Grand Central Terminal to JFK Airport by LIRR and AirTrain
Quick answer: Take an LIRR train toward Massapequa from Grand Central to Jamaica, then take the AirTrain from Jamaica Station to Terminal 7. The trip takes about 72 minutes door to door on a weekday. An LIRR train comes about every 9 minutes during the day. LIRR trains from Grand Central to Jamaica run only a few times between about 1 and 5 am; then the trip uses another line.
Grand Central Terminal to JFK Airport
- LIRR
- AirTrain JFK
- LIRR LIRR trainFrom Grand Central toward Massapequa3 stops, about 21 min
- Change at JamaicaWalk about 7 min
- AirTrain JFK AirTrainFrom Jamaica Station5 stops, about 16 min
- Get off at Terminal 7
- JFK AirportWalk about 9 min
Weekdays, fall 2026 MTA schedule · First and last trips
Step by step
- Take an LIRR train toward Massapequa from Grand Central to Jamaica. It's 3 stops, about 21 minutes.
- At Jamaica, walk about 7 minutes to Jamaica Station for the AirTrain.
- Take the AirTrain from Jamaica Station to Terminal 7. It's 5 stops, about 16 minutes. The AirTrain fare is paid at Jamaica or Howard Beach.
- From Terminal 7, walk about 9 minutes to JFK Airport.
Times and frequency
From the MTA's fall 2026 schedule. Typical trip is the door to door time in the middle of the day.
| Day | First trip | Last trip | Typical trip | LIRR train in the daytime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekdays | Around the clock (another line late at night) | 72 min | About every 9 minutes | |
| Saturday | Around the clock (another line late at night) | 72 min | About every 13 minutes | |
| Sunday | Around the clock (another line late at night) | 72 min | About every 13 minutes | |
Late at night
This trip works around the clock. Between about 1 and 5 am the trip takes about 89 minutes. LIRR trains from Grand Central to Jamaica run only a few times between about 1 and 5 am, so at that hour the trip uses another line.
Tips for this trip
- Check the train's destination. Not every LIRR train at Grand Central goes to Jamaica. Trains to Port Washington or Great Neck don't. On a weekday 100 trains do; look for Jamaica on the board.
- Know your stop. Get ready after Terminal 5. The next stop is Terminal 7. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
- LIRR trains stop at Grand Central Madison, on the west side of Grand Central Terminal, under Vanderbilt Avenue. (source, checked 2026-11-04)
What it costs
- AirTrain JFK: $8.75, paid when you enter or leave at Jamaica or Howard Beach. It's on top of the subway or LIRR fare.
- LIRR inside New York City (CityTicket): $5.25 off-peak, $7.25 peak. Buy it in the MTA TrainTime app or at a station ticket machine before you board. It doesn't include a subway or bus transfer.
Fares as of November 2026. Check the official fares page before you ride.
Grand Central Terminal to JFK Airport: common questions
How do I get from Grand Central Terminal to JFK Airport by public transit?
Take an LIRR train toward Massapequa from Grand Central to Jamaica, then take the AirTrain from Jamaica Station to Terminal 7.
How long does it take?
About 72 minutes door to door on a weekday. On weekends it's about 72 minutes.
Do I have to change along the way?
Yes, once: at Jamaica.
Does it run all night?
This trip works around the clock. Between about 1 and 5 am the trip takes about 89 minutes. LIRR trains from Grand Central to Jamaica run only a few times between about 1 and 5 am, so at that hour the trip uses another line.
How much does it cost?
AirTrain JFK: $8.75, paid when you enter or leave at Jamaica or Howard Beach. It's on top of the subway or LIRR fare. LIRR inside New York City (CityTicket): $5.25 off-peak, $7.25 peak. Buy it in the MTA TrainTime app or at a station ticket machine before you board. It doesn't include a subway or bus transfer.
Related routes
- Grand Central Terminal to 9/11 Memorial & Museum
- Grand Central Terminal to Statue of Liberty ferry at Battery Park
- Grand Central Terminal to Central Park
- Times Square to JFK Airport
- Penn Station to JFK Airport
- Midtown Manhattan to JFK Airport
- All New York routes
Sources
Cobblehop is independent. It is not affiliated with the MTA or any transit agency. Schedules on this page come from the MTA's public GTFS data; check these pages for the latest service:
- MTA: developer data (the GTFS schedules used on this page)
- JFK Airport: AirTrain
- MTA: LIRR and Metro-North fares
- Grand Central Terminal: visitor information
Transit data: Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Cobblehop is not affiliated with or endorsed by the MTA.
Published November 7, 2026. Times were computed from the MTA fall 2026 schedules for 2026-11-18 (weekday), 2026-11-21 and 2026-11-22. Planned work and holidays change service, so check Cobblehop for live times before you go.
Leaving now? Cobblehop gives you one clear plan with live times and alerts you before your stop.