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).
I will be arriving in
I will be arriving in terminal 4 and need to get to queensbridge subway station. Can you advise me on the route please? Thanks
what track is airtrain "all terminals" in terminal 4
My wife's arriving terminal 4 on Monday and she needs to take the airtrain from term 4 to terminal 5. She doesn't speak or read very good english so I want a foolproof way to get her on the train so she can't get lost.
What track is the "all terminals" airtrain in terminal 4? I realize that there are probably shorter ways to get from 4 to 5 but I would rather be safe. The worst that can happen is that she goes in a circle if she misses 5/6.
I think it's track 2 but not sure. Also, is it color coded?
what is the best way to
what is the best way to T1(china estern) from T5(jetblue)? how many hours I need to take into consideration bewteen? Thanks.
In reply to what is the best way to by Ann lu (not verified)
Take the JFK AirTrain from
Take the JFK AirTrain from JetBlue (T5) to
Terminal 1(T1) for $5. Twenty to 30-minutes the most.
Or, hop into a NYC Taxi outside Terminal 1 and give the driver $8-10.
Airtrain from JFK to Newark or La Guardia
I would like to Know if there is the option for the Airtrain from JFK to Newark or La Guardia and the time for wich trip
In reply to Airtrain from JFK to Newark or La Guardia by Pati (not verified)
Sorry but there is not an
Sorry but there is not an AirTrain that connects the three airports (JFK, Newark or LaGuardia)
Please vist this site: http://www.panynj.gov/airports/jfk-airport-connections.html
to find out the best way to travel between the various airports. Thanks!
T5 to T7
What is the best way to get from T5 (JetBlue) that arrives at 11:30am to get to T7 (Cathay Pacific) that leaves at 2pm? Which tram should I use?
David Q.
Good morning. I am spanish and I have a doubt. I will travel from Mexico D.F to Madrid with scale in JFK. I'll be arrived around 4:15pm to the terminal 1 and I need to go the terminal 3 because my second flight will departure around 7:40pm. I'll be in transit. What do I have to do?. Is it necessary to catch my baggage in the terminal 1 or the airline entemprisse will give my baggage to the terminal 3?. And will I have time for this connecting flight?. Thanks for your help.
AirTran
Hi my boyfriend and are are traveling on the same day around the same time however, my departing flight is with JetBlue (terminal 5) and his is US Airways (terminal 7). We are both going to get out at terminal 5 but he will still need to go to terminal 7 to catch his flight. How can he do that? Thank you
Hi, My parents are stuck in
Hi,
My parents are stuck in traffic in Lincoln tunnel and they have flight from lufthansa from terminal 1 at 5: 40 pm, My parents are going for really urgent work, and they must take this flight. Is there a way to tell the lufthansa counter at terminal 1 if they could allow my parents to check in. My parents will reach there before 5:40 pm but airlines usually close check in before. My parents do not have any luggage to check in. Is there any way that my parents don't miss this flight. Can somebody help me with this. The ticket is non-refundable.
I'll be grateful.
Thanks.
Hello, I arrive at 12.20
Hello, I arrive at 12.20 from Moscow at JFK , term 1 and have to catch my flight to St Luis at term 3 at 15.30, is it enough time to use the air train to change terminals, and do all customs clearence? Thank you in advance
T8 to T4
Arrive from MCO on AA1768 at 9:20 pm T8; depart on Emitates 202 T4 at 11:00 pm. How do I get from T8 to T4 and approximately how long does it take?
Does the AirTrain run 24
Does the AirTrain run 24 hours? If so, how often does it arrive at JFK to take people to the long-term parking area?
airtrain service
Are the trains from Jamaica to Penn running on a regular schedule? Is the airtrain running on a regular schedule?
I will have a transfer
I will have a transfer between T5 and T3.
Which air train track should be taken to reach T5 from T3 ? And how many minutes ?
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