How to get from JFK Airport to Times Square: Airtrain, LIRR, 1 Train

If you've just landed at JFK Airport and are wondering the fastest and most convenient way to get from JFK to Times Square, say no more as we embark on a quick 30 min journey from Queens to Manhattan! Timepoints will be below.
Walking from JFK Terminal 8 to Airtrain - 0:00 - 3:00
Riding Jamaica train from Terminal 8 to Jamaica Station - 3:02 - 13:50
Buying a MetroCard to pay for fare and exiting Airtrain - 14:45 - 17:20
Walking to LIRR at Jamaica and buying ticket - 17:30 - 20:53
Walking at Jamaica LIRR - 20:53 - 22:00
Riding M7 LIRR Train from Jamaica to Penn Station - 22:38 - 41:34
Walking from LIRR at Penn Station to 1/2/3 Subway - 41:36 - 42:48
Swiping card for 1/2/3 trains - 42:52 - 43:20
Riding R62A 1 train from Penn Station to Times Square - 43:50 - 46:35
Total Travel Time: 30 mins
Total Cost: $16
This is the fastest and most convienient way to get from JFK to Manahttan. If you're traveling with kids or small children, LIRR fares are $1.00 for ages 5-11 and children under 5 ride free with the Airtrain.
Enjoy! Taken 5/17/22

[@krystenahutchins1313]

It’s my first time in NYC. You saved me a $100 Uber!!!!! Thank you so much for this.

[@FuseguyisCool]

Always happy to help. $100 is a meal for 5 lol

[@williamboorn2097]

all towns hav public transport beauty of interweb to narrow down sav$ one hand fite crime on the other tho

[@jasonmims5057]

​@@FuseguyisCool No $100 for a ride from the airport into Manhattan is a crime against humanity

[@gmicg]

Alternates: 1 Air train, E train to 42nd st, then walk to Times Square; 2 Air Train, LIRR to Grand Central, Shuttle or 7 train to Times Square.

[@jacksdjfam]

I did this journey from t4 to penn last week. So easy and cheap. And you're right, airtrain is really fast. Its like a rollercoastee in places when it takes corners 😅 Tip : you don't need a metrocard for each rider. Buy one card and fill it with enough fare for all. Each person swipes through and hands it to the next. The current fare for airtrain is 8.25 so for myself and my son I added $16 The $5 city ticket on the LIRR is also valid after the evening rush hour

[@dylanhernandez674]

Another way to get to Times Square from JFK is to take the LIRR from Jamaica to Grand Central and then take the S or 7 train to Times square.

[@salfordsuperboy4582]

Perfect vid showing my exact route, 1st time in NY from England. You have allayed my fears, thanks 🙏

[@WillsJazzLoft]

I can still remember when my mom would carry us on trips out of New York. Back then, we had to take the bus between Jamaica and JFK ( I'm really giving up my age now with that one ). We had already moved away from New York by the time of the AirTrain inauguration. So, I rode the AirTrain for the first time during the 90s. It was an amazing experience. That fare must have jumped substantially since that trip that I took. I do not recall paying $8.00 at that time. Obviously costs have gone up since then. You took some pretty good shots. t think that it would be interesting to do this trip to Grand Central Madison now that it is open

[@joergb.2429]

Thank you so much for the great video. I will be in NYC on 25th Oct. and now I know how to get from JFK to my hotel at 41st. Street🙂.

[@FuseguyisCool]

Glad to help! Enjoy your trip :)

[@anajorga]

Finally step by step video that actually helps me. Thank you!! ☺

[@FuseguyisCool]

Glad to help :)

[@plastiqmanb]

THANK YOU!!!! I’ve been taking the E train but dreaded buying an LIRR fare.

[@steve21786uk]

Thank you for this video we travel to New York in January be our first time doing long haul from the UK and the states and was looking at transportation this saves us a lot in a taxi

[@wwemario12345]

Another tip, if you need to go from JFK to LaGuardia, follow this video, however get off at Woodside, the stop before Penn Station, then get the free Q70 bus to LGA

[@GVids721]

hi fuseguy thanks for this video it is very informative now i can go to time square.

