JFK to Manhattan by Train: Step-by-Step AirTrain + LIRR Guide

You just landed at JFK. You’re in the Big Apple — either visiting, returning home, or here on business. You’re tired, you’ve got luggage, and suddenly you’re wondering how you’re getting into Manhattan without stress or dropping a lot of money.

We’ve done this route many times, and in this article we walk you through one of our favorite ways to get from JFK to Manhattan: AirTrain + LIRR. It’s fast, comfortable, and definitely cheaper than a taxi or rideshare.

👉 Watch the full walkthrough here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3xIYG26jS8

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly what to expect — from baggage claim, to the AirTrain, to buying the right LIRR ticket, all the way into Penn Station, we got you covered!

Why We Think the AirTrain + LIRR from JFK might be your best option

JFK gives you a lot of options, but after a long flight not all of them sound appealing:

• Subway – Cheapest, but tough with luggage and not our favorite for late night. And maintenance often leads to unforeseen delays.

• Bus – Slow and rarely a direct shot to where you’re staying.

• Rideshare / taxi – Easy, but prices can jump fast with tolls, surcharges, and traffic.

• Private car – Comfortable… and expensive.

• Uber Shuttle – We do like the shuttle but still more expensive than train, goes to fixed locations and isn't 24 hours.

• Helicopter – Maybe next time...

For us, AirTrain + LIRR hits the sweet spot:

• No traffic

• Predictable travel time ( about 20 minutes )

• Much cheaper than a car

• Drops you right in the middle of Manhattan
  

The AirTrain takes you to Jamaica Station, where you connect to the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) for a quick ride into Penn Station, Grand Central, or Atlantic Terminal.

* Prices change, so always double-check current fares before you travel.

Getting From Baggage Claim to the AirTrain Platform

JFK can feel overwhelming the first time — and even if you’ve traveled through JFK before — but getting to the AirTrain is easier than it looks.

After passport control and customs (if traveling international), you’ll reach baggage claim, if you checked any bags. Check the monitors above the carousel for your flight number and wait… and wait.

Gather all your bags and organize them as best you can for the next leg of your journey. If you need the restroom, they’re located next to the carousels, which makes it very convenient

Once you leave the secure area, just follow the AirTrain signs. They are everywhere. Every terminal is a little different, but the signage is excellent, and there are usually staff nearby if you’re unsure.

Our rule: if you keep following the AirTrain signs, you’ll eventually get there.

Safety tip: There may be people offering you a “cheap” car into the city. Don’t do it. This is usually a scam. If you’re taking a car, use Uber or Lyft through the app, or take a taxi from the official taxi stand.

The AirTrain Platform (Explained)

Each AirTrain platform looks similar:

• Monitors display arrival times and routes

• Terminal numbers are clearly posted

One helpful tip we show in the video:

• Red Xs = trains are not boarding on this side

• Blue Xs = trains are boarding on this side (just not in front of that door)

And please stand to the side and let passengers exit first — They might be running to catch their flight.

Riding the AirTrain to Jamaica Station

It's pretty simple as there are three AirTrain routes:

• Terminal loop

• Howard Beach route

• Jamaica Station route (this is the one you want)
  

From Terminal 1, the stops look like this: ( We are starting from Terminal 1 that way we cover all the stops on the Jamaica Route for you)

• Terminal 1 (known as the UN Terminal, mainly international focus)

• Terminal 2 (not in use as of now)

• Terminal 4 (largest and busiest terminal)

• Terminal 5 (Home of JetBlue)

• Terminal 7 (future home of Terminal 6)

• Terminal 8 (major hub for American Airlines and it's Oneworld partners)

• Federal Circle (car rentals and various hotel shuttle services )

• Jamaica Station

The ride takes about 10–15 minutes. When you arrive at Jamaica, you’re only a short walk from the LIRR platforms — which is really convenient, especially after a long flight with luggage (and sometimes a dog as in our case).

