Manhattan to JFK Airport transfer

There are plenty of Manhattan to JFK Airport transfer options, I always recommend to plan 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, bus, shuttle bus, subway or train to JFK Airport.
Alternatively, if you need to travel from New Jersey, Brooklyn or Queens, click here.
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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 $55 to $60, plus toll and $7 to $10 tip. Know that hailing a cab isn’t always easy during rush hour. 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.
These shared shuttle buses will pick you up at your hotel or apartment and bring you to JFK Airport. Please note that most buses don’t pick up beyond 125th Street in Manhattan. The ticket costs $20 to JFK Airport. These buses are very easy to take and I recommend them to everyone because they will pick you up and you don’t have the stress of not being able to find a taxi. They do take a bit longer than a taxi, as they have to pick up several people before heading to the airport. After booking, read your voucher closely for instructions on how to be picked up at the location and time of your choice.
Book your Shared Shuttle Bus Transfer here
Book your Roundtrip Shared Shuttle Bus Transfer here
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 up front, then this all inclusive transfer is the best option. All taxes, tolls and gratuity are included.
Book your private all inclusive transfer here
Book your round trip 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 8 people.
Book your transfer by limousine here
Large Buses
NYC Express Bus provides shuttle buses between Manhattan and JFK Airport. These buses run from Grand Central and Port Authority in Manhattan, approximately every hour between 11:00 and 19:00. Children under 5 travel for free! Most buses have free internet too. Buses can be busy, so travel with enough time to spare.
Book your NYC Express Bus Transfer here
Subway
You can take either the A or E subway to the AirTrain. The subway itself costs $2.75 (plus $1 for a new MetroCard) and you must pay an additional $7.75 for the AirTrain. This trip takes about 1.5 hours and if you are traveling 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 at Penn Station in Manhattan to Jamaica station. From there you will need to take the AirTrain to JFK Airport. The train costs between $7.25 and $10 and the AirTrain costs $7.75.
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
- Large bus to JFK Airport: 1.5 to 2 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
Are you travelling from a different airport?
Read more about Manhattan to Newark Airport transfer here
Read more about Manhattan to LaGuardia Airport transfer here