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.
Arriving in to JFK on Fri afternoonn and need to get across to New Jersey. Is a taxi the best way or is there a cheaper way?? Can i go by the airtrain??
Taking the cab is the most convenient way.
If you want to save money, you can take air train to the subway station(E train); then, take E train to Penn station; than take train to NJ. The whole trip may take around 2 hours.
Hi All,
I will be flying to Stockholm from JFK and have never been to JFK before. Will be taking a domestic flight from Salt lake city and will reach JFK Terminal 3, 2 Hrs before my flight to Stockholm. I have only one check-in luggage. Can anybody please tell me whether the time is enough to reach terminal 1 and complete all formalities like getting boarding pass, immigration clearance, security check etc?
I believe you will have plenty of time to get to terminal 1 since there is another 2 hours to your next flight. You can take the sky train to all other terminals.
Hi there!
My flight arrives to JFK at 3.55 pm on Friday. Do you have any idea for how long does it take with all the formalities to get out of the airport?
And what would be the fastest way to get to Manhattan (that's where my hotel, Marriot is)?
Taxi or train? I do have 2 big bags and a hand bag so perhaps a taxi would be the easiest way? How much would that cost and approximately for how long would it take to get there?
Thank you so much for your help!
Br
Mia from Finland, Europe
Hi ~ the taxis in JFK have a set price of $45 into Manhattan (of course, in the USA they expect tips! So make that $50!)... The AirTrain connecting to the subway is much cheaper, but it may be hard w/ two bags.
Unfortunately, the customs at JFK is very slow. It could take 45-60 minutes to clear after arriving.
Have fun! I was just in Helsinki two weeks ago to see my hockey team (Pittsburgh Penguins) play Jokerit. I had so much fun!!
Hi Mia since you have two large bags the best way for you is to take yellow taxi in front of the terminal to your hotel its safe & they charge a flat rate of $ 50 & the trip takes about an hour it depend on traffic ,have a safe & enjoyable stay in our city & welcome to NEW YORK .
Is there a train connection between Jfk and La Guardia airport? We have 3 hours and 40 minutes between landing, getting the luggage and take a domestic flight from La Guardia to Fort Myers Florida. Is it faster by train, than car?
Greetings from Norway.
Ruben Storevold
There is no train from JFK to La Guardia. It is faster by car because train has sometimes delays.
From what I understand there is a shuttle service from JFK to LGA sun by NY Airport Service. Every 1/2 hour, cost $13, takes approx 1 hour. Does this sound correct? Cheers
My trip is JFK to Malverne:
Airtran to Jamaica, hop on LIRR, transfer at Valley Stream (towards W. Hempstead), get off at Malverne.
Is that correct?
And: my flight arrives on Wed @ 11:20pm, with the last LIRR train departing at 12:36am - with no checked baggage - is that enough time?
I'm arriving at 11:20pm at JFK next Wednesday - I'm planning on taking Airtran to Jamaica, then to LIRR, transferring at Valley Stream to get to my desitation: Malverne Station.
Can someone please verify the above route is correct? Am I missing anything?
ALSO ***The last Train from Jamaica on LIRR is at 12:36am - with my 11:20pm arrival and no checked baggage, is that enough time?
Thanks!
You can take the Airtrain to Jamaica, it should not take too long. I did double check the train schedule and found that the train is at 12:28pm from Jamaica to Valley Stream and if you miss that one there is a 1:28am to Valley Stream with a Transfer to Malverne for wednesday 10/22/08.
you can double check http://mta.info and double check the schedule as well.
Hope this helps
I need to get to Bowery St. in SoHo from JFK. In looking at the map, it looks like I should take the Air Train to Howard Beach, catch the A train to Broadway Junction, switch to the J train all the way to the Bowery stop.
Does that make sense? Any idea how long that will take?
lee-- this site saves my life, and i live in nyc for 2 years now: www.hopstop.com. click on nyc. punch in your starting point (jfk) and your destination, and it will tell you exactly what subway train(s) you will have to take, and the approximate time it takes. good luck!
JFK to New Jersey