Paying for your AirTrain RideYou may purchase a new MetroCard ($1.00 fee applies) or refill your own MetroCard using cash, credit or debit card at our Ticket Vending Machines in Howard Beach or Jamaica Station.
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The new fare payment system will accept contactless debit/credit cards, digital wallets and OMNY cards. Fare gates that accept MetroCards will remain available and an option for customers.
Use your MetroCard at the AirTrain turnstiles to pay the $8.25 fare. Use a MetroCard ticket machine if you need to add value to your card. (Do this in advance to skip the lines.) You can board any AirTrain that arrives.
The parking lot is very large, so there are shuttles that roam the parking area to transport travellers to the AirTrain. It is an 8-minute ride from the parking lot to the terminals. The AirTrain is free of charge to and from the Lefferts Boulevard station.
The AirTrain system operates between all passenger terminals. For journeys between terminals, it's free. To make your connection, follow signs for AirTrain.
Both public transportation options involve the JFK AirTrain light rail that brings you from the airport to the connecting subway or train station. A subway ride and AirTrain costs $11.15. A faster commuter train to and AirTrain costs between $13.25 to $15.25.
AirTrain travels to the Jamaica LIRR Station from JFK every 5 to 10 minutes. The AirTrain ride to the Jamaica Station takes about 10 minutes. Print the full AirTrain Brochure and take it with you.
FARES. AirTrain is free between JFK Terminals, parkings and car rental center. If you go to Jamaica and Howard stations, to take the metro or rail, then there is a rate of $8.25.
The AirTrain service operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The trains run on a schedule from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. (every 2-8 minutes) and 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. (every 6-12 minutes).
Walking. JFK doesn't encourage walking between terminals as the roads are busy on the inside of the airport loop. However, there are sidewalks available, and it is possible to walk between some of the terminals that are closer together, such as Terminals 4 and 5.
Subway. By far the cheapest way to get to JFK is the subway, departing Manhattan every few minutes. You'll want to take the subway to Sutphin Boulevard – Archer Avenue – JFK Airport, on either the A, E, J, or Z trains.
Check our websites, JFK, LaGuardia, Newark Liberty, to get a sense of current wait times but always allow plenty of time for the security screening. It is recommended that you arrive two hours before domestic flights and three hours for international travel but also check with your airline.
Subway: The closest subway station to JFK Airport is Sutphin Boulevard/Archer Avenue/JFK Airport. To get there, you can take the AirTrain from JFK Airport to Jamaica, and transfer to the subway.