JFK Airport to Washington Heights 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 181 St. The trip takes about 110 minutes door to door on a weekday (108 to 114 depending on the connection). The A train comes about every 15 minutes during the day.
JFK Airport to Washington Heights
- 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-bound26 stops, about 71 min
- Get off at 181 St
- Washington HeightsWalk about 2 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 181 St. It's 26 stops, about 71 minutes.
- From 181 St, walk about 2 minutes to Washington Heights.
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 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal, then take an uptown A train from 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal to 181 St: about 109 minutes.
- 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 or D train from 7 Av to 59 St-Columbus Circle, then take an uptown A train from 59 St-Columbus Circle to 181 St: about 105 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 | 110 min | About every 15 minutes | |
| Saturday | Around the clock | 111 min | About every 20 minutes | |
| Sunday | Around the clock | 109 min | About every 20 minutes | |
Late at night
This trip works around the clock. Between about 1 and 5 am the trip takes about 126 minutes.
Tips for this trip
- Know your stop. Get ready after 175 St. The next stop is 181 St. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
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; 181 St (A platform) is 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 Washington Heights: common questions
How do I get from JFK Airport to Washington Heights 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 181 St.
How long does it take?
About 110 minutes door to door on a weekday, 108 to 114 depending on the connection. On weekends it's about 111 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 126 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 Washington Heights
- Penn Station to Washington Heights
- Grand Central Terminal to Washington Heights
- 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.