frequency: Trains run every 5–15 minutes, depending on the line and time of day.
- Terminal-to-terminal travel: Under 10 minutes.
- Terminal to Jamaica or Howard Beach: Under 20 minutes (typically 8–15 minutes).
Landing soon and need to know where your ride will meet you? Check our JFK curbside pickup and drop-off guide for the rules on meeting arriving passengers.
AirTrain Routes: Where It Goes
Jamaica Line
Connects all terminals to Jamaica Station, where you can transfer to:
- LIRR (Long Island Rail Road)
- NYC Subway lines E, J, Z
Howard Beach Line
Connects all terminals to Howard Beach Station, where you can transfer to:
- NYC Subway line A
Federal Circle
The stop for rental cars and hotel shuttles.
Lefferts Boulevard
The stop for long-term parking.
When the AirTrain Is Free vs. When You Pay
✅ Free Rides
- Between terminals
- Between terminals and parking
- Between terminals and Federal Circle (rental cars, hotel shuttles)
- Between terminals and Lefferts Boulevard (long-term parking)
💳 Paid Rides
- Between JFK and Jamaica Station
- Between JFK and Howard Beach Station
Parked long-term and heading to Lefferts Boulevard? See our JFK parking guide for lot details and shuttle timing.
AirTrain Fares (2026)
- One-way fare: $8.75 per person
- Children under 5: Ride free
- Fare is automatically adjusted for inflation — it increased from $8.50 to $8.75 in 2026.
Rolling 30-Day Fare Cap
- You pay $8.75 per ride.
- Once your total AirTrain fares in a 30-day period reach $43.50, all additional AirTrain rides in that period are free.
- The system automatically adjusts your last charge so you never pay more than $43.50 in 30 days.
Important: Use the same payment method every ride if you want the discount cap to apply correctly.
Group Fare (Up to 5 People)
- First rider: $8.75
- Each additional rider: $4.50
- Maximum total for the group: $26.75
- All riders must tap the same card/device within 5 minutes.
- That same payment method cannot be used again for a group fare for the next 15 minutes.
How to Pay: OMNY System
The AirTrain uses the MTA's OMNY contactless fare system. You can pay with:
- Contactless credit/debit card (with the contactless symbol)
- Smartphone or smartwatch (Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.)
- OMNY card (physical prepaid card)
How Payment Works in Practice
- OMNY readers are located at the gates of Jamaica and Howard Beach stations only.
- Approach the gate and tap your card, phone, or OMNY card.
- For the return trip, tap the same card/device again.
- OMNY cards can be purchased and reloaded at vending machines in Jamaica and Howard Beach stations (cash, credit, or debit).
OMNY also works across all NYC subway trains, buses, and the Roosevelt Island Tram — but note that AirTrain fares are charged separately from subway, LIRR, and Metro-North fares.
Connecting to Manhattan: Your Options
| Option | Approx. Total Time | Approx. Total Cost (2026) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirTrain + Subway (E/J/Z from Jamaica or A from Howard Beach) | 60–75 min | $8.75 + $3.00 = $11.75 | Budget travelers, light luggage, 24/7 service |
| AirTrain + LIRR (Jamaica to Penn Station or Grand Central Madison) | 35–45 min | $8.75 + ~$5–$7 (CityTicket) = $13.75–$15.75 | Faster rail option to Midtown, less crowding |
| Taxi (flat fare to Manhattan) | 45–75+ min (traffic dependent) | $70 flat fare + tolls + tip | Door-to-door, groups, heavy luggage |
| Uber/Lyft | 45–75+ min (traffic dependent) | Typically $65–$130 (surge possible) | Convenience, dynamic pricing |
Breaking Down the Rail Options
- AirTrain leg (terminals to Jamaica or Howard Beach): about 8–15 minutes.
- Subway (Jamaica to Midtown): about 40–55 minutes.
- LIRR (Jamaica to Penn Station/Grand Central Madison): about 17–22 minutes — the fastest rail option if your flight lands near Jamaica Station.
Service Frequency & Hours
- Trains run every 5–15 minutes, depending on the line and time of day.
- Exact hours and any temporary restrictions may vary due to construction — check station displays and the official JFK website for updates.
Onboard Rules
❌ Not Allowed
- Eating, drinking, or smoking on the train
✅ Allowed
- Luggage, suitcases, baggage carts, strollers
- Small pets in carriers
- Bicycles — maximum of 4 per train
⚠️ Note for cyclists: Bicycles are not allowed on Central Terminal Area roadways. Cyclists must use designated access routes.
Accessibility
All AirTrain stations and trains are ADA-compliant, featuring:
- Elevators and escalators
- Wheelchair space on trains
- Visual information and audio announcements
- Tactile platform edges and Braille/tactile signage
Accessible subway connections are available at both Jamaica and Howard Beach stations.
Where to Get Help
- On-site: Customer Experience Specialists in red uniforms are stationed throughout the AirTrain system.
