JFK to Penn Station by Train (NYC) Step-by-Step with Photos
Updated for 2026 with current AirTrain routes, LIRR ticket options, and Penn Station / Moynihan Train Hall details.
If you’re flying into JFK and need to get to Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan, taking the train is one of the easiest and most reliable options, even if you’ve never navigated NYC transit before.
The route is simple: JFK AirTrain → Jamaica Station → LIRR to Penn Station. It avoids traffic, costs less than a taxi, and drops you right in Manhattan near Times Square, major subway lines, and Moynihan Train Hall.
I’ve taken this route multiple times and included step-by-step photos so you can see exactly where to go, what to buy, and what to expect at each point, including how to do the reverse trip from Penn Station to JFK.
Heading to Grand Central instead?
Follow the same AirTrain route to Jamaica Station. When buying your LIRR ticket, select Grand Central instead of Penn Station and take the next train headed there. This will put you closer to the Fifth Avenue and Bryant Park.
JFK to Penn Station by Train (AirTrain + LIRR Step-by-Step)
Getting from JFK to Penn Station by train is a two-part trip. From the baggage claim area you’ll take the AirTrain from JFK to Jamaica Station, then transfer to the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) into Manhattan. Below, I walk through each step with photos so you know exactly where to go and what to expect along the way.
You’ll be purchasing two types of tickets, one ticket as you exit the AirTrain which can be paid for via tap at the gates, and another ticket for the Long Island Rail Road which can be purchased for the Jamaica station. The cost is $13.75 or $15.75 depending on your peak/off-peak timing. There is a cheaper option but it’s not my preference as I explain below.
Taking the AirTrain from JFK to Jamaica Station
After your flight, you’re going to make your way toward baggage claim. Once you’re at baggage claim you want to look for signs for the AirTrain. The access for the AirTrain is typically up a level from baggage claim and might be outside near the parking garage or attached to baggage claim. Just follow signs to the AirTrain.
Once on the AirTrain platform for your terminal, you’ll look for the train that connects to Jamaica Station. You can transfer to the Long Island Rail Road at Jamaica Station.
If you want to take the Subway into Manhattan, you can go to Jamaica Station to get the E line, or the Howard Beach Train for the A Subway. You’ll save $2.25 per ticket taking the subway, but you’ll have more stops (slower) and limited luggage room.
© Kim Tate
Buying AirTrain and LIRR Tickets at Jamaica Station
Ride the AirTrain to Jamaica Station — you may have multiple stops depending on which JFK terminal you arrived. As you exit the AirTrain into Jamaica Station you’ll need to buy a pay for your AirTrain ride (the one you just took) with tap to pay (Contactless) or with a Metrocard. You’ll have to pay $8.50 for the AirTrain to Jamaica Station.
After exiting the AirTrain station with your $8.50 payment, you’ll continue forward and follow signs to the Long Island Rail Road (or Subway if that’s your choice).
Once you go into the Long Island Rail Road area, you’ll find ticket machines near the upper track entrances.
NOTE: you can buy tickets in advance with your phone using the MTA TrainTime app if you prefer.
Here are the steps for buying your ticket:
First, you’ll choose your Ticket type which is One Way. There is a family ticket option which allows up to four children (ages 5-17) to travel with each fare paying adult for $1 each way.
Next you’ll choose your station, for this example we’re going to Penn Station. You could choose Jamaica to Another Station if you want to go to Grand Central instead of Penn Station.
Next, you need to select if you’re traveling during peak or off-peak times. You can also choose if you’re purchasing a military or senior ticket which don’t use the peak/off-peak timing.
Peak times are for trains arriving in NYC (Manhattan) on Monday through Friday from 6 am to 10 am. Or for trains departing Manhattan between 4 pm and 8 pm M-F. This is standard rush hour thinking, people in the burbs (JFK) go into the city in the morning and out of the city in the evenings. Those are peak travel times.
If you’re not traveling during these times, you’ll choose Off-Peak.
Choose how many tickets you need.
There used to be add-on options (metrocard and airtrain) so that screen still exists, but it will default and you’ll select None (Tickets Only).
