Transportation from New York’s airports to Manhattan is possible in several ways. The most convenient and expensive option is Uber or Lyft. Buses are the cheapest, but also the slowest. A good compromise is a combination of the subway and the AirTrain. In this article, I will advise you on the best transportation options from JFK Airport, and alternatively, you can check out tips for transit from the airports at Newark and LaGuardia.
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Transfer From New York JFK Airport to Manhattan
JFK is the main airport in New York, serving the vast majority of airlines including Delta Air Lines, British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, and Austrian Airlines. A free AirTrain connects the terminals 24 hours a day. Which terminal will I arrive at?
To give you a better idea, here are approximate transfer prices from JFK Airport to Manhattan, updated on January 30, 2025:
- AirTrain + subway: $11.40
- Bus + subway: $2.90
- Shuttle: from $35 per person
- Uber: $70–$115 per car
- Booking.com Taxi: from $63 per car
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Airtrain and Subway – Best Choice
The most sensible way to travel from JFK Airport is by combining the AirTrain JFK and subway, with services running 24 hours a day. The travel time from the airport to Manhattan is between 45 minutes and 1 hour, depending on your final destination. Check out the AirTrain JFK map.
The AirTrain ticket costs $8.50. You pay when you exit the train, and when traveling to the airport, you can purchase the ticket at the station machine. You can pay by card. How to buy a ticket?
In the arrival hall, follow the AirTrain signs, which will take you to one of the two subway stations:
🚇 Option 1: AirTrain to Jamaica Station / Archer Avenue / Sutphin Boulevard
Transfer to the E, J, or Z subway lines. Recommended for travel to Queens, the Bronx, or central and northern Manhattan.
🚇 Option 2: AirTrain to Ozone Park / Lefferts Boulevard
Transfer to the A subway line. Choose this option if you’re heading to Brooklyn or southern Manhattan.
ℹ️ Additional Information
When transferring to the subway, you need to buy another ticket for $2.90, which can be paid via Google Pay, Apple Pay, or a contactless card. New York started transitioning to a new payment system for public transport in 2023, which may be inconsistent in some areas.
I recommend reading the article about the subway in New York and using Google Maps for route planning. If you prefer video, check out the guide on how to get from JFK to Manhattan.
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Bus – Cheap, but Very Slow
A cheaper alternative to the AirTrain are the slow buses. They depart from Terminal 5, and signs in the hall will guide you to the right place. The ticket costs $2.90.
🚌 Q3 Line
After about 45 minutes, you’ll reach Jamaica-179th Street station, where you can transfer to the F subway.
🚌 Q6 Line
After about 45 minutes, you’ll reach Jamaica-179th Street station, where you can transfer to the F subway.
🚌 Q10 Line
After about 20 minutes, the bus reaches Ozone Park-Lefferts Boulevard, where you can transfer to the A subway. After about 22 minutes, the bus reaches Jamaica Avenue & Lefferts Boulevard, where you can transfer to the J and Z subways.
In about 30 minutes, you can reach Kew Gardens, where you can transfer to a train to Penn Station and Long Island. In about 35 minutes, you’ll reach Kew Gardens – 80th Road Union Turnpike, where you can transfer to the E and F subway lines.
🚌 B15 Line
In about 30 minutes, you’ll reach Ashford Street & New Lots Avenue, where you can transfer to the 3 subway line. After 35 minutes, you’ll reach Van Sinderen Ave & New Lots Avenue, where you can transfer to the L subway line. After 1 hour, you can reach Fulton Street & Kingston-Throop Avenues, where you can transfer to the C subway line.
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Car Rental at New York JFK Airport
Another option for getting from the airport is car rental, which is a good choice if you plan to travel outside of New York itself. By picking up the car directly at the airport, you save money on transit to Manhattan. Keep in mind that parking in Manhattan is very expensive and traffic is heavy.
When renting a car in New York, I recommend comparing offers from several companies, as prices are usually lowest 1-2 months before pickup. I use the comparison tool RentalCars.com, which compares offers from 8 different car rental agencies at JFK Airport.
The advantage is the lowest price guarantee and full insurance included. Most reservations can be canceled up to 48 hours before car pickup. All rental companies charge by the day, so make sure the pickup and return times match.
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Shuttle
A hybrid between public transport and a taxi is the shuttle, where a van will take you and other passengers directly to your hotel. The price is higher than the subway, but the advantage is a direct route without transfers. You can book your ticket in advance online through GO Airlink NYC starting at $35 including taxes and fees for one-way travel.
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Taxi, Uber, and Lyft
Taxis and Uber are worth considering when traveling with a group. Never get into unmarked taxis without a light on the roof, and don’t let yourself be tempted if someone approaches you in the terminal. These are unofficial taxi services, and you’ll end up significantly overpaying.
The Uber fare from JFK to Times Square in January 2025 was $70–$115, depending on demand and the time of day. The competing Lyft usually costs $105–$120. From experience, either service can be a better option at the same time.
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Booking.com Taxi
An alternative is the Booking.com Taxi service, which I recommend for less experienced travelers or larger groups. You can book a car in advance online, and the driver will pick you up directly at the terminal and take you to your destination. No need to search, and you can choose between a cheaper car or a luxury limousine. The price for the entire car starts at $63 for one-way travel.
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