You have finally arrived in New York! Now, how do you get to your hotel? There are plenty of options for getting from JFK to Manhattan. Whether you want a fast, affordable, or private transfer, you can choose anything from the subway to a helicopter.
JFK Airport in New York
John F. Kennedy Airport is located in the New York borough of Queens and is one of three major airports in and around New York. In addition to JFK, New York is served by LaGuardia Airport in Queens and Newark Airport in New Jersey. Most international travelers, however, arrive either at JFK or Newark.
JFK is also the busiest airport in New York. Around 1,200 flights land here every day, so it is no surprise that there are so many transfer options to Manhattan.
Manhattan is only about 17 miles from JFK and can be reached in about an hour starting at $11.75.
All transfer options at a glance
The number of transfer options from JFK Airport to Manhattan can feel overwhelming. That is why I put together this overview comparing cost, travel time, comfort, and whether the transfer takes you door to door. You can use it to quickly find the right option for your trip and then read the details below.
All prices are for a one-way trip. Taxi and rideshare estimates are for daytime travel outside rush hour and include fees and tolls. The taxi estimate also includes a 20% tip; rideshare prices exclude tips. Prices can be higher at night and during busy periods. If you need the subway after taking the LIRR, add $3 per person.
| Option | Price | Time | Door to door? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | About $100 per car (incl. tip) | 60 min | Yes, private |
| Rideshare | About $80.50–100.50 per car | 60 min | Yes, private |
| AirTrain + Subway | $11.75 / person | 55 min | No |
| AirTrain + LIRR | $14 to $16 / person | About 45 to 70 minutes | No |
| Shared shuttle | $31 / person | Varies by route | Yes, shared |
| Uber Shuttle | About $26 / person | Varies by route | No |
| Helicopter | $195 / person | About 5 minutes in the air | Yes |
1. Taxi
Beware of scams: At the airport, you may be approached by people offering you a ride. These are not official taxis, but private drivers who may try to overcharge you. It is best to ignore them and go straight to the official taxi stand.
A yellow cab fits up to four passengers. The base fare for a taxi ride from JFK to Manhattan is $70 (Taximeter Rate #2). With estimated fees and tolls, the daytime total outside rush hour comes to $83.75 before tips. Including a 20% tip, expect around $100 per car in total. Fares can be higher at night and during rush hour.
Here is how the estimate breaks down:
- $70 base fare
- $6.75 in fees and surcharges
- About $7 in tolls
- 20% tip, already included in the approximate $100 total
Double Check: Even with the flat fare, I recommend confirming the approximate total price with the driver before you get in.
2. Rideshares: Uber, Lyft, and Revel
There are three major rideshare companies for private transfers from JFK to Manhattan. They are popular in New York because they are often cheaper than a taxi and everything is handled through the app. These are:
Uber is the best-known rideshare company, followed by Lyft. Revel is a newer company that specializes in electric vehicles.
To book a rideshare transfer, you need the respective app. The apps are free to download. Once you are signed in, you can enter your destination and see the price before you book. Depending on the app and car type, vehicles usually fit four to six passengers.
App prices vary with demand, your destination, and the time of day. During the day outside rush hour, the estimate for a ride from JFK to Manhattan is around $80.50–100.50 per car, including the airport fee and tolls but excluding tips. Prices can be higher at night and during busy periods. You see the actual price in the app before booking. Payment is handled directly in the app; allow around 20% extra for a tip.
SIM Card: You do need an internet connection to use the apps. I recommend getting a SIM card or eSIM for your New York trip anyway, because having internet makes the whole trip much easier.
With Uber, you can even reserve your ride up to 90 days in advance. In my opinion, that is usually not necessary. It is enough to book in the app once you arrive at the airport and have picked up your luggage. The car is usually ready within a few minutes.
3. Public transportation
Public transportation is usually the cheapest transfer option. The subway is the city’s backbone and the most popular way New Yorkers get around.
To get from JFK to Manhattan, you first take the AirTrain at the airport and then transfer to the subway.
There are three AirTrain lines in total. The yellow line only runs within the airport. The red and green lines connect you to public transportation, giving you two main options:
- Jamaica (red): Here you can connect to the E, J, and Z subway lines, which are best for reaching Uptown, Midtown, or the Lower East Side in Manhattan.
- Howard Beach (green): Here you can connect to the A subway line, which is best for reaching Brooklyn or Downtown Manhattan.
Depending on exactly where your hotel is, you can also transfer to another subway line for free. You can find the New York subway map here.
Planning your route: To find the best route for you, I recommend using Google Maps. It shows you all the details. You do not need a separate app to use the subway.
The total cost is $11.75 ($8.75 for the AirTrain and $3 for the subway ride). You can pay for both using contactless payment through OMNY or with a physical OMNY card. You pay after using the AirTrain and before entering the subway.
As an alternative to the subway, you can also transfer to the Long Island Rail Road at Jamaica. Trains go directly to Penn Station on 34th Street and Grand Central Madison on 42nd Street. The ride itself is faster, around 20 minutes, but it costs more than the subway: $5.25 off-peak and $7.25 during peak hours.
Group Discount: The AirTrain offers a group discount! The first person pays the regular $8.75 fare, and each additional traveler, up to five people in total, pays just $4.50 when you use the same payment card within five minutes. If you are traveling as a couple, you pay $13.25 ($8.75 + $4.50) instead of the full fare of $17.50.
4. Shuttles (shared transfers)
A shared shuttle also takes you directly to your accommodation. However, it is not private. You share a van with other travelers.
The advantage is that you are dropped off at your hotel. Because it is a shared transfer, though, the ride can take longer depending on where your hotel is and how many other passengers need to be dropped off before you.
If you are traveling alone or as a couple, a shared shuttle can be cheaper than a taxi or Uber. It can also be a good option for larger groups because you can travel together. Shuttles are usually suitable for up to 12 passengers.
Another option is Uber Shuttle. These shuttles run on fixed routes with designated stops. They do not take you directly to your accommodation, but depending on where you are staying, you may be able to get off nearby. Uber currently offers the following routes from JFK to Manhattan:
- Times Square
- Greenwich Village
- 42nd Street
- Madison Square Garden
You book your seat directly in the Uber app. You can also find the available departure times and exact stops there.
5. Helicopter
Yes, you read that correctly. In New York, almost nothing is impossible.
You can fly from JFK to Manhattan by helicopter. It is without question the fastest and most extravagant airport transfer, and traffic is definitely not something you need to worry about.
The company Blade advertises a flight time of about five minutes. After arriving at one of Manhattan’s heliports, you are then driven to your accommodation.
The price? $195 per person! It is certainly a special experience with views that none of the other transfer options can match.
An even bigger drawback than the price is that you can only bring one carry-on suitcase and one bag weighing less than 11 kg (about 24 lb) combined. Large suitcases are not allowed because of strict weight restrictions. That makes a helicopter transfer less practical for international travelers.
A unique experience: Instead of this transfer option, I recommend taking a proper helicopter tour during your New York trip. It is one of the most unforgettable experiences you can have here!
Are there buses from JFK to Manhattan?
Yes, several buses leave from JFK Airport. However, there is no direct bus line to Manhattan, and you would need to transfer multiple times. Overall, getting from JFK to Manhattan by bus is very impractical.
In New York, the subway is almost always the better option. I barely use buses within Manhattan myself because the subway network is usually enough.