Paying for the AirTrain and locating the LIRR platforms

Once you arrive at Jamaica Station, you’ll exit the AirTrain and head towards the main transfer zone. Following the crowd usually works, but don't worry there are signs pointing you in the right direction.

At the time of the video, the AirTrain fare is $8.50. Payment has shifted toward contactless. Most people use the OMNY payments now just tap and go; pay with phone,watch or credit card... as MetroCards are being phased out. If you still have a MetroCard with value, it’s a good time to use it.

After you tap through, you’ll see large signs directing you to:

• Long Island Rail Road (LIRR)

• Subway (E, J, Z lines)

• Elevators to street level

J and Z lines, which provide service to Lower Manhattan, and the E line, which makes major stops in Midtown Manhattan along 8th Avenue at hubs like Port Authority, Times Square, and Penn Station

You can take the subway from here, but if you’re already at Jamaica, we highly recommend the LIRR — it’s faster and much more comfortable for just a few dollars more.

Buying the Right LIRR Ticket (CityTicket Guide)

Once you commit to the LIRR, the next question is tickets. Jamaica Station makes this pretty easy because ticket machines are spread out, and the station is designed around transfers.

Where to buy your tickets:

• TrainTime app
• Ticket machines
• Ticket office (6:00am-9:40pm daily at Jamaica Station *hours subject to change)
• Onboard the train (ticket purchase cost more, generally, but sometimes they charge you the same YMMV)

Ticket machine walkthrough and the CityTicket mistake to avoid

Ticket machines are touchscreen and placed near gates, so you usually won’t have to walk far to find one.

*The key is when purchasing the CityTickets, which applies to trips that start and end within New York City, and is valid for the day you buy it (expiring at 4:00 am the next day).

For trips within NYC, you want the special CityTicket.

⚠️ Common mistake: choosing a standard one-way ticket first and spending more than you should.

Here’s the step-by-step guide to get CityTicket pricing: (tap screen to begin)

1. Tap All Other Tickets **(not “One-Way”)

2. Select CityTicket

3. Choose CityTicket Peak or Off-Peak

4. Route: Jamaica to Penn Station

5. Select number of tickets

6. Add options : None

7. Pay (Credit card, debit card or cash)

8. Collect your tickets, change (if paid with cash ) and your receipt.

At the time of our video, prices were:

• Off-peak one-way CityTicket: $5

• Peak one-way CityTicket: $7

• **Of course you have to also add in the $8.50 for the AirTrain each way in your total cost ( which we think is a little overpriced)

So the Airtrain + LIRR one-way off-peak at $13.50 which is a great price but even paying $15.50 total for peak time for this trip feels like a great deal as well especially compared with what you might spend on a car from JFK.

Using the TrainTime App to Buy LIRR Tickets

If you prefer buying tickets on your phone, using the TrainTime app works great and we highly recommend.

1. Open the app and go to the trips section.
2.Set your origin as Jamaica (you can type Jamaica or even JFK to find it).
3.Set your destination as Penn Station.
4.Pick a train option, and confirm whether it’s peak or off-peak.(the app will let you know)
5.Tap Buy
6.Choose the number of tickets you need
7. Pay (Google Pay, Apple Pay, Debit/Credit Card) -- I use Google Pay it's just easier.

** You can find your purchased tickets under the tickets tab.

Activate tickets right before boarding. Since activated tickets expire after a limited time.

** I activate our tickets while on the platform as the train is arriving (it's just my routine)

They app also highlights some useful features, like checking your track number, which cars allow boarding, and sometimes seat availability by car, which is extremely helpful especially during rush hours.

Boarding at Jamaica and Riding into Penn Station

Jamaica Station is safe and easy to navigate even at 2:30am (which we show you in the video) — but always be aware of your surroundings.

