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JFK to Manhattan March 5th 2024. SIMPLE. After spending best part of 2 hours in customs we were on our way. Having picked up bags we followed signs for Air Train to Jamaica Station. It’s a shuttle train goes every few minutes. You pay as you exit Air Train and into Jamaica Station. Cost $8.50, pay by just touching your credit card on barrier. Staff there to help. 20yds in front of you follow the large sign which says Long Island Rail Road, can’t miss it. Once you enter the LIRR there will be a ticket machine on your left. Again staff in red high viz will help you. Ticket from Jamaica to Penn Station, off peak only $5. Yes that is a total of $13.50 from JFK to Penn Station. You could catch a different train to Grand Central. We did the reverse on the 9th again $13.50. Time from catching Air Train to Penn Station, 30 minutes.

Fun fact: We used to have an express JFK airport subway line back in the 1980's. Instead of having a letter or a number sign, it had an airplane logo. It mostly ran on the A line until West 4 street where it switched to the B 6th Avenue until the 57th Street station. The line was discontinued in 1990 due to costing way more to operate than the revenue it produced. KZread has some fun commercials for the line. Search "Take the train to the plane"

Hi! Thank for this updated guide! I also used last year when i went to NYC via AirTran + Subway. I just got back yesterday from NYC and just wanted to share my experience. I did air train + LIRR. It was extremely fast getting to grand central and not crowded and it was so amazing. At the Jamaica station, my friend and I could not buy a 7 day unlimited metro card at the machines.. we had to go to the people standing next to and they like kept asking/forcing for tip to buy a metro card. Also when I got to the LIRR station I totally missed the ticket machines because the train to grand central had just rolled in. The conductor went around and let me buy tickets with him so that was great! From grand central I was able to walk to 2 blocks to the bus that went directly to my friends apt while hauling my luggage…. I prefer travelling this way into the city vs on the subway

I recently went to a funeral near Jamaica LIRR station, and decided to take the LIRR back to Atlantic Terminal to get home in Brooklyn. I realized that Jamaica was connected to JFK and was like "HM.... This makes getting from JFK to my apartment so easy." So last week, when a friend visited, I went to meet him at the airport by simply taking the MTA to Atlantic Barclays, got on LIRR to Jamaica, then switched to Air Tran. We rode back on the same route together. When he left, he took the same route. So much cheaper than an uber/ lyft. Super convenient. I'm glad we have that option.

As a born and raised New Yorker from Manhattan, AirTrain to the LIRR is the only way for me. I get off at Penn Station and then get on either the A train or the 1 train uptown depending on where I'm going. It's faster than any other mode of transportation and the slight price premium for the LIRR is worth it.

A few months ago, I took the AirTrain to Jamaica from JFK and it was so cool and convenient. Someone was supposed to pick me up but I decided to just take the train and it was a good idea because traffic was TERRIBLE as I rode over it. ❤

We need express rail service from the terminals to Manhattan and the other airports

@stevenroshni1228

7 ай бұрын

we really do. When they were building the Airtrain, the Passenger Facility Charge, a fee that's included in airfare, by federal laaw wasn't allowed to fund a system that served more than the Airport.

@AnonymousUser-ww6ns

5 ай бұрын

The solution would be to allow people coming form and to the MTA Subway a free transfer to the AirTrain. It’s olny $2.90 and can be used to transfer to the main line subway. Obviously Greed got to them and decided not to do that.

@collectivelyimprovingtrans2460

5 ай бұрын

@@AnonymousUser-ww6ns the problem is that our current train service is quite slow and can be hard to navigate. A seamless ride would change that.

Going to try public transit next visit. So glad the OMNY is getting installed in more stations.

Pretty sure my fam of 3 will be using the subway during our trip next week. Excited!

Love your vids so much and ❤❤❤❤

Very helpful!!!

thanks so much for your super informative and helpful video❤

Your videos help me prepare and get over my travel anxiety. Thank you ❤

Your videos have been extremely helpful in guiding me through NYC when I go back there for work trips.