[@joshuafajardo5697]

If u go to Grand Central Madison, take either the 42nd Street Shuttle or 34th Street-Hudson Yards Bound 7️⃣ to Times Square-42nd Street

[@simplythebestre]

Wish you would have A)Finished the trip to Times Square instead of rushing off at the end, i was left a bit confused on how to navigate from Penn station. B)The video would have been better if you shortened the train ride clips. C) would love to see the people behind the voices on the video .

[@FuseguyisCool]

Well I mean, you can follow the exits to 42nd / 7th Ave that is Times Sq, very self explanatory lol. And yeah I might do shortened train clips on my LGA video.... thanks.

[@jacobchino4669]

Thank you so much for making this video!

[@joshuafajardo5697]

If u take the 8th Ave 🚇 from Penn, the 42nd Street-Port Authority Ⓜ️ is connected to the Times Square Ⓜ️

[@BungieStudios]

This is just like Disneyland. All that's missing is Spider-Man. He's probably busy somewhere.

[@musicforaarre]

I'm a railfan, and I don't know why you were left hand operation until just before Federal Circle. Now you are on the right hand track. Strange ! This is the first time that I saw the operation of the temporary platform extenders at Woodside. Thanks; that was worth the video all by itself. Aarre Peltomaa

[@FuseguyisCool]

Elevated tracks haha, gotta love the Air Train to Jamaica LIRR

[@tequilacrisis]

Nice catch on the upside down 8! I wanna look for that next time I’m at the airport lol

[@wongkeita]

Thanks for your help. It helps cos I’m going to nyc in this December 😊

[@zuleikaramirez9252]

Gracias por este vídeo! llegue sana y salva a Penn Station!!!!!

[@FuseguyisCool]

De Náda. :)

[@kyakeeslar1084]

Thank you for making this video!! Very helpful.

[@FuseguyisCool]

Glad to help! :)

[@china-trip]

Wow, Beautiful Upload friend. keep it up. Thank you for sharing this to us. Greetings from Korea

[@FuseguyisCool]

Many thanks!

[@andrewlonsdale..walkingthewalk]

NY in two weeks thanks for this... 😊👍

[@GlobalAdventurer]

I'm coming from Mexico City. This is a walk in the park compared to Mexico City's metro! It's always packed on the metros in Mexico City.

[@darbas57]

There is another option: Take bus Q10 and then transfer to a subway for free at queens boulevard. Will cost you 2.90 .

[@charmainerussell4490]

Thanks for making my life easier and saving me some 💵💵

[@josiahbaptiste2134]

uploaded on my brithday

[@SyedAhmed-zd8dg]

Good job, Thanks for the info

[@BradleyQuerruel]

Drinking Game: Take a swig for each time he says "bro" lol

[@BungieStudios]

Bro

[@CHSimon123]

Sounds good, thanx. But after a long flight with a lot of luggage, could be stressfull change the trains many times.

[@shelleythorold9246]

Brilliant, you have helped me plan my journey and elevated the stress!! One question. What ticket do you choose at Jamaica St for the Railroad after 4pm ??

[@FuseguyisCool]

It's still a City Ticket!

[@nguyenloanngoc]

Thanks for the info

[@magicmasterfan1]

very cool.

[@craigstonley8924]

Thank you so much for this. One question. When you brought your LIRR train ticket from Jamaica could you have used the metro card? Or do you have to use your debit/credit card like you did?

[@Praytell45]

Hi! How do you get to 10th Avenue W 42nd street Manhattan please? Do you take a train to port authority or do you take the LIRR to Penn station? Which is closer and has less walking to do? Thank you.

[@ArmandoAcy]

Hi thanks a lots for your video...btw I'll on JFK in Feb, landing at 10pm...is the air train and LIRR still available during that time?

[@FuseguyisCool]

Yes, just at reduced service.

[@sofiacartagena3890]

Hi Fuseguy, thank you very much! I will be arriving at JFK at 11:20 pm and staying in NYC for 11 hours before my connection flight. Can I take the same route at near-midnight?

