JFK Airport to Central Park by AirTrain and subway
Quick answer: Take the AirTrain from your terminal to Jamaica Station, then take a Manhattan-bound E train from Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport to 7 Av, then take an Outbound B train from 7 Av to 86 St. The trip takes about 100 minutes door to door on a weekday (96 to 102 depending on the connection). The E train comes about every 5 minutes during the day. The B train doesn't run from 7 Av to 86 St on weekends; the trip then uses another line. The B train doesn't run from 7 Av to 86 St between about 1 and 5 am; then the trip uses another line.
JFK Airport to Central Park
- AirTrain JFK
- E
- B
- Follow the signsto the AirTrain
- AirTrain JFK AirTrainFrom your terminal3 stops, about 13 min
- Change at Jamaica StationWalk about 9 min
- E E trainFrom Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport, Manhattan-bound9 stops, about 28 min
- Change at 7 Av
- B B trainFrom 7 Av, Outbound4 stops, about 8 min
- Get off at 86 St
- Central ParkWalk about 12 min
Weekdays, fall 2026 MTA schedule · First and last trips
Step by step
- At JFK, follow the signs for the AirTrain. Every terminal has an AirTrain station; take a train to Jamaica. Times on this page start from the middle of the airport, about 9 minutes on foot from the Terminal 7 AirTrain station.
- Take the AirTrain from your terminal to Jamaica Station. It's 3 stops, about 13 minutes. The AirTrain fare is paid at Jamaica or Howard Beach.
- At Jamaica Station, walk about 9 minutes to Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport for the E train.
- Take a Manhattan-bound E train from Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport to 7 Av. It's 9 stops, about 28 minutes.
- Take an Outbound B train from 7 Av to 86 St. It's 4 stops, about 8 minutes.
- From 86 St, walk about 12 minutes to Central Park.
Other ways to go
- Take the AirTrain from your terminal to Jamaica Station, then take a Manhattan-bound E train from Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport to 50 St, then take an uptown C train from 50 St to 86 St: about 100 minutes.
Which one is faster depends on when you leave. Cobblehop compares them with live times.
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 | E train in the daytime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekdays | Around the clock (another line late at night) | 99 min | About every 5 minutes | |
| Saturday | Around the clock (another line late at night) | 100 min | About every 12 minutes | |
| Sunday | Around the clock (another line late at night) | 100 min | About every 12 minutes | |
Late at night
This trip works around the clock. Between about 1 and 5 am the trip takes about 109 minutes. No B service late nights (about 1 to 5 am): GTFS has no B trips then on weeknights. Cobblehop routes you on another line then.
Tips for this trip
- Know your stop. Get ready after 81 St-Museum of Natural History. The next stop is 86 St. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
Step-free access
For the subway part of this trip: Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport (E platform) is on the MTA's list of accessible stations; 7 Av (E platform) is not on the MTA's list of accessible stations; 7 Av (B platform) is not on the MTA's list of accessible stations; 86 St (B platform) is not on the MTA's list of accessible stations. Elevators can be out of service, so check elevator status on mta.info before you go.
What it costs
- Subway and local bus: $3 per ride with OMNY (tap a contactless card or phone) or a MetroCard. One transfer within 2 hours to the subway or a local bus is included.
- 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.
Fares as of November 2026. Check the official fares page before you ride.
JFK Airport to Central Park: common questions
How do I get from JFK Airport to Central Park by public transit?
Take the AirTrain from your terminal to Jamaica Station, then take a Manhattan-bound E train from Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport to 7 Av, then take an Outbound B train from 7 Av to 86 St.
How long does it take?
About 100 minutes door to door on a weekday, 96 to 102 depending on the connection.
Do I have to change along the way?
Yes, 2 times: at Jamaica Station and 7 Av.
Does it run all night?
This trip works around the clock. Between about 1 and 5 am the trip takes about 109 minutes. No B service late nights (about 1 to 5 am): GTFS has no B trips then on weeknights. Cobblehop routes you on another line then.
How much does it cost?
Subway and local bus: $3 per ride with OMNY (tap a contactless card or phone) or a MetroCard. One transfer within 2 hours to the subway or a local bus is included. 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.
Related routes
- JFK Airport to Times Square
- JFK Airport to Empire State Building
- JFK Airport to Rockefeller Center
- LaGuardia Airport to Central Park
- Penn Station to Central Park
- Grand Central Terminal to Central Park
- 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)
- MTA: subway and bus fares
- JFK Airport: AirTrain
- MTA subway stations, with accessibility (data.ny.gov)
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.