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New Terminal One (NTO) — Opening in Phases
The $9.5B New Terminal One replaces the old T1. Phase A (first 14 gates on the east side) has slipped from its original June 2026 target to November 2026 at the earliest — do not plan around an NTO arrival or departure until your airline confirms it. Airlines formerly in T1 (Lufthansa, Korean Air, China Eastern) are currently operating from T4 and T8.
Learn more →
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Terminal 6 Now Open + Terminal 7 Closing
Terminal 6 opened in 2026 (first phase) with JetBlue, Air Canada, Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, Aer Lingus, Cathay Pacific, and others moving in through 2026–2027. Terminal 7 is winding down toward demolition — British Airways and Singapore Airlines have already relocated to T8 and T4.
Learn more →
JFK Airport
Getting to Manhattan — fastest, cheapest, easiest
At a Glance
🚆
To Manhattan
45–65 min via AirTrain + LIRR
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Flat Rate Taxi
$70 to any Manhattan address
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Terminals
T4, T5, T7, T8 · T6 now open · NTO phasing in
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AirTrain
Free between terminals · $8.75 to exit
Yellow Cab Flat Rate
Plus tolls, tip, and $2.75–$8.50 in TLC taxes & surcharges (varies by time/route) — roughly $12–20 on top. Surge pricing does NOT apply to Yellow Cabs.
Pro tip: Only official Yellow Cabs get the flat rate. Rideshares (Uber/Lyft) charge by distance + surge. At busy times, the flat rate Yellow Cab beats a surging Uber by $30–50.
Compare Your Options
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Fastest
30–80m
Uber / Lyft
💰
Cheapest
$14–$16
AirTrain + LIRR
😌
Easiest
$70–$90
Yellow Cab
All Exit Options
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1
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Take AirTrain (free between terminals, $8.75 to exit at Jamaica or Howard Beach)
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2
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Exit at Jamaica Station — take LIRR to Penn Station (25–35 min)
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3
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Arrive Penn Station, Manhattan — connected to 1/2/3 and A/C/E subways
💡 Pro Tip
Board the FIRST car of the LIRR train at Jamaica — it puts you at the top of the stairs at Penn Station, closest to the exits. Last car means a long underground walk.
AirTrain runs 24/7, every 4–8 min. LIRR runs every 20–30 min off-peak, every 10–15 min peak. Total trip 45–65 min from gate.
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1
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Follow 'Taxi' signs to the Ground Transportation level of your terminal
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2
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Join the official Yellow Cab queue — dispatchers manage the line
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3
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$70 flat rate to anywhere in Manhattan, no meter running
💡 Pro Tip
Do NOT get into a livery car or private car that approaches you inside the terminal — only use the official Yellow Cab dispatch queue at the curb. Scam drivers charge 2–3x.
Flat rate applies Manhattan only. Outer boroughs and NJ are metered. Add ~$12–20 for tolls, tip, and TLC surcharges. Despite the surge-free rate, rush hour traffic can stretch the ride to 75 min.
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1
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Open Uber/Lyft, set pickup to your terminal's rideshare zone (not departures level)
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2
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Most terminals: rideshare pickup is on the Arrivals/Ground level, separate from taxis
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3
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Direct to your destination in Manhattan or beyond
💡 Pro Tip
Request the car AFTER you collect your luggage and are walking out — not while you're at baggage claim. The driver won't wait and you'll burn 2–3 pickup attempts.
Surge pricing is common on Friday evenings, Sunday afternoons, and during bad weather. At those times the $70 Yellow Cab flat rate is often cheaper. Check both before requesting.
Terminal Guide
🚆 AirTrain: Terminal 1 (future)
📍 Pickup: Not yet open — use T4 or T8
The $9.5B New Terminal One replaces the old T1. Phase A was targeted for June 2026 but has slipped to November 2026 at the earliest. Until it opens, airlines that were in T1 operate from T4 and T8 — confirm your terminal before you go.
🚆 AirTrain: Terminal 4
📍 Pickup: Arrivals Level 1 — rideshare pickup at Door 4, Yellow Cab at Door 5. Lines can be 20–30 min at peak.
Busiest international terminal and Delta's full JFK home (Delta consolidated here after the former Terminals 2 and 3 closed). Budget extra time for immigration — Global Entry and TSA PreCheck lanes help on departure. Bags from international flights sometimes take 45–60 min.
🚆 AirTrain: Terminal 5
📍 Pickup: Arrivals Level 1 — rideshare zone at Door 4, taxi at Door 2. Typically fast — short queues.
JetBlue's current home — moving to the new Terminal 6 (now open) in phases. Check your ticket for terminal confirmation on your travel date.
🚆 AirTrain: Terminal 6/7 (new stop)
📍 Pickup: New terminal — check airport signage on arrival
Brand new $4.2B terminal that opened in 2026 with 10 gates in its first phase (nine widebody-capable). Under 5-minute walks to gates and new dining/retail. Full build-out completes by 2028.
🚆 AirTrain: Terminal 7
📍 Pickup: No longer operational
Terminal 7 is being demolished to make way for T6 Phase 2. British Airways relocated to T8, Singapore Airlines relocated to T4. Do not go to T7.
🚆 AirTrain: Terminal 8
📍 Pickup: Arrivals Level 1 — rideshare pickup at Door 4–5, Yellow Cab at Door 6. Can get congested during AA bank departures.