Thanking you for this gem. Saved me a ton of time, and kudos to you for stating it all so clearly. This was my third time visiting Manhattan and I would have dropped a 100 bucks Ubering from EWR if not for this video. And this channel has everything I need for my NYC trips. Subscribed !!!❤

Very thorough! Thank you!

You are awsome!!! easy to understand. Greets from Quito- EC.

Great video and great information as always! Big 442 liked 😎👍

Your expression is very clear. Thanks for making it convenient for us travellers

used air train + LIRR since my first ever visit. Its been brilliant.

LIRR, AirTrain, or Subway is more convenient for me because of the wait is not that long

Hi Thea! Great stuff! I always choose the LIRR option to get to Manhattan cause it’s always the fastest and the least amount of transfers. Yes-It may cost a little more but have you tried the subway with a family and luggage during rush hour. As a New Yorker-I know what to expect. Think about a foreign family who doesn’t speak the language. It’s scary! If i’m going east on Long Island-a car is always the best!!

Also CityTicket within NYC is $5.00 off-peak and $7 peak. Far Rockaway ticket is $5 and only for service to/from Far Rockaway.

Airport Ready! From my place up in The Bronx, I tend to take an Uber, Lyft or livery cab to the airport because of the time factor.

I think it is worth mentioning for travellers going to destinations on Metro-North about the Combo Ticket for LIRR and Metro-North, so you can get one ticket that covers both Jamaica to Grand Central Madison and then Grand Central to wherever upstate you are heading on Metro-North.

I would fly into Newark and stay in NJ (Hoboken or Jersey City) when visiting from LA. I found this most convenient when visiting NY. This video is very helpful if I do fly into JFK.

Very useful

❤thank you so much. We're planning to take the first option, air train to Jamaica station and then train to Penn station 🚉

Airport Ready!

You can also uber from Lefferts which tends to be quite a bit cheaper than from JFK itself :)

nice script and animations to keep the pace moving. feels very nyc to me! oh, and id do something similar to your lefferts-q10-E train, but walk from lefferts to aqueduct north and take the A. Unless it's stupid hot or raining hard or really cold. Then I do your route using Q10 to Ozone Park. Nets out similarly between wait for A/E and Q10 and walking time.

I will most likely take the long island railroad since metrocards are being discontinued.... Much more convenient for me since I don't own a credit card to use the subway! Thanks for sharing beautiful lady😘😘😘 xox

Thanks for your advice, it was just the info I needed. I think I will go with the taxi option as I have 2 adults and 3 kids, so probably will cost just as much and so much more convenient. Or maybe an Uber depending on the cost.

I use to take the subway to JFK but for peace and mind and with my bags in tow, LIRR is the way to go

I last flew into JFK back in 2018 and used the Airtrain/LIRR as I travelled light and wanted to get into the City as fast as possible. If I recall correctly, I didn't actually have to pay the AirTrain fare because it was a Sunday and there was a free concession in operation. The Omny card (similar to London Transport's Oyster) seems finally to be here and that is what I will buy when I visit the City next year.

Steadfast Airtrain-to-LIRR customer, for me the time/cost calculation can't be beat. Have a hotel within reasonable transit/walking distance of either Penn or GCT and you're golden. (and y'all remember how "black cars" were THE alternative for parties of many people and/or many bags, before the rideshares came about?)

Airtrain to subway for me... going to visit a friend at NYU, so E train should be perfect. I'm way too cheap for taxi, but will splurge $8.25 to not have to deal with the bus. Thank you so much for such helpful advise!

When I visited New York last year, I stayed at a hotel in Brooklyn and I took the AirTrain + Subway from JFK. I did arrive at the airport after 1am, but I’m pretty comfortable with public transit and I did not want to get in that taxi line anyway. I found it pretty easy, although I did pay full price for the AirTrain. I honestly don’t mind it for the convenience as I’m not traveling to/from the airport every day. I will take rideshares/taxis if I have to, but I prefer transit where I can move independently and not have to sit awkwardly in a car with a stranger haha

I would like to know about public transportation from JFK airport to the inside of Long Island at night, not to the NYC side.(Stony Brook) Thanks for your information! [I'm Korean and I'm going to New York this summer ]😍

AIRPORT READY! Next time I go to NYC I’d probably do the AirTrain to LIRR. Only been to the city once but we flew into Newark, I hired a private transportation service, but they ended up not showing up so we took a Lyft to the city, back to the airport the company picked us up in an SUV.