Then you’ll need to pay. It’s $5.25 per adult for off-peak and $7.25 per adult for peak.
Taking the LIRR from Jamaica Station to Penn Station (Manhattan)
After buying your tickets, look for the monitors that will tell you what track you need to go to for a Penn Station train. You’ll be looking on the side for the Westbound to Manhattan & Brooklyn trains and find your station on that list (i.e. Penn Station or Grand Central).
Note, the trains might be slightly delayed so if you see a train showing on the board there’s a chance you can still make it.
Look for the track number on the board for your train and go to the stairway that shows that number. The track numbers are split across two sets of stairs because the trains are coming between the stairways and you can enter the trains on either side.
Here’s where packing light comes in handy because you’ll need to haul your bags down the stairs to get on the trains (there are elevators, but they’re not near the tracks they’re at the ends/center of the station).
Wait for your train or go ahead and board if it’s already on the track. You’ll see a digital board display stating Penn Station (or your station) on the side of the train near the boarding doors. Find a seat and store your luggage but be sure to keep your ticket handy since you’ll have to show the conductor once the train departs.
Your train might make a couple of stops along the way but eventually, you’ll hear the Penn Station announcement and that’s your queue to get ready to leave the train. Beware that it can be hard to hear and understand the train announcements, so pay attention to the stops. The ride from Jamaica Station to Penn Station Manhattan should take about 21-30 minutes depending on stops.
Also note, that during off-peak times it’s not unusual for certain train car doors to not open for every stop. Make sure you ask a conductor or listen carefully to make sure you’re not sitting in a train car where the doors won’t open. I recently heard a conductor explain to passengers that they needed to move, so there will be help available. I don’t think this applies for major stations like Penn Station, but I wanted to mention it.
Arriving at Penn Station and Moynihan Train Hall
Once you arrive at Penn Station and the Moynihan Train Hall, you’ll be in Midtown Manhattan with easy access to subways, taxis, and walkable neighborhoods.
Penn Station spans 31st to 33rd Streets between 7th and 8th Avenues, so follow signs for the 7th Avenue or 8th Avenue exits based on which side is closest to your hotel or destination. If you’re heading toward Times Square, exiting on the 7th Avenue & 33rd Street side usually makes the walk or subway transfer more straightforward.
Sidewalks around Penn Station can be busy, especially during rush hour, and can feel tight if you’re rolling luggage. Allow a little extra time if needed, or consider taking the subway, or a taxi or Uber to your hotel. Pickups can be slower in this area due to traffic, but they’re still an option if walking isn’t ideal.
How Much Does It Cost to Get from JFK to Penn Station by Train?
I used this method on a recent trip and it cost me $13.75 for a one-way trip from JFK to Penn Station in Manhattan. That is for the $8.50 AirTrain tickets and the $5.25 Long Island Rail Road OFF-PEAK ticket. Peak times will be $7.25, making the total $15.75.
If you don’t mind taking the subway instead of the LIRR, you’ll pay $11.50 ($8.50 for AirTrain plus $3 for one Subway ride). Just know that the subway will have more stops along the way making the trip longer, and the train cars could be crowded and tough to manage with luggage.
On my recent trip I did a search for Uber from JFK to my hotel just to see how much of a savings it would be and was shocked to see it would have been over $100 for an Uber!
When the Train Might Not Be the Best Option
There are a few reasons I wouldn’t advise using the train, even though it is the cheapest and very easy option, in my opinion.
You’re a family traveling with small children
While the process is fairly simple, it does require moving around quite a bit and using stairs and elevators. If you have small children it might be a lot to manage to keep an eye on them and your luggage through each of the connections.
The cost savings also diminishes versus Uber when you have more than 3 people. Ordering an uber or private shuttle service might be best for larger parties, although the train would allow you to leave car seats at home. And they do have the family ticket option for LIRR and kids under 5 are free for the AirTrain.
