John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is New York City’s largest airport and one of the busiest in the country in terms of passenger traffic.
However, it isn’t just a point of arrival or departure; Nestled in Queens, New York, it offers proximity to a variety of exciting attractions and hidden gems that can turn your layover or stay in the area into an unforgettable adventure.
Moreover, JFK Airport is approximately 15 miles (24 km) southeast of Manhattan, but the travel duration can vary depending on the means of transportation and traffic conditions.
With numerous methods of transportation from JFK to Manhattan to choose from, it can be a little overwhelming to find the best way to get from JFK Airport to Manhattan.
That’s why we have meticulously prepared this guide for you to help you decide the means of transportation that best suit your needs, with some of them being more convenient or less expensive than the rest.
Without further ado, let’s dive into it!
Transportation Option #1: By Subway
If you are looking for an easy and cheap transportation option to get from JFK Airport to Manhattan, then the subway service is your best bet.
And while, none of New York’s subway lines will get you directly from JFK to Manhattan, with the help of the AirTrain, you can get into the city inexpensively and quickly, especially during rush hour. The AirTrain links all passenger terminals with NYC’s Subway system at Jamaica and Howard Beach Stations.
From JFK, you can take the E train to midtown Manhattan or the A or J and Z trains to Brooklyn or lower Manhattan.
Cost: In total, the journey from JFK to Manhattan will cost about $11 ($8.25 for the AirTrain ($8 + $0.25 for the MetroCard) and $2.75 for the subway ride).
Hours of operation: The MTA Subway and AirTrain JFK operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Trip duration: Approximately 60-90 minutes
Transportation Option #2: By Commuter Train (Long Island Rail Road)
The Long Island Railroad (LIRR) is the commuter train that connects all of Long Island to Manhattan.
Just like with the subway, you’ll first need to take the AirTrain from the JFK airport to Jamaica Station.
Then, from Jamaica Station, transfer to the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) heading to Penn Station in Manhattan.
You should bear in mind that fares and schedules vary by time and day. However, as a rule of thumb, travel time can be significantly shorter than using the subway.
Cost: In total, the journey from JFK to Manhattan will cost about $14 depending on peak or off peak hours.
Operating hours: The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) operates 24/7, with different schedules depending on the destination and time of day.
Trip duration: Approximately 35-50 minutes.
Transportation Option #3: By Bus
Another affordable yet less convenient transportation option is to take the bus.
The bus routes from JFK Airport to Manhattan are numerous, so you won’t find it difficult to find the one that suits you best.
To get to Midtown you can take bus Q3 from Terminal 5 at JFK to Jamaica Station. From there, you can take any of the marked ‘QM’ Express buses into Manhattan.
Cost: The bus from the JFK Airport to Manhattan will cost you $2.75
However, if you take the express bus service into Manhattan, you must pay an additional $6.75, so the whole trip will cost you $9.50 in total.
Also, keep in mind that time is longer due to all the stops along the way, so don’t go for this option if you are short on time.
Trip duration: Approximately 90 minutes.
Operating hours: Buses run on their own timetables and do not operate 24/7.
Transportation Option #4: By Taxi
Taking a taxi from JFK Airport to Manhattan is the most comfortable and least stressful option for getting from the airport to Manhattan, especially if it’s your first time in New York City and feeling overwhelmed by other transportation options.
However, as a matter of fact, it’s also going to be the most expensive option, so we wouldn’t recommend it if you are traveling on your own. But, in case you’re traveling with a group of friends, you can opt for splitting the taxi fare.
NYC taxis are traditionally yellow with a “TAXI” roof sign and can be found at the taxi ranks outside the arrival terminals.
Operating hours: Taxis and private shuttles are available 24/7 from JFK Airport.
Trip duration: The journey from JFK to Manhattan will take around 45 minutes, however, in peak traffic it can be quite slower.
Cost: NYC taxis traveling between JFK Airport and Manhattan operate at a flat fare of $70-$80. However, this ride also includes tolls, payable by the customer.
And while there is no additional charge for luggage, carrying your luggage and precious belongings around the majestic city of Manhattan can quickly dampen the experience.
This is where Stasher comes in, offering a convenient, secure, and affordable luggage storage solution.
While we’ll elaborate on our services later, Stasher provides a comprehensive network of secure luggage storage locations near JFK Airport.
Also, it is super easy to use and store your bags and you can book a location either through our platform or app (Android or iOS) in under 2 minutes!
Go ahead and give it a go yourself in the interactive demo below.
Let’s move on to the next and final transportation option.
Last but not least, another convenient yet again pricey option for traveling between JFK and Manhattan is using a rideshare app such as Lyft or Uber.
Although taking a Lyft or Uber will cost you around the same amount of money as taking a traditional New York taxi, it might save you some time and sweat since the driver comes straight to you without the need to search for a taxi.
Operating hours: Uber and Lyft services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Trip duration: The journey from JFK to Manhattan will take around 45 minutes, however, in peak traffic it can be slower.
Cost: Rideshare prices for an Uber or Lyft from JFK Airport to Manhattan range from $60 to $180, depending on the travel app you use, the type of car you order and whether traffic is heavy or not.
How to Store Your Luggage Near JFK Airport
As we previously mentioned, dragging your luggage with you during a layover or flight delay all the way from JFK Airport to Manhattan, regardless of the means of transportation you choose, can dampen the whole experience.
Travelers often have to deal with finding a safe place to store their bags near JFK Airport while immersing themselves in cool adventures in the city of Manhattan.
And that’s where Stasher is stepping in!
At Stasher, we’ve partnered with hotels, cafes, and local shops, in over 890 cities worldwide to cater to the needs of every traveler, looking to store their luggage for a few hours or days safely.
Let’s walk you through the simple step-by-step process of how to store your bags near JFK Airport with the help of Stasher.
After selecting JFK Airport, you need to choose the date or dates and the amount of bags that you’ll carry with you.
Next, all you have to do is press the search button and a map will be presented to you along with the available nearby hotels, Airbnbs, shops, etc.
Moving on, you can choose the desired place to store your bags (we call them “Stashpoints”) and then press the “book” button.
Up next, it’s time for your checkout; move forward with your payment and you are good to go!
Based on the above facts, if you feel that Stasher is the best fit for you, you can head over to our homepage or download our app for Android or iOS, and store your luggage anywhere with Stasher!
