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).
To find the airtrain from terminal 3
Hi,
My daughter (17) is flying alone for the first time, will arrive from Stockholm with Delta to terminal 3. Is it difficult to find the airtrain when changing terminal? Is the way well-signed?
Airlink to MTA A train
I am planning on buying a weekly MTA card.
How do I pay for Airlink($5)and MTA A train at Howard St.
Do I buy separate MTA Card for Airlink?
Do I scan both cards?
Howard Beach Station
Hello is the MTA subway and Airtrain operating regular hours / times at the Howard Beach station? I will be traveling on 4/26/2012 - Thank you, K
How do I get from Newark
How do I get from Newark Aiport or Newark Penn Station to JFK Aiport EASILY?
Thanks
JFK to Lower East Side
Hello, I will be arriving @ Terminal 8, and need to get to the Lower East Side (101 Bowery). What AirTrain do I take, and what do I transfer to? Also, on my return to the airport, what do I take to connect to AirTrain. Thank you! Greg.
long-term parking
Is the Lefferts Boulevard station within short walking distance of where my car would be parked in "long-term parking"? You replied earlier that it takes 2 mins to the airport from Lefferts Boulevard. This seems very quick, is this the time to go all the way to Terminal 8?
Thanks
timing from parking to terminal 8
Approximately how long does it take to travel on the airtrain to terminal 8 (American Airlines)? Also how frequently does the train run at about 6 am on Sunday morning?
Thanks
JFK toMontauk, Long Isalnd
Hi - I arrive at JFK on Friday 18th May at 11.25. I am wanting to travel to Montauk, Long Island, directly from the airport. Please could you tell me what route, train I should take, and where from? Kind regards
Hi, I'll be arriving by SIA
Hi,
I'll be arriving by SIA at 11.00 am and I'll be taking Delta airlines to D.C. at 1.50 pm. Which terminals would I be arriving and departing from and is there enough time to make the connecting flight?
AirTrain running
Is the airtrain running from Jamaica LIRR to terminal 5 Friday morning 4/13 at 8am? Someone mentioned I will need to take a shuttle bus due to construction on the AirTrain. If so, where do I catch the shuttle bus and how often do they run?
NYC vacation
I am coming from JFK airport, how do I get to The Empire Hotel? I know that if I take a taxi it will be very expensive, I would like to take a train, or bus.
Arrival
Hi can you help with the best route to get to our hotel on West 35th Street? We arrive from London Heathrow.
Appreciate your help.
Hi, We are arriving at JFK
Hi,
We are arriving at JFK Terminal 7 may 1st at 12.35 pm. Pls advise how to get to Madison Ave with air train and subway. Can we buy one ticket for this journey at the airport?
Sandra
Transferring from Terminal 7 to Delta
I arrive into JFK at Terminal 7 and have a Delta Flight (JFK to BOS) to connect with.
Please advise if 2 hours is sufficient to collect luggage and check in to the Delta flight.
And what are the options for transferring between the terminals.
Thanks.
We have an appointment with
We have an appointment with global entry office in Terminal 4 closest to passenger pick-up side A&B before a flight that evening leaving from Terminal 5. How can we get from the office location to Terminal 5 with our bags?
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