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The AirTrain JFK platform at Jamaica station in New York.
Layover guideNew York · JFK

Getting out of the airport in New York

Yellow cabs run to Manhattan on a published flat rate from official stands at every terminal, and the AirTrain links the terminals to the subway and the Long Island Rail Road.

Tzuhsun Hsu from Taipei, Taiwan / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
All of New York

Official taxi stands are at each terminal. JFK says soliciting of ground transportation is illegal and that many illegal solicitors are unlicensed and uninsured, so use an official taxi stand or the Port Authority Welcome Center in the arrivals area of each terminal.

Taxis from JFK to Manhattan have a flat rate of $70, plus tolls, tip, and $2.75 to $8.50 in additional fees which vary by time of day and destination. The meter and receipt show this fixed price.

The flat fare applies to the first Manhattan stop only. Ask for a second stop and the meter starts a new trip on top of the $70 and fees. Trips that are not JFK to Manhattan are metered, with the meter reading $3.00 at the start.

AirTrain connects the terminals to Howard Beach station for the subway and to Jamaica station for the subway and the Long Island Rail Road. The one-way fare to either station is $8.75, children under five ride free, paid by contactless card, a phone with Apple Pay or Google Pay, or an OMNY card.

  1. JFK Airport: taxi service · checked 2026-08-17
  2. JFK Airport: AirTrain · checked 2026-08-17
  3. JFK Airport: public transportation · checked 2026-08-17

The rest of New York

The whole guide
Ride-hailingUber and Lyft operate at JFK, but the pickup point is not always the kerb: Terminals 5 and 7 send you out to Howard Beach on the AirTrain.Local laws that catch crew outTwo legal systems apply at once, and cannabis is the trap: legal to buy in New York State, illegal to take out of the state or the country.Staying connectedFree unlimited wifi at all Port Authority airports, no time limit.WeatherFour real seasons: 30C summers, snowy sub-zero winters, rain possible any month; hurricane season peaks Sep.Eating near the crew hotelsFood halls are the crew move — one roof, many vendors, long hours; Chelsea Market runs 7am-10pm daily.What to buyClothing and shoes under $110 per item are completely tax-free in NYC; most everything else adds 8.875% at the register.TippingTip 18-20% at restaurants (not included in the bill), $1+/drink at bars, 15-20% in taxis — it is wages, not extra.