About New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

One of three major airports in the New York metropolitan area, New York John F. Kennedy International Airport is also one of the busiest in the United States. Our New York John F. Kennedy International Airport guide includes contact details as well as information relating to terminal facilities, public transport access and nearby accommodation options.

Airport news:

Following the expansion of Terminal 4, it was suggested that Terminal 2 may cease operations in the foreseeable future, leaving the airport with five operational terminals. However, the matter is still being debated. Check the airport’s official website for the most up to date information on the matter.

Information:

Traveler's Aid services are available from pre-security in each terminal. Airport information on all airport facilities (including parking, lost and found, driving directions and ground transportation) is obtainable from pre-recorded information hotlines (tel: +1 718 244 4444).

Website:

Driving directions:

New York John F. Kennedy International Airport is located on Van Wyck Expressway (I-678), which can be accessed from Belt Parkway, Grand Central Parkway and Queens Boulevard.

To reach the airport from Manhattan, take the Queens Midtown toll road and continue on to Long Island Expressway (I-495). Then take the exit to Grand Central Parkway (southbound) before merging on to Van Wyck Expressway.

From Eastern Long Island, take the Long Island Expressway westbound to the Cross Island Parkway and then merge westbound on to Belt Parkway. Turn off at exit 20 for the airport.

From New Jersey, take NJ Turnpike to exit 14C (Holland Tunnel), cross Staten Island on the Staten Island Expressway (I-278) and head east on Belt Parkway.

Transfer between terminals:

The AirTrain JFK provides a free service between all terminals (journey time: 8 minutes) as well as to long-term parking and car hire facilities.

Public Transport

Public transport road:

Bus:MTA New York City Transit (tel: +1 866 410 2435; www.mta.info/nyct) buses operate to a number of destinations in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and Long Island. Single fares start from US$2.75.

Shuttle:The NYC Airporter (tel: +1 718 777 5111; www.NYCAirporter.com) departs every 30 minutes for Grand Central and Penn Stations, and the Central Bus Terminal (journey time: 90 minutes; fare: US$18). The Super Shuttle Manhattan (tel: +1 800 258 3826; www.supershuttle.com) runs 24 hours a day and is a shared door-to-door service to any location in Manhattan. A trip to central Manhattan costs around US$19.

Taxi:Travellers are advised only to use taxis from the taxi dispatch booths at the airport. Flat fares to Manhattan are US$52 (excluding tolls and tips), and the journey time can vary from 40-100 minutes according to traffic conditions on any given day.

Ground transportation information desks are situated in the arrivals areas of all terminals.

Public transport rail:

Rail:The AirTrain JFK light rail system links JFK airport’s terminals and the region's rail transportation network 24 hours a day. AirTrain JFK (tel: +1 877 535 2478; www.mta.info/nyct) connects to New York City Subway’s ‘A’ train at Howard Beach Station, as well as to ‘E’, ‘J’ and ‘Z’ trains at Jamaica Station. Subway fares to Manhattan start at US$7.75 one way and the journey time is 50-75 minutes.

The AirTrain JFK also connects to the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) (tel: 511;www.mta.info/lirr) at Jamaica Station. The single fare on the LIRR to New York City is from US$6.25 (when pre-bought at the station) and the journey time is 20 minutes.

Terminal facilities

Money:

Bureaux de change and ATMs are available in all terminals.

Food:

There are numerous places to eat and drink throughout the airport. These range from bars and pubs to fast-food outlets, cafés and steakhouses that can be found in the various food courts in the departures areas and in some pre-security locations.

Shopping:

Plenty of shops, including duty-free outlets, are located throughout the terminals. These include gift shops, designer outlets and bookshops.

Luggage:

Trolleys are available in all terminals. Luggage storage is offered in Terminals 1, 4 and 8. For lost and found items, contact airport authorities (tel: +1 718 244 4225).

Other:

Other facilities available at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport include a chapel pre-security in Terminal 4, as well as a medical centre, baby changing facilities and shoeshine services.

Airport facilities

Conference and business:

Fax, computer, photocopying and courier services are available within the terminals – contact the relevant Traveler’s Aid desks for further information. Conference facilities can be found at several local hotels, including the Sheraton JFK Airport Hotel (tel: +1 718 322 7190; www.starwoodhotels.com).

Communication Facilities:

Free Wi-Fi internet access (for up to 30 minutes) is available throughout New York John F. Kennedy International Airport. A full-service post office (tel: +1 718 656 6433) is located at Building 250, on North Boundary Road.

Disabled facilities:

New York John F. Kennedy International Airport is wheelchair-accessible and is well-equipped to accommodate disabled passengers. Disabled toilets can be found in each terminal and TDD telephones are clearly-signposted throughout the terminals. Reserved reduced-rate parking is available in the car parks close to the terminals: passengers should contact the car parks operator for further information (tel: +1 718 244 4168). Hand-operated cars can be hired from Avis or Hertz.

Car parking:

The airport provides short- and long-term parking facilities. There are car parks in front of each terminal, in the Central Terminal Area (CTA) parking area.

The long-term car park is located 6.5km (4 miles) from the terminals, at Lefferts Boulevard. Passengers using the long-term car park should allow for at least 30 minutes to reach the terminal complex. Call for more parking information (tel: +1 718 244 4168). The Howard Beach Station AirTrain JFK connects long-term car parks A and B to Terminal 1 (journey time: 8 minutes).

Car rental:

Car hire companies: Advantage, Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless and Thrifty are represented at the airport. Booths or courtesy telephones are situated in the baggage claim areas in all terminals.