Public Transportation to and from JFK

A photo of a bus approaching Terminal 4. There are numerous public transportation options both to and from JFK. Here are some tips on your many options.

AirTrain JFK

Most trips to and from JFK via ground transportation require the use of the AirTrain system. For more information, visit the AirTrain JFK section of this site.

Long Island Rail Road, NYC subway and bus service to JFK

Connect to and from AirTrain JFK at:

LIRR at Jamaica Station
Subway: A train at Howard Beach/JFK Airport Station
E, J/Z subway at Sutphin Blvd./Archer Ave., Jamaica Station
NYC Transit Bus Lines at Jamaica Station Q6, Q8, Q9, Q20, Q24, Q25, Q30, Q31, Q34, Q40, Q41, Q43, Q44, Q54, Q60 and Q65

NYC subway service to southern Queens, Brooklyn and lower Manhattan

Take the AirTrain from all JFK terminals to the Howard Beach Station, where passengers board the A train.

NYC subway service to central/western Queens, northern Brooklyn, midtown Manhattan and the Bronx

Take the AirTrain from all JFK terminals to the Jamaica Station, where passengers board the E train. Stops are made in central and western Queens and midtown Manhattan. Access to the Bronx is via transfer to other lines in Manhattan. Or board the J or Z train.

NYC subway service from Lower Manhattan or Brooklyn to JFK

Take MTA NYC Transit’s “A” train going to Far Rockaway. MTA fare is $2.25 (cash or MetroCard). On the MetroCard include $5 to enter the AirTrain system. Disembark from the subway at the AirTrain JFK Howard Beach Station. Follow the signs to AirTrain and swipe your AirTrain MetroCard to enter the system. Travel time via subway and AirTrain is approximately 60–75 minutes from midtown Manhattan to JFK. Travel time from Howard Beach Station to JFK is approximately 15 minutes.

NYC subway service from Midtown Manhattan to JFK

Take MTA NYC Transit’s “E” train bound for Jamaica Center/Parsons-Archer. MTA fare is $2.25 (cash or MetroCard). On the MetroCard include $5 to enter the AirTrain system. Disembark the train at Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av/JFK. Follow the signs to AirTrain and swipe your AirTrain MetroCard to enter the system. Travel time via subway and AirTrain is approximately 60–75 minutes from midtown Manhattan to JFK. AirTrain travels to JFK from Jamaica Station every 15 minutes and will take you to your airline terminal.

NYC Transit Bus Service to and from JFK

NYCTransit buses are operated by the MTA. The bus fare is $2.25 (MetroCard or exact change required). For information and schedules, call (718) 330-1234 or visit the MTA Web site. Bus stops are located on the east side of the arrivals roadway of Terminal 4.

Q10 Bus: Local service to Queens. Connect to NYC subway train A at Lefferts Blvd. and E and F at Kew Gardens.

Q3 Bus: Local service to Queens. Connect at 169th St. and Hillside Ave. for NYC subway train F.

B15 Bus: Local service to East New York. Connect at New Lots and Livonia Aves for NYC subway trains 3 and 4.

Please note: Free transfers between bus and subway and between subway and bus are available. Valid only with MetroCard. New York City subways and buses are not equipped for large pieces of luggage if you plan to use public transportation to or from JFK. For more information, call (212) MetroCard, or
(212) 638-7622 or visit the MTA Web site.

Trans-Bridge Lines: Two trips per day to Port Authority Bus Terminal, 42nd St. & 8th Ave., in Manhattan. Fare is $17. Bus stop located in front of Terminal 4 on the arrivals roadway. Use AirTrain to connect with other airline terminals. For more information, call (718) 962-9135 or (610) 868-6001.

Connecting to the airports via Metro-North? Use one of the convenient and affordable airport services.

NYC Airporter

Departure roughly every 30 minutes - Bus Terminal, Grand Central Station and Penn Station. Fare is $15.75. Purchase tickets online at www.NYCAirporter.com. For more information, call (718) 777-5111.