Welcome to New York! Now that you’re here, you may be wondering how to get to Manhattan and some of its most popular attractions, like Times Square or Madison Square Garden. The best way to do that is on public transit.
Getting to Manhattan from JFK Airport
You have a two main options for getting from JFK Airport to Manhattan.
Subway: The closest subway station to JFK Airport is Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport. To get there, you can take the AirTrain JFK from JFK Airport to Jamaica, and transfer to the subway.
Long Island Rail Road: The Long Island Rail Road also stops at Jamaica. You can take the AirTrain to the station, and then transfer to a Manhattan-bound train.
Tips
- The subway goes directly to different parts of Manhattan, but it takes longer to get there. One subway ride costs $2.90. A new MetroCard costs $1, but adding more money is free. Or, use OMNY.
- The Long Island Rail Road is a commuter rail service that goes into Manhattan, and it is faster but more expensive than the subway. A ticket to Manhattan costs $5 during off-peak periods or $7 during peak periods. Fares to to other destinations vary.
- Whether you take the subway or LIRR, you will need to pay the $8.50 AirTrain fare when you exit the AirTrain at Jamaica Station. You can use OMNY or a MetroCard, which you can buy from a ticket machine at Jamaica Station. Children under 5 ride free on the AirTrain.
- Jamaica Station and the stations that connect to it are all accessible.
By subway: Take the E train from Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport.
Fare: $11.40 for most riders.
When you get off the AirTrain at Jamaica, follow the signs to the subway and street. Take the elevator, escalator, or stairs down one level. Walk outside and follow the signs to the Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport subway station. You will need to swipe a MetroCard or use OMNY to pay the subway fare.
Take the elevator or escalator down one level to the Manhattan-bound train.
Here are the subway stops that are close to popular destinations:
World Trade Center: Get out at this stop if you’re going to the World Trade Center, the Financial District, or other Downtown spots.
34 St-Penn Station: Get out at this stop if you’re going to Penn Station, Madison Square Garden, Hudson Yards, the Empire State Building, or other Midtown spots.
Times Sq-42 St: Get out at this stop if you’re going to Times Square, Port Authority Bus Terminal, or other Midtown spots.
By train: Take the Long Island Rail Road from Jamaica.
Fare: $15.50 (peak hours) or $13.50 (off-peak hours) for most riders to New York City with CityTicket. Fares to other destinations vary.
When you exit the AirTrain at Jamaica Station, follow the signs to the Long Island Rail Road.
To get to Manhattan, take a westbound LIRR train to Penn Station or Grand Central. You can also take a westbound train to Atlantic Terminal for destinations in Brooklyn. To get to Long Island, take an eastbound LIRR train.
Here are the Long Island Rail Road stops that are close to popular destinations:
Penn Station: Get out at this stop if you’re going to Penn Station, Madison Square Garden, Hudson Yards, the Empire State Building, or other Midtown West spots.
Grand Central: Get out at this stop if you're going to Grand Central Terminal, the United Nations, Rockefeller Center, or other locations in Midtown East.
Atlantic Terminal: Get out at this stop if you’re going to the Barclays Center or other locations in Downtown Brooklyn.
Need help?
Get help with subway service
For up-to-date service status information and planned service changes, check the MTA website, or download the MTA app.
Get help with Long Island Rail Road service
Download the TrainTime app to buy tickets, plan your trip, see real-time train status and seat availability, and chat with a customer service representative.