AirTrain JFK is an 8.1-mile (13 km) elevated, driverless airport rail system serving John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens, New York City. It runs 24/7, links the JFK terminals with parking areas and airport facilities, and connects passengers to the New York City Subway at Howard Beach and to the Long Island Rail Road and subway at Jamaica.
| Key | Information |
|---|---|
| System type | Elevated, driverless airport people mover and public transport link |
| Length | 8.1 miles (13 km) |
| Area served | Queens, New York City |
| Active stations | 9 stations |
| Routes | Jamaica Station route, Howard Beach route, and Terminal Loop |
| Operating hours | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
| Operator | Alstom, under contract to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |
| Airport travel | Free within the airport; fare required at Jamaica and Howard Beach |
Map of AirTrain JFK
The The AirTrain JFK map shows all available stops. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the AirTrain JFK map in PDF format.
AirTrain JFK Routes and Stations
The AirTrain JFK route plan is simple once you know the three services. Two routes connect the airport with city transport at Jamaica and Howard Beach, while the Terminal Loop moves passengers around the central terminal area. Trains to Jamaica and Howard Beach share part of the path before entering the terminal area.
The stations list includes airport terminals, parking and shuttle points, and two major transfer stations. Travel within the airport area is free, but entering or exiting at Jamaica or Howard Beach requires a ticket fare.
| Station | Details |
|---|---|
| Jamaica Station | Connection to the Long Island Rail Road, the E, J, and Z subway trains, and multiple bus routes. |
| Howard Beach-JFK Airport | Connection to the A subway train. |
| Lefferts Boulevard | Serves long-term parking shuttle buses, airport employee parking, and local bus connections. |
| Federal Circle | Serves car rental companies, hotel shuttle buses, and airport cargo-area connections. |
| Terminal 1 | Airport terminal station on the central terminal route. |
| Terminal 4 | Airport terminal station on the central terminal route. |
| Terminal 5 | Airport terminal station on the central terminal route. |
| Terminal 7 | Airport terminal station on the central terminal route. |
| Terminal 8 | Airport terminal station with a connection to the Q3 local bus. |
AirTrain JFK originally had ten stations, but the Terminal 2 stop closed in 2022. All AirTrain stations are wheelchair accessible.
Jamaica Station Route
The Jamaica Station route connects JFK Airport with Jamaica Station, one of the main transport hubs in Queens. From there, passengers can transfer to the LIRR, the E, J, and Z subway trains, and several bus routes.
This route runs through Federal Circle and then continues into the terminal area. The ride from Jamaica to the JFK terminals takes about eight minutes, while the full circular running time can be longer depending on where you board and leave the train.
Passengers entering or leaving AirTrain JFK at Jamaica must pay the AirTrain fare. Travel within the airport remains free.
Howard Beach Route
The Howard Beach route connects the airport with Howard Beach-JFK Airport station, where passengers can transfer to the A subway train. It also stops at Lefferts Boulevard, which serves long-term parking shuttles, airport employee parking, and local bus connections.
At Lefferts Boulevard, connecting bus options include the B15. The corridor is also served by Q11, Q21, Q52 SBS, and Q53 SBS buses along Cross Bay Boulevard.
This route runs 24/7, with frequency usually ranging from 7 to 15 minutes depending on the time of day. The total trip time on the circular service is approximately 21 minutes.
Terminal Loop
The Terminal Loop is the AirTrain JFK service for moving around the central terminal area. It runs clockwise around the terminal ring, while the Jamaica and Howard Beach trains travel counterclockwise on the outer loop.
The loop is 1.8 miles (2.9 km) long and serves Terminal 1, Terminal 4, Terminal 5, Terminal 7, and Terminal 8. It is useful for short inter-terminal trips and for reaching the outer routes to Jamaica and Howard Beach.
If you are changing terminals, check the direction before boarding. The train may still get you there, but the opposite loop can add extra minutes.