You have a lot of luggage
As I said above, you will be connecting to multiple transportation options and you’ll need to deal with stairs (or search out elevators) at a few of the stations. If you have multiple bags it would be a lot of work to haul them up and down the stairs as well as find space for them on the LIRR.
You’re traveling very early or late
While I have no experience or knowledge of the security or safety of this method, I personally wouldn’t want to take the train if it was late at night. Safety is always something to keep in mind when in large cities, so if you’re traveling at late or very early hours, the train might not be best. LIRR also doesn’t operate during the very early morning hours.
You hate walking or have reduced mobility
If you have no desire to haul your suitcases up and down and all around, just grab an uber or cab from JFK to your hotel. You have to be willing to do a bit of work to save the kind of money you will when you take the train. If you have any mobility limitations you may struggle with the trains and stations.
Penn Station to JFK (Train Route Step-by-Step)
Getting from Penn Station to JFK by train follows the same basic steps as the trip into Manhattan, just in reverse. You’ll take the LIRR from Penn Station to Jamaica Station, then transfer to the AirTrain to reach your terminal at JFK. The steps below walk through exactly what to do so the return trip feels just as straightforward.
Go to Penn Station and follow the signs to the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). You can enter at the Moynihan Train Hall on 8th Ave between 31st and 33rd. But you can also enter off 7th Ave and 34th.
Find the LIRR Ticket Machines (in the main station or also found near the train tracks) and buy your ticket from Penn Station to Jamaica station on the Long Island Rail Road.
Look for the LIRR track signs for the next train to JFK and follow signs to that track number. These trains all stop at Jamaica station but continue onto other stations which is why you likely won’t see Jamaica as the destination name.
When you reach Jamaica Station, you’ll follow the signs to the AirTrain, and buy your AirTrain ticket ($8.50) with tap to pay or use a Metrocard. The you’ll ride the AirTrain to the terminal for your flight.
After a long flight, knowing exactly where to go makes a big difference. This train route from JFK to Penn Station is a straightforward option that avoids traffic and brings you into Midtown Manhattan with simple connections to the rest of the city.
I read this because I’m a cheapskate Brit going to New York for the first time and didn’t relish the price of taxis from JFK . This must be the one of best guide I have ever read and as we’re staying very close to Penn Station this way is ideal for us. Many, many thanks for an exceptionaly well put together guide.
Thanks, Paul. I wanted to make it as easy as possible for people to follow the steps, avoid traffic headaches, and save money at the same time. :)
Kimberly, this post is GOLD. I’m from Seattle, too, and was nervous about landing at JFK (instead of at my familiar fave, Newark), since I had to get to Penn Station in time to catch an Amtrak to Upstate NY. I found your article the night before, read through it all (THANK YOU for all the pictures!!), glanced at the beginning once more in the morning, and sailed through the whole process — it was weirdly like being back in college and cramming for exams: a thorough once-through the night before and I was set. (Aced everything but calculus. :)) And yesterday I aced the trip from JFK to Penn Station without looking like a complete tourist. Thank you so much!
Thanks so much for commenting, Katherine! This made me so happy. I love sharing these kind of useful tips and knowing that it’s helped so many makes me feel great!
Thank you – we are two seniors traveling the train to Penn station and to JFK – your instructions were very helpful – I have reread them several times – and I am much more at ease with our travel plans.
That’s great to hear Anna! It really is easy once you know what to expect. And when you get off the AirTrain and head toward the Long Island Railroad there are normally Metro employees standing by the turnstiles and they were really helpful for me the first time I took the train into the city. So know that you can always ask them for help if needed, but I bet you’ll be just fine! Good luck and I hope you have a great trip to NYC!
This was a great guide with pics. Line after Airtrain for LIRR was empty while subway was a mess. Signs for train were a little confusing, but only because the 11:55 train was still showing at 11:58. After checking google maps, it turns out it’s because that train was delayed.
What about Penn Station to JFK? Same thing in reverse, but without a metro card?
Hi Brian, yes I’ve noticed that the trains seem to always be running a little late the three times I’ve used this method. Going back is the same, you’ll buy your LIRR card and go to the waiting zone until the track number is announced at Penn Station then you’ll go to that track and get on the train. Unfortunately, you do have to pay for the Metrocard again to ride the AirTrain – it’s always an added $5 fee when you enter or leave the AirTrain at Jamaica or Howard Stations.
