Einstein: Juan, I changed my mind. Since we can both hand-carry your luggage, we'll take the AirTrain.
AirTrain JFK
Juan: What is AirTrain?
Einstein: AirTrain JFK is the train service that brings riders to and from the airport via two subway stations (New York City Subway) and the commuter train (Long Island Railroad). There is no direct connection between JFK Airport and Manhattan. You have to switch from the train that directly serves the airport, to a subway or commuter train (LIRR).
Juan: Is it faster?
Einstein: Yes. The AirTrain will get you from your terminal at JFK to LIRR Penn Station in Manhattan in around 35 minutes for between $8.25 and $12.25 (depending on the time of your trip), which compares to $15 and an hour by bus, or a taxi for about $55, which also takes around an hour, although it could be more or less depending on traffic. You can have up to 4 people in the same taxi for the same price, so if you are traveling in a group of 3 or 4 then a taxi should be considered.
Juan: What is the cheapest ride to Manhattan?
Einstein: The cheapest ride is by AirTrain and New York City Subway. The cost is $7.25 ($5 for AirTrain + $2.25 for subway)
Juan: Where can we get the Airtrain?
Einstein: Walk outside the terminal, and you’ll see signs to stairs and elevators that will take you up to the AirTrain platform just ahead. JFK is huge, and the AirTrain circles around the inside loop between the terminals, and it’s actually free to ride between terminals or even out to the car rental facilities or airport parking lots.
The AirTrain station at JFK is linked to nine airport terminals by a system of moving walkways. All AirTrain stations are wheelchair accessible. Howard Beach subway and Jamaica Long Island Railroad stations are wheelchair accessible too.
AirTrains come every few minutes, so you won’t be waiting long. There are 3 different routes, so if you want to get to LIRR Penn Station quickly you’ll have to pay attention to which one is coming.
- Airline Terminal Route – This train just circles inside JFK, so it’s helpful if you want to connect to another flight, but useless otherwise.
- Howard Beach Route – This train goes to the Howard Beach subway station on the A line. If you are going somewhere other than Midtown Manhattan, you might find this useful, but it takes a long time to get into Manhattan on the A-line subway.
- Jamaica Route – This train goes to the Jamaica subway station on E, J, Z lines and on the LIRR Jamaica station, and this is the AirTrain you’ll want to get on.
Einstein: We'll get on the Jamaica-bound AirTrain, and ride it until the end of the line, which should be between 10 and 15 minutes.
Juan: Where do we pay?
Einstein: You don’t have to pay the $5 for the AirTrain until you get to Jamaica Station (or Howard Beach Station).
Transferring to the Long Island Railroad (LIRR)
After you get off the AirTrain you’ll need to pay $5 to exit the AirTrain terminal, and you have 3 options in doing this:
1. Pay the $5 and leave the building.
2. Pay $7 ($5 for the AirTrain and $2 for the subway) and enter the New York City Subway station.
3. Pay $5 plus the train fare for the LIRR, which takes you directly into LIRR Penn Station in Manhattan at the next stop.
There are attended ticket windows that can sell you tickets, but there are usually long lines at these if your AirTrain was crowded and you weren’t the first in line. There are also easy-to-use vending machines in the same area, where you can pay for any of the above options with a credit or ATM card. You’ll only have to pay once no matter which option you choose, so this is easier than it sounds.
Juan: How much is the fare for the LIRR going into Manhattan?
Einstein: Here's the fare:
Off-peak times: $5.25
Peak times: $7.25 (only 4pm to 8pm Monday – Friday)
Saturday & Sunday: $3.25
Follow the crowd to the platforms where all the Manhattan-bound trains stop. All LIRR trains on this route stop in Jamaica, and all of them go on to Penn Station as their final stop. The ride to Penn Station takes about 15 minutes total. Welcome to Manhattan.
