JFK Airport to DUMBO by AirTrain and subway
Quick answer: Take the AirTrain from your terminal to Howard Beach Station, then take a Manhattan-bound A train from Howard Beach-JFK Airport to High St. The trip takes about 81 minutes door to door on a weekday (79 to 83 depending on the connection). The A train comes about every 15 minutes during the day.
JFK Airport to DUMBO
- AirTrain JFK
- A
- Follow the signsto the AirTrain
- AirTrain JFK AirTrainFrom your terminal4 stops, about 9 min
- Change at Howard Beach StationWalk about 6 min
- A A trainFrom Howard Beach-JFK Airport, Manhattan-bound13 stops, about 34 min
- Get off at High St
- DUMBOWalk about 10 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 Howard Beach Station. It's 4 stops, about 9 minutes. The AirTrain fare is paid at Jamaica or Howard Beach.
- At Howard Beach Station, walk about 6 minutes to Howard Beach-JFK Airport for the A train.
- Take a Manhattan-bound A train from Howard Beach-JFK Airport to High St. It's 13 stops, about 34 minutes.
- From High St, walk about 10 minutes to DUMBO.
Other ways to go
- Take the AirTrain from your terminal to Howard Beach Station, then take a Manhattan-bound A train from Howard Beach-JFK Airport to Jay St-MetroTech, then take a Manhattan-bound F train from Jay St-MetroTech to York St: about 81 minutes.
- Take the AirTrain from your terminal to Jamaica Station, then take an LIRR train toward Atlantic Terminal from Jamaica to Nostrand Avenue, then take a Manhattan-bound A or C train from Nostrand Av to Jay St-MetroTech, then take a Manhattan-bound F train from Jay St-MetroTech to York St: about 87 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 | A train in the daytime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekdays | Around the clock | 81 min | About every 15 minutes | |
| Saturday | Around the clock | 78 min | About every 20 minutes | |
| Sunday | Around the clock | 78 min | About every 20 minutes | |
Late at night
This trip works around the clock. Between about 1 and 5 am the trip takes about 85 minutes.
Tips for this trip
- Know your stop. Get ready after Jay St-MetroTech. The next stop is High St. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
- Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass: between the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges. (source, checked 2026-11-04)
Step-free access
For the subway part of this trip: Howard Beach-JFK Airport (A platform) is on the MTA's list of accessible stations; High St (A 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 DUMBO: common questions
How do I get from JFK Airport to DUMBO by public transit?
Take the AirTrain from your terminal to Howard Beach Station, then take a Manhattan-bound A train from Howard Beach-JFK Airport to High St.
How long does it take?
About 81 minutes door to door on a weekday, 79 to 83 depending on the connection. On weekends it's about 78 minutes.
Do I have to change along the way?
Yes, once: at Howard Beach Station.
Does it run all night?
This trip works around the clock. Between about 1 and 5 am the trip takes about 85 minutes.
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 DUMBO
- Penn Station to DUMBO
- Grand Central Terminal to DUMBO
- 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)
- DUMBO: 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.