There are several ways to get from New York Airport to Manhattan. The most convenient and expensive is Uber or Lyft. Buses are the cheapest, but also the slowest. A good compromise is a combination of subway and train. In this article, I’ll give you my advice on the best transportation from JFK Airport, alternatively, you can check out my tips for transit from Newark and LaGuardia airports.
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How to Get From New York JFK Airport to Manhattan
JFK is the main airport in New York City and is served by the vast majority of airlines including Delta, British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Air France and Austrian Airlines. The free Airtran train provides 24-hour service between the terminals.
To give you a better idea, here are the approximate prices for the JFK to Manhattan transfer, updated on July 29, 2024:
- AirTrain subway: $11.40 (in summer $7.15)
- Bus metro: $2.90
- Shuttle: from $34 per person
- Uber: $95–$145 per whole car
- Booking.com Taxi: from $68 per full car
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Airtran + Subway – The Best Choice
JFK Airport is the most sensible way to get to and from JFK, with the JFK AirTrain and subway running 24 hours a day. The journey time between the airport and Manhattan is 1 hour, the price of an Air Train ticket is $8.50. From July 1 to September 2, the fare is only $4.25.
When travelling from the airport, you pay when you get off the train, and when travelling to the airport, you buy it from the machine in the station. It is possible to pay by card. In the arrivals hall of the terminal, first follow the AirTrain signs, the train will take you to one of the two subway stations:
🚇 Option 1: Air Train to Jamaica Station / Archer Avenue / Sutphin Boulevard
Transfer to the E, J, Z subway. I recommend when traveling to Queens, the Bronx, or central and northern Manhattan.
🚇 Option 2: Air Train to Ozorie Park / Lefferts Boulevard
Transfer to the A subway. Choose when traveling to Brooklyn or southern Manhattan.
ℹ️ What Else You Need to Know
When transferring to the subway, you must purchase an additional ticket for $2.90, payable via Google Pay, Apple Pay or contactless card. New York City began switching to a different payment system for public transportation in 2023; the system is inconsistent in places.
I recommend you read the article about the New York City subway and use Google Maps to plan your routes. If you prefer a video, check out this tutorial on how to get from JFK to Manhattan.
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Bus – Cheap but Very Slow
Slow buses are a cheaper alternative to AirTrain. They depart from Terminal 5, and signs in the lobby will direct you to the right place. Ticket price is $2.90.
🚌 Line Q3
It takes 45 minutes to get to Jamaica-179th Street Station, where the F subway leaves from.
🚌 Line Q6
45 minutes to Jamaica-179th Street Station, served by the F subway.
🚌 Line Q10
A 20-minute bus ride to Ozone Park-Lefferts Blvd with a transfer to the A subway. A 22-minute bus ride to Jamaica Ave & Lefferts Blvd with a transfer to the J and Z subway.
In 30 minutes you can make it to Kew Gardens where you can transfer to the train to Penn Station and Long Island. In approximately 35 minutes you can reach Kew Gardens – 80 Road Union Turnpike, where you can transfer to the E and F subway.
🚌 Line B15
In 30 minutes, you can reach Ashford Street & New Lots Avenue with a Subway Line 3 station. In 35 minutes, you can reach Van Sinderen Ave & New Lots Avenue, where you can transfer to the Metro L. In 1 hour, you can arrive at Fulton Street & Kingston-Throop Avenues with a Subway Line C station.
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Car Rental at New York JFK Airport
Another option for getting from the airport is a rental car, which is worthwhile if you’re planning a trip outside of New York itself. By picking up a car directly at the airport, you’ll save money on transit to Manhattan.
When renting a car in New York, I recommend comparing quotes from several companies, with prices usually lowest 1-2 months before picking up the car. I use RentalCars.com’s comparison engine on my travels, which compares quotes from 8 different car rental companies at JFK airport.
The advantage is the lowest price guarantee and full insurance included. You can cancel a reservation you’ve made usually up to 48 hours before picking up the car. All car rental companies charge prices for every 24 hours, so make sure the pick-up and return time is the same.
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Shuttle
A hybrid between public transport and a taxi, the shuttle takes you and other passengers to your hotel. The price is higher than the subway, but the advantage is that there are no transfers. Buy your ticket in advance online, for example from GO Airlink NYC from $34 including taxes and fees for one way.
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Taxi, Uber and Lyft
Taxi and Uber are worth it when travelling with more than one person. Never get into unmarked taxis without a flashlight on the roof, and don’t be tempted once you’ve been approached right in the terminal. These are unofficial taxis, and you will overpay handsomely when you ride with them.
The Uber fare in July 2024 from JFK Airport to Times Square was $95–$145, depending on current demand and time of day. Competing Lyft usually costs $105–$120. In my experience, both the first and second service can be more profitable at the same time.
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Booking.com Taxi
As an alternative, Booking.com Taxi is recommended for less experienced travellers and larger groups. The car can be booked in advance online, and the driver will pick you up directly at the terminal and take you to the specified location. You don’t have to search for anything and you can choose between a cheaper car and a luxury limousine. The price for the whole car starts at $68 for a one-way ride.
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