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There is no direct subway to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Every rail trip uses the AirTrain JFK, which links the terminals to two transit hubs: Jamaica (subway and Long Island Rail Road) and Howard Beach (subway). The AirTrain fare is $8.75, on top of your subway or train fare.
| Option | Total fare | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| AirTrain + subway | $11.75 | AirTrain to Jamaica (E, J, Z trains at Sutphin Blvd–Archer Av–JFK Airport) or Howard Beach (A train at Howard Beach–JFK Airport), then the subway. |
| AirTrain + LIRR (off-peak) | $14.00 | AirTrain to Jamaica, then the Long Island Rail Road to Penn Station or Grand Central Madison with an off-peak CityTicket ($5.25). |
| AirTrain + LIRR (peak) | $16.00 | Same trip with a peak CityTicket ($7.25). Make sure your train stops at Jamaica. |
Totals as published by the MTA for most riders. Reduced-fare riders pay less on the subway; see fares.
$8.75 per ride to or from Jamaica or Howard Beach. Rides between terminals are free. Children under five ride free.
Tap a contactless credit or debit card, a phone wallet or an OMNY card. OMNY cards can be bought or refilled at machines in Jamaica and Howard Beach.
Trains every 5 to 15 minutes, according to the airport. Check station monitors for changes.
OMNY discounts at JFK. According to jfkairport.com, eligible AirTrain fares paid with OMNY are capped at $43.50 within a rolling 30-day period. A group fare is also available: the first rider pays $8.75 and each additional rider $4.50, up to five riders ($26.75 maximum).
Service notice (Oct 13–15, 2026): JFK Airport announced full service disruptions on all AirTrain lines overnight between Oct 13 and Oct 15, 2026, from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM, with free replacement shuttle buses. Check jfkairport.com before you travel.
The subway fare is $3. You pay the AirTrain fare separately when you enter or leave the AirTrain station. Check service status and weekend changes for the E and A lines before you go.
The Long Island Rail Road runs from Penn Station and Grand Central Madison to Jamaica, where you change to the AirTrain. JFK Airport says the ride is about 20 minutes from Penn Station or Grand Central Madison to the AirTrain. Inside New York City, a CityTicket costs $5.25 off-peak or $7.25 peak; buy it in the MTA TrainTime app or at station machines. Not every train stops at Jamaica. More on LIRR and Metro-North in the city.
No public transit data feed includes the AirTrain JFK. Our trip planner adds it as an estimated service with a train about every 10 minutes, based on the 5 to 15 minute frequency published by the airport. AirTrain times shown in our results are estimates, not live data.
The AirTrain JFK single-ride fare is $8.75, paid when you enter or exit at Jamaica or Howard Beach. Rides between terminals are free, and children under five ride free, according to jfkairport.com.
The AirTrain plus the subway. The MTA lists the total at $11.75 for most riders ($8.75 AirTrain + $3 subway).
Usually the AirTrain to Jamaica, then the LIRR. JFK Airport says it is about 20 minutes from Penn Station or Grand Central Madison to the AirTrain. The MTA lists the total at $14 off-peak or $16 peak.
Trains run every 5 to 15 minutes, according to jfkairport.com. Check posted notices for overnight work: the airport announced full overnight service disruptions on all AirTrain lines from Oct 13 to Oct 15, 2026 (10:00 PM to 6:00 AM), with free replacement shuttle buses.