John from New York City and Long Island. The journey to Kennedy International Airport (JFK) has been made easy and efficient with the LIRR Trains to JFK/AirTrain. Whether you are going to the airport for the flight or welcoming someone, LIRR offers one of the most reliable transit options for a smooth and timely journey. This guide will make you go through the process of accessing JFK airport using LIRR, including updated programs, costs, and ticketing information.
How to Get to JFK Airport by LIRR
Step 1: Travel to Jamaica Station using the LIRR
A Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) train is a major transport hub going to Jamaica station.
LIRR service is available repeatedly:
Step 2: Connect JFK Airport via AirTrain
Total travel time from Midtown Manhattan to JFK is usually between 45 and 60 minutes, which depends on you departure and the day’s time.
Train Schedules to JFK by LIRR on Weekdays
Weekday LIRR service to Jamaica Station is frequent and dependable. Trains run as often as every 7–10 minutes during peak hours from key stations like Penn Station, Grand CentralMadison, and Atlantic Terminal.
| Departure Time | From Station | To Station | Transfer at | Travel Time to Jamaica | AirTrain to JFK | Service Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6:12 AM | Penn Station | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 19 min | Yes (5–10 min) | Weekday Peak |
| 6:25 AM | Atlantic Terminal | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 20 min | Yes | Weekday Peak |
| 6:30 AM | Forest Hills | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 13 min | Yes | Weekday Peak |
| 6:35 AM | Woodside | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 10 min | Yes | Weekday Peak |
| 6:40 AM | Grand Central Madison | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 20 min | Yes | Weekday Peak |
| 7:05 AM | Kew Gardens | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 15 min | Yes | Weekday Peak |
| 7:20 AM | Penn Station | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 19 min | Yes | Weekday Peak |
| 7:45 AM | Atlantic Terminal | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 20 min | Yes | Weekday Peak |
| 8:10 AM | Grand Central Madison | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 20 min | Yes | Weekday Peak |
| 8:25 AM | Forest Hills | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 13 min | Yes | Weekday Peak |
| 8:45 AM | Woodside | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 10 min | Yes | Weekday Peak |
| 9:00 AM | Kew Gardens | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 15 min | Yes | Weekday Off-Peak |
| 9:30 AM | Grand Central Madison | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 20 min | Yes | Weekday Off-Peak |
| 10:00 AM | Penn Station | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 19 min | Yes | Weekday Off-Peak |
| 12:15 PM | Atlantic Terminal | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 20 min | Yes | Weekday Off-Peak |
| 12:35 PM | Penn Station | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 19 min | Yes | Weekday Off-Peak |
| 1:05 PM | Grand Central Madison | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 20 min | Yes | Weekday Off-Peak |
| 2:10 PM | Woodside | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 10 min | Yes | Weekday Off-Peak |
| 3:20 PM | Penn Station | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 19 min | Yes | Weekday Peak |
| 3:45 PM | Forest Hills | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 13 min | Yes | Weekday Peak |
| 4:05 PM | Grand Central Madison | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 20 min | Yes | Weekday Peak |
| 4:30 PM | Atlantic Terminal | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 20 min | Yes | Weekday Peak |
| 5:00 PM | Penn Station | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 19 min | Yes | Weekday Peak |
| 6:25 PM | Grand Central Madison | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 20 min | Yes | Weekday Peak |
| 6:50 PM | Forest Hills | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 13 min | Yes | Weekday Peak |
| 7:10 PM | Woodside | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 10 min | Yes | Weekday Off-Peak |
| 8:15 PM | Atlantic Terminal | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 20 min | Yes | Weekday Off-Peak |
| 9:05 PM | Penn Station | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 19 min | Yes | Weekday Off-Peak |
| 10:00 PM | Grand Central Madison | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 20 min | Yes | Weekday Off-Peak |
Train Schedules to JFK by LIRR on Weekends
Weekend LIRR services remain frequent but with slightly adjusted intervals. These timings may vary during holidays or due to construction. Always check the official MTA TrainTimeapp for live updates.
