How To Buy A Lirr Train Ticket And Airtrain Metrocard At Jamaica Station
When you go up to the LIRR terminal youll be walked through your purchase. First decide if you want a round trip or if youre just needing a one-way ticket.
Choose Jamaica to Penn Station.
Next, you need to select if youre traveling during peak or off-peak times .
Peak times are for trains arriving in NYC on Monday through Friday from 6 am to 10 am. Or for trains departing Manhattan between 4 pm and 8 pm M-F. This is standard rush hour thinking, people in the burbs go into the city in the morning and out of the city in the evenings. Those are peak travel times.
Choose how many tickets you need. And then select MetroCard and Air Train. Dont forget that youre buying a MetroCard for $8 for the ride you just took on the Air Train from the airport to Jamaica Station.
This AirTrain Metrocard ticket will be needed to exit the turnstiles into the LIRR station area. If you plan to use the Subway often when in NYC, you can choose to purchase a $25 MetroCard at that time instead of just buying the $8 Air Train ticket.
Finally, youll just have to insert your payment and grab your MetroCard and Long Island Rail Road Ticket from the machine. NOTE dont lose your MetroCard or LIRR tickets and be sure to keep them in a handy spot. Then youre ready to move on to the LIRR.
The Underground The Most Economical Option
Taking the underground from JFK to Manhattan is definitely the most economical option. The New York City underground doesn’t actually go to JFK airport, but a monorail system known as AirTrain connects the various passenger terminals to the New York underground.
Below, I’ll give you all the details on how to get from JFK to the AirTrain underground stop, as well as all the information you need to know to get to Manhattan by AirTrain.
Trains Buses Taxis And Shuttles: Exploring The Options
Finally, your family trip to New York City has arrived. Youve been planning this for a while. Youve made a list of the best things to do in NYC with kids, booked a centrally located hotel and bought the plane tickets. New Yorks three area airports, John F. Kennedy , LaGuardia Airport and Newark International all have varied transportation options. But youre arriving at JFK, so well focus on how to navigate the 16 miles from JFK in Queens to Midtown Manhattan. Good news: there are plenty of options and none of them involve driving in New York City!
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How To Get From Jfk To New York Using Airtrain & The Lirr
This is the fastest way on public transportation from JFK to your hotel in Manhattan compared to connecting to the subway. At $18.50, it costs about $8 more than the subway, but the total travel time is just 30-35 minutes. This $18.50 includes the AirTrain $7.75 exit fee plus the cost of the LIRR train ticket at peak travel times. During off-peak travel times, this will cost $15.50.
Follow the airport signs to the AirTrain. Take the AirTrain Jamaica Line to Jamaica Station where you connect to the LIRR. The LIRR will take you into New York Penn Station at 34th Street in midtown Manhattan similar to how NJ Transit trains transport passengers from Newark Airport to Manhattan.
Jamaica station is a major hub for the LIRR and trains into Penn will run just about every few minutes. Look to the scheduling monitors for the next arriving train and track info.
Take A Taxi From Jfk To Manhattan
A cab from JFK to Manhattan is the easiest way to get into New York City. Up to 4 people, or 5 in a minivan, and their luggage can transfer from JFK to New York City by simply waiting at the taxi stand outside each terminal. Depending on the time you arrive, there could be a line of people waiting for taxis but it typically moves fairly well.
I bet youre wondering how much is a taxi from JFK to Manhattan, though! With the convenience, of course, comes an expense. The NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission has set rules for flat fees into Manhattan. The taxi fare from JFK to Manhattan is $52.00, not including tolls or tip. Theres also a $4.50 surcharge during peak hours which are from 4 pm -8 pm on weekdays. A taxi from JFK will also include an NY State tax of 50 cents added to trips within New York.
A word of caution, there will also be drivers trying to offer you rides for cheaper than the cost of a taxi from JFK to Manhattan in their unlicensed cars. Ignore them. Its absolutely safer to go with a regulated yellow cab.
Uber and other taxi-apps are also available for pickups in the arrivals area. A private transfer from JFK to Manhattan will start at around $45-$50.
Similarly, you can also arrange for a pre-arranged car service from JFK to Manhattan. The biggest benefit with this is not having to wait in a line at the taxi stand and having a driver anticipating your arrival even if your flight is delayed.
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How To Get From Newark Airport To Manhattan
Newark Liberty Airport is in New Jersey, but itâs less than 20 miles to get into New York City. If youâre flying into Newark, you can use these options for your Manhattan commute.
- NJ Transit bus/Port Authority Trans-Hudson: The Port Authority Trans-Hudson is a rapid transit system that travels from northeastern New Jersey to Lower and Midtown Manhattan. From the airport, you can jump on a bus to Newark Penn Station and pick up the PATH into the World Trade Center. Itâs $2.75 per ride on the PATH using your MetroCardâa fare payment card for subway or bus travel around the city.