- OMNY customer support:
- Phone: +1 (877) 789-6669
- Web: OMNY.info
Quick Reference: AirTrain Cheat Sheet
- Free: Terminal-to-terminal, terminal-to-parking, terminal-to-rental cars/hotels.
- Paid ($8.75): Only when riding to/from Jamaica or Howard Beach stations.
- Pay with: Contactless card, phone/smartwatch, or OMNY card — tap at Jamaica/Howard Beach gates only.
- 30-day cap: Never pay more than $43.50 in AirTrain fares per rolling 30 days.
- Fastest to Manhattan: AirTrain + LIRR from Jamaica (35–45 min total).
- Cheapest to Manhattan: AirTrain + Subway ($11.75 total).
In reply to transportation to flushing, queens from JFK by Anonymous (not verified)
Taxi is best if you have
Taxi is best if you have heavy bags as AirTrain/subway will require quite a few transfers, and taxi will take you direct, approximate fare $35.
JFK-Manhattan-JFK
Hi,will be arriving on 30th January and must go straight to Manhattan, preferably by train. Please advice. Thanks.
In reply to JFK-Manhattan-JFK by Yusz (not verified)
What location in Manhattan?
What location in Manhattan? Best bet is to take AirTrain from terminal to Jamaica Station, transfer to the E subway which runs west on 50th St and then south on 8th Ave to World Trade Ctr, so you can get to Times Square, midtown or lower Manhattan. Other alternative is LIRR from Jamaica Station to Penn Station at 33rd/7th Ave.
Moving from terminal 7 to Terminal 5 in 3 hours is it enough
Hi i wiil be arriving to JFK from London at 1:40 pm terminal 7 and will take a connection from Termnal 5 on a jet blue flight leaving at 4:45 pm will i have enought time to claim my bags , customs and re check in at the jet blue counter and how do i get there
In reply to Moving from terminal 7 to Terminal 5 in 3 hours is it enough by Anonymous (not verified)
You have time. When you
You have time. When you arrive at T7 follow signs to AirTrain, take train on track 2 to T5, only takes a few minutes and it's free.
from JFK International airport to the city
Hi, what would be the best way to get from JFK airport to Union Square without a taxi or car?
In reply to from JFK International airport to the city by Anonymous (not verified)
Take AirTrain from terminal
Take AirTrain from terminal to Howard Beach Station, transfer to inbound A subway to Broadway Junction, transfer to inbound L subway to 14th St/Union Square.
JFK to Smithtown
I'm arriving Monday at 1:00 into JFK on Delta. Need to get to the LIRR Smithtown stop. Not sure what terminal Delta arrives into. Need to get bag. Where do I go? How long will it take?
In reply to JFK to Smithtown by Anonymous (not verified)
Delta arrives terminal 2 or
Delta arrives terminal 2 or 3. Follow signs to baggage claim and then follow signs to AirTrain, take train on track 1 to Jamaica Station and then LIRR to Smithtown. You can purchase your AirTrain and LIRR fares on one ticket from the self service machine at the exit. AirTrain takes about 15 minutes and LIRR is about 1.25 hours with a train transfer at Huntington or Hicksville. See www.mta.info for schedules and fares.
Travel Info
I am coming for NJ to Kennedy on the morning of 12/11/10 (Saturday) ... I plan to take the bus from NJ to Port Authority ... any info on how long it will take and the best route to the airport from Port Authority. My flight departs at 9:00 am.
thank you,
Handicapped access
Regarding long term parking and air train - Any info for handicapped travelers? My husband walks slowly with a cane and has trouble with stairs and escalators.
Thanks!
hi am flying in from houston
hi am flying in from houston texas to Jfk, i will be stoping at Terminal 7. How do i get to terminal 4 to take my international flight? and where do i check in my luggages when i arrive at T7?
Hi, I am arriving at JFK on
Hi, I am arriving at JFK on AA at terminal 8 and I need to take an Etihad Airways flight from Terminal 4. Is there a porter service that I can book for my baggage? Can the baggage cart be taken on the airtrain? How do I get from terminal 8 to 4? Please reply soon!!
Thanks
How to get to NYC W 94th St ?
Hi,
me and my husband are arriving to JFK at 15:10 on Tuesday.
Can you please tell me, what do we have to do, to get to NYC, W 94th St ?
We have to go with AirTrain to Jamaica station and there we have to transfer where or better to what???
What tickets (and where) do we have to buy if we are staying for 10 days? Can you please tell me how much approximately does this transfer to the city costs per person?
Thank you very much for your time and kindness.
Kate
getting from 120 E. 56th Street to JFK
We will be coming in for my doctor's appointment in the morning next Tuesday (14th) and leaving later that day...is there an easy way to get to 120 E. 56th Street from JFK or at least back to the airport from this address? I am very ill and cannot hop from bus to bus all day long, but we can only afford ONE cab ride to the doctor's office in the morning and will have to get back to the airport on our own. Would appreciate any input, thanks.
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