A record-setting 18.3 million passengers are expected to go through New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) this summer.
On top of that, the airport’s massive $19 billion renovation project is about to enter “peak construction,” when work on new access roads and terminals will reach its height, requiring closed-off areas and detours that virtually guarantee nightmarish traffic congestion.
To help reduce the problem, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees the region’s airports, is encouraging travelers to take public transportation to and from JFK this summer.
And to entice riders, the Port Authority is cutting fares for JFK’s AirTrain service by a full 50%. From Monday, June 30, through Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 1), the single-ride fare for taking the AirTrain to or from JFK will be $4.25, or half of the usual $8.50.
The reduced fare applies at the terminal stations of both AirTrain lines—Jamaica and Howard Beach—and passengers can pay using MetroCard or OMNY (which includes smartphone digital wallets) transit payment systems.
If you insist on driving to JFK, the Port Authority warns that airport parking will be extremely limited and you should prebook a spot at JFKAirport.com to make sure your car can be accommodated.
Accessing Terminal 7 by car “will be especially challenging this summer while the existing roadway to the terminal is demolished so that steel for a new permanent roadway to Terminal 6 can be erected,” according to the agency.
Because of all the expected traffic congestion, drivers to JFK “should plan to arrive three hours before their flight,” per the Port Authority.
The Port Authority made no distinction for passengers planning to reach the airport in cars using ride apps such as Uber and Lyft.
Additionally, the pickup spots for those services in Terminals 4, 5, and 7 are being temporarily moved farther away. Free shuttle buses will be available to transport ride app users closer to the terminals.
“Yes, there will be some temporary inconvenience,” conceded Port Authority chairman Kevin O’Toole in a statement announcing the changes. “But it’s all part of building an airport our region can be proud of—for decades to come.”
How to use AirTrain for JFK airport
From Jamaica and Howard Beach, the AirTrain rail shuttle will transport you between JFK’s passenger terminals, parking lots, rental car center, and hotel van pickup area. Jamaica station is served by the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) from Manhattan.
The two AirTrain terminal stations are also connected to NYC’s subway (via the A/E/J/Z lines) and public buses.
Note that you will have to pay separately for your subway, LIRR, or bus ride to or from Manhattan—the AirTrain fare only covers the airport segment of the transit journey. Using LIRR, the fastest method to connect to the AirTrain from Manhattan, you can get between Penn Station and Jamaica station in about 20 minutes, and there are multiple departures an hour. Seats for that cost about $5 outside of rush hour.
There are ticket machines for the subway and LIRR at Jamaica. For LIRR trains, you can buy tickets using the MTA’s TrainTime app before boarding.
One drawback for air travelers: You’ll have to schlep your luggage through potentially crowded subway cars and stations, although there are elevators and escalators at the Jamaica station and at the airport.
For more info on plotting a trip to JFK using the AirTrain, go to the airport’s website.
