John F. Kennedy International Airport

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is the primary international airport serving New York City, located in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens. As one of the busiest airports in the United States, JFK handles over 62 million passengers annually and serves as a major gateway for international travel to and from North America.

The airport consists of six operating terminals spread across 5,000 acres. Each terminal operates somewhat independently, with its own check-in, security, and amenities. Terminal 4 is the largest and busiest, serving Delta and many international carriers.

New York Area Airports

New York City is served by three major airports. Always compare fares across all three—price differences of $100+ are common on the same route.

LaGuardia Airport (LGA) — 17 km from JFK

• Primarily domestic flights (limited Canada/Caribbean)
• Closest to Manhattan (20-40 min by car)
• Major hub for Delta and American domestic operations
• Recently renovated terminals
• Best for: Domestic travel, Manhattan-based trips

Newark Liberty (EWR) — 33 km from JFK

• Major United Airlines hub
• Strong international network (Star Alliance)
• NJ Transit + AirTrain to Penn Station (30-45 min, ~$16)
• Often cheaper than JFK for same routes
• Best for: United flyers, travelers to New Jersey, budget international

Comparison:

	JFK	LaGuardia (LGA)	Newark (EWR)
Main carriers	Delta, JetBlue, intl	Delta, American	United
To Midtown	45-90 min	20-40 min	40-60 min
Transit fare	$10.75	Bus only	~$16
International	Extensive	Minimal	Strong (United)
Best for	Intl travel	Domestic	United/Star Alliance

Pro tip: For Manhattan, LaGuardia is usually fastest. For Brooklyn, JFK is often most convenient. For Newark, stay in Manhattan or NJ—transit to Brooklyn is tedious.

JFK is located approximately 15 miles southeast of Midtown Manhattan. Travel times vary significantly based on traffic and your destination:

• Midtown Manhattan: 45-90 minutes by car
• Brooklyn: 30-60 minutes
• Queens neighborhoods: 20-40 minutes

The AirTrain JFK connects all terminals and runs 24/7. From the AirTrain, you can connect to the subway system at Jamaica Station (E, J, Z trains) or the Long Island Rail Road.

Uber and Lyft are available at JFK. Follow signs to the rideshare pickup areas outside each terminal. During peak times, wait times can be 10-20 minutes.

Yellow taxis offer a flat rate of $70 (plus tolls and tip) to Manhattan. This is often the best option if traveling solo to Manhattan, as the fixed rate prevents route-based pricing during traffic.

The AirTrain + Subway combination is the most affordable option at $10.75 total:

1. Take the AirTrain to Jamaica Station ($8.50)
2. Transfer to the E train for Midtown or other subway lines
3. Regular subway fare ($2.90)

The LIRR + AirTrain is faster but more expensive:

1. AirTrain to Jamaica Station
2. LIRR to Penn Station (15-25 minutes, ~$11)

For late-night arrivals when subway service is reduced, the Q10 bus to Kew Gardens or the B15 to Brooklyn are alternatives.

JFK offers both short-term and long-term parking. Economy parking in the Yellow or Blue Lots offers the best daily rates at around $18/day with free AirTrain service to terminals.

Terminal parking costs $8/hour with a $39/day maximum. For trips longer than 3 days, off-airport parking at services like The Parking Spot or Park Ride Fly offer competitive rates with shuttle service.

JFK's dining has improved significantly. Top recommendations:

• Terminal 4: Shake Shack, Deep Blue Sushi, Uptown Brasserie
• Terminal 5 (JetBlue): Blue Potato, Deep Blue Sushi, Cibo Express
• Terminal 7: British Airways Galleries lounge (for BA passengers)
• Terminal 8: Bobby Van's Steakhouse, Cotto

For the best variety, Terminal 4's retail hall offers numerous options before and after security.

Free WiFi is available throughout JFK. Connect to "JFK Free Wi-Fi" and accept terms. The connection is adequate for basic browsing but can be slow during peak hours.

Premium travelers can access faster connections in airline lounges. The Centurion Lounge (Terminal 4) is available to Amex Platinum cardholders.

Purchase SIM cards at:

• InMotion Entertainment (Terminals 1, 4, 5, 7)
• Best Buy Express kiosks (various terminals)
• T-Mobile stores near arrivals

Pre-ordering a SIM for pickup (services like SimOptions or Amazon lockers) can save time and money.

ATMs are plentiful throughout all terminals, typically operated by major banks like Chase, Citibank, and Bank of America. Most charge $3-5 for out-of-network withdrawals.

Travelex currency exchange operates in Terminals 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8. Exchange rates include significant markups - using your bank's ATM or a service like Wise is usually more economical.

Duty-free shopping is available for international departures:

• DFS (Terminal 1, 4): Luxury goods, spirits, cosmetics
• Hudson News: Books, magazines, travel essentials (all terminals)
• Brookstone: Electronics and gadgets
• FAO Schwarz (Terminal 4): Toys and novelties

Terminal 4 offers the best shopping selection overall.

Hotels near JFK range from budget chains to premium options. The TWA Hotel is a standout—this iconic mid-century modern property is located inside Terminal 5 and is a unique experience for aviation enthusiasts or those with early morning flights. Other reliable options include the Hilton JFK and Courtyard by Marriott, both offering free shuttle service.

New York City offers world-class attractions within reach:

• Times Square & Broadway: 45-60 minutes via AirTrain + subway
• Central Park & Upper East Side: About 1 hour
• Brooklyn (Williamsburg, DUMBO): 40-50 minutes
• The Rockaways Beach: 30-40 minutes via A train

New York's subway runs 24/7, making late-night arrivals manageable. Consider purchasing an unlimited MetroCard if staying multiple days.