AIRPORT EXIT

How to get from John F. Kennedy International to Times Square

High confidenceChecked May 2026

AirTrain to Jamaica + E train to Times Square — $11.15 total. Yellow cab is a $70 flat fare + tolls + tip.

Best options

Best overall
AirTrain to Jamaica ($8.25) + E train to 42 St-Port Authority ($2.90). ~60 min, no taxi line.
Cheapest safe
AirTrain + subway combined — $11.15 with OMNY tap, runs 24/7.
Best at night
Yellow taxi from the official rank — $70 flat to Manhattan + tolls + tip ≈ $90 total.
With luggage / kids
Uber or Lyft from the rideshare zone — fixed in-app price, door-to-door at your hotel.
Taxi fare
$70 flat + $5–$8 tolls + tip (~$90 total)
Ride-hailing
Uber, Lyft, Via — pickup at terminal-specific rideshare zones, follow signs.
available
Public transport
AirTrain to Jamaica Station, then E train to 42 St-Port Authority (Times Square exit). $11.15 total.

After landing — step by step

  1. 1Follow AirTrain signs from your terminal — yellow line for Jamaica
  2. 2Tap OMNY at the AirTrain exit ($8.25)
  3. 3Board the E train (Manhattan-bound) at Jamaica — about 35 min to Times Square
  4. 4Exit at 42 St-Port Authority — Times Square is one block east
  5. 5For taxi: official yellow-cab rank only, confirm $70 flat to Manhattan

Scam warnings

Touts in arrivals offering $80 'flat' rides in unmarked cars

Yellow-cab drivers refusing the $70 Manhattan flat fare

Drivers padding tolls by taking the longer Midtown Tunnel route

Avoid this

  • • Black 'limo' drivers approaching you inside arrivals
  • • Cabs that won't honor the posted $70 Manhattan flat rate
  • • Anyone claiming the AirTrain is closed
SOURCES
Full JFK airport guide