[@FuseguyisCool]

No problem! Yes, this will work near midnight!

[@vox9622]

If I do not exit the station, I do not pay?

[@arkapadia]

If we are 3 (2 adults and 1 child) wouldnt taxi make sense going to TS?

[@junlawagon]

This is great info. Question tho, I will need a 7day unlimited metrocard, when I exit the air train do I need to buy 2 separate cards (1 to pay airtrain exit and 1 with 7day unlimited)?

[@FuseguyisCool]

No, when you exit the Airtrain you can buy any card. The fare is $8.00 to exit but both pay-per-ride cards or a 7-day unlimited :)

[@kennypr]

@@FuseguyisCool Can I buy 1 metrocard for 2 or Have to buy it separately for 2 persons?

[@magellan1985]

Your video helps me a lot! Thank You for that!

[@arteluzelena]

For the train ticket to penn station what do I buy if I am traveling at 6 PM?

[@Nthldn]

You are amazing thanks you so much. Just one question if that's OK? I'm travelling into terminal 7..Will get the Jamaica air train to Jamaica Station then pay for that as you showed. I will need to buy a 7 day metro card to get around NY....can I buy that at the same time as I pay for the Jamaica train? Or do I just buy a metro card and pay the $8 and then later pay for the LIRR? Hope that makes sense?

[@FuseguyisCool]

No prob! When you get to Jamaica Station, there are numerous Metro Card machines you can buy your 7 Day unlimited. But, to pay for the Airtrain fare, it's probably better that you buy a pay-per-ride card that you fill around $40 for if you're traveling with multiple people. Use the pay-per-ride card for the Airtrain only. Hope this helps!

[@Nthldn]

@@FuseguyisCool amazing again thank you ❤️

[@sherrjo]

Thanks for this video, can't you use your google pay on your phone or do you still have to buy these metro tickets?

[@FuseguyisCool]

You can use the MTA TrainTime App on Google Play Store or App Sotre for mobile tix!

[@kappa.c6589]

Is the air train from jfk to Jamaica free or do you want any when you get off

[@m7express774]

🔥🔥🔥

[@vien9809]

Thank you for making this video. But, is it safe at late night?

[@FuseguyisCool]

The LIRR is, yes! And the Airtrain is patrolled by PANYNJ police, you're good!

[@dulceisha]

about the lirr tickets. how about non-citizens senior? how do you buy tickets for them?

[@silviucp]

I guess its free 🤣

[@Sam-pv7bd]

Thank you for this video. I may be taking the LIRR from Jamaica Station to Syosset in the winter of 2023. Can I pay for the Airtrain to Jamaica before boarding it? Or can I only pay with the Metro Card after getting off at Jamaica? When I get to Jamaica Station, how do I know what type of ticket to buy to get to Syosset? Also, are the LIRR tickets for a specific time? Do I have to buy a new ticket if the tickets are for a specific time, and I miss it, or can I just get on the next train?

[@FuseguyisCool]

No problem! Lemme answer all of those questions in chronological order :) 1. No, you must pay for the Airtrain only when you exit at Jamaica Station with a MetroCard. 2. LIRR tickets to Syosset will be available at any ticket machine. When you travel after 10 am, it will be an off-peak fare and after 4 pm - 8 pm will be a peak fare. 3. Rush Hour peak fares are from 6 am - 10 am westbound and 4 pm - 8 pm eastbound (towards Long Island). No, you can get on any train within that time range and the tickets are not for any specific train. Hope this helped!

[@Sam-pv7bd]

Thank you for your help.

[@FuseguyisCool]

@@Sam-pv7bd No prob!

[@Sam-pv7bd]

Will the ticket machines tell me which fare I have to pay? Or do I have to remember the times that the certain fares are paid?