AirTrain JFK Schedule
AirTrain JFK runs every day, including overnight. There is no separate opening time or closing time because the system does not close during normal service. For schedule today searches, the key details are 24-hour service, variable frequency, and route-specific timings.
| Service detail | Timings |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 24 hours daily |
| Working hours | Continuous service, 7 days a week |
| Weekday frequency | Every 4 to 7 minutes on Monday through Friday |
| Weekend frequency | Every 4 to 15 minutes on Saturday and Sunday |
| General route frequency | Usually every 7 to 15 minutes, depending on route and time of day |
| Jamaica Station route running time | Approximately 21 minutes for the circular route |
| Jamaica or Howard Beach to terminals | About eight minutes |
| Last train | No last train under regular 24-hour operation |
The first and last stop on the circular Jamaica route is Jamaica. Real-time train schedule information can vary by station, so it is smart to check the station display before you board.
Is JFK AirTrain open 24 hours?
Yes. JFK AirTrain is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year. Its opening times are continuous, and the system connects the airport terminals with Jamaica, Howard Beach, Federal Circle, and Lefferts Boulevard around the clock.
The AirTrain does not have a regular closing time, but frequency changes by time of day. Waits are usually shorter during busier periods and longer overnight.
AirTrain JFK Tickets and Fares
AirTrain JFK is free for travel within the airport, including trips between terminals, Federal Circle, and Lefferts Boulevard. Passengers pay only when entering or exiting at Jamaica or Howard Beach.
As of March 2026, the single AirTrain fare is US$8.75 ($8.75). Payment is accepted by MetroCard or OMNY, including contactless bank cards and mobile devices. AirTrain JFK began accepting OMNY on October 10, 2023.
Children under 5 ride free. Frequent riders can use a 10-trip AirTrain MetroCard for US$26.50 ($26.50) or a 30-day AirTrain MetroCard for US$42.50 ($42.50). These passes reduce the cost compared with paying the standard one-way ticket price each time.
There are no free transfers between AirTrain JFK and other transit services. Passengers transferring to or from the subway or local buses pay an additional US$3.00 ($3.00). Riders connecting to a Manhattan-bound LIRR train at Jamaica pay an additional US$7.25 ($7.25) during peak hours or US$5.25 ($5.25) during off-peak hours and weekends.
Recent fare changes raised the price from US$7.75 ($7.75) in 2019 to US$8.00 ($8.00) in 2022, US$8.25 ($8.25) in 2023, US$8.50 ($8.50) in 2024, and US$8.75 ($8.75) in 2026. Temporary half-price fares of US$4.25 ($4.25) were offered during summer construction periods in 2024 and 2025.
There is no AirTrain fare calculator built into the system information here, but the total trip cost is easy to estimate: add the AirTrain ticket price to the subway, bus, or LIRR fare you will use.
Connections with other system
AirTrain JFK connects the airport with the wider New York public transport system through two main hubs: Howard Beach and Jamaica. Howard Beach links to the A subway train. Jamaica connects to the LIRR and the E, J, and Z subway trains.
Within JFK, AirTrain also links terminals with station parking areas, rental car facilities, hotel shuttles, and airport shuttle buses. Lefferts Boulevard serves long-term parking shuttles and employee parking, while Federal Circle is the main stop for car rental and hotel shuttle connections.
All AirTrain stations are wheelchair accessible. Howard Beach subway station and Jamaica LIRR station are also accessible, which makes these connections practical for many passengers using local transport.
Connection to NYC Subway
AirTrain JFK connects directly to the New York City Subway at Howard Beach and Jamaica. At Howard Beach, transfer to the A train. At Jamaica, use Sutphin Boulevard-Archer Avenue-JFK Airport station for the E, J, and Z trains.
Subway transfers are available at all hours because the AirTrain runs 24/7. However, there are no free transfers between AirTrain and the subway, so riders pay both the AirTrain fare and the subway fare.
The subway is a common route for passengers traveling between JFK and Queens, Brooklyn, or Manhattan. From Howard Beach, the A train is the simplest subway connection. From Jamaica, passengers can choose subway service or the LIRR from the same transit hub.
