What is the easiest way to get from JFK to Manhattan?

AirTrain + Subway from JFK to Manhattan This is by far the cheapest (and surprisingly easy) option to get from JFK to wherever you are staying. Using a combination of the light rail AirTrain to connect with the subway system is a very easy way to reach Manhattan.



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Taxis cost $70 flat (up to four people per taxi) plus surcharges, tolls and tip. An Uber or Lyft rideshare will cost between $45-$150 depending on traffic and surge demand. Be sure to also check out our posts on the other two NYC airports.

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The cheapest way to get to Manhattan from JFK is by taking public transportation. Using the AirTrain and the Subway will cost you less than $10. Other transfers, such as a taxi or a shuttle, will typically cost you around $15-20.

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AirTrain makes frequent stops around the airport — including the airline terminals, parking lots, hotel shuttle areas and rental car facilities. What's more, every AirTrain ride around the airport is free.

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AirTrain JFK operates 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. AirTrain is free unless you start or end your journey at Jamaica and Howard Beach Stations. There, the fee is $8.25 USD, payable only by MetroCard.

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The trip takes about one hour and costs $13.50 per person ($8 for the AirTrain and $2.75 for each subway train). If you don't want to navigate NYC's subway system with your luggage, you can take a shared airport shuttle from JFK to NYC. The GO Airlink shuttle operates 24/7 and costs about $45 per person.

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How much should I tip? Tips are big business in New York, as they are in the rest of the US. But sadly you'll be expected to pay over the odds in the Big Apple. 20% of the fee is the recommended amount.

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