Thanks for providing this step by step process. I’ve been here before, but never taken LIRR, so I was a little nervous about finding everything. Your guide helps me feel way more confident, and I especially love all the pictures!
I love hearing that! Glad it worked out – I’m a visual person and had read posts before I tried it but find seeing what the signs all look like make it less scary and more manageable!
Hello! It really helped me a lot you post, I will be traveling to NY on april this year, and plus that I have to got to Boston the same day. Is there a way to go directly from JFK airport to BOSTON ?
Hi there – I’m glad you found the post helpful. You’ll want to take Amtrak from Penn Station to Boston (https://www.amtrak.com/take-the-train-new-york-to-boston). Happy traveling! Oh, and the Acela will be a more express train with fewer stops rather than the regional train route.
Hi Kimberley,
My son and I are soon to be visiting New York for the first time so I was thrilled to find your post and have read it with interest. I am keen to try and travel around using the trains – like locals – instead of transfers and feel you will have helped immensely.
Many thanks….and fingers crossed!
Sharon.
That’s great, Sharon! Have a great trip! I’m heading to NYC soon again myself and plan to make a video of this process to add to this post. Seems it’s really helpful for people to see the process in action!
Very helpful article – thank you for posting, I am doing this trip next week with a lot of luggage
I don’t know how to thank you. I would have spent a good half day trying to figure out how to get to my hotel in Upper West Side, New York from the JFK airport. I was pretty determined I would not pay for the taxi $75 or more and again get stuck in the taxi. How wonderful that I chanced upon your website: the name itself ‘stuffed suitcase’ is so attractive, though I travel very light!
I reached the hotel for under $25 and some money remaining on my metro card. The step to step guidance was superb. No other blog or website has made it so crystal clear for me on how to get from an international airport to city center as you have done. I must also thank the kindly young man tending the ticket machine at Jamaica station who made it all much easier for me. I kept asking people to confirm your guidance and also went on looking at the maps in the Air-train. Even at Penn Station the staff helped me find my train to Upper West Side 37th street.
As the initial psychological barrier to use the subway was broken (thanks to you, dear friend!), I could use it to get around the city to attend meetings etc. It saved me so much of precious money as well. I wish I could somehow contribute to you, though I am not wealthy at all!
Good luck with everything you do and keep posting. I am a complete convert!
I’m so happy to hear that this post helped you! I know how much it matters to see what to expect. I have to update the post as I realized on a recent trip that the prices have gone up a bit. Thanks for commenting and I’m glad you learned to enjoy the NYC metro!
Thanks Kim. My son is travelling from India to NY first time to start College and your post has been very useful. I had asked him to follow your advice and take LIRR. Will keep you and others posted
Great! Thank you, Murali. I will note that I believe the cost has increased by around $1 since I first wrote this post. I hope your son has a great time in NY!
I can’t tell you what a relief it was to find this lovely and thorough guide! Thank you sooo much for putting it together. My first time to try this, and this made me feel a lot more secure about the steps.
As someone who always ends up going the wrong way when attempting the train, I absolutely loved your guide and the included photos. Successfully made it from JFK to Penn Station!!!
Thank you forn the guide. Your article is great anx easy to follow. I have more confident traveling to NY. Good article found easy on google. Keep it up.
This article is a life saver!!! Thank you for the photos. As someone who has anxiety about traveling this is amazing.
Wow! Thank you so much for this description. Takes away so much of the stress of the unknown …
Thank you so much! I had stomachache when thinking about how to get from JFK to Penn and after reading this I think I’ll be OK :) will have to go to JFK twice to pick up my girlfriend from international flight so I will have time to practice :D
Yea I agree I did this but to Brooklyn, 5 yrs ago and found it v. easy, going back in Oct 2022.
A good guide for those who have never been there before. Well done.