A historic predecessor was the JFK Express, a premium-fare subway service that ran from Midtown Manhattan to Howard Beach in 1978 and used shuttle buses for the final airport leg. Today, AirTrain JFK provides the direct rail link from the subway to the terminals.
Connection to Long Island Rail Road
The Jamaica Station route connects AirTrain JFK with the Long Island Rail Road at Jamaica Station. From there, passengers can continue to Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan, Grand Central, or Atlantic Terminal in Downtown Brooklyn, depending on the train.
If you are taking the LIRR to JFK, make sure your train stops at Jamaica. Many travelers use this route for a faster airport trip, then switch to the AirTrain for the final ride to the terminal.
Passengers transferring between the LIRR and AirTrain pay the AirTrain fare, and LIRR riders may also need a separate CityTicket fare depending on the time of day. There are no free transfers between AirTrain JFK and the connecting rail service.
Jamaica Station has stairs, elevators, and escalators between the rail platforms and the AirTrain level. A useful tip: when heading eastbound to JFK, sitting near the front of the LIRR train may place you closer to the AirTrain connection.
Connection to Buses and Other Transit Options
AirTrain JFK also connects with bus and shuttle options around Queens and the airport. These services help passengers reach neighborhoods, hotels, rental cars, cargo areas, parking facilities, and other ground transportation points.
- Howard Beach: A subway train and Q11 bus connection.
- Jamaica: Long Island Rail Road; E, J, and Z subway trains; Q6, Q8, Q9, Q20A, Q20B, Q25/Q34, Q30, Q31, Q40, Q43, Q44, Q60, and Q65 buses.
- Lefferts Boulevard: B15 bus and shuttle buses for long-term parking and airport employee parking.
- Federal Circle: Hotel shuttles, rental car shuttles, and cargo-area connections.
For most airport passengers, AirTrain is the final rail leg into JFK. You arrive by subway, LIRR, bus, or shuttle, then use AirTrain to reach the terminal area.
Getting Around JFK Airport by AirTrain
AirTrain JFK is the easiest way to move between terminals and key airport facilities without using a bus. It operates 24 hours a day and serves the terminal area, Federal Circle, Lefferts Boulevard, Jamaica, and Howard Beach.
There are three routes: one to Jamaica, one to Howard Beach, and one terminal-only loop. If you are traveling only inside the airport, the ride is free. If you enter or exit at Jamaica or Howard Beach, the fare is US$8.75 ($8.75).
From Manhattan or Brooklyn, passengers often take the subway or LIRR to Jamaica or Howard Beach, then transfer to AirTrain. Before boarding, check which terminal your airline uses, especially if your trip involves a transfer between terminals.
- 24/7 service with no regular closing time.
- Three routes and nine active stations.
- Free trips within the airport area.
- US$8.75 ($8.75) fare at Jamaica or Howard Beach.
- About eight minutes from Jamaica or Howard Beach to the terminals.
Passenger Safety and Rules
AirTrain JFK is built for safe, round-the-clock airport travel. Stations have elevators, escalators, air conditioning, platform screen doors, CCTV cameras, alarms, emergency contact points, and attendants. Platform screens are especially important because the trains operate without drivers.
Eating, smoking, and drinking are not permitted anywhere in the AirTrain system. Standard baggage, luggage carts, strollers, guide dogs, service animals, and small domestic animals in secure carriers are allowed.
Heavy or large luggage should be taken on elevators instead of escalators. Airport luggage carts must not be placed on escalators.
Bicycles are permitted, but they must be controlled at all times. Riding bicycles on platforms, in stations, or on trains is prohibited, and bicycles are not allowed on escalators. Only two bicycles per AirTrain car are permitted at one time.
Passengers should listen for announcements, follow staff instructions, keep belongings nearby, and use emergency phones or intercoms if help is needed. Suspicious activity can be reported by calling 1 800 828-PAPD (7273).
