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).
Airtrain from JFK to Airtrain
Will we be able to take Airtrain at 10am to Jamica? From the message on the LIRR it looks like it only operates at night???
Special MessageDue to construction, AirTrain JFK will only operate between Jamaica & Federal Circle, Sunday through Thursday, from 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM through Friday, August 19th. Free Shuttle Bus Service will be provided at the Howard Beach, Lefferts Boulevard and Federal Circle AirTrain Stations and at all Airline Terminals. Please expect delays during these times.
In reply to Airtrain from JFK to Airtrain by atlanta (not verified)
At 10:00 AM, you will be
At 10:00 AM, you will be able to take the AirTrain directly from the terminals to Jamaica. If you were traveling between 9:00 PM and 7:00 AM, you would have to take a shuttle bus from the terminals to Federal Circle, and then board the AirTrain at Federal Circle for the ride to Jamaica.
Air Train Timings
Please advise '
I am arriving JFK T8 on AA032 26Aug at 2220hrs.
Would Air Train be functional to drop me at Federal Circle.
Have to reach Days Inn through their Free Shuttle Service.
Thanks
Will I be able to get the
Will I be able to get the AIR train from Platform 4 to Federal Circle on August 10th around 8pm? My hotel shuttle bus leaves from around there. Is there an alternative mode of transportation I can take if it's not running?
In reply to Will I be able to get the by B (not verified)
I think you mean *Terminal*
I think you mean *Terminal* 4, not *Platform* 4.
AirTrain service is currently suspended from 9:00 PM until 7:00 AM, Sunday-Friday, so you should be able to still catch a train at 8:00 PM. Trains to Federal Circle normally use Track 1, but always check the destination signs -- or ask an attendant -- before boarding.
If, for any reason, AirTrain service is suspended by the time you are ready to take it, the Port Authority will be operating substitute shuttle-bus service from each terminal to Federal Circle.
Airtran to Times Square
I am arriving tomorrow & hoping to take Airtran to get me close to the Marriott Marquis on Times Square - what is the best subway connection?
Thanks!
In reply to Airtran to Times Square by Tracy G (not verified)
AirTrain to Jamaica Station;
AirTrain to Jamaica Station; then Manhattan-bound "E" subway to 42nd Street/8th Avenue. Exit to the rear of the subway, and follow signs for the exit at 44th Street/east side of 8th Avenue. Walk one block north to 45th Street, and then 3/4 block east. The entrance to the hotel (through a driveway) will be on your left.
Allow about 35 minutes for the subway ride from Jamaica.
SERVICE DISSRUPTION - WHEN IS IT OVER
FOR THE LAST 3 WEEKS THE AIRTRAIN HAS BEEN BASICALLY SHUTDOWN FOR SERVICE TO THE CAR RENTAL. AND THE BUS SERVICE IS SUPPORTED BY DRIVERS THAT DO NOT KNOW WHAT AIRLINES ARE IN WHAT TERMINAL!!! WHEN IS THE AIRTRAIN GOING TO BE BACK IN FULL SERVICE????
AIR TRAIN Dissruption - when is it over
When will the Air Train return to service from the terminals to the car rental offices?
In reply to AIR TRAIN Dissruption - when is it over by MKasal (not verified)
Here's the information
Here's the information posted on the Port Authority's website:
""AirTrain Service Disruption
July 17 – August 19
9:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m., Sunday to Friday
AirTrain JFK service will operate ONLY between Jamaica Station and Federal Circle. Please allow extra time to travel at JFK during this period.
Shuttle bus services will be in effect at:
Howard Beach Station
Lefferts Boulevard
Federal Circle
All airline terminals
Passengers traveling to Rental Car pick-up, Long Term/Employee parking lots will need to take the free shuttle bus service."
JFK to Philly
Hi I am planning a trip from Cape Town, South Africa to Philly. I am landing at JFK on the 24th of Dec and returning the 1st of Jan 2012. What would be best and cheapest route to travel from JFK to Philly and back?
In reply to JFK to Philly by Travel1 (not verified)
"Best" and "cheapest" are
"Best" and "cheapest" are often mutually exclusive. If you have not yet purchased your ticket, you should inquire about the cost of adding on the JFK-PHL-JFK flights operated by Delta.
For ground transportation, the absolute cheapest way would probably involve taking the Q-10 or Q-10 Limited bus from JFK Terminal 4 to the "A" train subway at Lefferts Boulevard and Liberty Avenue. Take the "A" train to 34th Street/Penn Station, and then take Bolt Bus or Megabus from there to Philadelphia. The whole trip could cost under $10, depending on whether you are able to secure one of the very cheap seats on the bus by being among the first to book a particular trip.
Other, more expensive ground transportation options include taking the AirTrain to Jamaica Station, the subway or Long Island Rail Road from there to Penn Station, and then Amtrak or one of the aforementioned buses to Philadelphia.
transfering from jfk to 57th street
Hi
Can anyone help, We need to get to columbus circle station from JFK, do we take the E train from Jamaica Station or the A train from Howard Beach, both connected via the airtrain at JFK, my hotel is on 57th Street near columbus circle.
Also what is the approx travel time for the route?
Thanks
Hi there. We arrive at JFK
Hi there. We arrive at JFK at 5:50pm on Friday. Our hotel is at W23rd, 8th Avenue in NYC Chelsea. We are 2 adults and 4 children with "normal" luggage. What are our options to get there? Should we take the train/subway or a taxi? I expect a taxi to be pricy... What's about a bus? tia & greetings from Germany
Air Train Delay
I arrive on Delta at 9:20 pm and I believe thats at Terminal 3.
My connecting flight is at 01:20 am from Terminal 7 (Cathay Pacific Airways).
I was informed by the airline that the air train services on my travel date is suspended from 9pm - 7am next day.
Which is the safest and quickest way to get from Terminal 3 to Terminal 7 around 9:45 pm. I will have to probably tow my luggage along too.
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