| Departure Time | From Station | To Station | Transfer at | Travel Time to Jamaica | AirTrain to JFK | Service Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6:20 AM | Penn Station | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 19 min | Yes (5–10 min) | Weekend Off-Peak |
| 6:45 AM | Atlantic Terminal | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 20 min | Yes | Weekend Off-Peak |
| 7:10 AM | Forest Hills | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 13 min | Yes | Weekend Off-Peak |
| 7:25 AM | Grand Central Madison | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 20 min | Yes | Weekend Off-Peak |
| 8:00 AM | Woodside | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 10 min | Yes | Weekend Off-Peak |
| 8:40 AM | Kew Gardens | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 15 min | Yes | Weekend Off-Peak |
| 9:15 AM | Penn Station | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 19 min | Yes | Weekend Off-Peak |
| 10:05 AM | Atlantic Terminal | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 20 min | Yes | Weekend Off-Peak |
| 11:00 AM | Grand Central Madison | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 20 min | Yes | Weekend Off-Peak |
| 12:00 PM | Forest Hills | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 13 min | Yes | Weekend Off-Peak |
| 1:15 PM | Penn Station | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 19 min | Yes | Weekend Off-Peak |
| 1:45 PM | Atlantic Terminal | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 20 min | Yes | Weekend Off-Peak |
| 2:30 PM | Grand Central Madison | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 20 min | Yes | Weekend Off-Peak |
| 3:00 PM | Kew Gardens | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 15 min | Yes | Weekend Off-Peak |
| 4:10 PM | Woodside | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 10 min | Yes | Weekend Off-Peak |
| 5:00 PM | Forest Hills | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 13 min | Yes | Weekend Off-Peak |
| 6:00 PM | Penn Station | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 19 min | Yes | Weekend Off-Peak |
| 7:05 PM | Grand Central Madison | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 20 min | Yes | Weekend Off-Peak |
| 8:15 PM | Atlantic Terminal | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 20 min | Yes | Weekend Off-Peak |
| 9:00 PM | Forest Hills | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 13 min | Yes | Weekend Off-Peak |
| 10:20 PM | Penn Station | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 19 min | Yes | Weekend Off-Peak |
| 11:00 PM | Woodside | Jamaica Station | Jamaica | 10 min | Yes | Weekend Off-Peak |
How Much Does the LIRR to JFK Cost?
The total cost of reaching the JFK airport using LIRR and Airtrain depends on how you travel. During the peak hours of the workday, LIRR’s fare from NYC terminals (eg Penn Station or Grand Central) to Jamaica station is $ 10.75, and the AirTrain JFK fare is a separate flat rate of $ 8.50, which makes a total of $ 19.25. For the weekend off – peak hours, the LIRR fare falls to $ 7.00, so the cost of the entire journey is $ 15.50. On the weekend or during the off-peak week’s days, you can use the city ticket, which brings LIRR down to only $ 5.00, making your total cost JFK only $ 13.50. The fare of LIRR Trains to JFK/AirTrain is always paid separately at Jamaica Station using a MetroCard or an OMNY card.
How to Get the Tickets?
It is simple and convenient to get tickets for your LIRR Trains to JFK/AirTrain. For LIRR, you can buy tickets using the MTA Train Time App, at all stations from ticket machines, or on ticket windows in major hubs like Penn Station, Jamaica, and Grand Central Madison. If necessary, you can also buy tickets in the train, although it may cost more. When purchasing, be sure to select “Jamaica” as your destination. For AirTrain JFK, you can either tap an Omny-competent device on a turnstile or buy a special AirTrain Metrocard on vending machines located near the AirTrain entrance at Jamaica station. Note that the MetroCard used for AirTrain cannot be used for LIRR travel, as they are separate systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use a MetroCard for a complete visit from Manhattan to JFK?
No. The MetroCard is accepted only for AirTrain JFK. LIRR fare should be paid separately through MTA TrainTime, Ticket Machines or Onboard.
2. How long does it take to achieve JFK using LIRR and AirTrain?
The total journey from Manhattan to JFK through Jamaica Station usually takes 45–60 minutes, based on day and train frequency.
3. Are there lifts and escalators for goods at Jamaica Station?
Jamaica Station is fully accessible and equipped with a lift, escalators, and accessories for smooth transfer.
4. Is LIRR 24/7 available for JFK service?
While LIRR runs late at night, the service frequency decreases after midnight. AirTrain JFK, however, operates 24/7.
5. Can I travel from Long Island suburbs via JFK through LIRR?
Yes. Most LIRR Train lines connect to Jamaica Station, from where you can take AirTrain to JFK Airport.