New York JFK Airport: How to Get Into the City

JFK Airport is the largest in New York (there are 3 airports in New York) and the best connected one (you can even take the subway for just $10.75!).

Below I'll walk you through every way to get from JFK to New York City and from your hotel back to the airport.

The right choice comes down to how much time you have, how many of you are traveling and, of course, your budget.

Quick guide to JFK Airport

Here are my recommendations for each type of transportation, so you can pick the one that suits your trip and your budget 😉:

1. Traveling with 2 or more people? Check prices for private transfers that are reliable and come with Spanish-speaking drivers.
2. The cheapest option for getting from JFK into NYC: the AirTrain
3. Prices and tips for taking taxis at the airport
4. Can you take Uber or Lyft from JFK?
5. If you're traveling solo, you can book a shared shuttle from JFK Airport into the city
6. Have connections between airports? Read how to get from one airport to another

Private transfer from JFK

The easiest and fastest option is to book a private transfer that takes you from JFK straight to your destination in New York City.

On the Civitatis transfer search tool you'll find different types of vehicles depending on the number of travelers, from 3 up to 14 passengers. When you compare prices, you'll see it pays off nicely once there are 3 or more of you.

This search tool is worth using for two reasons: 1) the service has plenty of positive reviews from travelers, and 2) the drivers speak Spanish.

Prices depend on where you're headed and how many passengers there are (the cheapest start at $135). Booking the private transfer online locks in the price and saves you any surprises with taxis.

JFK AirTrain

The cheapest way to get from JFK to New York is the AirTrain, a service connecting all JFK terminals with the New York subway. You'll find it easily since it's extremely well signposted.

In roughly an hour you'll be in the city, and for just $10.75! (plus $1 if you need to buy a new MetroCard). You can also ride the AirTrain with the new OMNY contactless payment system.

Read everything you need to know about how to ride the AirTrain to your destination in New York or from the city to the airport.

Before you settle on the AirTrain, know that very few New York Subway stations have escalators and elevators.

If you're hauling a lot of luggage it can be quite the feat (especially at rush hour), but if the goal is saving money, it's worth the effort 😉

Shared transfer from JFK

If you're traveling solo, shared vans (shuttles) are a cheaper option than private transfers. The fare runs around $40 per passenger. They're minibuses that hold up to 10 people.

If there are 2 or more of you, I'd seriously look at a private transfer, since the shuttle will only cost a few dollars less and takes far longer, because it drops passengers at different addresses and you never know whether you'll be first or last.

If you book the shared van from your hotel to the airport, schedule it well in advance so traffic doesn't wreck your plans, especially at rush hour.

Taxi from JFK Airport

If you're in a hurry or traveling with lots of suitcases (which can be a real headache on the bus or subway), you can take a taxi.

The advice here: only take official taxis. You'll find the stands easily since they're very well signposted in the terminal. They have regulated fares and insurance in case anything goes wrong.

To catch one, head to the official taxi line at the airport exits and wait your turn.

In high season the taxi lines get long, which is why we recommend booking a private transfer online ahead of time, with a driver waiting for you on arrival.

Taxi fares from JFK Airport

The official taxis at JFK Airport are the yellow ones (yellow cabs) with their registration number on the lighted sign on the roof. They carry up to 3 people.

If your group is bigger, consider a private transfer, which can take up to 14 people.

Official taxis are a regulated service with flat fares from JFK to the city's different boroughs:

• From JFK to Manhattan it's $52.
• Outside Manhattan, the trip runs on the meter. To give you an idea, Brooklyn can cost between $35 and $60, and Queens around $25.

On top of that you'll pay tolls and a tip (15% to 20% of the total is standard).

If you travel at rush hour (4 pm to 6 pm), add a $4.50 surcharge.

The key thing is to ask about the cost before you get in so you avoid unpleasant surprises.

Read more details about getting around in New York taxis.

Uber or Lyft from JFK

A very popular alternative to taxis in New York is Uber or Lyft, apps that are now go-to options for cheaper rides.

In New York they're completely legal services, and there are even designated pickup areas for them («Ride App pick up«). So find them before you request your car.

Since the ride is charged directly to your card, tip included, you don't hand the driver a cent. Easy!

That said, you'll need a data plan or roaming on your phone for this to work.

How to get from one airport to another

If your trip continues and you need to get from JFK to another NYC airport (Newark or LaGuardia), read how to connect between New York's airports.

It's common to need an airport-to-airport transfer to continue on to other destinations in the United States or abroad.

If you want to use your layover to see New York, it helps to know the best luggage storage spots and apps.

How long does immigration take at JFK?

At JFK, immigration is faster these days thanks to automation. In several terminals there are kiosks where you scan your own passport and fingerprints, and then the immigration officer only asks a few questions.

The catch is that since it's the biggest airport in the United States, if your flight lands alongside other arrivals the process slows way down. Bottom line: if there aren't many flights you'll be through in half an hour; if several land at once, it can take up to two hours from the moment the plane touches down.

JFK is the biggest airport in NYC

John F Kennedy International, better known as JFK, is the biggest and busiest airport in New York.

With its 8 terminals, JFK is genuinely huge and can be intimidating if it's your first time in the city.

But it's actually pretty simple. Everything is well signposted, and the hardest part is making your way through the constant stream of passengers.

Where is JFK?

JFK sits in southeastern Queens, about 15 miles from Midtown Manhattan.

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