JFK Airport (New York City)

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Introduction

John F. Kennedy International Airport (airport code: JFK) is one of the three major airports in the New York City area, operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Getting To Manhattan

JFK is located about 12 miles from Manhattan.

Public Transit

The AirTrain is a train system connecting JFK airport with the New York Transit subway system and Long Island Railroad at the Howard Beach station and the Jamaica Station (subway station: Sutphin Boulevard–Archer Avenue-JFK). When entering or leaving AirTrain at the Jamaica and Howard Beach stations the cost is $5. The fare must be paid by MetroCard, which can be purchased with cash, a credit card or an ATM card.

From the Jamaica station, travellers can then take the LIRR to Pennsylvania station. The LIRR costs $3-7 Iin addition to the $5 AirTrain fee) between Jamaica and Manhattan. This is quicker than the subway, but more expensive. The entire trip should take approximately 35 - 45 minutes, depending on the LIRR schedule. This is a good option at rush hour, when there are many trains, but off hours you could be waiting a longer time for a train.

For the subway, travellers can transfer to the E train at Jamaica Station or the A train at Howard Beach Station. The fare will be an additional $2 on top of the AirTrain fee. The entire trip will take between 55 to 75 minutes.

There are also buses running from Terminal 4 (the Q10 and the B15) which provide the ability to save the $5 AirTrain fee, but are local buses and can take a very long time to reach your final destination.

The AirTrain is run by the Port Authority, and the most up to date details on the AirTrain can be found at the Port Authority's website.

Taxis

Taxis between JFK and anywhere in Manhattan are a flat $45 fare, plus the cost of tolls. It is customary to tip 10% - 20% on the price of the fare.

The length of trip is variable, depending on the traffic.

Helicopter

US Helicopter offers services from JFK to Downtown Heliport (near Wall Street and the Financial District) or the Midtown East Heliport (Located at 34th St. and the East River) in Manhattan for $169 one-way. The trip takes 8 minutes. Perhaps not practical for the backpacking traveller on a budget, but there is no faster way downtown.

US Helicopter website

Airlines and Terminals

There are eight passenger terminals at JFK airport. Details on the airlines flying into each terminal can be found at the airlines page of the Port Authority website.

Connecting Between Terminals

Terminals are connected at JFK by the "AirTrain," the same system that runs from the Airport to the subway. There are three routes on the AirTrain, Howard Beach Route, Jamaica Station Route and the All Terminals Loop. Travellers connecting between stations should take the All Terminals loop.

The All Terminals loop runs in a clockwise loop, stopping at the following stations:

• Terminal 1
• Terminal 2/3
• Terminal 4
• Terminal 5/6
• Terminal 7
• Terminal 8

The AirTrain is free to ride within the airport area.

Resources

JFK page at Port Authority website