AA's main JFK hub. Admirals Club is post-security. If you're arriving on British Airways from Heathrow, bags can take 45+ min — plan accordingly.
AirTrain Guide
Jamaica Loop → Manhattan via LIRR
Your Terminal→Federal Circle→Terminal 5→Terminal 4→Terminal 1→Jamaica Station
Jamaica Station connects to LIRR (Penn Station, 25–35 min) and the E, J, Z subway lines.
Howard Beach Loop → Manhattan via A Train
Your Terminal→Federal Circle→Howard Beach
Howard Beach connects to the A train (Manhattan, 60–75 min). Slightly cheaper ($11.75 total with subway) but slower.
Fare
$8.75 to exit the airport (Jamaica or Howard Beach). Travel between terminals is free.
Frequency
Every 4–8 minutes, 24 hours a day
Payment
Pay at the exit fare gates — not when boarding at the terminal. Credit/debit card or OMNY accepted.
Pro tip: For most travelers, the Jamaica Loop is faster. Take AirTrain to Jamaica, then catch the LIRR to Penn Station. Howard Beach makes sense if you're heading to lower Manhattan or Brooklyn.
Service Status
Before You Leave
🧳
Luggage Storage Near JFK
Store bags in Jamaica or Manhattan before your flight. From $6/day.
Find storage near JFK →
🏨
Hotels Near JFK
On-airport hotels (TWA, Hyatt Regency) and free-shuttle options in Jamaica.
Compare JFK hotels →
📶
US eSIM (Holafly)
Arriving from abroad? Get a US eSIM before you land — instant data, no roaming charges, works the moment you turn airplane mode off.
Get a US eSIM →
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NYC Tours & Attractions
Book the Statue of Liberty, observation decks, and top city tours before you land — most offer free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.
Browse NYC tours →
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JFK Airport Parking
Long-term and economy lots are AirTrain-connected. Reserve in advance to guarantee a spot.
Find JFK parking →
Frequently Asked
What is the cheapest way to get from JFK to Manhattan?
The cheapest option is AirTrain to Jamaica Station, then LIRR to Penn Station — total cost around $14.00 off-peak or $16.00 peak (AirTrain $8.75 + LIRR fare). The trip takes 45–65 minutes depending on train timing. The subway via Howard Beach is slightly cheaper but adds 15–20 minutes and more stress with luggage.
Compare all JFK transit options →
How do I get from JFK to Brooklyn?
For Downtown Brooklyn, Park Slope, and brownstone neighborhoods: AirTrain to Jamaica + LIRR direct to Atlantic Terminal — about 45–55 minutes for $14.00 off-peak. For Williamsburg, Bushwick, Bed-Stuy: AirTrain to Howard Beach + A train + L/J/C transfer at Broadway Junction — ~75–90 minutes for $11.75. Rideshare runs $50–80 to most Brooklyn neighborhoods.
Full JFK to Brooklyn guide →
How much is a taxi from JFK to Manhattan?
Yellow Cabs charge a flat rate of $70 from JFK to any address in Manhattan. This is set by the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission and doesn't change regardless of traffic or time of day. On top of the $70, add tolls, tip, and $2.75–$8.50 in TLC taxes & surcharges (varies by time and route) — roughly $12–20 extra. This rate only applies to official Yellow Cabs — rideshares (Uber/Lyft) charge by distance and surge pricing. Source:
JFK official taxi rates.
How do I take the AirTrain from JFK?
AirTrain connects all JFK terminals and runs 24 hours. Travel between terminals is free. To leave the airport, take AirTrain to Jamaica Station (for LIRR to Manhattan) or Howard Beach (for the A subway train). You pay the $8.75 AirTrain fare when you exit at Jamaica or Howard Beach — not when you board at the terminal. Credit card and OMNY are accepted at the exit gates.
LIRR fares & CityTicket →
Which JFK terminal is Delta, American, JetBlue, or British Airways?
Delta operates from Terminal 4 (its consolidated JFK home — the former Terminals 2 and 3 have closed). American Airlines and British Airways are in Terminal 8. JetBlue is in Terminal 5, transitioning to the new Terminal 6 (now open). International carriers including Lufthansa, Emirates, and Korean Air are currently in Terminal 4. Terminal 7 is winding down toward demolition — British Airways moved to T8, Singapore Airlines to T4. Always confirm your terminal via your airline app before arriving.
Is there a $70 flat rate for Uber or Lyft from JFK?
No — the $70 flat rate applies only to official Yellow Cabs. Uber and Lyft charge by distance plus surge pricing, which means they can be significantly more expensive during peak hours, bad weather, or late at night. During heavy surge, a Yellow Cab to Midtown can be $40–60 cheaper than a rideshare.
How long does JFK to Manhattan take?
By AirTrain + LIRR: 45–65 minutes to Penn Station. By Yellow Cab or rideshare: 35 minutes with no traffic, 60–90 minutes during rush hour (especially Friday 3–7pm). By subway (A train from Howard Beach): 60–85 minutes total. AirTrain travel between terminals is 8–15 minutes regardless of terminal.
All JFK from NYC options →
Where do I get picked up by Uber or Lyft at JFK?
Rideshare pickup is on the Arrivals Level (Level 1) at each terminal — not the departures curb. At T4, look for Door 4. At T5 (JetBlue), Door 4. At T8 (American), Doors 4–5. Request your car after collecting luggage and heading to the curb — not from baggage claim, or your driver may cancel.
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