- AirTrain/NJ Transit train: A combination of the AirTrain and New Jersey Transit could be your quickest option and costs about $15. You can ride the AirTrain throughout Newark Liberty Airport Station and then transfer to NJ Transit to head into New York Penn Station, the last stop on the route. It should take a little less than an hour to get you from the airport into Manhattan.
- Bus: Thereâs an NJ Transit bus option into Port Authority for about $10, and thereâs an express bus into Grand Central Terminal for about $18.
- Taxi and ride-hailing: Depending on your destination, you can expect to pay at least $50 from Newark to Manhattan. Fees for Uber and Lyft can vary based on demand and time of travel. You could see higher rates at peak times.
The Best Way To Get From Jfk Airport To Manhattan Step
As a native New Yorker, I encourage people to take the Airtrain and LIRR trains when arriving into JFK. This guide will walk you through how to get from JFK Airport in Queens to Manhattan step-by-step with photos as there are a few steps involved. This is the best and fastest way to get to Manhattan from JFK airport as you avoid traffic that youd hit if you took a cab.
This post may contain affliate links. Please see my disclosure for more information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases .
Not everyone realizes how large New York City is, but the distance between JFK and Manhattan is about twenty minutes. Before think that this distance is good, keep in mind that its very easy to spend at least an hour and half stuck in traffic if you are traveling any time close to rush hour. By comparison, it should take around 47 minutes to arrive in Manhattan without any traffic by Airtrain and LIRR on a relatively clean and easy to navigate system.
Simply, the cleanest and best way to get to Manhattan or downtown Brooklyn is by LIRR and Airtrain. Some people prefer taxis, which have a set rate of 52 for going between JFK and Manhattan, but this public transport method should only cost you less than $16 per person.
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How Much Does The Airtrain Jfk Cost
The AirTrain JFK is free between the airport terminals, but theres a $5 charge per person if youre coming from Manhattan via either the Sutphin / Archer / JFK stop on the E line or the Howard Beach stop on the A line. Children under 5 ride free. You can use your pay-as-you-go Metrocard but unlimited Metrocards do NOT work for the $5 AirTrain fee.
Hiring A Private Car Or Transportation
The most convenient and luxurious option is to hire a private car or transportation If you are looking for a luxury car like a Mercedes, Chevy, Cadillac and you want to experience the best of the rides from JFK to Manhattan then we have got the ideal JFK airport car service for you. We have got the best cars and professional chauffeurs to treat and greet you with respect and take you to your favorite place anywhere in Manhattan.
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The Airtrain Howard Beach Line
Just like the train route above:
You can also use the Howard Beach Airtrain Line when figuring out how to get from JFK to Manhattan.
Like with the Jamaica Line above:
Youll pay $7.75 per person to ride the AirTrain to Howard Beach station. Trains also depart every 4 to 12 minutes and take 25 minutes to travel from JFK to Howard Beach Station.
Once there:
Youll get off the train and board the A line of the subway that is headed towards Manhattan. The trip to Midtown will cost $2.75 per person and will take around 40 minutes. And depending on where your hotel is, youll probably want to get off at either 34th street, 42nd street, or 59th street stations.
If I were you though:
Id take the Jamaica Line since using the Howard Beach Line will mean that it will take you longer to get into Manhattan. Like around an hour and ten minutes in total .
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How Long It Takes To Get There
As for the journey time from JFK airport to your hotel in Manhattan, it is expected to be between 60 and 90 minutes. The airport is located in the Jamaica district of Queens, about 20 miles from midtown, so an hour should be enough time. However, New York is a city that can get very busy at rush hour, so this journey can take up to 90 minutes during rush hour.
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Is There A Bus From Jfk To Manhattan
There are no direct public city buses that go from JFK to midtown or other parts of Manhattan. There are buses that can help you connect with the subway or Long Island Railroad but theyre unnecessary for travel from JFK to Manhattan as long as the AirTrain is running normally.
Some buses do go to specific neighborhoods in Brooklyn, but it would still be worth it to investigate subway options as its usually faster to go by subway to get where youre going than by bus.
If youd like, you can take the NYC Express Bus which is the only bus authorized by the NY & NJ Port Authority. The bus stops at Grand Central, Times Square, and Port Authority bus terminal for only $19.
Jfk Airport To Manhattan By Uber Or Lyft
Uber has an estimated price of $50-$75 to get from JFK to midtown Manhattan, though obviously that depends on your destination in New York City and probably time of day
Lyft is similarly priced from John F Kennedy airport to Manhattan though both Uber and Lyft often are running promotions especially in New York City so be sure to check with them before you go
If you do sign up for Uber or Lyft, signing up through my referral code you will get you $10 off on your first ride.
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How To Get From Jfk To Manhattan Using The Airtrain And Subway
When deciding how to get from JFK to Manhattan, the subway is a great option if you are on a budget and can easily carry all of your luggage.
