If you're traveling to New York, you'll likely land at JFK (John F. Kennedy) Airport, located about 12 miles from Manhattan in the southern part of Queens.
After clearing immigration and picking up your luggage, you’re probably eager to get to your destination.
So here’s a rundown of all the ways to get to New York from JFK!
How to get to New York from JFK
- AirTrain + subway (public transportation)
The AirTrain is a train that runs through all the terminals at JFK Airport 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
It connects the airport terminals to the subway stations, and depending on your destination, it will take between 50 and 75 minutes to reach New York.
AirTrain Stops
The AirTrain does not go directly to New York; instead, it has three lines that take you to two different subway stations:
- The yellow line only runs between the airport terminals.
- The red line goes to Jamaica Station, where you can take subway lines E, J, and Z or the LIRR train (which connects to Penn Station in Manhattan).
- The green line goes to Howard Beach Station, where you can take the A subway line.
- The station monitors will show you which line is coming next.
Before boarding the AirTrain, you’ll need to check the New York subway map to decide which AirTrain line to take and which subway line to transfer to in order to reach your destination.
For example, let’s say my hotel is in Times Square. On the map, I see that the easiest option is to take the AirTrain line to Jamaica Station, transfer there to the E subway line heading toward Manhattan, and then get off at 50th Street Station.
AirTrain Fare
The AirTrain and the subway are separate modes of transportation, so they have different fares.
- The AirTrain between airport terminals is free. If you’re just changing terminals, you won’t have to pay anything.
- The AirTrain to Jamaica Station or Howard Beach costs $5. You won’t have to pay when you board the AirTrain, but rather once you get off at the final station.
There you’ll find ticket machines—you’ll need to validate your ticket to exit the station—and staff who can help you if you have any questions. - A New York City subway ticket costs $2.75. As soon as you exit the AirTrain station, you’ll need to validate your ticket again to enter the subway station.
- In other words: the total cost of the AirTrain + subway is $7.75.
- To pay for both tickets, you’ll need to buy a MetroCard, New York’s transit pass, and load it with the necessary funds (MetroCard value). You can use it to pay for both the AirTrain and the subway. It can be shared among up to 4 people.
The one-time fee for purchasing this card is $1. In other words, the total cost of the AirTrain + subway trip with a new MetroCard will be $8.75 ($5 for the AirTrain + $2.75 for the subway + $1 for the card). - Keep in mind that the machines at the airport sell a special MetroCard that cannot be loaded with an unlimited pass (the time-based MetroCard). If you want to buy an unlimited pass later, you’ll have to buy a new MetroCard at any subway station.
That’s why it’s a good idea, if you’re traveling with others, to share a single MetroCard at the airport (up to 4 people). That way, you don’t have to buy 4 cards ($4) and, later on, if you want the unlimited pass, buy 4 more ($4).
- Taxi
The most convenient option for getting to New York from JFK, especially if you’re loaded down with luggage, is to take a taxi.
How to take a taxi
Exit the terminal and you’ll find the line for the official taxi service. As cars arrive, a uniformed employee will ask for your destination, direct you to which one to get into, and hand you a slip with your taxi number.
Many unlicensed taxi drivers will stop you along the way to offer their services, and you’ll see cars outside the terminal trying to sell you very cheap rides.
We recommend using the official service, as it is the only one that offers guarantees.
How many passengers can fit in a taxi?
New York taxis can accommodate up to 4 passengers.
How much does a taxi from JFK to New York cost?
The price varies depending on whether you’re going to Manhattan or the other boroughs, but remember that you’ll always need to add a 15–20% tip.
You can pay in cash or by card. You pay per trip, not per person.
- The trip to Manhattan has a flat rate of $52 per taxi. Add to that the tip and, if applicable, tolls and the rush-hour surcharge ($4.50 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on weekdays). Therefore, the final price can be around $65–$70 per taxi.
- The fare to Brooklyn, Queens, and other boroughs does not have a fixed price and depends on the meter. In addition to the tip, fees such as a rush hour surcharge ($4.50) or a flag-drop surcharge ($3) may be added.
Here are the approximate prices for a taxi from JFK Airport to New York (you’ll need to add the tip and any possible surcharges):
To the Bronx
From $52 to $68
To Brooklyn
From $42 to $64
To Queens
From $24 to $33
To Staten Island
From $67 to $79
To LaGuardia Airport
From $34 to $39
Frequently Asked Questions About Taxis
- What is the ride like? Most airport taxis have a small touchscreen that displays the route in real time on a map, so you can see where you’re going.
- Are there child seats? No, in New York it is not mandatory for children to use child seats in taxis and public transportation.
- Are there 5-person taxis? Yes, but they’re very rare and, most of the time, unavailable. Most taxis have a maximum capacity of 4 people. However, if one of the 5 passengers is a child under 7 years old, by law they can sit on an adult’s lap instead of occupying a seat.
- How do you tip? When it’s time to pay, the touchscreen displays several options: 15%, 20%… or the option to choose the amount yourself.
- Uber
If you can connect to the airport Wi-Fi, a very similar option to a taxi—but even more convenient—is the Uber app.
Install it, link your card, and as soon as you arrive at the airport, you’ll just need to enter your destination and request a ride.
- The driver will pick you up at the area you specify. The app lets you choose from the terminal areas where you’ve arrived (A, B, C…), which are usually located in front of the exit gate. Once you’ve chosen the area, you’ll need to walk there and wait.
- Since there are usually drivers at the airport, they typically arrive quickly, in about 5–10 minutes. The app tells you at all times how long it will be before the driver arrives.
- You’ll recognize your Uber because the app provides the license plate number and car model.
- You don’t need to take out cash or your card, since the ride is paid for automatically through the mobile app once you get out of the Uber.
- The price is fixed. You’ll know it as soon as you check the route, so you can decide whether or not to request an Uber.
- Tipping is not required. If you want to tip, the app will give you the option at the end of the ride, but it’s not customary for this type of service.
- It’s a 100% legal app used by many New Yorkers.
- It’s almost always cheaper than a taxi, but during times of high demand and low availability, prices may increase.
- Shuttle and Transfer in Spanish
Another very popular option for getting to New York from JFK is the shuttle, shared vans that take you to your hotel just like a taxi.
You tell them your destination, and they assign seats in the vehicle so that all passengers have similar destinations.
You can share a shuttle starting at around $25 per person, or rent a private shuttle starting at around $100 per vehicle.
It’s best to buy tickets in advance, as they’ll ask for your flight number and arrival time so you don’t have to wait.
- Click here to book a transfer in Spanish to your hotel (or back to the airport). They’ll be waiting for you at the flight exit with a sign with your name on it, and you can choose how many seats you want in the vehicle. Tolls and tips are included.
- Other websites where you can book transfers with SuperShuttle or GoAirlink, although in that case, they won’t be waiting for you; instead, you’ll need to look for the van at the terminal exit.
Also, keep in mind that on the way back to the airport, they may stop at several hotels to pick up passengers.
- Bus NYC Express
The NYC Express Bus is also a convenient option. It’s a private bus that runs every 30–40 minutes (from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM) connecting Terminals 1, 4, and 8 at JFK Airport with Grand Central Terminal and Times Square in downtown Manhattan.
It costs $19 (one-way) or $35 (round-trip), and tickets can be booked online or purchased on-site at the airport exit.
Keep in mind that this mode of transportation is slower than a taxi.
I hope you found this info helpful!
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