Just found that a 7 day metro tkt and a NY city pass can be bought together. This will be very useful. Pass can be bought with 6 or 10 attractions.
Thank you so much for putting this step-by-step guide together. Saving and printing this out for my boss, who is “directionally challenged” and could use all the help he can get. :)
Thank you so much. This is so helpful particularly after an international flight I have coming up. I actually need to take a train to Albany from Penn Station. having connected from JFK. How long does this journey from JF to Penn Station actually take. I need to book a rail ticket and would like to do in advance but am concerned about leaving myself ample time.
Hi Pat, the LIRR train ride takes about 22-30 min depending on stops. And the AirTrain ride should only take about 10 minutes, but that also depends on what terminal you arrive at in JFK since the Jamaica Station is at the end of the loop. Then you want to allow time for buying tickets and then waiting for the next train which could be 5-15 minutes away. If I was being safe, I’d probably budget 45 min for the rides, and then take into account walking through the terminals and train stations to make your next connection. It’s always better to be early and not rush. I’d probably make sure not to book a connection earlier than 1.5 hrs. Based on my phone time stamps, it took me 1 hour from leaving baggage claim until I was standing on 34th & 8th in NYC. Note, I am a fast walker and I’m comfortable with this process.
Kim- thank you for your well thought out and detailed presentation on the trip from JFK to Penn Station, and for actively replying to comments and question to this very day.
Due to the current high cost of air travel, my daughter will be flying into JFK with an eventual destination near Po/Albany. (Flights to ALB add over $450 to her trip.) Any way, my research seems to indicate that it is so much easier to get to Penn than Grand Central. Do you agree that Penn Station and Amtrak is a better option than Grand Central and Metro North to reach upstate. Thank you
Found this to be brilliant advice … we are travelling in December to NYC ( 7 of us ) … can we pre purchase tickets ? …
Thanks again for the smashing advice, especially in this format … Marty from Oz
This post is a public service. I want all the good things for you for doing this post.
This is such awesome and detailed info and extremely helpful especially with the pics you included. First time visiting NYC since 2000. Thank you.
We followed your excellent instructions on our recent trip to Manhattan and it couldn’t have been easier. We actually ended up helping an elderly lady from the UK figure out where to go. Thanks so much for taking the time to post these instructions! We had a fantastic time in NYC!
Wow Kim! Your guide is fantastic. I am a seasoned traveller to NYC, but have never traveled from JFK to Penn Station. On my trip next week, I will be heading to Penn Station to take a train to Providence and it is a huge help to have step by step instructions. I am a little worried since the Air Train is being replaced by a shuttle bus from Terminal 2 to Terminal 8 until November so your instructions will be essential in getting to my train in a timely fashion.
Thanks, Janet, I’m so glad it’s helpful for so many travelers! I recall reading about the shuttle. I’m going to have to add a note about that to the post. I hope you have a smooth trip!
This will be our first time as a family (3 adults & 1 child) visiting New York and as you can appreciate we need to keep the cost low when it comes to travelling around. This has been the best guide I’ve come across and as we’re staying close to Penn Station and Times Square this will be the best mode of transport and cheapest to use. I’ve re-read them over and over making me feel more confident when were there. The last thing I need is to feel stressed after a 8hr flight……lol
Many thanks for the guide, awesome job.
Thanks for the comment, Richard. I’m glad that this has been so helpful for so many. NYC is an expensive city, better to spend that money on fun things rather than transportation rides! I think you’ll all have a great time and this really is such an effortless way to get into the city.
we are a family of 3 with 2 suitcases what would be better. Aslo we will arrive at peak time
Depends on how old your youngest is and if you have any experience with train travel. I’d probably be fine doing this train trip with a school-age kid. But strollers or toddlers are a little rougher as it just takes time and a few steps, which can be hard when juggling a wiggly toddler. :) If you’re arriving at peak rush hour/traffic time, I’d definitely do this route as traffic on the roads can be a pain and this is simple and there are a lot of trains so if it takes you a bit longer to get from one step to another, it’s not like you have to wait an hour for another train. They come every 10-15 minutes or so everytime I’ve gone.
