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).
where can i wait into the jfk
hello... my fligh arrives to jfk at 01:50 am the next saturday but i have to wait until 5:00 am for my family. I arrive to terminal 4, where can i wait from 01:50 am to 5:00 am? into the airport??? can i get any meal??
connection between terminal 8 and terminal 3
Hi, I will be arriving at the JFK Terminal 8 on July 29, 2011 at 12.30 hrs. And my next connection flight to Atlanta is at Terminal 3 around 16.15 hrs.
1. Is the connection between the flights is sufficient enough?
2 How do I shift from Terminal 8 to Terminal 3 in JFK ?
Any suggestions would be appreciable.
Regards
sai
Terminal transportation
How do I get from terminal 7 to terminal 4? Can I walk?
A train to 4,5,6 upper east side
Where can I transfer from the A train (coming from JFK/Howard Beach) to the 4,5, or 6? How about the reverse: 4/5/6 to the A-train headed to Howard Beach/JFK? Carrying luggage!
Hi. How i can arrived to
Hi. How i can arrived to Buffalo from JFK? I`m from Ukraine.
In reply to Hi. How i can arrived to by Anonimus (not verified)
There are flights to BUF
There are flights to BUF from JFK on Delta Air Lines, and on JetBlue.
Air train?
I am landing at JFK and my hotel is in the Midtown central/Upper East side area.
Please advise which train I would take?
Where would I get off?
How much would this cost one way?
thanks
to reach at jfk international terminal 4
I will be arriving JFK on jetBlue Air plane form orlando (Terminal 5?), and have a connection on indian airline 102 (Terminal 4?). I will be coming in from orlando. Since jetBlue Air and Aindian air line are not partners so I have to claim my bag then go to Terminal 4 ticket counter to check in for indian airline flight to final destination. What is quickest way to get from Terminal 5 to Terminal 4 for the connection? also how & from where I will collect my baggage ?
Thanks a lot.
J
Federal Line street location
Hi there
Can the location of the Federal Line station in relation to its street location be put on the webpage - Not sure if people can get on and off and outside the station. Would be helpful for those who may be staying nearby the airport.
Thank you for your help with this
Regards
Vicki
Getting from Terminal 1 to Terminal 8
I will be arriving JFK on Royal Air Maroc (Terminal 1?), and have a connection on American (Terminal 8?). We will be coming in from Africa. Since Royal Air Maroc and American are not partners, will we need to claim our bags then go to Terminal 8 ticket counter to check in for American flight or will bags be checked thru to final destination? Also what is quickest way to get from Terminal 1 to Terminal 8 for the connection?
Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide
Air Train
I am flying in to JFK in August. My friend lives just before Montauk. What train would I take how much would it cost me to do this?
In reply to Air Train by Anonymous (not verified)
You would take the air train
You would take the air train from JFK to Jamaica Station and transfer to the Long island railroad montauk line. Information (pricing) for that train can be found at www.mta.info/lirr/
To whom it may concerned, I
To whom it may concerned,
I don't how to get to the Hampton Inn JFK from JFK airport by taking shuttle. Can anybody advise me how to do it??? Thanks a million!!
Arriving at JFK from Canada
Arriving at JFK from Canada in mid July around 2:00 pm on a Sunday and need to get to the Sheraton Meadowlands in NJ. What is the best way to get there. The hotel is suggesting an $85 cab but that seems a bit much.
air train
Arriving at terminal 1 need to know how to take the air train that takes me to the free bus shuttle station C federal circle I was told to follow the signs for the free shuttle to the days inn hotel
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