Landed InFrom the airport to the city center
CheapestAirTrain + subway (E, or A line)
$11 to $12 (11 to 12)
60 to 90 min
AirTrain + subway (E, or A line)
$11 to $12 (11 to 12)
60 to 90 min
- 1Collect your bags and follow signs for AirTrain.
- 2Take AirTrain JFK to Jamaica Station or Howard Beach.
- 3Tap a contactless card or phone at the OMNY reader to pay the subway fare. The AirTrain fee is paid when you exit at those stations.
- 4From Jamaica, take the E train toward Manhattan. From Howard Beach, take the A train.
- 5Get off near Midtown or your stop in the city center.
EasiestOfficial yellow taxi
$70 to $90 incl. tolls and tip (70 to 90)
45 to 90 min
Official yellow taxi
$70 to $90 incl. tolls and tip (70 to 90)
45 to 90 min
- 1Collect your bags and follow signs for Ground Transportation.
- 2Join the official yellow taxi line outside and speak to the dispatcher.
- 3Tell the driver you are going to the city center in Manhattan. Manhattan trips from JFK have a flat fare.
- 4Pay by card in the cab. Tolls are added and a tip is expected.
FastestUber or Lyft
$60 to $120 (60 to 120)
45 to 90 min
Uber or Lyft
$60 to $120 (60 to 120)
45 to 90 min
- 1Collect your bags and connect to airport Wi-Fi or your data.
- 2Open Uber or Lyft and request a ride to the city center.
- 3Follow signs to the rideshare pickup area at your terminal.
- 4Check the plate and driver name before getting in.
FastestAirTrain + LIRR to Penn Station
$15 to $20 (15 to 20)
40 to 60 min
AirTrain + LIRR to Penn Station
$15 to $20 (15 to 20)
40 to 60 min
- 1Collect your bags and follow signs for AirTrain.
- 2Take AirTrain JFK to Jamaica Station.
- 3Buy a LIRR ticket from a machine or the TrainTime app.
- 4Board any train toward Penn Station or Grand Central.
- 5Get off in Midtown Manhattan.
Frequent through the day. Check TrainTime for current schedules.
Open in Google MapsWant a driver waiting for you?
Book a fixed-price transfer before you fly and skip the taxi queue.
- Welcome PickupsA driver waiting in arrivals with your name
- KiwitaxiFixed-price airport transfers worldwide
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Money
US dollar
USD
$1 is 1
Cards
Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere, including the subway and buses.
Tipping
Tip 18 to 20 percent in restaurants, 15 to 20 percent for taxis and rideshares, and about $1 to $2 per drink at a bar.
Cash
- Carry a few small bills for tips.
- Some food carts and small shops are cash-only.
- Keep cash in a front pocket in crowded places.
ATMs
- Use ATMs inside banks for the safest withdrawals.
- Decline dynamic currency conversion and pay in dollars.
- Expect a fee of a few dollars at standalone ATMs.
Apps to download
Stay connected
Coverage is strong across the city and subway stations. An eSIM is the easiest way to get data on arrival.
- Install an eSIM such as Airalo or Holafly before you fly.
- Buy a prepaid SIM from a carrier store or airport shop, such as T-Mobile or AT&T.
- Use free Wi-Fi in the terminal and many cafes as a backup.
Get your eSIM before you fly
Install it at home and you'll have data the moment you land, with no airport SIM queue.
- AiraloCheap data packs for 200+ countries
- HolaflyUnlimited data plans
- SailySimple plans from the makers of NordVPN
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Good to know
- Unlicensed drivers approach people in arrivals. Only use the official taxi line or an app.
- Be wary of people selling tickets or tours on the street, and of anyone who offers a friendship bracelet or CD and then asks for money.
- Walk on the right on sidewalks and stand on the right on escalators.
- Tipping is expected almost everywhere. Service staff rely on it.
- Subways run all day, but check weekend service changes in Google Maps or Citymapper.
- Keep your phone and bag secure on crowded trains and in tourist areas like Times Square.
- Look both ways before crossing, even on one-way streets. Cyclists and e-bikes are fast.
Prices and tips are AI-written estimates, so double-check anything important.