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).
JFK to Wellington Hotel 7th Ave at 55th St.
confused?! Arriving into JFK on monday midday. Which is quickest Airtrain to Penn Station via LIRR or airtrain then subway? 1st trip to NYC and on crutches! Can anyone help please?! all advice welcome! Thanks
In reply to JFK to Wellington Hotel 7th Ave at 55th St. by Anonymous (not verified)
Definitely Airtrain and then
Definitely Airtrain and then LIRR.
vacation
iam going on a vaction trip to New York, so i was wondering when i land on the jfk airport, how do i get that metro/bus card. need it to travel around the state.. and how far is it to get that bus/metro card.
do they have also maps. like if i want to go to long island. does it tell me what subway or bus i need to take.
i need more advice, cant like go there and not be prepared.
so ty for the advance
hatasuharu@yahoo.co.uk mail me pls
from terminal 5 to 1
Hi, i would like to know how long it takes me from terminal 5(jet blue) coming from a domestic flight to connect to terminal 1 (air france) going international. Im taking a carryon only, so i dont have to pick up any bags. My jetblue flight arrives at 10:20pm and the connecting flight leaves at 11:30pm. Do i have time to make it? ( i can run, im young, but i want to be ralistic) :) thanks!!
In reply to from terminal 5 to 1 by Anonymous (not verified)
If your JB flight is on time
If your JB flight is on time , it takes 10-15 mins to get to T1 via Airtrain. Thsi is VERY close to the cut-off time for AF(which is one hour). See if Jet Blue will provide you with boarding pass for AF flight - then you will be able to make it.
MS
Can anyone tell me if a sky
Can anyone tell me if a sky cap will go with me on the AirTran from Terminal 7 to Federal Circle so I can connect to my hotel shuttle?
In reply to Can anyone tell me if a sky by Anonymous (not verified)
Probably not, skycaps must
Probably not, skycaps must remain at the terminals. You can rent a luggage cart, take it on AirTrain and return the cart at Federal Circle.
AirTrain JFK has resumed normal service.
As of 9am 12/29, AirTrain JFK has resumed normal service.
In reply to AirTrain JFK has resumed normal service. by Anonymous (not verified)
Is the Airtrain going to
Is the Airtrain going to Jamaica or just to Federal Circle?
Terminal 3 to Terminal 7
Hi,
can someone please tell me how long i will need, i have 2 options to book flights one with 4 hours to meet my connection and 1 with 3 hours.
option 1 - i fly into terminal 7 and my connection is in terminal 3 i have 4 hours between flights, how long would it take to get to terminal 3?
option 2 - fly into terminal 7 and transfer to terminal 8 - 3 hours.
can you please advise best option.
thanks
julie
In reply to Terminal 3 to Terminal 7 by Anonymous (not verified)
Transfer between the
Transfer between the terminals is only a few minutes by airtrain. If you're transferring from an international flight to a domestic flight, you'll have to pick up your bags, take them to the other terminal and recheck them there. Even so, 3 hours should be sufficient. The difference between the transfer to terminal 8 or to terminal 3 from terminal 7 is literally 2-3 minutes.
It's 8:18 am Wednesday, Dec.
It's 8:18 am Wednesday, Dec. 28th. Does anyone know if service has been restored at Jamaica to the air train yet?
has service been restored yet?
It's 9:46 pm Tuesday, Dec. 28th. Does anyone know if service has been restored at Jamaica to the air train yet?
How to get from terminal 9 to 1 the fastest
I have only 2 hours to check in for the international flight. I am arriving from SFO to the terminal 9 and leaving from terminal 1 two hours later.
Thank you for your help.
Does anyone know if airtrain
Does anyone know if airtrain is running?
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