New York City has an extensive public transit network, and you can connect to it directly from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
Whether you're headed to Manhattan, meeting friends in Brooklyn, staying in Queens, or traveling beyond the five boroughs, the JFK AirTrain connects you with subway and regional rail service that can take you across the Tri-State area. Here's how to choose the right route for your destination.
Think of the JFK AirTrain as your connection between the airport and New York's larger public transit network. The system serves all passenger terminals and provides access to public transportation at two key stations: Jamaica and Howard Beach. You can see both transit hubs on the JFK AirTrain map.
Jamaica Station is the major connection for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and the E, J, and Z subway lines. It's generally the starting point for trips to Midtown Manhattan, parts of Queens and Brooklyn, Long Island, and regional rail connections beyond New York City.
Howard Beach-JFK Airport Station connects with the A subway line, offering a useful option for destinations in Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan.
The AirTrain costs $8.75 each way between JFK and Jamaica or Howard Beach. Since AirTrain fare is separate from subway, LIRR, and Metro-North tickets, make sure to budget for the full trip.
The best route from JFK to Manhattan depends on where you're staying. For Midtown, take the AirTrain to Jamaica and transfer to the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). Trains from Jamaica serve both Penn Station and Grand Central Madison, giving you convenient options for the west and east sides of Midtown.
For JFK to Penn Station, take the Jamaica AirTrain and transfer to an LIRR train bound for Penn Station. From Penn Station, you can walk or connect to the subway for destinations throughout Midtown.
If you're traveling from JFK to Times Square, you have two easy options. Take the AirTrain to Jamaica and the LIRR to Penn Station, then walk or take the subway to Times Square. You can also transfer at Jamaica to the E train, which stops at 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal, one block west of Times Square.
Making the reverse trip? For Penn Station to JFK Airport, take the LIRR to Jamaica and follow signs for the AirTrain NYC JFK connection to your terminal.
For other parts of Manhattan, the subway may be more convenient. From Jamaica, the E train runs through Queens into Midtown, while the J and Z trains travel toward Lower Manhattan. From Howard Beach-JFK Airport Station, the A train travels through Brooklyn into Lower Manhattan and continues up Manhattan's west side.
JFK is in Queens, and Jamaica Station gives you both subway and rail options for traveling elsewhere in the borough.
From Jamaica, the E, J, and Z trains serve different parts of Queens before continuing toward Brooklyn or Manhattan. The E is useful for destinations along Queens Boulevard, while the J and Z serve neighborhoods including Richmond Hill and Woodhaven. From Howard Beach, the A train serves Howard Beach and Ozone Park before continuing into Brooklyn.
The LIRR can be another option for destinations near stations in Queens. From Jamaica, LIRR trains provide connections to stations including Kew Gardens, Forest Hills, and Woodside, depending on the train. For destinations such as Long Island City, Astoria, or Flushing, check your exact route first; your trip may require an additional subway, bus, or rail connection.
Brooklyn covers a large area, so your best route depends on the neighborhood.
From Howard Beach, the A train travels through East New York and continues toward Downtown Brooklyn, with connections to other subway lines along the way. From Jamaica, the J and Z trains travel through eastern and northern Brooklyn before crossing into Manhattan, offering convenient access for destinations in and around Bushwick.
The LIRR also provides a rail option between Jamaica and Atlantic Terminal in Downtown Brooklyn. If your destination is near Atlantic Terminal or one of its many subway connections, taking the AirTrain to Jamaica and transferring to the LIRR can be a better alternative to riding the subway all the way from JFK.
There isn't a direct subway or commuter rail line from JFK to the Bronx, so expect a transfer.
For a subway trip, take the AirTrain to Jamaica and the E train toward Manhattan. From Manhattan, connect to a Bronx-bound line based on your destination. The 2, 4, 5, 6, B, and D trains all serve parts of the Bronx.
For destinations near a Metro-North station, rail may be more convenient. Take the AirTrain to Jamaica, transfer to the LIRR to Grand Central Madison, then follow signs to Grand Central Terminal for Metro-North. Metro-North's Harlem, Hudson, and New Haven lines serve different parts of the Bronx before continuing north of New York City.
There isn't a direct rail connection between JFK and Staten Island. Instead, combine AirTrain, the subway, and the Staten Island Ferry.
One option is to take the AirTrain to Howard Beach and ride the A train into Lower Manhattan, then continue to Whitehall Terminal to catch the Staten Island Ferry. After arriving at St. George, transfer to the Staten Island Railway or a local bus for your final destination.
Since this trip involves several connections, check current service before leaving JFK and allow extra time for transfers.
Jamaica Station is the main rail connection for travelers heading east from JFK.
Take the Jamaica AirTrain from the airport and transfer to the LIRR. From Jamaica, LIRR branches serve destinations across Nassau and Suffolk counties, including major hubs where you can connect to trains traveling farther east. Check the Long Island Rail Road for the train serving your destination and use TrainTime to view schedules and purchase tickets.
For most rail trips from JFK into New Jersey, start by taking the AirTrain to Jamaica and the LIRR to Penn Station New York. From Penn Station, transfer to NJ TRANSIT for Newark, Secaucus, and destinations throughout the NJ TRANSIT rail network.
PATH can make more sense for destinations such as Jersey City, Hoboken, Harrison, and parts of Newark. Depending on your destination, take AirTrain and New York City transit into Manhattan, then connect with the PATH system. Since PATH routes differ from NJ TRANSIT rail routes, check which station is closest to your final destination before leaving JFK.
If you're traveling north of New York City, you can make the trip almost entirely by rail.
Take the AirTrain to Jamaica and transfer to the LIRR to Grand Central Madison. From there, follow signs to Grand Central Terminal and transfer to Metro-North. The Hudson Line serves destinations along the Hudson River, the Harlem Line travels north through Westchester, and the New Haven Line serves destinations in Westchester and Connecticut.
The MTA TrainTime app covers both LIRR and Metro-North, so you can check schedules and plan both parts of the rail trip in one place.
MTA buses can be useful for some destinations in Queens and Brooklyn, especially if you're staying closer to JFK.
The Q3 connects with the AirTrain at Lefferts Boulevard and travels to Jamaica, while the B15 connects Lefferts Boulevard with neighborhoods in Brooklyn, including East New York and Bedford-Stuyvesant. Depending on your destination, you may need to transfer to another bus or subway line.
For trips farther across the city, the AirTrain and subway or LIRR will generally offer a more direct connection. Check the MTA trip planner before leaving JFK to compare current bus and train service.
If you’re traveling with multiple bags, as a group, or to a destination that requires several transit connections, a shuttle may be another option.
Authorized van and shuttle services connect JFK with destinations throughout the New York area. Some hotels also offer airport shuttle service, with pickup and drop-off at Federal Circle via the AirTrain. Check JFK’s authorized shuttle and van services before traveling to confirm your provider and pickup location.
Since shuttles travel by road, travel times can vary with traffic.
If JFK is where your trip begins rather than ends, check current train and subway service before heading to the airport and leave enough time for transfers. If you’re trying to figure out deciding when you should arrive, use our guide to how early you should get to the airport to build enough time into your plan.
Once you’ve planned your route, download the free CLEAR App to get everything you need, exactly when you need it from home to gate. Know exactly when to leave with real-time traffic and airport conditions, get directions to the CLEAR+ Lane, view live security wait times, and pre-order your Starbucks to have it ready and waiting for pickup on the way to your gate.
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