Thank you so much for this! I’ve been so worried about getting our family(two kids, large suitcases and one gramma) to NYC- and this is absolutely perfect! You lowered my stress levels by a million point today :-)
Yay! I’m so glad this post helps so many that are worried about this. I was that way too, so that’s why I wrote it. Hope you guys have a great trip!
Thanks! Great advice and step by step instructions is greatly appreciated. I also liked you saying what can go wrong in each step. I am travelling from Seattle and going into Connecticut, so any advice on how to catch the Amtrak train would help.
Hi Moses, I’m not that familiar with the exact routing, but I’m guessing you’d connect at Penn Station to the Moynihan Train Hall (which is connected to Penn Station). There is where you’ll see all the Amtrak and LIRR trains and track connections. So then you’d just connect for your Amtrak train based on the boards, I’m betting that Amtrak has a section for routing their passengers. The Moynihan train hall is very nice and updated, while the rest of Penn Station is feeling it’s age. LOL Also, hello from a fellow Seattleite (burbs).
Thanks for providing us this step by step guide. If I understand your example correctly the machine will issue both the metrocard and a ticket for the LIRR. They are therefore not a single ticket. Thanks again Max
Hi Massimo, that’s correct. It’s two different tickets but you can buy both at the same time. The Metrocard can be used for the subways in NYC as well as the Airtrain, the LIRR ticket is its own ticket that will be punched on the train.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I came across your step by step instructions for getting from JFK to Penn Station right before traveling to New York. I had looked up directions on google but wasn’t convinced I could navigate the unfamiliar without having done it before. Your precise and detailed directions accompanied with the photos gave me the confidence I needed to avoid taking a taxi or shuttle and to consequently save money! I can’t say enough how easy it was to find my way after looking at the pictures because I knew what to look for. I visited New York last weekend and had a smooth and easy ride from the airport to the Theater District via the air train, LIRR, and the subway. Thanks for a wonderful guide.
Hi Cristine, I’m so glad to hear it was helpful! :)
Hopefully soon with the Metrocard phase-out and the eventual plan to put all NYC transit systems (including railroads and AirTrain) under OMNY, this will become a much simpler process. Right now, I am considering how to use the 10-Trip AirTrain ticket for multiple people, which I believe works for up to 4 people (but not 5!) each way, not mentioned here. LIRR also can now go to Grand Central Terminal (GCT), and there is a new Combo Ticket option (for off-peak fare + $8) coming to permit transfer between MNR and LIRR at GCT.
Thanks for the comment, Chris! Very useful info. I’ve heard about the Grand Central route but haven’t tried it yet as I often stay on the Penn Station side. I have heard about people using one metrocard for multiple people but didn’t know Airtrain had a similar option. It would definitely be easier if they all just merge into a central pass system!
Dear Kim. Thank you ever so much for this superb guide. This is the best I have come across on this subject. Thank you for taking the time to post photos as well.
Best wishes to you :)
Thank you for commenting Rania, I’m glad it was helpful!
This is a fantastically comprehensive guide so thank you. Do kids pay the same price as adults on the trains?
Hi Alison, so glad you found it useful! Kids under 5 ride for free, but I’m not sure how the discounted fares work for kids beyond that. I believe that they are charged half fares for the LIRR, but I’m not positive. And I don’t think the Airtrain offers child fares beyond the under 5 ride for free deal.
Thank you so much for the directions, my BFF and I went to NYC this weekend and followed your directions. We knew what to expect and was able to get from JFK to NYC Penn Station and back to the airport. Thank you so much this made things so easy.
I am so happy that I found your great website. Thank you so much for the detailed explanation and the pictures since it helps me a lot!!!
Best guide ever. I check it every time I fly to JFK. Thank you for taking the time to do it!
Kimberly, Thank you so much for well written, easy to understand, and with photos too! My non-English speaking sister-in-law is coming from China to help care for my wife, who is in the final stages of life. My wife’s other sister arranged for a friend to meet her at JFK. They have to go to Penn Station. Then the Chinese sister-in-law will travel alone to middle of NJ.