I also love Q10 bus because it was Q10 Limited during morning day and evening. You should also tell about free fare bus routes until 3/30 which are B60, Bx18A, Bx18B, M116, Q4, S46/S96 and also well as stroller buses as well.

Boy, does this bring back memories of our trip to New York and trying to figure out public transportations. 😅

@UrbanCaffeine

7 ай бұрын

I'll never forget it!

Retro Airport! Mabuhay Thea! 👏👏👏

Great video Théa. Nice and simple. About the merch, is your iconic shirt part of it too? 🤣

@UrbanCaffeine

7 ай бұрын

Haha. I didn't think to add it in. Something to consider!

Transit Superpowers , Thea slays the system ...

Trouble with the “A” subway is 20 min between trains, especially when one is missing (40 min) at midnight.

@aptadpamu

7 ай бұрын

That's the issue with any public transportation option. If there's no wait, it's super fast. If not, it could double the time. My best time from plane at JFK to my hotel room on W 50th was 50 minutes via AirTrain/LIRR/C-E subway. But typically it's about 80 minutes.

you can also take the B15 to new lots Avenue station or B15 to B13 to Euclid Avenue Station

Your videos are so useful! Saved $50USD with the 10 trip air train card video. Wished I saw this video on my first NYC visit last year July

@UrbanCaffeine

5 ай бұрын

Better late than never! Happy to hear you saved so much $$$.

Airport Ready! Id probably use the Subway bc I'm used to it and the LIRR sounds a bit complicated 😥I feel like Ill get lost. The Bus is a good option bc it's cheap and seems easy too! Maybe ill try that next time!

I knew about the Lefferts Blvd way long time ago 😊 as long you don't exit Howard Beach or Jamaica you can explore the AirTrain FREE 😅

I would take B15 and 3 subway to Lower Manhattan, or if my destination is on the 123 Line. If destination is closer to ACE line then take Q10 and E. In Manhattan, airport bound A and E run on different directions. It is also common that the 4 replaces the 3 in Brooklyn whenever there is weekend track work, which will show on Google Maps and MTA website. If traveling really light, make Prospect Park the last stop right before going to JFK. Smogasburg takes place every Sunday during the warm season, take that, airport food!

So glad I can use contactless for the Air train now.

@aptadpamu

7 ай бұрын

A week ago, we were there at Jamaica. At least 25 travelers were in line to use the one OMNY gate. We had the 10-ride Airtrain card, so no wait. I assume they'll add more OMNY gates as time goes on.

Airport Ready thanks to Thea!

We need throughrunning on Penn station!

Based on my trip last month, I got very acquainted the Federal Circle stop on the Air Train. With luggage, the Yellow Taxi is easy but if I land at JFK again, I think I’d strive for the Air Train + Bus + Subway option. It’s all about the value.

@eattherich9215

7 ай бұрын

'I think I’d strive for the Air Train + Bus + Subway option.' That would be too slow for me, but you will save on the tip for the taxi driver.

Hey ya’ll amazing video, i write from Palermo Sicily Italy a.D 20.XI.2023

You should make a video about Transit from Newark Airport to NYC and other destinations.

@UrbanCaffeine

7 ай бұрын

Here's the Newark video (it's older but more relevant than obsolete): kzread.info/dash/bejne/lYCTzMWIdtC2drg.htmlsi=VWklWZ51SQ5Nw-sV

If I did land at JFK Airport, I take the Airtrain+Bus and solely bus. Airtrain-Lefferts- Howard- Q3: Jamaica 165th, Q44+SBS-Bronx Zoo, QM5/6- Midtown-59th/Lex. Total cost- $2.90+Transfer+$7.00= $9.90. The amount of the Airtrain ride(which is $10 dollars nowadays) but at the cost to get to midtown. Or $2.90 to get to either the Bronx or Nassau County or maybe White Plains/Tarrytown.

