Starting next week, on June 30, passengers will be able to board the AirTrain JFK with a $4.25 fare. This is an effort by the Port Authority to reduce traffic congestion in and around the airport during the peak of summer travel coinciding with its JFK Airport construction projects. The Port Authority is expecting about 18.3 million passengers this season.
The discounted fare will be active until Labor Day, and the people mover will return to the regular $8.50 fare afterward.
“We are once again asking travelers to leave their cars at home and take public transit to the airport. The discounted AirTrain fare is one of a multitude of steps we’re taking to move passengers to and from JFK as quickly and reliably as possible,” said Kevin O’Toole, chairman of the Port Authority.
For those who need to drive, the airport is encouraging drivers to arrive 3 hours early and recommending booking parking spots in advance.
Currently, passengers arriving in Terminal 4 and wishing to use ride apps must get picked up at lot 66, which is served by a shuttle bus. Passengers arriving in Terminal 5 and 7 must get picked up outside Howard Beach station, which is served by the AirTrain (free from the airport terminals to Howard Beach).
I regularly take the AirTrain as I frequent JFK, and it’s honestly not cheap. $8.50 to and from the airport is already $17 round trip, and it’s another $5 on the Long Island Railroad to Grand Central each way. $4.25 is a good fare to have, but I wish we could have this year-round.
That said, taking the AirTrain and the Long Island Railroad is very convenient. It’s still much cheaper than a taxi or rideshare, and it’s almost always faster. The total trip from the east side of Manhattan to JFK typically takes about 40-45 minutes for me, while taxis usually take me 60+ minutes unless it’s late at night, all while being over 7 times more expensive. Unless you have hoards of luggage (and I’m talking about 2+ suitcases), I highly recommend taking the AirTrain and LIRR. Even with a suitcase or two, it’s actually pretty doable. I’ve been doing it forever.
Read about the ride from JFK to Manhattan via the AirTrain and Long Island Railroad here.
All photos taken by the author.
