Transfer Options from JFK to Brooklyn
If your destination in NYC lies in Brooklyn, you won’t face any difficulties in finding a way to traverse the approximately 8-mile (12km) distance from JFK to Brooklyn. If comfort is the object, a NYC airport taxi or a lavish JFK airport transfer will transfer you in style to your journey’s end, whereas if you relish independent rides, a JFK car rental will offer you the seeking autonomy. On the other hand, when traveling on a tight budget, you’ll still have plenty of alternatives: the fast train, the more affordable subway, or the cheap bus are at your disposal.
| Options | Price ($) | Price (€) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | 52$-55$ | 52€-55€ | 25 min |
| Train (+ AirTrain) | 18.75$ | 18.75€ | 28 min |
| Subway (+ AirTrain) | 10.75$ | 10.75€ | 45 min |
| Bus (+ AirTrain) | 2.75$ | 2.75€ | 80 min |
JFK to Brooklyn by Taxi
Since Brooklyn lies only 8 miles (12km) away from JFK Airport, a NYC airport taxi will be one of the most comfortable ways to travel to the exact location of your destination. The yellow JFK cabs are always available at the taxi ranks, outside the doors of each JFK Airport, no matter the day or time. Still, during rush hours, the waiting time for a taxi can be long. Nevertheless, even if you face a huge line, you should never trust individual drivers offering skip-the-line services and lower fares. Unfortunately, scams are a common phenomenon at JFK. Indeed, unlicensed drivers approach travelers and try to solicit them to accept their offers, in order to overcharge them.
The ride from JFK to Brooklyn will be metered, meaning that the final fare will be calculated by the taxi’s taximeter. Overall, the estimated taxi rate will be 52$-55$/52€-55€, plus the tip. Although tipping isn’t compulsory, it is highly customary. In fact, New Yorkers usually leave a 15%-20% tip, according to the quality of the provided services. Taxi drivers accept payments both in cash and credit/debit cards.
You can expect to reach your destination in Brooklyn in about 25 minutes, under light traffic. However, you should take into account that traffic jams are a common reality in NYC, raising both the price and the duration of rides significantly. Therefore, your NYC taxi transfer from JFK to Brooklyn can exceed one hour, while the total tariff will increase considerably.
We selected one of the best, most trustworthy and convenient 5-star airport taxi companies for your transfer from New York JFK Airport based on user reviews across various platforms such as Google, Tripadvisor and Trustpilot. Welcome Pickups offers a great experience and safety to its travelers.
- Local English-speaking drivers
- Flat, pre-paid fee
- Flight monitoring for delays
- 24/7 Customer support + free cancellation
JFK to Brooklyn by Train
One of the fastest transfer options, the train from JFK to Brooklyn, is certainly not the most convenient one. Requiring a change of line, Long Island Railroad (LIRR) can be a hassle when traveling with lots of luggage or children. Still, it remains the fastest alternative during rush hours, when the high traffic levels make taxi rides, New York airport transfers and local buses time-consuming.
Hence, if you opt for a train transfer to Brooklyn, you’ll have to take the light airport train, AirTrain, from your landing terminal. Fortunately, AirTrain stops at all terminals and operates around the clock, with a 7-minute frequency during peak hours and a 15-minute at other times. Thus, catching the airport train won’t be difficult. Please be careful to hop on the Red Jamaica Station Line. After the approximately 15-minute ride to Jamaica Station, you’ll change to LIRR, heading to Atlantic Terminal. From Atlantic Terminal, you’ll find various subway connections to all parts of Brooklyn (in case your destination isn’t located nearby). The train trip to Atlantic Terminal will take as much as 13 minutes, making the total duration of your transfer 28 minutes (not including waiting time). LIRR also runs 24/7, with frequent routes. In fact, it operates every 3 minutes during rush hours and every 5-20 minutes during the rest of the day.
In spite of being free for in-between-terminal rides, AirTrain costs 8$/8€ when Jamaica Station is the destination point. A rechargeable Metrocard is also required to pay for the AirTrain ticket, costing 1$/1€. Available for all NYC subway lines and buses, Metrocards can’t be used for the LIRR trains. Nevertheless, you’ll use the LIRR automatic machines lying before the AirTrain stop at Jamaica Station, to buy both the train ticket, the AirTrain fare, and the Metrocard. Cash and cards are accepted. LIRR tickets are available onboard as well, yet they are costlier. Anyhow, the LIRR fares vary depending on the time and the day. Thus, during rush hours (06:00 am – 10:00 am), the LIRR ticket is 10.75$/10.75€ (and the total cost of your transfer from JFK to Brooklyn 18.75$/18.75€), while during off-peak hours, on weekends and holidays, it costs 7.75$/7.75€ (the total ride then is 15.75$/15.75€). City tickets at a 5$/5€ price are also available during non-peak hours. However, they can’t be bought onboard. Children younger than 6 years don’t have to pay for their tickets, whereas kids aged 6 to 12 pay half the price.