Wow, this is fantastic!! You literally did all of the leg work for us!! Thank you!
Thank you very much for your detailed description. We visited New York last June and thanks to your guidance it was no problem for us to find the way from JFK to Penn station going with LIRR.
Thank you so much for your kindness to sharing this information. I was worried about getting in NYC. Now, I am confident for using the train. I am looking forward to read your next travel guide.
This is exactly what I was looking for to get from JFK to Penn Station. I am a senior finding my own way around a city I haven’t visited before (well, a long time ago, but things were different then). I was so happy to come across this site, I will write this all down and follow the instructions diligently, as finding my way around a busy airport and train station can be daunting on my own. I wasn’t looking forward to it, but now I feel a lot more confident that I will make my destination easily and without getting lost. Thank you so much.
I just followed your directions and they were great, simple and accurate, thank you!!
Thank you so much for your explanation. I am a seasoned traveller to NYC, but have never traveled from JFK to Penn Station. You answered part of my question, but just to be clear: you choose the option “Metrocard and AirTrain” and automatically you will receive (and will pay) the two tickets: one for going out the AirTrain area e another one for LIRR. Am I correct? I’m over 65 years and I’ll be arriving early in the morning, therefore can I choose the option “Senior” or “Peak” for the question “Which ticket do you like?” Thanks again.
Hi Antonio, yes, you have to buy a metrocard to exit the airtrain so you’ll select the option for both (Metrocard and Airtrain). And when I last traveled this route (January) the senior discount wasn’t eligible for AM Peak commutes, so you would need to choose the PEAK option for the ticket if you’re traveling into Penn Station (Manhattan) between 6-10 am.
Absolutely brilliant guide. The step by step photos make such a difference. Thanks for taking all the stress out of this leg of our journey.
The post is great and was really useful since I was coming to NY for the first time and travelling via train from Penn station further. I have only one remark: if you just go from Jamaica to Penn station by LIRR, you can simply buy City Ticket which is valid only on that day and costs 5$. One-way ticket is 8$ but you don’t need it. If officers on the Jamaica do that for you they’ll do the same thing.
Great advice, they didn’t have that on my last trip. I’ll need to check it out next time I fly into JFK! Thanks!
You are an ANGEL for this blog. This is exactly what anyone needs to travel. Literal perfect instructions with pictures. THE BEST. Thank you!
Good info, Thank! If you want to buy a round trip ticket, with one way peak time and the other way off peak, will the ticket machine let you select each way separately?
Hi Ivy, I don’t believe you can split it that way. You’d need to buy two one-way tickets. However, I have not ever tried to buy it that way so I’m not positive.
Amazingly good and accurate description of getting to Penn station from jfk. It worked perfectly even in my jet lagged state off a flight from lhr. Thanks so much!
I’m so happy the directions helped! It’s nice when public transportation works out. :)
Hi Kim
Needles to say top marks for instructions above as many have mentioned already!
We are visiting friends in Westfield, Warren, NJ and they were saying it takes them over two hours to get to JFK so was feeling v bad and trying to find a way to get nearer to them … We are two adults and two kids with 4 suitcases after a 17 hr flight fm New Zealand so was v nervous about risking public transport! However I was shocked to see how expensive it would be to Uber, all quotes I found are above u$d 250!!! Have you got any cheaper car suggestions? And lastly, our kids are 6 and 10 years old , and we land around 7:30 pm… I’m still thinking the train may work…? If we train to Penn station we save our friends more than an hour of traveling… Else they suggested we meet them at Newark, can you carry on from Penn station to Newark by train? Thanks a million
Great instructions. One question: how long is a round trip ticket valid for? I’m guessing Wed to Sunday would be ok?
These instructions do not work as of 8/14/25. You HAVE to buy a single AirTrain ticket with no option then buy your LIRR ticket separate in another location. You should remove or update these instructions. Trying to follow them made us miss a train, causing a huge delay.
Thanks for letting me know, Mark! I’ll work on updating the post when I’m able to go back to NYC. Really appreciate you letting me know!