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).
Directions
I am wanting to get from JFK to Amsterdam and 92nd in Manhattan. What is the subways/ routes that I take? I have never been to New York. Thanks!
jfk terminal 7 to 77th street ny 10075
do we choose jamaica station or howard beach and which subway after there,we are traevlling from terminal 7 to 77th street NY 10075
Inquiry
I want to take a train from Princeton Junction to JFK Terminal 1. How to take the train and Air train? Thanks for your help?
Transfer between terminal 3
Transfer between terminal 3 and 4. If I take airtrain, it will go through all other terminals(as it goes clockwise, till it arrives at Terminal 4, correct? How much time will be enough for such transfer. I also must clear customs and immigration. Thx.
Terminal 5 to Terminal 4
Hi
My wife and kid would arrive at Terminal 5 via Jet blue and they have 2 hour transit to catch the emirates international flight from Terminal 4.
Please let us know how do they travel from Terminal 5 to Terminal 4 on AirTrain. Is there a particular track or direction they need to use to catch the train.
Generally how long would it take to travel from Terminal 5 to 4
question
I arrive into JFK at Terminal 8 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
Jfk to time square
Hi arriving at JFK at 4.30pm terminal 8
Want to catch the train to our hotel in time square
Which is the best way. Thanks
AirTrain Transportation
Hi,
How do I take the AirTrain from NY Penn Station to JFK airport? I will dropping friends off at the train station and then heading over to the airport but I'm not quite sure how to get there by way of Airtrain. Thanks!
Train from Syracuse to JFK airport
Hi. I'm going to USA this summer and are leaving home again august the 7th, from Syracuse. A girl I know said I could take a train from Syracuse to JFK Airport, but what is the nearest train station to JFK airport? And how can I get to the airport from Syracuse, to what station, and does the train go all the way to the airport?
Very thankful for help :)
Terminal 7 to AirTrain
I'm looking at the Terminal 7 map and don't see the connection to the AirTrain. I watched a video on you tube and it looks like you have to exit the terminal, pass where the taxis are, then there is an escalator to the AirTrain. Is that correct? Do you have to re-clear security when you leave Terminal 7 and go to another terminal (I am going to Terminal 4 for an international flight).
I am coming to Jamaica from
I am coming to Jamaica from the LIRR. I need to get to JFK Jet Blue Terminal. How much will this cost and how long will it take to get to JFK from Jamaica?
Terminal 4 to Lefferts Blvd.
Hi, So I am going to arrive at terminal 4 and to take the air train to long term parking A I get of at Lefferts Blvd. Does it cost 5$ to get of at Lefferts Blvd or Federal Circle?
Also is the bus service between parking lots free?
does it cost anything from
does it cost anything from terminal 4 till Howard beach station?
Best way to get to Long Island City from JFK
Hi, I'm travelling in September to NYC with 3 relatives (and a total of 4 large pieces of luggage). Our flight arrives at Terminal 4 and we need to get to Long Island City. Nearby our hotel are the subway stations Queensboro Plaza and Queensbridge (Queens Plaza is a tiny bit farther away, but it's still near). My question is: which is the best way to get there? I understand the AirTrain could help us somehow, but we need guidance in terms of how to get from Terminal 4 to where we need to go (step by step, please! We are a bunch of NYC first timers). Also, how much will this cost vs a taxi fare to the same place? Thank you so much in advance!
airtrain/amtrak to Rhinebeck
I need to know how to get from JFK to a train that will take me up to Rhinebeck/Rhinecliff. If you know aprox how long this travel would take that would be helpful also.
Add new comment