Surprisingly:
There really is no direct way to get from JFK to Manhattan using public transportation.
If youre short on cash and have time to spare, then you may want to consider using the AirTrain and subway to get into Manhattan since this method will cost you just $10.50 per person ,
And just so you know:
The AirTrain itself is pretty easy to use and connects to all JFK terminals and parking lots, several hotel shuttle pick-up areas, the rental car center, and NYCs public transportation system at Jamaica Station and Howard Beach Station.
However:
There are two separate lines that go to Howard Beach Station and Jamaica Station respectively. So, be sure to look at the final destination of your AirTrain BEFORE you get in.
See:
Howard Beach station will connect you to the A train, which you can use to get into Manhattan.
In contrast:
Jamaica station will connect you to the E train and the LIRR , both of which can both take you into Manhattan and beyond.
Plus:
The AirTrain and subway also have the added benefit of running twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year. So, youll never be stranded and always have a way to get into Manhattan.
However:
The journey will take between an hour and an hour and fifteen minutes and can be challenging if you have a lot of luggage or are traveling during rush hour.
The Cheapest And Best Way To Get From Jfk Airport To Manhattan
The best and cheapest way to get from JFK airport to Manhattan is probably the vaunted NYC subway. There are 2 different ways to go on the subway from JFK airport to Manhattan, and which one you want depends on your final destination.
If you are in lower OR upper Manhattan its probably easiest to make like Duke Ellington and take the A train from the Howard Beach / JFK Airport stop. If youre in midtown Manhattan, its probably slightly faster to take the E train to the Sutphin Boulevard / Archer Avenue / JFK Airport stop. In either case the subway from JFK Airport to Manhattan will take between 45-60 minutes.
If you REALLY want to get the cheapest way from JFK to Manhattan, you can take the Q10 bus from Terminal 4 . That will take you to the Lefferts Boulevard subway station where you can catch the A train. Because there is a free bus to subway connection, youll save the $5 per person Air Train fee.
I hope this guide has helped you travel from JFK airport to Manhattan or anywhere else in New York City if you need to make it a roundtrip, make sure to check out my guide to the best and cheapest way from Manhattan to JFK airport
What are your tips for the cheapest and best way from JFK Airport to Manhattan?
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How To Get From Jfk To Manhattan By Airtrain & Subway
First and foremost, this is the cheapest way to get from JFK to Manhattan. For a total of $10.50, you can transfer from JFK to NYC.
In addition to your budget, there are a few other things to think about before deciding whether the subway or train is the best option for you.
- What day and time are you arriving? Things like rush hour traffic and late night travel might be a reason to choose public transportation from JFK to NYC or not. During peak traffic times, plan at least an hour on the roads to get from JFK to New York City.
- How many bags do you have? Within the airport, there are elevators and escalators to help you manage your luggage. But, once in the subway, expect to have to navigate stairs and bigger crowds.
- How many people are you traveling with? The taxi cost from JFK to Manhattan is still $52 plus tolls, tip, and other surcharges even with a full taxi of 4-5 people. But, if you need more than 1 taxi to fit everyone, the expense can add up quickly.
- Is it your first time in New York City? The subways and trains are easy to figure out, especially with a little research before your trip. But if youre feeling nervous about visiting NYC, it could be worth a few extra dollars to go by taxi or shuttle service from JFK to Manhattan to start the trip right.
You can get to multiple places in New York City by using the AirTrain, the NYC subway system and/or the Long Island Railroad .
- the All Terminals Loop,
- the Jamaica Station Line, and
- the Howard Beach Line.
For Those On A Budget*
If youre on a budget, you can get to Sutphin Avenue/Jamaica and get on the subway after topping up your Metrocard. This will take longer than the LIRR, but the subway ride will only cost $2.75 to travel onwards towards Brooklyn or Manhattan. The J/Z train goes through Brooklyn to Lower Manhattan while the E goes through Queens to Midtown Manhattan before heading downtown.
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Getting To Jfk Airport From Manhattan By Taxi
You can take a classic yellow cabfrom Manhattan to JFK, but it will be fairly expensive. The NYC Taxi and Limousine Commissionhas set a flat fare for trips to / from JFK airport from anywhere in Manhattan. The taxi fare is $52.80 , in addition to tips and tolls.
So if you really want to take a taxi ride fromManhattan to JFK, youll save money by using a service like Carmel Limo plus you can save $4 off using this link.
Another popular option is grabbing a seat on a shared express bus. A variety of express buses run from Manhattan to JFK and cost in the $15 to $20 range. These are large buses designed for airport runs, so most of them have plenty of storage underneath the seats for luggage. GO Airlink Shuttle is one such bus it costs about $21 one way. It runs every half hour on the half hour and they will pick you up at a variety of hotels and NYC transportation hubs . Try promo code SHUTTLE to save 5%.
And obviously youll be on the road, so youre subject to New YorkCity traffic, especially if youre traveling during rush hour .