Airport Ready

Another option if you are up to it is the AirTarin + Walk + Subway. You take the free AirTrain to leveets Blvd and then walk north for about 0.2 miles until you hit N Conduit Ave form there go west on it for 0.7 miles after you pass a bridge where Aquaduct rd is there will be a sidewalk leading you to the North Aqauruct Conduit Ave MTA Station.

@AnonymousUser-ww6ns

5 ай бұрын

This walk takes about 16 mins according to google maps and the surface is flat. So you are looking at about 50-90 minutes to get to Mantthan

@AnonymousUser-ww6ns

5 ай бұрын

And obviously the cost is the MTA fare itself which is $2.90

we are arriving late (11:15 pm) and we want to purchase the 10 trip card for the air train you talked about. Will the news stand that you mentioned be open that late or can we somehow purchase the card for that price before we get there?

I always take a subway from LGA. I have never done transit from JFK. But, if I did it, it would most likely be the Bus and Subway. I think this would be the easiest and cheapest as person who knows their way around NY.

If I'm by myself, AirTrain + LIRR, no doubt. But now I have a toddler, which means that I take the most accessible and legal mode -- in most cities, I have to either haul around and install my own car seat, but in NYC, apparently there are some Lyfts that (cost extra and) come equipped with car seats. What do other 'airport ready' parents of small children do?

My fav way is the AirTrain to Jamaica to LIRR to Penn 🚉 & Grand Central followed by the AirTrain to Jamaica to 🚇 & then AirTrain to Howard 🏖️🏝️ to 🚇

I use Uber but now I will explore other affordable options when I have the time

What a well made and helpful video. One question, might you not be allowed to board the Q10 bus if you have a large suitcase?

@UrbanCaffeine

5 ай бұрын

Yeah, it's a regular city bus so large suitcases might be difficult to navigate.

@davidnaish2018

5 ай бұрын

Thank you. Think I may go for the LIRR.@@UrbanCaffeine

I take the bus unless I'm in a rush. ps. JFK is under redevelopment so things like the Airtrain stops and bus stops will get changed around. Hopefully the busses will go back to Terminal 5

really depends on where u r staying in nyc, on my last trip, i took the LIRR as my hotel was located around penn station else i would have taken the subway. luggage on a bus is never nice so its not a choice for me while the price hike for taxis since 2022 means its a last resort, only considered if there is too much luggage and if not traveling alone.

what about rental car? Please tell me here. Thanks.

What about taking an express bus to Jfk airport to lagaurdia airport?

AirPort ready

your previous version helped me alot with planning my trip 3 weeks ago. I also got the 10-trip airtrain card, then LIRR to grand central. I must say, a tip, read the signs well. the elevators to the platforms are in the middle. Also the subway is not wheelchair friendly. we wasted a lot of time trying to figure out where the elevator is on the tracks.

@dulceisha

7 ай бұрын

ps. Trams would be a great solution for wheelchair users. The bus is great option. However they are not always on time.

@Mikaela-sy3zz

6 ай бұрын

is grand central nearer to time square if taking LIRR? compared to penn station

@dulceisha

6 ай бұрын

@@Mikaela-sy3zz if you are going to Time square it self, then it doesn't really matter. From Pen station is a few streets uptown on the 8th avenue. Then you cross the block and enter 7th avenue. But from grand central you arrive at 42th street, if you exit from the main hall. Then you walk to the 7th avenue. My choose is Grand central. You pass by Bryant park and the place is much nicer and you feel safer. 8th avenue around the port authority is not nice. You find drug addict. It's somewhat safe, but not comfortable. Hope it helps.

@dulceisha

6 ай бұрын

@@Mikaela-sy3zz ps. I would recommend you use google maps to navigate. Most attractions are so. Lose to each other. You will make a better plan that way.

@Mikaela-sy3zz

6 ай бұрын

@@dulceisha thanks for the help

I am on the fence with using omni or metro card.

I almost always fly in toLGA then take the bus and subway. Basically, I'm always looking for the cheapest deal. And the subway is always fun!

