Where will the downtown drop-off be?

Most services target Midtown Manhattan (Penn Station / Times Square area), so drop a pin in your maps app before boarding.

How frequent are departures?

AirTrain JFK + LIRR (Jamaica – Penn Station) usually runs every 7-15 minutes. If it pauses, follow the overhead signs to the bus bay for the fallback service.

JFKUnited StatesTPL: city-transfer-guide

John F. Kennedy International Airport

New York, United States

Drop-off

Midtown Manhattan (Penn Station / Times Square area)

Pin before customs

Fastest

AirTrain JFK + LIRR (Jamaica – Penn Station)

rail · 7-15m

Data

Nov 28

Audit

Quick verdict

Fastest into town

Service: AirTrain JFK + LIRR (Jamaica – Penn Station)
Headway: 7-15
Backup: AirTrain JFK + Subway E line (Jamaica – Midtown) · 5-10m

Note

Take the AirTrain Jamaica Line from any JFK terminal to Jamaica Station, then transfer to the Long Island Rail Road toward Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan; combined travel time is roughly 35–45 minutes with frequent 24/7 AirTrain service and LIRR trains every 10–20 minutes at most times.

Arrivals decoded

New York: City Transfer Guide

Fast, easy ways to reach the primary city center after landing. Targets queries likenew york airport busandjfk to city centerfor eSIM funnels.

Budget path

Brief

Cheapest door-to-door option; expect extra stops and tighter luggage space.

Service: NYC Yellow Cab JFK–Manhattan flat fare
Mode: taxi
Freq: on-demandm
Note: Official yellow taxis are available outside each terminal for direct service to Midtown Manhattan under a regulated flat fare plus tolls and tip; travel time typically ranges from 45–75 minutes or more depending on traffic and ongoing JFK road construction.

Priority path

Brief

Fastest connection with wider aisles and better luggage handling.

Service: AirTrain JFK + LIRR (Jamaica – Penn Station)
Mode: rail
Freq: 7-15m
Note: Take the AirTrain Jamaica Line from any JFK terminal to Jamaica Station, then transfer to the Long Island Rail Road toward Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan; combined travel time is roughly 35–45 minutes with frequent 24/7 AirTrain service and LIRR trains every 10–20 minutes at most times.

Fare math

Brief

Express trains tend to be twice as expensive but half the time. Budget routes take longer yet often have more frequent departures after work.

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FAQs

01Where will the downtown drop-off be?: Most services target Midtown Manhattan (Penn Station / Times Square area), so drop a pin in your maps app before boarding.
02How frequent are departures?: AirTrain JFK + LIRR (Jamaica – Penn Station) usually runs every 7-15 minutes. If it pauses, follow the overhead signs to the bus bay for the fallback service.