Penn Station to JFK Airport by LIRR and AirTrain
Quick answer: Take an LIRR train toward Ronkonkoma from Penn Station to Jamaica, then take the AirTrain from Jamaica Station to Terminal 7. The trip takes about 68 minutes door to door on a weekday (66 to 70 depending on the connection). An LIRR train comes about every 6 minutes during the day.
Penn Station to JFK Airport
- LIRR
- AirTrain JFK
- LIRR LIRR trainFrom Penn Station toward Ronkonkoma2 stops, about 20 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 Ronkonkoma from Penn Station to Jamaica. It's 2 stops, about 20 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 | 68 min | About every 6 minutes | |
| Saturday | Around the clock | 69 min | About every 8 minutes | |
| Sunday | Around the clock | 69 min | About every 8 minutes | |
Late at night
This trip works around the clock. Between about 1 and 5 am the trip takes about 68 minutes.
Tips for this trip
- Check the train's destination. Not every LIRR train at Penn Station goes to Jamaica. Trains to Port Washington or Great Neck don't. On a weekday 168 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.
- Newark Penn Station is a different station, in Newark, New Jersey. (source, checked 2026-11-04)
- Moynihan Train Hall, across the street, serves LIRR and Amtrak riders too. (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.
Penn Station to JFK Airport: common questions
How do I get from Penn Station to JFK Airport by public transit?
Take an LIRR train toward Ronkonkoma from Penn Station to Jamaica, then take the AirTrain from Jamaica Station to Terminal 7.
How long does it take?
About 68 minutes door to door on a weekday, 66 to 70 depending on the connection. On weekends it's about 69 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 68 minutes.
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
- Penn Station to Rockefeller Center
- Penn Station to 9/11 Memorial & Museum
- Penn Station to Statue of Liberty ferry at Battery Park
- Times Square to JFK Airport
- Grand Central Terminal 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
- Penn Station: visitor information
- Penn Station: 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.