How to Get from JFK to Times Square: Complete 2025 Guide

Touching down at JFK can feel like stepping onto another planet—bright terminals, crowds everywhere, signs in every direction. After you grab your bags and clear customs, you’re just one ride away from the neon buzz of Times Square. Picking between a taxi, a train or a shuttle when you’re tired and hauling luggage can be a headache. Here’s a straightforward guide to each option, so you can choose the one that fits your budget, your bags and your energy level—and be under those Broadway lights in no time.

App-Based Rides (Uber, Lyft, etc.)

App-based rides let us see the total fare up front, ride without cash, and reach spots beyond central Manhattan easily. They usually take about as long as a yellow cab—traffic slows us all—and a typical UberX from JFK to Times Square runs between $75 and $95, though during busy periods it can climb past $120.

Once you’ve grabbed your bags, follow the “App-Based Ride Pick-Up” signs to the curb outside arrivals at your terminal.

Local tip: If surge pricing is sky-high, hop on the AirTrain to Jamaica Station (fare $8.50 paid at the turnstile) and then catch the E train into Midtown for $2.90. For about $11.40 total, you’ll often save money and skip the worst traffic

AirTrain + Subway

Good for:

• Lowest overall cost
• 24/7 service
• Skipping road traffic

Travel time:
About 60–75 minutes to Times Square, including waiting for trains.

Cost breakdown:

• AirTrain: $8.50 paid at the Jamaica or Howard Beach exit turnstiles
• Subway: $2.90 per ride—tap OMNY with a contactless card or phone, or swipe a MetroCard

Two subway routes:

1. Via Jamaica → E train
   • Follow signs from the AirTrain platform to the E line.
   • Ride to 42 St–Port Authority Bus Terminal (end of the line).
   • Exit at 8th Ave & 42nd St, then walk three blocks east into Times Square.
2. Via Howard Beach → A train
   • Transfer from AirTrain to the A train.
   • Stay on the A into Manhattan.
   • At 42 St–Port Authority, either take the Times Square shuttle (S) one stop or walk eight minutes north along 8th Ave.

Why we like it:

• OMNY weekly fare cap: Once you spend $34 in any seven-day period on the same card or device, the rest of your subway rides that week are free—ideal if you’ll be hopping around all vacation .
• Trains run on rails, not roads, so you won’t get stuck in traffic.

Accessibility note:
Many E-train stations have elevators, and Jamaica Station’s key transfer points are all elevator-equipped. If you need step-free access, ask an MTA agent in the booth for the best exit.

AirTrain + LIRR CityTicket — Fastest on Rails

Good for: Speed at off-peak times and arriving at Penn Station or Grand Central with minimal walking
Travel time: 35–45 minutes from platform to platform
Cost breakdown: AirTrain fare is $8.50 (paid when you exit at Jamaica) plus a Long Island Rail Road CityTicket—$5 off-peak or $7 peak—for travel from Jamaica to Penn Station or Grand Central.

Step-by-step:

1. Board the AirTrain at JFK and ride to Jamaica Station.
2. Follow the blue signs for the Long Island Rail Road inside the station.
3. Purchase a CityTicket at the ticket machines or via the MTA TrainTime app—select Jamaica as your origin and Penn Station or Grand Central as your destination.
4. Trains depart every few minutes during rush hour and every 10–15 minutes off-peak. The LIRR ride itself takes about 20 minutes.
5. When you arrive at Penn Station, you can either walk one long avenue east to reach Times Square or hop on the 1/2/3 or A/C/E subway for one stop uptown. If you get off at Grand Central, take the S shuttle one stop west or enjoy a 12-minute stroll along 42nd Street.

Local tip: This combination is the quickest choice during weekday peak hours when road traffic on the Van Wyck and through the Midtown Tunnel can be at a standstill.

NYC Express Bus — No Transfers, Big Seats

Good for: Travelers who dislike trains, anyone with giant suitcases, or those with mobility impairments
Travel time: Around 90 minutes on average (as quick as 60 minutes late at night, up to 2 hours in heavy traffic)
Price snapshot: $19 one-way, $35 round-trip; kids under 5 ride free

The Express Bus runs from 11 am to 7 pm every 30 minutes, stopping at three key Midtown spots:

• Bryant Park at 42nd Street and 5th Avenue (closest to the heart of Times Square)
• Port Authority Bus Terminal at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue
• Grand Central Terminal on 42nd Street

You can buy tickets from curbside agents in yellow vests at Terminals 1, 4, and 8, or purchase online before you land.

Heads-up: If you arrive before 11 am, this service isn’t running yet—use the AirTrain + Subway, LIRR, taxi, or rideshare instead.

Shared Vans & Pre-Booked Shuttles

Door-to-door vans run $25 – $40 per person (shared) and leave once full. They’re handy if your hotel sits west of 8th Ave where the Express Bus doesn’t drop.

Private Car or Limo Transfers — Door-to-Door Comfort

Good for: Small groups, special occasions, travelers with lots of luggage or tight schedules
Travel time: About 45–60 minutes, depending on traffic
Price snapshot: Typically $80–$120 flat rate for up to three passengers, sometimes including meet-and-greet at arrivals

How it works:

1. Book in advance. Reserve online or by phone at least 24 hours before your flight—popular options include Carmel Car Service, Dial 7, or local limo companies.
2. Meet your driver. After baggage claim and customs, head to the designated arrivals curb. Your driver will be holding a sign with your name.
3. Enjoy door-to-door service. The driver loads your bags, you settle in a spacious sedan or SUV, and you’re whisked straight to your hotel or address in Times Square—no stops, no transfers.

Local tip: Confirm whether gratuity is included in your quoted rate, and double-check cancellation or flight-delay policies to avoid surprise fees.

With a private transfer, you skip the hassle of public-transit schedules and ride in comfort—and after a long flight, that extra peace of mind can be worth every penny.

Which One Should We Choose?

• Four people / huge bags / limited patience: Yellow cab feels simplest and, split four ways, costs about the same as rideshare.
• Solo on a budget: AirTrain + Subway for $11.40 is unbeatable.
• Solo but splurging on speed: AirTrain + LIRR will land you in Midtown faster than any road option during rush hour.
• Arriving midday with heavy luggage: Express Bus shaves the subway stairs and is cheaper than a cab.
• Late-night arrival after 10 pm: Taxi or rideshare—Express Bus is asleep and the subway is safe but less frequent.

Money-Saving & Stress-Saving Tips

1. Tap, don’t swipe. Using one physical credit card (or phone) on OMNY keeps all your subway taps toward the weekly fare cap.
2. Watch the meter in a taxi. It should switch to Rate Code 2 when you say “flat fare.” If it stays on Code 1, speak up politely.
3. Congestion Pricing alert. As of early 2025, cars entering Manhattan below 60th St pay a new congestion toll. Yellow cabs include it in the flat fare; rideshares add it to your upfront price.
4. Avoid counterfeit AirTrain tickets. Pay only at the official MetroCard/OMNY turnstiles when you exit AirTrain—never to an individual selling cards.
5. Check weekend track work. Subway lines can skip stops for maintenance, especially late Friday night through Monday morning. The MTA Weekender site posts advisories every Thursday.

Final Word

We’re thrilled you’re visiting. Whether you roll into Times Square in a bright-yellow cab, cruise in on the LIRR, or pop up from the subway like a seasoned commuter, the route that fits your budget and comfort level is the “best” one. Keep this guide handy, follow the signs, and you’ll be under those neon lights in no time. Welcome to New York—see you in the crowd!