@eattherich9215

7 ай бұрын

I hope I never have to use LaGuardia again. The bumpy bus ride to Jackson Height/Roosevelt Avenue station and then the long ride to Brooklyn was both tedious and very long.

@esgee3829

7 ай бұрын

@@eattherich9215 word. haven't done it in a while and i have seen and heard the new terminal is great. but getting to/from there still sounds miserable regardless of transit mode.

@eattherich9215

7 ай бұрын

@@esgee3829: the AirTrain project has been CANCELLED because of the expense, so the option will continue to be the buses unless they can get the subway all the way to LaGuardia.

I have an additional question. I live in Europe so by using my creditcard for the subway, most banks charge some extra for every payment. Do I have to pay this every single time I use my creditcard at the metro?

@eattherich9215

7 ай бұрын

I have a special issue travel credit card that does not levy extra charges when used abroad. Speak to your bank to see what they offer or simply search for the best way to pay abroad.

I’m sorry but as much as I love taking the airtrain/LIRR (though I hate paying that much) I always prefer to fly into LGA it’s much easier to get to the city imo

Yellow cab.. if it takes 45 minutes or 90 minutes. Is it still the same fixed fare. Ta colin . Uk.. be there in August 😊

Literally me click on this since I’m going to JFK from Manhattan WOOO

This video couldnt come at a better time as I was debating how to pick up a friend from JFK! Airtrain + subway (11.15) seems like best options to me not to carry heavy luggage into the bus and then subway, but that 8.25 is an absolute ripoff

Are children the same price as adults on air train or LIRR?

Hey can i pay with cash for buying metrocard to going manhattan with subway?

BTW, when calculating trip times in New York, I had greatly underestimated walking time/distances. Fro instance from Moynihan to Grand Central Terminal, whether there is less walking taking the ACE to 42nd to get to S, or walk to take the 1 to 42nd to take the S. Only an experienced person would know. In my case, I took ACE since closer to train station it seems to involve an interminable walk in some corridor with signs still poiting that S was further ahead. Got tired and saw the 7 was "here" so went down those step and took 7 to GCT instead. I assume that if I had walked more from Penn Station to take the 1, the transfer at 42nd to the S would have been far mroe efficient as I had seen in some videos.

@UrbanCaffeine

7 ай бұрын

Omg. That shuttle from ACE is soooo far away involving a lot of stairs. Good choice w the 7.

@stevenroshni1228

7 ай бұрын

my estimation is that the ACE to 42nd to the 7 train is least walking to Grand Central Terminal, Metro North while the ACE or 123 to the 42nd Street shuttle is less walking for Grand Central Madison, LIRR

In the 1990s, I walked from WTC after meetings to Chambers and took the A to Howard Beach where there was airport bus (free as I recall) to each terminal. Only problem is that I exited the station the wrong side, but I must not have been alone because the guy in kiosk easily let me back in so I could get out the other side. I don't recognize the station now. QUESTION: Mr Google says it is a 9 minute walk from Lefferts Airtrain to Howard Beach. From the north side of Airtrain station where a pedestrian would arrive, it is possible to get into the subway station without paying Airtrain? (read somewhere there is only emergency exit from subway to parking lot). If you have to way 20 minutes for the Q-10 an it is a 10 minute walk to subway, walking would be so much better.

@UrbanCaffeine

7 ай бұрын

It would be nice but last I heard you can't walk those two stations.

Urban Caffeine, out of all the boroughs, which borough do you think is the friendliest? Which borough do you think is the second friendliest to least friendliest?

@esgee3829

7 ай бұрын

meh. boroughs are not uniform arrays of humans. some neighborhoods seem friendlier than others in each borough. but really, most new yorkers are friendly to the point of when you ask for help, they will render it so long as it doesn't seem you're trying to take advantage of them. sometimes they'll even go out of their way to help. but, well, you probably need to provide your definition of friendly first.

Can we walk to the airport or any of the free airtrain stations?

@esgee3829

7 ай бұрын

yes. lefferts blvd airtrain for sure. maybe others.

