JFK AirTrain is the automated, elevated people mover system that operates between JFK International Airport, Long Island Rail Road trains and New York City Subway.
It also serves as an on-airport service connecting the airline terminals, rental car facilities, hotel shuttles, and airport parking lots.
AirTrain Routes
- Howard Beach route
The Howard Beach route ends at the Howard Beach-JFK subway station. It stops at Lefferts Boulevard (connecting transit services - B15 bus) for shuttle buses to long term parking lots A and B and to airport employee parking.
Connecting transit services:
A subway train
Q11 bus Runs along Cross Bay Blvd, Q21, Q53 SBS, Q52 SBS – Serve the Cross Bay Blvd corridor
- Jamaica Station route
The Jamaica route ends at Jamaica Station on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) next to the Sutphin Boulevard/Archer Avenue-JFK subway station (to Brooklyn and Manhattan or Queens).
Connecting transit services:
E, J and Z subway trains
Q6, Q8, Q9, Q20A, Q20B, Q25/Q34, Q30, Q31, Q40, Q43, Q44, Q60 and Q65 buses.
- Airline Terminal route (free)
The Airline Terminal route connects JFK terminals, hotel shuttles, parking areas and rental car facilities.
All JFK AirTrain stations are wheelchair accessible. Howard Beach subway and Jamaica Long Island Railroad stations are wheelchair accessible too.
Hours of Operation
AirTrain runs 24/7,
- Depending on route/time of day - trains run every 7–15 minutes,
- depending on time of day and route.
JFK is not that close to Manhattan, but you have some free time. (remember you have to be back 2 hrs prior to departure). You can take the Air Train to the NYC Subway and then take the A train toward Manhattan (Uptown) this will take you about 1 hour and 1/2. You can get off at Fulton street station OR Wall street subway station and see the location where the Twin Towers used to be at, and a little shopping at Centry 21 outlet. You can also continue on the Subway and get off the Times Square or 34th treet etc...it all depends on what you want to see while you are here. The subway, you have to buy a metro card, each trip is $2.25 and the Air train costs $5.00 one way. You can use Hop Stop website or the MTA website to plan your trip. They have daily planners allowing you to input your departure area (JFK) to any location in manhattan. This is the website. http://tripplanner.mta.info/MyTrip/ui_web/customplanner/tripplanner.aspx
How can i get from JFK to Manhattan and from where on Manhattan can I go to JFK? How ong will take a one-way trip? Thanks.
Hey,
We are arriving at JFK and need to get to Princeton Station - can you suggest a route? Thanks so much...
There is also a one-seat-ride option, but it costs more and takes longer. Details here: http://olympic-limo.com/schedule-from-princeton.html
If you do decide to go by train, do not confuse "Princeton" station with "Princeton Junction" station. Fares to Princeton are a little higher than fares to Princeton Junction, and the trip requires a connection to the shuttle train that runs between Princeton Junction and Princeton.
My husband and I are flying Jetblue and need some help in getting to 124 Columbia Heights in Brooklyn. Which is the best way to get there?
Hello,
I will be arriving quite early on Friday morning and am wondering the best route to get from JFK to Prospect Pk SW & 10th avenue? Thanks so much!
AirTrain to Howard Beach station; then, Manhattan-bound "A" train to Hoyt-Schermerhorn station. At Hoyt-Schermerhorn, transfer to a Church Street-bound "G" train to 15th Street-Prospect Park station. Your destination should be less than a five-minute walk from there. Allow about one hour for the trip.
Minor correction to my prior post: At Hoyt-Schermerhorn, you want to board a "G" train bound for Church *Avenue*, not Church *Street*.
(Note to website administrator: If you can correct my prior post, feel free to delete this one.)
One end of Greenpoint Avenue is served by the Greenpoint Avenue station on the "G" line; the other end is served by the 46th Street station on the #7 line. On weekdays, the B24 bus runs along Greenpoint Avenue, connecting one end to the other.
From JFK, take the AirTrain to Jamaica, and then take a Manhattan-bound "E" train to Roosevelt Avenue/Jackson Heights station for the transfer to the #7; or take the "E" to Court Square/23rd Street station for the transfer to the "G". If you use a Metrocard to enter the subway at Jamaica, you will automatically get a free transfer to the B24 bus, if needed.
Is it possible to meet my friend who is arriving at at terminal 4 JFK?. I was hoping to get off the airtrain and wait for her at the T4 station
Yes, it's possible, but you would probably be more comfortable waiting inside the terminal itself. Perhaps you could agree to meet at the Travelers Aid desk -- or some other landmark -- inside Terminal 4.
I want to go from JFK to W 63rd St/Brodway near Columbus Circle. What connection is the best and how long will it take me to get there?
The easiest way is to take the AirTrain to Howard Beach, and then board a Manhattan-bound "A" subway to Columbus Circle station.
The alternative -- which will probably be a few minutes faster but will involve an additional transfer -- is to take the AirTrain to Jamaica, and then board a Manhattan-bound "E" subway. At Seventh Avenue/53rd Street station, transfer from the "E" to an uptown "B" or "D" subway (on the lower level of the station) for the one-stop ride to Columbus Circle.
AirTrain and "A" subway should take a little over one hour; AirTrain and "E" subway, with a transfer to the "B" or "D" at Seventh Avenue station, should take just under an hour.
JFK is not that close to