Every way to get from John F. Kennedy International Airport into New York — compared by speed, price and how easy each is with luggage. Then route the whole journey offline with CityNav.
Open CityNav Free → See New York transit coverageJFK has multiple terminals (1, 4, 5, 7, 8, with major redevelopment underway) arranged in a loop. The free AirTrain connects every terminal to the subway (Jamaica and Howard Beach stations) and the Long Island Rail Road.
| Option | Duration | Price | Frequency / Hours | Luggage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🚇 AirTrain + Subway (E train) | ~50-75 min | from $11.15 ($8.50 AirTrain + $2.90 subway) | AirTrain every few min; subway every 4-10 min 24/7 |
moderate — subway stairs, can be crowded |
| 🚆 AirTrain + LIRR | ~35-45 min | from $19 (AirTrain + LIRR peak) | AirTrain + trains every 10-20 min roughly 24/7 (limited overnight LIRR) |
good — comfortable train, fastest transit to Midtown |
| 🚕 Yellow cab (flat fare) | ~40-70 min | flat $70 + tolls & tip (to Manhattan) | on demand at ranks 24/7 |
excellent — door to door, fixed fare |
| 📱 Uber / Lyft | ~40-70 min | from $55-$90 (surges higher) | on demand (designated pickup) 24/7 |
excellent — door to door |
→ Manhattan (via Jamaica → E to Midtown)
Luggage: moderate — subway stairs, can be crowded
→ Penn Station, Midtown Manhattan (via Jamaica)
Luggage: good — comfortable train, fastest transit to Midtown
→ Manhattan
Luggage: excellent — door to door, fixed fare
→ Manhattan / Brooklyn
Luggage: excellent — door to door
✈️ Download CityNav before you fly — New York's transit maps work fully offline, so you can route from the airport with no roaming data.
AirTrain + subway is from about $11.15 total. AirTrain + LIRR is around $19. A yellow cab is a flat $70 plus tolls/tip; Uber/Lyft $55-$90+.
AirTrain to Jamaica then LIRR to Penn Station — about 35-45 minutes to Midtown, avoiding road traffic.
AirTrain + subway (E train), roughly $11.15 all in.
AirTrain + LIRR is comfortable and quick; a yellow cab or Uber is easiest door-to-door for lots of bags.
The AirTrain and subway run 24/7; LIRR is limited overnight. A flat-fare yellow cab or Uber is the simplest late-night choice.
Yes — tap a contactless card or phone at OMNY readers, or use a MetroCard. The AirTrain fee is paid separately on exit (contactless accepted).
Data last checked: 2026-08-14 · Sources: MTA, Port Authority of NY & NJ, AirTrain JFK. Fares are approximate and can change.