Or u can take the air train to terminal 8 and take the q3 bus to the f

I am a cheapskate, so I would probably go with the bus + subway route 😂 The last time I went to NYC was in 2016, though I arrived through Newark. I hope I can go back soon and maybe use some of your helpful tips.

Nitpicking: if you have an international audience, you may wish to specify "american debit cards" are accepted. There is no standard for international use of true debit cards. Many countries have different networks from credit card to process their debit cards (avoiding VIA/mastercard fees/royalties etc).

@eattherich9215

7 ай бұрын

I have VISA debit and credit cards, both of which I used in the US and Canada without problem.

@jfmezei

7 ай бұрын

In Canada, if you tell sales person you are using Debit, he/she will press the Interac button on the POS and your foreign card won't work. This matters where stores only take debit and don't take credit. Where they take both, some POS terminals automatically choose the network based on credit card BIN, so yoru foreign card would be treated as credit and sent via the credit card processor instead of Interac. Where they ask you debit or credit, you would have to say "credit" to ensure the transaction gets to the credit card networks and reach yoru home bank in yoru home country. @@eattherich9215

Does anyone know if I pay with credit card to get on Q10, can I transfer to the E train? Do I use the same credit card, or do I ask for a transfer ticket from the bus driver?

@UrbanCaffeine

4 ай бұрын

You can pay with a credit card. Just use the same credit card at the subway to get your free transfer.

@yukuhana

4 ай бұрын

@@UrbanCaffeine Thank you!

@yukuhana

4 ай бұрын

@@UrbanCaffeine Thanks!! Also, why did you mention about "not late at night"? I checked that buses and subways run through the night.. Is that not true?

You can also take a Blade helicopter for $195.

I am a very frugal traveler so I pretty much always go for the cheapest option unless it's hours and hours longer. I really prefer transit to taxis or ride share because they're better for the environment, more predictable, and way less expensive. Since I do almost always just go for the cheapest travel option I usually end up flying into LGA, but the tip about taking the bus to avoid the hefty air train fare is a great one, thanks!

@eattherich9215

7 ай бұрын

'the tip about taking the bus to avoid the hefty air train fare is a great one ...' I think you could complete the rest of your journey by subway if you transfer at Kew Gardens - see @9:57

Can I use the MTA app to buy my LIRR tickets?

@UrbanCaffeine

7 ай бұрын

Yes, you can buy a ticket through the app. I didn't go over that because I wanted to keep it simple without having to tell people to download an app and create a profile.

@Avgeek1564

7 ай бұрын

@@UrbanCaffeine should I wait till I arrive before I do that?

@UrbanCaffeine

7 ай бұрын

You can download the app beforehand, but I would wait till you arrive to buy a ticket to know for sure if you need peak or off-peak.

@Avgeek1564

7 ай бұрын

@@UrbanCaffeine I arrive on the Saturday before Christmas, so I will buy a off peak City ticket. Thanks for your help!

I'm planning on T4 to Airtrain. Airtrain to Jamaica station. Then walk through, round the corner to subway and on to my hotel. There are cheaper/more convenient ways to do it but this seems like the best balance.

It's the L-I-Double-R 😅😅

Airport Ready: We’re taking Taxi :)

THANKSGIVING DAY COME IN 5 DAYS. THAT IT WAS LAST YEAR.

I haven't been to NYC in a while but (after trying various other options) I did in fact prefer taking the Lefferts Blvd. bus to Kew Gardens and the E or F train. You might think that the A train would be faster because you switch from the bus to the train sooner, but it really isn't. The A train just makes so many stops.

Always public transit, not ride share, because we don't want to bring car seats with us.

Personally, I prefer JFK over LaGuardia lol!

@AnonymousUser-ww6ns

5 ай бұрын

I prefer LGA over JFK because they have a free bus service to the Subway and you don’t have to worry about the $8.25 fare with JFK airtarin which is outrageous. Also LGA airport has gotten a big renovations and it is really nice. It feels like you are in Europe.

@Roma_eterna

5 ай бұрын

Ooh @@AnonymousUser-ww6ns I didn’t know it was renovated! I’ve never used LGA, but in the past I’ve heard it had a bad rep. I think I’ll check that out if I fly to NY again.