[@MisterSkraetsch]

Hi there. Thanks for your video! Can I pay with OMNY arriving at JFK and traveling to Time Square? When traveling with family would you even recommend OMNY or better separate metrocards? What other advice do you have? :) Thanks and have a great day. Cheers from Switzerland

[@FuseguyisCool]

OMNY and Metrocard is the same payment. You're still paying the same far either by card or by phone. But, if you're staying for 5+ days, it's better you buy the 7 day unlimited card. It's good for 7 days and can be used unlimited swipes on subways and buses. I'm not 100% on if it works on the Airtrain though! Here's more info on the Airtrain :) www.jfkairport.com/to-from-airport/air-train

[@MisterSkraetsch]

@@FuseguyisCool Thanks and take care.

[@tdchayes]

Can you actually pay for the AirTrain with an OMNY-style reader. The last time I did it, the answer was no. You can definitely buy a LIRR on your phone.

[@ellona3645]

Hi I'm travelling solo. What if I'm arriving at 5-6 pm at Jamaica Station? Will the City Ticket still work since you said it's till 4pm? 😅

[@FuseguyisCool]

At the time I made this video, the LIRR fares and changes weren't in effect. As of November 2022, the City Ticket is valid all days of the week from 10 am - 4 pm and after 8 pm to/from Penn Station and Atlantic Terminal to Jamaica :)

[@adamwatt9487]

Hey, we don’t get in till 1930hrs, which ticket instead of city would we need? Thanks!

[@FuseguyisCool]

City Ticket works from 10 am - midnight from Jamaica to Penn every weekday/night. You're Good!

[@jayrosenthal1926]

Great video! What if i buy ticket for lirr through the app? What will the conductor do with the ticket?

[@FuseguyisCool]

They use the scanning device to scan. You're good.

[@jayrosenthal1926]

@@FuseguyisCool cool! And is it the process on the way back to jfk?

[@FuseguyisCool]

@@jayrosenthal1926 Yup, all trains stop at Jamaica.

[@jayrosenthal1926]

@@FuseguyisCool is a city ticket only valid in weekend?

[@FuseguyisCool]

@@jayrosenthal1926 nope, City Tickets are valid every weekday from 10 am - 4 pm and all day on weekends!

[@Alevermor]

What do you select if you want the LIRR before 10am?

[@FuseguyisCool]

You would have to select one way peak, which is $10. Most conductors will let you slide if you tell them you're not from NY but still want to pay the $5 fare 😅

[@jayrosenthal1926]

what zip code do i use? im tourist from australia

[@FuseguyisCool]

You don't need a zip code. If you're looking for Times Square's zip, it's 10036, whereas Jamaica is 11435.

[@jayrosenthal1926]

@@FuseguyisCool what about when im buying a metrocard? I think it requires what zip code im from

[@FuseguyisCool]

@@jayrosenthal1926 No zip code required! Just Metrocard type (7 day or pay per ride) and dollar total. Hope this helped :)

[@tdchayes]

It's best to enter 99999, which means outside the US

[@milan4ever]

AirTrain to Jamaica is not free, right? It cost around 8 USD on MetroCard?

[@FuseguyisCool]

$8.25, specifically!

[@silviucp]

Its free until you want to exit 😀

[@edwardcrandell-wpmabe8819]

Do the subway, air train, and LIRR all run 24/7?

[@FuseguyisCool]

The Airtrain and LIRR run 24/7. The E train runs 24/7, but not express. After 11 pm, Manhattan bound E trains runs local from 71st Ave.

[@edwardcrandell-wpmabe8819]

@@FuseguyisCool Nice thanks.

[@ahmedshakeel5112]

How many people can exit the Air Train turnstiles at the same time (when inserting the MetroCard once)? I heard 4 people can use the Metrocard with one swipe.

[@FuseguyisCool]

No it's 1 per person, I believe....

[@ahmedshakeel5112]

@@FuseguyisCool Thanks for replying!

[@tdchayes]

This guy can't do math! Airtrain is $8, so $19 or $30 makes sense, but not $22.

[@Rae606]

Yoooo thank you so much this is sooooo helpful. You’re the GREATEST 👍🏽🫱🏼‍🫲🏾❤. Do the trains run all night?