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.

Taxi

You can easily take a yellow cab from Manhattan to JFK Airport. It will cost approximately $52 to $57, 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.

Large Buses

NYC Express Bus (fka NYC Airporter) 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 3 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

Shared Small Shuttle Buses

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 Car or Limousines

In addition to the small shuttle buses, you can be collected at the location where you are staying by a luxury car or a limousine. A luxury car, like a sedan or minivan, can fit up to six people, depending on the car type. Prices are affordable and start at around $17 per person to JFK Airport. If you travel with a group of four or more people, renting a car like this is cheaper than the bus or taxi.

Book your Private Car or Limousine 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 $5 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.

Train

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 $5.

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 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

Eric’s Tip: I personally book the shuttle bus or a town car. 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 finding a taxi, especially between 15:30 and 19:00 when it is the hardest time to hail a cab. Pre booking your shuttle bus or limousine is necessary, and can be done here.

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Posted in Transfer, Transportation