How to Use AirTrain JFK
To use AirTrain JFK, follow signs inside the airport or at Jamaica and Howard Beach. Board the train for your route, check the terminal stops, and keep your ticket or contactless payment ready if you are entering or exiting at Jamaica or Howard Beach.
If you are coming from Midtown Manhattan or Downtown Brooklyn and want the fastest option, take the LIRR to Jamaica, then transfer to AirTrain. If you want a lower-cost route, take the subway to Sutphin Boulevard-Archer Avenue-JFK Airport for Jamaica or to Howard Beach-JFK Airport for the A train connection.
If you travel from Metro-North territory, the route described in the draft is Metro-North to Grand Central, then an LIRR train that stops at Jamaica, followed by AirTrain to JFK.
At the AirTrain turnstiles, you can pay with a credit or debit card, smartphone, wearable device, or OMNY Card. Unlimited passes are not accepted on AirTrain JFK. Children under 5 ride free.
- Within the airport only: free.
- Entering or exiting at Jamaica or Howard Beach: US$8.75 ($8.75).
- Children under 5: free.
- Unlimited passes: not accepted.
- Subway plus AirTrain for most riders: US$11.75 ($11.75).
When taking the subway or LIRR to JFK, remember that the full cost includes both the rail fare and the AirTrain fare.
Accessibility Services
AirTrain JFK is ADA-compliant, and all AirTrain stations are wheelchair accessible. Howard Beach and Jamaica stations are wheelchair accessible as well.
At Terminal 4, passengers who need a wheelchair or special assistance should contact their airline before the flight. Motorized wheelchairs and scooters may be used throughout T4, which has ADA-compliant restrooms, water fountains, and service animal relief areas.
Airline assistance, including meet-and-greet services on arrival and expedited customs processing, may be available through coordination with the airline and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Requests should be submitted at least 72 hours before arrival.
Complimentary Aira Access is available for blind customers and customers with low vision. Through the Aira Access smartphone app, customers can connect with an agent who uses the phone camera, GPS, and web data to provide visual descriptions on demand.
Brief History
Plans for a rail connection to John F. Kennedy International Airport go back to the mid-1940s, when a line in the Van Wyck Expressway median was proposed to connect Midtown Manhattan with the airport. The idea returned in 1968 under the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Program for Action, but that rail link was canceled during the 1975 fiscal crisis.
In 1978, the MTA launched the JFK Express, a premium-fare subway service to Howard Beach-JFK Airport station. It was discontinued in 1990. Around the same period, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey studied new airport rail plans, including broader links to LaGuardia and JFK. After those plans were canceled in 1995, the JFK project became a shorter people mover connecting Howard Beach with the airport terminals.
Construction of the current AirTrain JFK began in 1998. The project faced lawsuits, delays, and a fatal accident during a test run. The system opened on December 17, 2003.
Since opening, AirTrain JFK has become a core part of transportation in and around JFK Airport. The system originally had ten stations, but Terminal 2 closed in 2022. Its fare policy has continued to keep airport-area travel free while charging passengers who enter or exit at Jamaica or Howard Beach.
Nearby Attractions
AirTrain JFK connects travelers to transport hubs that make Queens and nearby attractions easier to reach. If you have a stopover or extra time before a flight, the surrounding area includes parks, museums, sports venues, airport shops, lounges, and neighborhood landmarks.
Frequently mentioned nearby attractions include Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Citi Field, Gantry Plaza State Park, the Museum of the Moving Image, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, and the New York Hall of Science. Queens Zoo, Astoria Park, Rockaway Beach, the Noguchi Museum, and the Pepsi Cola Sign are also popular Queens destinations.
Inside the airport area, travelers can use shops and services such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art Store, Kiehl’s, DFS Duty Free, Longchamp, XpresSpa, and airport lounges. These are the closest options if you are staying near the terminal or passing through JFK between flights.
- Flushing Meadows Corona Park
- Citi Field
- Gantry Plaza State Park
- Museum of the Moving Image
- USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
- New York Hall of Science
- Queens Zoo
- Rockaway Beach