Transfer to John F. Kennedy Airport

Best ways to get around the Big Apple. Arriving at JFK Airport

Flying into New York for the first time is pretty exciting. Once your plane approaches the city, you get petrified by its legendary skyline. The view will simply leave you stunned. New York is a melting pot of cultures, with people speaking over 800 languages. Being a symbol of cultural diversity and freedom, the city offers endless opportunities. You will have the time of your life when visiting the Big Apple. 

But before getting to know the city in person, let’s have a look at its airport system, which by the way, is the busiest in the U.S. and the second busiest in the world after London. 

To start with, there are three major airports that serve the city: 

• LaGuardia Airport
• John F. Kennedy International Airport
• Newark Liberty International Airport

Which airport suits you the best depends on the part of the city you are about to stay. 

We’ll start our acquaintance with New York’s largest airport ― John F. Kennedy International Airport, usually referred to as simply JFK.

JFK Airport is located in Queens, a NYC borough on Long Island. Situated about 15 miles away from Midtown, it's the farthest New York airport. At the same time it’s most accessible via public transport. 

Using NYC Public Transportation Network is the most affordable way to get to the city center ― Manhattan. Yet it could be a little stressful and confusing to navigate it, especially if you’re new to such a big city. Taxis and transfer services are far more convenient for that matter. Sure, it’s more expensive, but it’ll spare you some nerves. Besides, you can save a buck by choosing the right transfer company with the best prices in the area. We’ll get to that a bit later, so stick with the article till the end). 

Subway

NY subway is notoriously known for not being the cleanest or most punctual metro system in the world. Yet if you’re traveling light with just your carry-on plus a backpack, and it’s not your first time in the NY subway — it’s a good option. But first, in order to get to the nearest subway station, you need to take an AirTrain from the airport. 

The AirTrain is a tram that circles all terminals at JFK and connects the airport to the Subway. There are two main directions that will get you to either Jamaica station or Howard Beach, depending on which part of the city you need to reach. 

The AirTrain ticket will cost you about $8 (free for children under 5). In addition to that, you’ll need a subway ticket, which costs $2.75.

The journey time varies from 60 to 90 minutes to get to Midtown Manhattan using a subway. 

Long Island Railroad 

Another option from Jamaica station or Howard Beach is the Long Island Railroad. It’s a commuter train connecting Long Island to Manhattan. LIRR is considered to be the fastest way to the city. But yet again, you need to take the AirTrain from the airport first. 

Note to self: make it a useful habit booking tickets online in advance. It will save you time and money. 

All LIRR trains will take you from Long Island to Penn Station, located in Midtown Manhattan. The price range of LIRR tickets goes from $4 up to $13. The journey takes  about 25 minutes. Add to that 10-minute ride on the AirTrain. What we have in total: 

• Journey time: 30 minutes
• Ticket price: $14 - $21 

Shuttle Bus

We won’t waste your time on that option, as it’s not worth it. It can be far more time-consuming, inconvenient and nerve-wrecking than going by a commuter train, subway or taxi, so we deliberately neglect that one. 

Shuttle bus will take you as much time as a subway, but it will cost you more ($19). Besides, It’s a shared shuttle, which means travel time really depends on whether you’re the first or the last to be dropped off. One can argue it’s a middle ground between lugging your bags around on the train or splurging on a cab. Anyway, you better take the quickest option or the most comfortable and hassle-free, which is booking a transfer.

Taxi/Transfer 

Getting a taxi is the least stressful way to reach Manhattan. Especially if you're getting off a long international flight, you might not have the energy to drag around on the subway with your heavy bags. If you’re new to the city, we recommend you not to play a hero trying to navigate the subway system, as you might get lost easily. Take one step at a time in exploring New York City.

Just book a transfer, where you can sit back and relax while the driver takes you to the hotel door or any other destination of your choosing. 

However, not every taxi service in NYC is good value for money. Wisely choose the company that will get you from the airport to your final destination. 

We recommend GetTransfer, as it offers the best prices in the area. In case you don’t agree with the company’s pricing, you can offer yours, which is pretty convenient. 

For a group of four and more people, GetTransfer can find you a vehicle that suits the size of your company with all the baggage you have. Another sweet little bonus is that you can share the ride cost, which is beneficial for everyone. 

For families and passengers with massive luggage, getting a suitable vehicle on GetTransfer is a lifesaver. You won’t have to worry about your heavy belongings or your children getting lost in public transport. GetTransfer is a stress-free experience.

Forget about expensive yellow cabs or confusing subway lines. GetTransfer will get you in comfort and no fuss to any point in the city.  

The journey time will take about 45 minutes, depending on traffic. Still, with GetTransfer the time will fly by while admiring New York City from your passenger seat. 

Booking the most suitable vehicle with GetTransfer is as easy as pie. All you need is to either download GetTransfer app on your phone, or visit GetTransfer.com and fill in all the required information on the homepage, and then click “Get Offers”. The rest is up to the system. In a moment, you will be offered several options to choose from. If there are any extra requirements for the driver ― you can leave a message in the comment section. 

What you get when you book GetTransfer

• A wide variety of vehicle types: you can pick from passenger cars to shuttle buses. It all depends on how big your company is and how much baggage you’re carrying.
• You can book a transfer in advance and schedule a pickup time.
• No additional costs: taxes, road fees, and tips are included. 
• Your safety comes first. You know in advance who is picking you up, and you can choose your driver based on the ratings and the car photos. 
• You can choose from a few types of private traveling, from the most affordable to the VIP status.
• Every vehicle comes with individual additional services, be it free Wi-Fi access, cool drinks, safety shield or wheelchair accessible transfer. You can see what a vehicle has onboard when you choose your transfer.
• Vehicles are family friendly: if you travel with kids, you can find a required child seat type.

Among other perks — with GetTransfer — you can also plan your way back to the airport when it is time to go home. 

The driver you choose will wait for you at the arranged time and pre-agreed location. If you can’t keep up, no worries! There is a free waiting time: 60 minutes at airports and 15 minutes at all other locations.