- Mr Plane Guy
- Nov 10, 2025
- 7 min read
How to Get from JFK to Manhattan, Planes, Trains & Ubers
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Getting from JFK to Manhattan, Without Losing Your Luggage or Your Mind
Landing at New York JFK Airport? Congrats, you’ve officially arrived in one of the busiest, most confusing airports on Earth, and your next mission is surviving the transfer into Manhattan.
I’ve tried every possible way to get from JFK to Manhattan in every way possible: the subway, the train, the official yellow cab, and even the Uber shuttle that ghosted me twice before finally showing up an hour late. Some options are smooth. Some are chaos. A few are both.
So here’s the real guide, no glossy brochure talk, just what actually works (and what might make you question your life choices).
Option 1: AirTrain + Subway (Smart & Cheap)
Cost: around $11.40 total
Time: 60–75 minutes
Best for: travellers who like saving money (and sanity)
This is the best value-for-money transfer from JFK to Manhattan, hands down. It’s also far easier than it looks on Google Maps.
Here’s what you do:
From your arrival terminal, follow the signs for the AirTrain.
Take it to Jamaica Station, this connects you to the NYC Subway.
The AirTrain costs $8.50 (tap with any contactless card).
At Jamaica Station, head for the Sutphin Blvd–Archer Ave subway entrance.
Take the E Train toward Manhattan / World Trade Center.
Fare: $2.90 using OMNY or a MetroCard.
The first Manhattan stop is Lexington Ave / 53rd St, and you can stay onboard all the way to Penn Station, Times Square, or World Trade Center.
Total time: Around 60–75 minutes door to door and remarkably straightforward once you’re moving.
Option 2: AirTrain + LIRR (Fastest)
Cost: from $14.15 off-peak
Time: 35 minutes
Best for: anyone in a hurry to hit Times Square or Midtown
This is my go-to if I’m arriving mid-day or need to drop bags fast at a hotel like the Arlo NoMad. (Where I tend to stay) and the best way from JFK to Manhattan.
Same start: take the AirTrain to Jamaica Station. But instead of the subway, hop on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to Moynihan Train Hall / Penn Station.
JFK AirTrain guide:
Journey time: about 25 minutes.
Off-peak fare: $8.25 (or $11.25 during weekday rush hour).
You can buy tickets via the MTA eTix app or machines at Jamaica.
From Penn, it’s easy to walk, hop on the E / A / C subway lines, or grab a cab to your hotel.
Plane Tip:This route is lightning-fast during peak traffic hours, and ideal if you’re staying anywhere central, near Times Square, Bryant Park, or Madison Square Garden.
Read next:
Option 3: Taxi from JFK to Manhattan (Easiest After a Long Flight)
Cost: $70 flat fare + tolls + tip (~$90 total)
Time: 45–90 minutes depending on traffic
Best for: post-red-eye arrivals, families, or anyone done with public transport
If you’ve had a long-haul flight (say, Virgin Atlantic Premium A350 like my last flight that arrived at around 22:00), a yellow cab from JFK to Manhattan can feel like business class on wheels.
✅ Fixed Fare: $70 to anywhere in Manhattan (so you won’t get scammed)
Extras: add $5 peak-hour surcharge (4–8pm weekdays), $2.50 congestion charge south of 96th Street, and a 10% tip.
Total cost: about $85–90. That is the current fare set for JFK airport transfers in 2025 and go up each year.
Plane Tip: Always queue at the official taxi rank outside each terminal. Ignore “unofficial drivers” they’re not licensed and not worth the risk.
Also if your flight arrives into JFK between 3pm and 7pm on a weekday, I would avoid the roads, as it will take twice as long due to the congestion during peak hours.
Option 4: Uber Shuttle, The Budget Gamble
Cost: $25–$35
Time: theoretically 90 minutes, in reality… sometimes never.
I tested the Uber Shuttle for this very post, both ways and let me tell you, it was an adventure that even New York traffic didn’t deserve.
