AirTrain is New York's light rail system that runs around John F. Kennedy International Airport and connects the airport to New York's subway system and the Long Island Railroad. There are advantages and disadvantages to using Airtrain, but one of the main benefits is cost: The AirTrain fee is $5.00 one way, and the subway is $2.25. Long Island Railroad prices vary depending on distance traveled and time of travel.
Using AirTrain
From JFK's baggage claim and customs areas, follow the signs to ground transportation, and look for the AirTrain signs with the blue airplane logo. Most of the terminals have easy access to AirTrain, except for the new Delta terminal, where you have to walk outside and follow signs across the road and up some stairs.
At AirTrain, you have a choice of two directions:
Go to Jamaica Station if you are headed to the Long Island Railway station. The Jamaica Station also connects to the MTA's subway, where you can take the E to Queens and midtown Manhattan or the J and Z to Brooklyn and lower Manhattan.
Go to Howard Beach Station to take the A train to Brooklyn or lower Manhattan.
When you arrive at the AirTrain terminus at either Howard Beach or Jamaica Station, pay the five-dollar exit fee. Note that AirTrain information staff wear red jackets and seem always to be on hand to cheerfully offer assistance in operating the ticket machines or figuring out which subway to take. The transfer to trains and subways is well marked.
From AirTrain to Manhattan and the Boroughs: Which Subways and Trains Go Where?
To find out which route is best for you, check out the MTA subway map.
Here’s a summary of major routes to popular destinations:
Grand Central Station and the East Side of Manhattan: From AirTrain’s Jamaica Station, follow the signs to the Sutphin Boulevard MTA Station (the LIRR Jamaica Station and the MTA Sutphin Boulevard Station are connected; finding your way this complex is self-explanatory). Take the elevator to the bottom, and follow signs to the E train. Take the E train to 53rd Street. note: the 53rd and 51st Street stations are connected; going to the airport from Grand Central, you’d change at 51st Street), then transfer to 6 heading south (downtown) to Grand Central.
Penn Station and the West Side of Manhattan: From AirTrain’s Jamaica Station, Use the Long Island Railroad, which is a commuter line. (You can also get to Penn via the E subway from Sutphin Boulevard; it’s cheaper, but slower.)
Queens: From AirTrain’s Jamaica Station, follow the signs to the Sutphin Boulevard MTA Station (as above). and follow signs to the E train.Bronx.
The Bronx: You have to go through Manhattan. From AirTrain’s Jamaica Station, follow the directions to the E train, then transfer at 53rd Street to the Lexington Avenue #6 train going uptown (north) to the Bronx. The Bronx-bound 4, 5,and 6 trains diverge at 125th Street, so you may have to transfer. If you need to transfer to the 4 or the 5, you can make the change at 59th Street.
Brooklyn and Wall Street (Manhattan: From AirTrain’s Howard Beach Station, take the A train. Or, from Jamaica Station (Sutphin Boulevard) take the J or the Z. From AirTrain’s Howard Beach Station take the A train and change at Fulton Street for the 4 or 5 to Bowling Green. Or from Jamaica Station (Sutphin Boulevard), take the J or the Z to Broad Street.
Connections from AirTrain to the Suburbs
Westchester: From AirTrain’s Jamaica Station, Follow the directions above to Grand Central Station and transfer to MetroNorth trains.
Long Island: From AirTrain’s Jamaica Station, follow the signs to the Long Island Railroad trains. AmTrack Trains: From AirTrain’s Jamaica Station, follow directions above to Penn Station on Manhattan’s west side.
AirTrain is not the most convenient airport transport system ever invented, but it's is reliable, fast, and cheap, and will keep you out of New York’s legendary traffic. For more information, see Pros and Cons of Using AirTrain to JFK International Airport.
Karen Berger - Karen Berger is the author of 15 books. Please click on her name to read her full bio.
