I used to avoid flying in and out of JFK. It had always been a hassle just to travel to and from . The option of taking a train direct to Newark international was usually my best choice. Of course the flight you want is not always at the airport you wish.
There is now an easier way to get to JFK by rail. If you are anywhere in the tri-state area just catch a train to Penn station. There are so many options here that I won’t get into how to get to Penn Station. Once you have arrived at Penn, the best option is to take The Long Island Railroad (LIRR) to Jamaica station. Just head over to the ticket agent and ask for Jamaica. The cost will be around $7 depending on if it is peak or off peak. The trip to Jamaica is about 20 minutes. The LIRR is a better option than the subway. Easier to manage with luggage, cleaner and above ground, affording good phone service.
Once you have arrived just head upstairs and follow the signs for AirTrain. $5 will get you to wherever you need to go in JFK. The trip will range from about 18-25 minutes depending on which terminal you need. All airlines and their respective terminals, that operate out of JFK are listed right on the AirTrain map aboard on the bulkheads. Helpful hint: there are bathrooms on the LIRR but not the AirTrain. Also the AirTrain runs 24/7.
Today was my first go at using the JFK AirTrain and it couldn’t be easier. So next trip, spare a favor from a friend and ride the rail.
Great tip and guide ! Thanks for sharing 🙂
It’s definitely the way to go if you travel relatively light.
Good to know.