No subway line enters JFK Airport, but you can still get there by subway with one transfer. Ride the A train to Howard Beach–JFK Airport or the E train to Sutphin Blvd–Archer Av–JFK Airport, then switch to the AirTrain, which takes you to your terminal. Most riders pay $11.75 in total: $3 for the subway and $8.75 for the AirTrain.
The catch is that not every A train goes where you need it to. One branch ends in the wrong part of Queens, and two different stops share the name Lefferts Boulevard, which trips up plenty of first-timers. Below you'll find which trains to board, how each transfer works, what it costs, and when another option makes more sense.
Does the subway go to JFK?
Not directly. The subway stops at two stations near the airport, and the AirTrain, an automated light-rail system run by the Port Authority, covers the rest. Your trip has three parts: a subway ride, a station transfer, and a short AirTrain ride to your terminal.
|
A train |
E train |
|
|
Station |
Howard Beach–JFK Airport |
Sutphin Blvd–Archer Av–JFK Airport |
|
Connects to |
AirTrain's Howard Beach station |
AirTrain at Jamaica Station |
|
Train to board |
Far Rockaway–bound |
Jamaica Center–bound |
|
Usually easiest from |
Brooklyn, Harlem, Lower Manhattan |
Midtown Manhattan, Queens |
|
Cost |
$3 subway + $8.75 AirTrain |
$3 subway + $8.75 AirTrain |
Both routes end up on the same AirTrain system, so the fare is identical. What changes is where you start.
Which A train goes to JFK Airport?
Only some of them. The A runs from Inwood–207 St in Manhattan through Brooklyn and into Queens, where it splits into two branches. The Far Rockaway branch stops at Howard Beach–JFK Airport. The Lefferts Boulevard branch ends in Ozone Park and never gets close to the terminals.
So if you're wondering whether the A train goes to JFK, the answer is yes, as long as the train is headed to Far Rockaway. Check the destination on the sign above the doors or on the platform display, listen to announcements, or ask the conductor, who rides in the middle of the train.
Two details are worth knowing:
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The Ozone Park–Lefferts Blvd subway terminal and the AirTrain's Lefferts Boulevard station are different places.
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If you realize you're on the wrong branch, get off and wait for a Far Rockaway–bound train instead of riding to the end.
Late at night the A makes local stops, so the ride takes longer than the daytime express. At Howard Beach, follow the signs to the AirTrain platform in the same station complex, tap to pay, and board a train toward the airport terminals.
Taking the E train to JFK Airport
From Midtown, board a Jamaica Center–bound E train and get off at Sutphin Blvd–Archer Av–JFK Airport. Don't ride past it. Follow the AirTrain signs, and you'll leave the subway fare zone through the turnstiles, which means your subway fare ends there. Elevators, an escalator, and stairs lead to the upper level, and Jamaica Station is straight ahead.
At the AirTrain gates, tap the card or phone you want to use to pay the $8.75 fare, then board any AirTrain that arrives. The J and Z trains also stop at Sutphin Blvd, so riders coming from parts of Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn reach the same transfer.
If your trip starts at Penn Station, Grand Central Madison, or Atlantic Terminal, the Long Island Rail Road also reaches Jamaica in roughly 20 minutes. Our guide to the train to JFK compares the LIRR, subway, and AirTrain routes side by side.
A or E: which route is better?
There's no universal winner, so start with where you're coming from. The E is the natural choice from Midtown and most of Queens. The A makes more sense from Brooklyn, Harlem, or the west side of Upper Manhattan, where reaching an E line would add a transfer of its own.
Station layout matters too. Howard Beach has a short connection between the subway and the AirTrain. Jamaica is a larger complex with more walking and level changes, which you'll feel with bags. Weekend track work can change both lines, so run your exact trip through the MTA's trip planner on the day you travel.
What the subway to JFK costs
The usual total is $11.75 per person: the $3 subway fare plus the $8.75 AirTrain fare. The MTA no longer sells MetroCards, so you pay by tapping a contactless credit or debit card, a phone or wearable, or an OMNY card at the turnstiles.
The AirTrain works differently from the subway. It's free between terminals, parking areas, and rental car facilities, and you pay only when you enter or exit at Jamaica or Howard Beach. Unlimited passes don't cover it, and children under 5 ride free. Because you leave the subway fare zone to reach the AirTrain, there's no free transfer between the two.
Riding the AirTrain to your terminal
Once you're through the gates, the AirTrain loops through the airport and stops at each terminal. Screens and announcements show the next stop, so you won't need to count stations. Check your airline's terminal before you leave, because JFK is in the middle of a large redevelopment and terminal assignments can change.
The AirTrain normally runs around the clock, but the Port Authority has scheduled some overnight shutdowns this fall, with free shuttle buses replacing the trains. Before a very early or very late trip, check the airport's service alerts.
Riding with luggage
A carry-on and a backpack are easy on the subway. Two large suitcases, a stroller, or a trip during rush hour are a different story. Stairs, crowded cars, and two transfers add up quickly, and an out-of-service elevator can change your plan. Check the MTA's elevator and escalator status before you go if you need step-free access.
"The subway was fine until the last stretch. Two big bags and a stroller on the stairs at Jamaica was more than I planned for."
If that sounds like your trip, it helps to know your options before you're standing on the platform.
When another option fits better
The subway is hard to beat on price, but it isn't the best fit for every trip. Early flights, late arrivals, large groups, and heavy luggage are the usual reasons people look elsewhere. A pre-booked JFK airport transfer removes the transfers entirely. Transpovia is a ground transportation marketplace where you can arrange a private ride to or from the airport ahead of time, so the ride is settled before you land.
The subway still works well when you're traveling light, watching your budget, and have time to spare. The best choice usually comes down to bags, timing, and how many people are traveling.
If someone is driving you to JFK
Not every airport trip needs transit. If a friend or family member can drive you for the final leg, a Kiss & Fly drop off at your terminal skips the AirTrain altogether. The same guide explains where drop-off areas are and how pickups work, which helps if the same person is meeting you when you land.
FAQs
Does the subway go to JFK Airport?
Not directly. The subway reaches Howard Beach–JFK Airport (A train) and Sutphin Blvd–Archer Av–JFK Airport (E, J, and Z trains), and from there the AirTrain carries you to the terminals.
Does the A train go to JFK, and which A train goes to JFK Airport?
Yes, but only trains headed to Far Rockaway stop at Howard Beach–JFK Airport. A trains bound for Lefferts Boulevard don't connect to the airport, so check the destination sign before boarding.
Can I take the E train to JFK Airport?
Yes. Ride a Jamaica Center–bound E train to Sutphin Blvd–Archer Av–JFK Airport, then follow the signs to Jamaica Station and the AirTrain.
How much is the subway to JFK Airport?
Most riders pay $11.75: a $3 subway fare and an $8.75 AirTrain fare. Fares can change, so confirm them on the MTA's website before you travel.
Do I pay for the AirTrain when I leave JFK?
You don't pay when boarding at a terminal. The fare is charged when you enter or exit at Jamaica or Howard Beach, and travel between terminals is free.
Does the subway or AirTrain run at night?
The AirTrain normally operates around the clock, though planned overnight shutdowns do happen. The A runs local late at night, so allow extra time.
A simple way to decide
Subway to JFK works best when you know your line, board the right branch, and pack light. Take the A toward Far Rockaway or the E toward Jamaica Center, tap your way onto the AirTrain, and check your terminal before you leave. If your flight is early, your bags are heavy, or you'd rather not think about transfers, you can book an airport transfer with Transpovia and let someone else handle the route.
