Manhattan to JFK Airport transfer

There are plenty of Manhattan to JFK Airport transfer options, I always recommend planning ahead. Knowing you have your return journey back to the airport figured out, will allow you to enjoy your last day in New York stress-free. You can travel by taxi, shuttle bus, subway or train to JFK Airport.

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Taxi from Manhattan to JFK

You can easily take a yellow cab from Manhattan to JFK Airport. It will cost approximately $75 to $80, plus toll and $12 to $15 tip. Know that hailing a cab isn’t always easy during rush hours. In New York you can’t call for a cab, you have to hail one on the street. If you have to travel between 7:30 – 9:30 or 16:00 – 19:00 I would recommend you use one of the other options below.

Private Transfers

Do you want to travel from your hotel to the airport in a private, chauffeur-driven car? And would you prefer to arrange your transport before you depart? Then book a private transfer in advance. There are various options for private transport available.

Value private transfer

Choose the value private transfer and have everything organised before your departure to New York. After booking the transfer you will receive a voucher with a link to reference your flight details and preferred pick-up time. This transfer does not include tolls and tip.

Book your value private transfer here

All-inclusive private transfer

If you prefer to pay the total amount of your transportation upfront, then this all-inclusive transfer is the best option. All taxes, tolls and gratuity are included.

Book your private all-inclusive transfer here

Limousine

Book an airport transfer by limousine and depart for New York City in style. You can take a limo transfer from your hotel to the airport for a maximum of 7 people.

Book your transfer by limousine here

Shared Small Shuttle Buses

These shared shuttle buses will pick you up from your hotel and bring you to JFK Airport. Please note that most shuttles do not pick up above 125th Street in Manhattan. If you are in an apartment, please choose a nearby hotel as the pick-up location. These buses are easy to use if you prefer not to take the metro. They take longer than the taxi, because more people have to be picked up on the way to the airport. Please read your voucher carefully after booking for instructions on how to get picked up at the location and time of your choice. Currently, only the small shuttle buses are running, the large express buses are not in service.

Book your Shared Shuttle Bus Transfer here

Subway

You can take either the A or E subway to the JFK AirTrain. The subway itself costs $2.90 (plus $1 for a new MetroCard) and you must pay an additional $8.25 for the AirTrain. This trip takes about 1.5 hours and if you are travelling with a lot of luggage before a long flight, then it is not recommended.

Long Island Railroad Train (LIRR)

You can take the Long Island Rail Road train from Penn Station or Grand Central in Manhattan to Jamaica station. From there you will need to take the AirTrain to JFK Airport. The train costs between $7.75 and $10.75 and the AirTrain costs $8.25.

Helicopter Transfer

Fly from Manhattan to JFK Airport with a helicopter transfer. Arrive at the airport in 10 minutes and enjoy the views on the way.

When should I leave for JFK Airport?

Always give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport, especially during rush hour. You don’t want to be stuck in a traffic jam worrying that you’re going to miss your flight. These are the typical travel times from Manhattan. Don’t forget that travelling from Downtown will take a bit longer than Midtown to JFK Airport:

Taxi to JFK Airport: 1 to 1.5 hours
Small shuttle bus to JFK Airport: 1 to 1.5 hours
Subway to JFK Airport: 1.5 to 1.75 hours
Train from Penn Station to JFK Airport: 1 hour (from the moment that you catch the ride)
Limousine/car to JFK Airport: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours

Eric’s Tip: “I personally prefer the subway and AirTrain or a private transfer. Shuttle buses cost $20 and pick you up at your hotel or apartment. Limousines or town cars also pick you up. For a calm and more relaxed trip back to the airport, this is a better way to go than to struggle to find a taxi, especially between 15:30 and 19:00 when it is the hardest time to hail a cab. A cheap and easy option is to take the subway and AirTrain.”

Other Boroughs to JFK Airport

Are you looking for JFK airport transfer from other boroughs or other states such as New Jersey? I have created specific information for each of these options:

Are you travelling from a different airport?

How do I get from Manhattan to JFK airport?

You have different transfer options to choose from, depending on your budget and the number of people you’re travelling with. Read all my tips on transfer from Manhattan to JFK Airport here.

How much is a taxi from Manhattan to JFK?

Taking a yellow cab from Manhattan to JFK will cost approximately $75 to $80, plus toll and $12 to $15 tip.

Can you take the subway to JFK?

You can take the subway from Manhattan and change to the JFK AirTrain at Howard Beach or Jamaica Station.