John F. Kennedy, New York City

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New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (Airport Code: JFK), located in the extreme southeast of the Borough of Queens, is the largest of the three major airports in the New York City metropolitan area. An international hub for U.S. carriers American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines, as well as a domestic hub for budget airline Jet Blue, JFK hosts an incredible 68 different airlines, from Aer Lingus to XL Airways. If you are arriving in New York from overseas, there's a good chance you will be arriving at this airport. JFK has 8 terminals, connected by the "All Terminals Loop" route of the AirTrain JFK light rail system. Unfortunately, if your transfer involves a change of terminals, you will need to exit security, take AirTrain JFK to your connecting terminal (the train is free for travel within the airport), then pass through security again to get to your gate. As a result, be sure to allow extra time if you need to change planes at JFK.

Ground transportation options to and from JFK are plentiful. The cheapest (and slowest) option is to take an MTA bus to connect to the Subway. Bus Q10 departs from the east side of the Terminal 4 arrivals roadway and connects to the A, E, and F trains. Bus Q3 departs from the west side of the Terminal 4 arrivals roadway and connects to the F train. Bus B15 departs from the west side of the Terminal 4 arrivals roadway and connects to the 3 and 4 trains. Fare is $2.50 in coins, or $2.25 per ride with a prepaid Metrocard. If using coins, be sure to get a transfer card from the fare machine on the bus so you don't have to pay again for the subway. Metrocards can be purchased at Hudson News outlets in the airport terminals.

A faster option is to use AirTrain JFK to connect to the Subway or Long Island Railroad. For this, use either the Jamaica route to connect to the Jamaica station (LIRR) and Sutphin Blvd/Archer Avenue subway station (E, J, and Z trains), or the Howard Beach route to connect to the Howard Beach/JFK Airport subway station (A train). Trains from each line depart every 5-10 minutes, 24 hours per day. Travel time is approximately 10 minutes. Fare is $5.00 for AirTrain, payable using a pay-per-ride Metrocard at Jamaica or Howard Beach (card vending machines available at the fare gates). You then need to pay again to use the subway or LIRR.

NYC Airporter is another option, departing all terminals for Grand Central Station, Penn Station, and the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Departures are approximately every 20-30 minutes, exact departure and travel time depends on traffic, but is normally 60-90 minutes. Fare is $16 one-way, $29 round-trip.

Car Rentals are also available at JFK, but be aware driving in the city itself is not easy to say the least. All major car rental companies have offices at JFK; you can take AirTrain JFK to Federal Circle station (free) to get to the rental offices.

Taxis are plentiful. To get to Manhattan from JFK, fare is a flat rate of $52 plus tolls. A 15-20% tip is expected for good service, which will bring your total cost to just under $70. WARNING: do not accept unsolicited "limousine" or unmarked "taxi" service from the airport. These are almost always a rip-off.

There are other options to get to and from the airport, to include charter buses and car services. Check the website for details.

I visited NYC 3 times for business and I really like that city, but... last time I was there I did exactly what I was used to: jump off of Imigration right to the booth where it reads "Ground Transportation Service". I asked for a shared ride, this time to Long Island. The counter told me it was $45 and pointed me to a driver. The ride was fine until we got to my final destination in Long Island where the driver asked for $103 bucks telling that the ride was not shared because there was nobody else to share with me. I got really upset with that but had to pay. I've asked for a phone number to complain and found later that day that he gave me his own cell phone number. When I returned to JFK to fly back home I complained on the same booth but I'm still waiting for an answer and my money back.

This was the trap side, now goes the real tip: get the Air Train. It will take you secure and confortably to:

• the LIRR at Jamaica Station
• the E, J/Z subways at Jamaica Station
• the A subway at Howard Beach Station

• the NYC Transit Bus Lines Q20, Q24, Q30, Q31, Q43, Q44, Q54, and Q56 at Jamaica Station
• the Green Bus Lines Q6, Q8, Q9, Q40, Q41, and Q60 at Jamaica Station
• the Green Bus Line Q11, one block from Howard Beach Station, at 102nd St and 160th Ave

• you can ride around JFK

Its cheap, quick and secure. Don't be afraid and don't waste your money with "Ground Transportation Service", get the train.

Everyone always says avoid JFK at all costs and that La Guardia is much better. I agree but not 100%, if you book some form of transportation ahead of time like I did then getting from JFK is really straight forward. I booked a shuttle bus from the airport to Manhattan with a company called Airlink New York and they were there on time. The ride cost about 18$ US one way and WELL worth it because public transportation is a bit tricky and not worth the headache. The ride takes about 1 hour with traffic and Airlink picked me up from the arrival hall and dropped me off at my hostel's door which was impressive. I will def use them again.

