JFK International Airport AirTrain

AirTrain JFK is the train service 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.

Air Train JFK has
3 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

  • 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

Both routes make a counterclockwise loop through the airport and stop at each
terminal.

  • Airline Terminal route

The Airline Terminal route connects 6 terminal stations (Terminal 1, 2-3,
4, 5-6, 7 and 8-9). Route operates in the opposite direction, making a clockwise
loop.
All JFK AirTrain stations are wheelchair accessible. Howard Beach subway and
Jamaica Long Island Railroad stations are wheelchair accessible too.

JFK
AirTrain Fare Information

  • Fare of 5$ at Howard Beach or Jamaica Station
  • Rides between all other JFK AirTrain stations are free

Comments

3060

Question? coming from ronkonkoma to Jamaica, then to JFK. I have an early flight, 8am (jetBlue), questions:

What are the time intervals of air train this early in the morning, potentially 5 am or 6am. I prefer not taking the 3:45 am LII, and prefer the 5:37 LII train, and wondering about safety issues as I will have kids with me? Would I able to make boarding for an 8 am flight if I took the 5:37 LII train, and is jamaica station safe?

Thank you. The safety issue was important. However, my flight is at 8 am (JetBlue), and I am new to the LI/NYCity area, just moved here, what train do you recommend, taking into consideration bordering time, and etc.; I would like to make bordering without stressing the lines and etc since I have kids, but do not want to go too early on the train. it seems the tram to JFK is a short ride, but there are limited trains that early. Your thoughts and service are appreciated, thank you, it means alot. jk

OK, for 8am domestic flight it is reasonable to be at T5 between 5:45am and 6:30 am. I see that LIRR has different schedules for the weekend and weekdays. I would suggest you to get LIRR train that arrives at Jamiaca Station at 5:57am(leaves Ronkonkoma at 4:58am) if you are flying on a week day. On weekend day take LIRR train that arrives at Jamaica station at 4:42am(leaves Ronkonkoma at 3:45am). I know, that one is very early but I don't see any other choices.
You may consider also shared ride service - it is a door to door service called Super Shuttle Long Island. You can check the fares(or give them a phone call) on their website:
http://www.supershuttle.com/en/LongIsland.aspx?Location=LongIsland&Type=Location

JFK_E

Once again, thank you for your response and input.

I am weighing my options. I have a friend that is willing to drop me off after work since he lives in Jersey. I get out of work late in the morning, and wondering, to save costs and safety with my kids, if there is an area I can wait in JFK around 2 AM, and wait for my early flight then (8am)? I would assume such, but since you have this excellent service; I thought I would get your feedback. More or less, is there an area I can wait for my flight a few hours early, and if so, where do you recommend?

Thank you.

Terminal 4 is one of the terminals that is open 24 hours and is always crowded wit people. It has seating places as well.
JFK_E

Yes, Jamaica Station/the Airtrain side/ is very safe . There are agents/including security/ 24/7. The Airtrain runs every 10min until 4am and every 5 min after that.
JFK_E

Does anyone know if there were significant flight delays into JFK on Saturday or Sunday due to flooding in the NY/NJ area? I'm asking about this past weekend on 3/20 or 3/21.

There were very minor delays not associated with that event.
JFK_E

How long does it take to get to Penn Station using sky train and subway, and more importantly how long to get back to catch an early flight out to SLC (7am flight)

Colin Keith

Hi Colin,
It depends at what time of the day you will be using the subway. Subway E is NOT an express line from 1230 midnight till 530 morning in Queens. At that time it will take you almost one hour to go from Penn Station to JFK(or the the other way). Any other time it takes no more than 40 min .
For 7am flight you have to be at the airport at least at 5am which means you have to take subway line E at Penn Station at least at 3:30 - 4am.
See:
http://www.mta.info/nyct/service/eline.htm
JFK_E

how will i know where to take the air train. coming in from jfk and want to go to valley stream 11580. what should i do?

Take Airtrain at any terminal on track 1 to Jamaica Station. Then take LIRR to Valley Stream.
See http://www.mta.info/lirr/html/ttn/valleyst.htm
JFK_E

Hello!
I'm coming in from Syracuse to JFK and need to get to Penn Street Station as I am staying at the New Yorker Hotel. Is it on the bus then train and should I get a metrocard?

From JFK(any Terminal) take Airtrain to Jamaica Station then subway line E to Penn Station. No bus is involved. Buy a metro card at Jamaica Station for $7.25 which will cover both your rides on Airtrain and subway all the way to Penn Station.
JFK_E

Hey JFK_E, why are you telling people to take the E train from Jamaica to Penn Station, which takes 45 minutes and a ton of stops, as opposed to the LIRR which takes 15 minutes and one stop at Woodside? Even LIRR to Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn is better than the A train as you can transfer to almost every major subway line there. Sure, LIRR costs more but much quicker, more comfortable and has overhead racks for luggage. I've done both and LIRR is by far the better alternative for travelers. Food for thought!!

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