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.
Take Airtrain from your terminal to Howard Beach Station. Take the Manhattan-bound A subway to 14th St. Walk west (towards the Hudson River) two blocks to Washington St. and turn left for 1-1/2 blocks to your hotel. Airtrain is $5 and subway is $2.25 which can be purchased together on a regular Metrocard when you exit the Airtrain. If you expect to use public transportation during your stay you can put any amount on the card and up to 4 persons can use one card.
We are arriving at JFK at 9:07 am. We are trying to find the best way to get to westhampton without costing us a lot. It looks like we can take the air tran from JFK to Jamaica Station to catch the LIRR to Westhampton for a 11:33 departure. Can you please advise me if this is the best, most inexpensive way to get there? Also, is a 9:07am arrival at JFK to catch the LIRR for a 11:33am departure feasible? Thank you for any help!
This is definitely the best and cheapest, LIRR fare is $14.25 off-peak plus $5 Airtrain fare. It will only take you 15 minutes to get from your terminal to Jamaica Station on the Airtrain and a few minutes to purchase your ticket so you're ok even if you get to the station 15-20 minutes before departure. You can purchase your Airtrain and LIRR fares on the same ticket at Jamaica Station on the self-service machines. Just follow the instrutions on the machine, it's pretty easy, and there are nice folks there to help you.
We are getting in Jfk at 7:30pm on a Thurs and want a good , safe way to get to North Port, LI and do not know the area. Is Air Tran and good option?
Travelling from Los Angeles to JFK. Once I land, I'll need to get to either Delta International or Caribbean Air. How do I navigate around?
Am arriving into JFK on August 31 at around 11am. Need to transfer to Mansfield Hotel on West 44th. A few days later transferring from Mansfield to La Guardia. Can you help with directions and costs-thanks
Taxi from JFK to hotel will cost $45+tolls+tip. Taxi to LGA from hotel is about $30+tolls+tip. NYAS runs shuttle buses to/from both airports to Grand Central Station which is only a few blocks from your hotel; cost from JFK is $15, to LGA is $12. Public transportation (subway, LIRR) is easily accessible from JFK via Airtrain LGA is not, best to take a taxi there.
I am flying back home to Clearwater Florida on Jet Blue on Friday evening, I flew down here from Tampa with an outdated ID but was allowed to board after I was red flagged. Will I encounter the same procedure at JFK, I have no means of getting any ID here and I need to get back home to work.
Hi,
I've got a question. I will arrive at JFK at 7.00 pm 8/6/2010 (I hope get my luggage and pass the duty etc. at 9.00 pm). I want to take the AirTrain to Jamaica Station and take there subway-line E (have to go to 304 East / 42 Street).
1) Where can I get the tickets for the subway?
2) Is it save to use the line at this time?
I hope somebody can help me! Thank you!
You purchase your Airtrain and subway fare on a "pay-per-ride" Metrocard from a self-service machine when you exit Airtrain at Jamaica Station. There are nice folks there to help. If you purchase your Metrocard for $8 or more you'll get a discount so if you expect to use the subway/bus/return Airtrain during your stay this is the best deal. Take E subway to 53rd St./Lexington Ave. and transfer to the downtown #6 subway one stop to 42nd St./Grand Central. Walk east on 42nd St. about 3-1/2 blocks (these are long blocks, especially with luggage!) to your location between 1st and 2nd Aves., or you can take the M42 bus (runs along 42nd St.) eastbound from the subway to your location, use your Metrocard for the bus fare. Subway is ok at this time of evening.
I want to know bus to bus or bus to subway.
Also, where can i buy the metrocard?
You take Airtrain from your terminal to either Howard Beach Station for the A subway or Jamaica Station for the E and J subways and LIRR. You purchase the Metrocard to pay for Airtrain and subway from a self-service machine when you exit Airtrain. At JFK I believe you can purchase a Metrocard at the newsstand in Terminal 4 only.
Hi, my plane is due at JFK on Friday at 7,40 pm (which means I'll likely clear customs by about 9 pm). I should then go to Washington Square Village, on Bleecker St, between LaGuardia Place and Mercer St. If I take the Air Train to Jamaica Station, is it better then to take the LIRR or the E subway ?
Take Airtrain from your