On my arrival into JFK, the shuttle was delayed, then cancelled, then rebooked all before I’d even left Terminal 4.But on my return from Penn Station to JFK, it was somehow worse: two or three rides cancelled in a row, each one promising to arrive “in 5 minutes.” Spoiler alert: they didn’t.
By the time I finally got a van that actually showed up, I’d lost an hour and a half and about half my sanity.
To be fair, when it worked, the ride was cheap ($25), clean, and comfortable, but it’s a serious gamble if you’re catching a flight.
Plane Verdict: Worth trying only if you’ve got loads of time to spare and a Zen-like patience threshold. Otherwise, take the AirTrain + LIRR combo faster, calmer, and much more reliable.
Plane Tip: If you do use Uber or a shared shuttle, make sure your data and location services are switched on. The pickup zones can change quickly, and you’ll need to track your driver in the app or risk watching your van drive off without you.
Option 5: The Rockstar Arrival, Helicopter or Private Transfer from JFK to Manhattan
Because sometimes the subway just doesn’t scream main character energy.
If you want to turn your airport transfer into a travel moment, you can literally fly from JFK to Manhattan by helicopter yes, really. It’s fast, cinematic, and surprisingly not as expensive as you’d think (especially when you compare it to a taxi in rush hour).
Helicopter Transfers
you can book a private helicopter transfer or a skyline tour that gets you from JFK to Manhattan in under 10 minutes, while soaring past the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Empire State Building. Or maybe book a helicopter ride for your New York trip.
Plane Tip: If you’re celebrating something special, or just want a killer Instagram reel, this is the way to start your New York trip. Combine it with my NYC Helicopter Tours Guide for more flight options.
Private Car Transfers
Not quite ready to take to the skies? Then the next best thing is a private airport transfer booked through Welcome Pickups.
Here’s why I rate them:
Flat price (no surge, no meter shock).
English-speaking local drivers who meet you at arrivals with a sign, no hunting for your ride in the chaos outside Terminal 4.
Mini tour en route, they’ll even point out landmarks and coffee spots as you drive.
Flight tracking, they’ll wait if your plane’s delayed.
You can pre-book using the search box below, it’s the same price as a yellow cab, but with less stress and a far nicer welcome to the city.
Book your transfer with Welcome Pickups Pre-book a trained, English-speaking driver to pick you up at JFK or your hotel for the same price as a regular taxi.Search and book here →
Plane Verdict: If you want luxury without the eye-watering limo prices, book Welcome Pickups for comfort.
My Personal Pick: The Route I Always Take, AirTrain + LIRR to Penn Station
After dozens of JFK arrivals, this combo wins every time. It’s clean, reliable, and gets you into Midtown faster than a cab during rush hour, for less than $15 total.
Grab a coffee from Moynihan Hall, stretch your legs, and you’re already in the heart of Manhattan.
Then it’s time to explore:
Arlo NoMad Hotel Review: Where to Stay in New York for Views, Vibes, and Surprising Value
The Ultimate Guide to NYC Helicopter Tours and Rides
A Day Trip to Coney Island, Where Every Step Feels Like a Movie Scene
How I Turned £34 in Tesco Clubcard Points into a Flight from London to New York
Final Boarding Call
So, how do you get from JFK to Manhattan?
Want cheap and easy? AirTrain + Subway.
Need speed? AirTrain + LIRR.
Want comfort? Taxi.
Want chaos and regret? Uber Shuttle.
Want an entrance worthy of a movie trailer? Helicopter or Welcome Pickups private car.
Wherever you’re heading,Times Square, Soho, Central Park, or your next rooftop bar getting from JFK to Manhattan doesn’t have to be stressful. Just pick the route that fits your vibe (and budget).
See you in the city that never sleeps.
Q: What is the cheapest way to get from JFK to Manhattan?A: The AirTrain + Subway combo costs about $11.40 and takes around an hour, it’s the smartest, budget-friendly option.
Q: How much is a taxi from JFK to Manhattan?A: The official flat fare is $70 plus tolls and tip, expect around $85–$90 total.
Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London Airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading Planes, Trains & Ubers: The Real Guide to Getting from JFK to Manhattan.
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