John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

JFK Airport, also known as simply JFK or Kennedy Airport, is the largest and busiest airport in New York. Known officially as John F. Kennedy International Airport, it is named after the 35th President of the United States.

This New York airport is located in Queens, 15 miles (26 km) from Manhattan, and there are several transfer options to the city. I’ll tell you more about JFK International Airport and all the transfer options available here.

Landing at JFK Airport

Once you land at JFK Airport in New York, you need to get through customs. The airport can be very busy, depending on the number of flights landing at the same time. With some luck, you’ll be out within an hour, but it could also take two hours or more.

Everyone has to go through customs when entering the United States and will need an ESTA to do so. You can go through customs with several people. Each visitor will be photographed and fingerprinted at passport control. Once you are through customs, you can collect your luggage.

About Eric »

Hey there, I'm Eric!

I'm a true New York fan with over 20 years of experience visiting and living in NYC. Here on my website, I share all my tips and valuable information to help you make the most of your trip. I personally test and regularly re-test everything on my site to ensure that what I write is useful, honest, and always up-to-date.

If you have questions, are unsure about something, or want me to check your itinerary, please email me at eric@newyork.co.uk. You can also follow me on Facebook or Instagram to get daily updates from New York.

Read more about NewYork.co.uk and Eric

Eric’s Tip: “You’ll usually be asked a few simple questions at customs, such as the purpose of your trip and how long you plan to stay in New York.”

Mobile Passport Control at JFK

Have you been to the United States before using an ESTA? Download the MPC App and fill in your arrival details in advance for a more efficient entry. Then, at JFK, you can use the Mobile Passport Control queue to pass through customs, which can significantly shorten your waiting time.

Transfer from JFK Airport to Manhattan

There are several ways to travel from JFK Airport to Manhattan. For example, you can take a yellow cab, arrange a private transfer in advance or use public transport. You can see all the options in Eric’s New York Transfer Planner and plan everything in advance.

JFK AirTrain

A great way to travel to and from JFK Airport is on the JFK AirTrain! This unmanned train runs between all the terminals and then heads towards two subway stations closer to the city. From there, you can transfer to the New York metro network and take the subway towards Manhattan.

Read more about the JFK AirTrain and buy your tickets here

Departures from JFK Airport

When you fly from JFK Airport, which terminal you need to go to depends on the airline you’re flying with. If you are flying with British Airways, you need to be at Terminal 8, and if you’re flying with Aer Lingus, you need to be at Terminal 5.

Once you’ve checked in any luggage and gotten through customs, there are great facilities such as food outlets and shops for you to pleasantly pass the time before your flight.

Lounges at JFK Airport

There’s nothing better than boarding a plane fully relaxed and ready for the journey ahead, and a lounge is the best place to chill pre-flight. There are several airport lounges at JFK that you can access through membership or with a priority pass. You can also buy a day pass to many of them if you’re flying with the airline or its partner. You’ll be able to enjoy comfortable seats, some food and drinks and even use the showers to freshen up.

How to spend a few hours or a layover at JFK?

If you have time to spare at JFK Airport, or even a layover, there is one place you really must see: the TWA Hotel. This is the only airport hotel at JFK, and it’s decorated in such a way that it almost resembles a museum. Also known as the TWA Flight Center, the TWA hotel is located right next to Terminal 5 of JFK Airport. Originally a fully functioning terminal, it was transformed into this unusual hotel at JFK Airport in 2017. The outdoor pool overlooks the runway, and inside the hotel, you can find a bar and a museum.

A few hours at the TWA Hotel

Need to kill some time before your departure? I highly recommend visiting the TWA Hotel. You can either check your suitcases in or take them with you and head to the hotel to enjoy its amenities. The entire TWA is decorated in a retro sixties style, from the furniture to the photos on the walls. It’s definitely a nicer place to wait for your flight than sitting on the uncomfortable chairs at the gate!

Things to see and do at the TWA Hotel:

• Browse the aviation exhibits.
• Grab something to eat or drink at one of the establishments, from the coffee bar and food hall to more upscale venues.
• Have a drink in the historic aeroplane cocktail lounge.
• Chill out by the rooftop pool overlooking the runway. Or even take a swim (for a fee).
• Browse the merchandise at the TWA Shop.
• And of course, enjoy the hotel’s impressive retro design and decor.

Staying at the TWA Hotel

Although booking a room at the hotel is not cheap, it’s a great option if you have an early morning or late evening flight, or if you have a long layover at JFK. Some of the more expensive rooms overlook the runway, and all rooms can be booked either overnight or just a few hours during the day. Take a dip in the pool (for an extra fee) and enjoy dinner at one of the various restaurants, such as The Paris Café by the renowned chef Jean-Georges. I stayed at this hotel myself and was very impressed.

Hotels near JFK Airport

There are several hotels around JFK Airport. These are ideal places to stay if you arrive late at night, have an early flight, or have a long layover in New York. Stay at the Fairfield Inn by Marriott JFK Airport, Hampton Inn NY-JFK or Comfort Inn JFK Airport, for example. All hotels include breakfast and offer a free shuttle to and from the airport.