JFK AirTrain in New York

The JFK AirTrain in New York is a fast way to travel from JFK International Airport to Manhattan. The JFK AirTrain is an unmanned train that shuttles around the clock, 365 days a year, between the different JFK Airport terminals, connecting them to two metro stations nearby. At these subway stations, you can then transfer to one of the subway lines heading for Manhattan, Brooklyn or Queens for a fast transfer from the airport to your New York hotel.

How does the JFK AirTrain work?

You can take the AirTrain to travel from JFK to Manhattan, among other routes.

• At the terminal where you arrive, follow the signs marked “AirTrain”. You will then arrive at the AirTrain boarding point in the terminal.
• This is where the three different AirTrain lines depart, arriving in turn.
• On the digital board, you can see how long it will take for the next train to arrive. See if you need the Jamaica, Howard Beach or All Terminals line (learn more about these routes) and hop on.

You don’t need to pay when boarding, as the use of the AirTrain within the airport itself is free.

If you have chosen the Jamaica or Howard Beach train, the train will leave the airport after it has stopped at the other terminals. Since you have to pay to take the AirTrain to these metro stations, you will need an OMNY card or a credit card when getting off at the end station. You must tap it here in order to leave the AirTrain section of the station and transfer to the metro.

JFK AirTrain Tickets

If you only use the JFK AirTrain within the airport, to get from one terminal to another, it is free to use. If you would like to travel from JFK to Manhattan or vice versa using the AirTrain, you do need to pay for the ride when you check out.

Young children under the age of five travel for free. For everyone else (5 years and over), a single JFK AirTrain ride costs $8.50. You can pay with your credit card or an OMNY card.

The OMNY card is for sale at a kiosk at the station for $6, plus $8.50 for a single ride. You can only get the card there when the kiosk is open. There are no vending machines at the JFK AirTrain stations.

When you order in advance your 7-day OMNY metro card via my website, you can choose to add one or two JFK AirTrain rides to the card. That way, you’ll be all set before your departure to New York.

Three New York JFK AirTrain Routes

The total route of the JFK AirTrain covers no less than 8 miles (13 km). First, the train travels in a one-way loop around JFK Airport, where it connects the various terminals.

There are two trains that connect the airport to the city: the Howard Beach Route and the Jamaica Station Route, both named after the subway station served by the AirTrain. There is also an “All Terminals Loop”, which only runs between the different terminals and does not leave the airport.

Howard Beach Route

The Howard Beach Route first stops at Federal Circle AirTrain station after leaving the airport, where the car rental companies can be found. The next stop is Lefferts Boulevard at the JFK parking, followed by the final stop, Howard Beach Station.

From here, you can change to the blue subway line A which runs via Lower Manhattan to Fulton Street, Penn Station, and Times Square.

Jamaica Route

The AirTrain Jamaica Route also stops first at Federal Circle. This train then continues in one go to the Jamaica metro station. Here you can transfer to several subway lines, namely the E, which goes via Long Island City via Midtown Manhattan to World Trade Center, and the JZ lines, which go towards Lower Manhattan.

You can also take the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) here, the train that travels east to Long Island and west to Penn Station or Grand Central.

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.

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Eric’s Tip: “The Howard Beach line is quieter than the AirTrain to Jamaica. And while both lines are fine to take, this makes Howard Beach my personal favourite when I go to Manhattan. Howard Beach Station is also close to the sea, so the sea air is literally in the air, and the train runs above ground, which gives you nice views. At Jamaica Station, the walking distance between the AirTrain and the subway is also a bit further. On the other hand, there is more traffic in Jamaica, and therefore there are more lines to transfer to.”

Federal Circle

Federal Circle is home to most of the airport’s car rental facilities. Taking the New York JFK AirTrain from the terminal to Federal Circle is free as you stay within the airport system. You don’t need a ticket from Federal Circle to any of the terminals either. Both the Howard Beach line and the Jamaica line take you to Federal Circle.

AirTrain to Uber and Lyft at JFK

If you ordered an Uber or Lyft at JFK Airport, there’s a designated spot where the cars are allowed to pick you up. For arrivals at terminals 5 and 7, that’s at the Howard Beach stop, at the Howard Beach/Ride App Pick Up Lot. You can reach it by taking the AirTrain to Howard Beach Station and getting off at the Howard Beach exit. If you leave via the ‘Ride App Pick Up & Long Term Parking’ exit, you don’t need a ticket and can exit for free.

AirTrain Manhattan to JFK

If you take the subway to travel from Manhattan to JFK, you can change from the subway to the AirTrain at Jamaica or Howard Beach. Here you must tap your card to pay when you board the AirTrain. You no longer need the ticket when you leave the train at the airport.