A taxi will cost you at least $30. This alternative will cost $7.

Get your luggage and find a sign inside the airport that says Air Train. You'll have a long and winding walk outside the airport, maybe taking elevators and escalators up and around.
You'll have to buy a ticket for the train, and for me a subway ticket for $7. Good idea to have the exact change because the kiosks sometimes don't have that much change.

Get on the airtrain when it shows up. I took the Station A/Howard Beach train. When you get there, get on the 'A' train that will take you into Manhattan. If you're going to Brooklyn and need to transfer, get off at the Jay St/Borough hall stop and make a connection to the F train or any other one you need.

It took me 45 minutes to get from JFK to Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn.

Airtrain: http://www.airtrainjfk.com/airtrain/around_jfk.html
Subway in NYC: http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm

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JFK is where most international travelers and a decent share of domestic ones will arrive.

It is a multi-terminal airport with the airtrain linking the nine of them in six stops. Terminals two and three, five and six and also eight and nine are shared stops.

The major international terminals are one and four although international flights leave from nearly all. Depending upon airline of course.

JFK to times square...for the easiest route take a cab it will $50 plus a tip to anywhere in Manhattan. But for those wanting to save some cash..

Once you get off your flight and collect your baggage begin looking for "AirTrain" signs you will exit the terminal and follow the signs to board an AirTrain that will take you JAMAICA Station. Once you exit the airtrain you will have to pay $5 for your ride.
Then you start looking for Subway signs and follow the subway signs to the underground. You will need to buy a Metrocard. I suggest buying a 7 day pass if you will be there for more than 4 days (if you will be choosing the subway over taxis for your stay).
Follow sings for the E train (color BLUE). Board an E train headed to Manhattan. it will be about a 30-40 minute ride depending on the time of day. There is a stop at Times Square -42nd Street. you will exit on 8th Avenue & 42nd. Only a couple blocks from your hotel.

Total travel time is about 50 minutes. It is really easy. if you get confused there is always someone to ask! Please note that during rush hour trains can get very congested and there may not be a seat for you. Other than that, it is a pretty simple ride. Enjoy NY!

There are several methods and different price points to get to NYC from JFK International airport.

The quickest and easiest mode of transportation is to take a taxi. Once you exit the airport terminal, you will see a taxi line formed with a person directing people into taxis. The fee into Manhattan is $45 flat rate (tip not included). If you are traveling with more than one person, this might be the easiest way to travel and not as cost prohibitive if you can share the cost.

There are also bus companies that provide transportation to midtown Manhattan (drop off/pick up is across the street from Grand Central Terminal). I believe the cost is around $15. It takes a little bit longer, as the bus picks passengers up at each terminal in the airport. The bus also runs on a schedule. However, if you are not in a rush, it certainly is cheaper than taking a taxi and leaves you centrally located in midtown.

Another alternative is to take the new airtrain from JFK to the subway. Follow the signs in the airport for the AirTrain and for $5.00 plus $2.00 for a MetroCard, this is definitely the most economical way to get into the city. You can connect to the A or E trains at Jamaica Station or you can walk a few blocks to the F train. These trains run quite frequently and are express to a certain degree, so it should only take 45 minutes to get to midtown Manhattan. If you are carrying a lot of luggage, be cautioned, as the trains can be very crowded during certain times of the day. This is the only downfall of choosing this method of transport, especially after a long day of flying. You will have to drag all of your luggage through the subway stations (possibly including flights of stairs) and then on to your final destination once you depart the subway.

New York Airport Service operates express buses 7 days a week, about every 30 minutes from JFK to the Port Authority Bus Terminal, Grand Central Terminal, and Penn Station in Manhattan from 6:15 am to 11:10 pm.

Bus stops are located outside the baggage claim area at every terminal, look for the New York Airport Service bus stop sign.

Trips take approx. 60 minutes. $15 one-way, $27 round-trip.

SuperShuttle is a great way to get from the airport to the city. It only cost $18 plus tip and you don't even have to have a reservation. Just go to the Ground Transportation desk outside of the baggage claim area and speak to the person there about reserving a ride for you they can even reserve a trip back to the airport. I recommend having the name address and cross street of the location you are going to.

ps. However if you are traveling with more than 1 person a taxi may be a better choice since it is a fixed rate of $45 plus tip. And they will get you there alot faster

Hi,

There are two ways to get from JFK to Times Square. You can get a cab but it will cost approximately $40.00 to $50.00. You can also take the Air train from the JFK airport which cost $5.00 to the Jamiaca Station then transfer to the NYC trains. The NYC trains cost $2.00 per ride. Pick up either the E or F train at the Jamaica station to Times Square. It will take approximately 25 minutes from Jamaica station to 42nd street times Square. Have a nice trip!