On the upstairs platform, look for the large departure board. It shows train status and track numbers. The platforms are clearly labeled, and you’ll see signs for tracks 1 through 12. Also train numbers, destination and routes are displayed at each track...usually

• You can find the track for your train on one of the boards on the platform or on the TrainTime app

Once you know your track, you can head down by stairs or escalator (there’s also an elevator if you need it).-- Unfortunately the escalator is usually heading up not down, so it's generally the stairs for us.

Down on the platform, monitors list upcoming trains and departure times. Overhead displays cycle through details like destination, time until arrival, and sometimes seat availability by car.

When the train arrives:

• Let passengers exit before you board.

• Watch out for the small gap between the platform and train when boarding.

• Store luggage in overhead racks, if your luggage is too big you can store them at the end of the cars or as we do when the train isn't too crowded in the row next to our seat.

• Now just sit back and relax in your fairly comfortable seat for you approximately 20 minute ride into Manhattan.

During the trip, displays and announcements provide your current stop, next stop, and final destination. Although the displays can be a little glitchy sometimes the announcements can be difficult to understand but on most trips, Penn Station is the final stop, so it’s kind of hard to miss.

*Many trains are nonstop or only make a few stops before arriving in Penn Station.

Arriving at Penn Station in Manhattan

Congratulations you made it into Manhattan. Pulling into Penn Station now you’re in the middle of Manhattan, with subway lines, street exits, and transfers almost everywhere you look

Penn Station is pretty simple to understand once you see the layout: It is located under Madison Square Garden and Moynihan Train Hall. Moynihan Train Hall is the newer hall usally associated with Amtrak.

The entire complex stretches from 7th Avenue to 9th Avenue and 31st Street to 34th Street, with underground connections between each.

Don't worry there is signage is everywhere, pointing you to tracks, exits, and subway connections. You might get turned around for a minute, but you can usually find your way quickly just by following the signs.

Subway lines at Penn Station:

• A / C / E

• 1 / 2 / 3

• (And other lines nearby or a short subway transfer away)
  

For pickups:

If you’re meeting a car service, grabbing a taxi, or ordering a ride share, the front of Penn Station can be chaotic, especially when there’s construction, which there usually is. A more practical pickup plan:

• Try 31st Street between 8th and 9th Avenue for a taxi stand.

• For ride shares, walking closer to 9th Avenue along 31st street can be easier.

Or, if you’re traveling light and the weather is pleasant, walking to your destination is probably one of the best ways to get around Manhattan

A Few Final Tips for Taking the Train from JFK to Manhattan

AirTrain + LIRR is one of the most practical ways to get from JFK to Manhattan because it keeps things kind of predictable. You’re not stuck in traffic, you’re not paying a small fortune for a car plus you end up right in the heart of the city.

The prices make the case clear: $5 off-peak and $7 peak (with CityTicket) which is only a bit more than the subway, and still much cheaper than most car options.

If you want to plan the return trip too, check out our video, NYC to JFK step-by-step train guide. For sightseeing ideas once you’ve checked in, there’s also Top sights in NYC (Episode 1) and Top sights in NYC (Episode 2). and If you like having tools in one place, bookmark NYC travel resources from Your Travel Moves.

Planning your return:

👉 NYC to JFK step-by-step train guide:
https://youtu.be/wrvImWoBSgk

And if you’re just starting your New York trip:

Top sights in NYC (Episode 1):
https://youtu.be/VrS9tVRjzhA

Top sights in NYC (Episode 2):
https://youtu.be/PSdLy_jFdeE

Our NYC travel resources:
https://yourtravelmoves.com/travel-resources

Conclusion: The Best Way from JFK to Manhattan by Train

Getting from JFK to Manhattan doesn’t have to be expensive or confusing. With a quick AirTrain ride to Jamaica Station and an LIRR train into Penn Station, you get a ride that’s comfortable, reliable and all at a pretty fair price. Once you’ve done it one time, the whole trip feels a lot more routine the next time you land.

Safe travels, and welcome to NYC — or back to NYC.

— Your Travel Moves