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).
Metrocard
I am landing in JFK and wish to take the airtrain to Howard Beach subway and purchase a 7 day unlimited Metrocard. Can I purchase the 7 Day Metrocard at Howard Beach Station or any where in the airport area. How much is the cost of the airtrain and metrocard
Travelling to Manhatten
Hi myself and my wife are arriving on 28th Jul and are thinking of getting the Air Train to Manhattan. I understand we have to transfer at Jamaica onto the E subway; where is the best place to get off at Manhattan to get to 46th St between 7th and 8th Street, not far from Times Sq.
Thanks
Hi, I just wanted to know
Hi, I just wanted to know that do relatives coming to receive passengers have to pass through any security check before entering terminal
How can I get to Grand Central Station in Manhattan?
I'm going to arrive at JFK International Airport next Sunday, and I should get to the Grand Central Station from the airport to take a train to Conneticut. I wonder whether the Airtrain goes to the station or not. And, is there any other way I can get to the station? Or is this the only way? I should arrive at the station as soon as possible.
Air Train
Where do I catch the Air Train to travel from Terminal 8 to Terminal 1?
connecting time
i land in terminal 8 from charles de gaulle and leave to lima from terminal 4 by LAN. i can't check all the way through so i have to retrieve luggage and check it in again. will i make it?
In reply to connecting time by Anonymous (not verified)
Impossible to say, without
Impossible to say, without knowing when you arrive and when you depart.
Airtran
Hello. My flight lands in Terminal 1 and I need to get to Terminal 4.After I collent my luggage, Where would I find the AirTran?
Do i need a transit visa
I am a Mauritian national and i have a connecting flight. I am traveling from Mauritius to Bermuda Island. In my flight itinerary im connecting in JFK, and i am landing in Terminal 4 from Dubai and my next flight to bermuda by American Airlines is on Terminal 8.Do i need a transit visa for this purpose as i am from Mauritius and how about my luggage, will it be transferred automatically?
Please reply back
from penn station how do i
from penn station how do i get to jfk
Hello, I will travel from
Hello,
I will travel from Moscow to Miami via JFK.
Transit time is 2h30 (arrival at 3h15PM , departure 5h45PM)
I arrive at term 3 and go to term 8.
I'm flying with different airlines ( Delta to JFK, AA to Miami).
What is the Air train duration between T3 et T8 ?
How many time does the immigration check take ?
Is my transit time suufficient ?
Thanks a lot for your answer
Elena
What's the best way to get
What's the best way to get to JFK from SUNY Stony Brook? How long is the trip?
hi, I`ll arrive July 07th
hi,
I`ll arrive July 07th from FRA 12:35pm,I´ll fly with Delta Airlines to Halifax.
How can I get do the check in of Delta
87 bowery to JFK
My flight is at 9.20 PM from JFK. how much time it would take from 87 bowery to jfk airport and which is quick and easy way to reach.
Airtrain
I need to get from Canal St to JFK, what is the quickest and easiest? Hpw long will it take if i leave at 8am?
Add new comment