Our Tip: When purchasing your LIRR ticket from the automatic machines, make sure to keep them somewhere safe, as the train conductor will probably ask for it.
JFK to Brooklyn by Subway
If you have settled on the not-so-fast yet cost-effective subway, you’ll have two options for your transfer. Thus, depending on where you are heading in Brooklyn, you can choose between Subway Lines A and J. In any case, an AirTrain transfer from your landing terminal will be required. However, AirTrain rides aren’t as much of a hassle, as AirTrain calls at all terminals around the clock, with every 7-minutes routes on peak hours and every 15 minutes at other times.
Hence, you can take the AirTrain (the Red Jamaica Station Line) to Jamaica Station, lying a 15-minute ride away. Once arriving there, you’ll have to reach the adjacent Sutphin Boulevard/Archer Avenue/JFK Airport Subway Station and take Subway Line J to Kosciusko St. Station. The subway journey will last about 30 minutes. Therefore, you’ll reach Brooklyn in about 45 minutes, not including waiting time. NYC subway operates 24/7, approximately every 5-10 minutes during the day and every 20 minutes during the night.
On the other hand, you can hop on the Green Howard Beach Line, the AirTrain line heading toward Howard Beach Station. Your transfer will last about 15 minutes as well. Arriving at Howard Beach Station, you’ll take Subway Line A heading to Jay St. – Metrotech Station. You can expect a 32-minute ride to your disembarking station, and a total transfer of 47 minutes from JFK to Brooklyn.
Although free for inside-the-airport transfers, AirTrain costs 8$/8€ when Jamaica or Howard Beach Stations are the destination points. Furthermore, the subway ticket is 2.75$/2.75€. A Metrocard will be required to purchase both tickets. With the rechargeable Metrocard, the subway ticket is valid for onward bus and subway transfers too. Please note that you should use the automatic subway vendors lying before the AirTrain exits at Jamaica Station and Howard Beach Station, and not the LIRR ones for your subway rides. Children up to 44 inches (111cm) don’t pay for their tickets.
Our Tip: Although both LIRR trains and subways don’t have designated luggage space, the subway carriages tend to get overcrowded. Therefore, if traveling with lots of luggage, you should rethink it before taking the subway.
JFK to Brooklyn by Bus
Even though Manhattan isn’t directly connected to JFK Airport via bus (since the Express Airport Bus has ceased its operation), you can enjoy (almost) direct and cheap bus transfers from JFK to Brooklyn. Thus, after landing at New York Airport, you should take the free (inside the airport) AirTrain to Leffers Blvd AirTrain Station. To reach Lefferts Station, you’ll have to use the Green Howard Beach Line. Your ride should be around 10 minutes. Once reaching Lefferts Blvd AirTrain Station, you can take the Bus B15 to Bedford-Stuyvesant/East New York. Traversing Brooklyn, Bus B15 runs 24/7, every 8-20 minutes depending on the time of the day, and needs about 70 minutes to get to the furthest parts of the district. Hence, your ride should normally last about 80 minutes. Nevertheless, high traffic levels can increase traveling time dramatically.
The bus ticket costs 3$/3€ and can be bought onboard, using only cash. This ticket can be used for other local bus rides within a 2-hour period of time. In that case, you should ask the driver for a printed ticket to use for your onward transfers. A Metrocard and a 2.75$/2.75€ ticket (available for further bus and subway trips) are also an option. Still, to buy a Metrocard, you’ll have to reach Howard Beach Station, pay an 8$/8€ fee for your AirTrain transfer, and return to Lefferts Blvd afterward.
Our Tip: Children up to 44 inches (111cm) travel for free.
Car Rental from JFK to Brooklyn
NYC car rentals give you the opportunity to enjoy stress-free rides without worrying about the public transportation routes and timetables or the cost of a taxi ride. Fortunately, plenty of car rental companies operate at JFK Airport. Thus, finding a value-for-money JFK airport car rental shouldn’t be a big concern for you.
Although Brooklyn is only 8 miles (12km) away from JFK, a normally 25-minute ride from JFK to Brookly can get doubled during rush hours. Still, even though driving in traffic can be tedious, with a car rental you won’t have to worry about the traffic’s effect on the taxi’s tariff. As far as parking is concerned, a private car park is always recommended, as street parking, besides being difficult, can be risky, especially during the night.
Private Airport Transfers from JFK to Brooklyn
If you want to experience the most lavish transfer services from JFK to Brooklyn, you should definitely opt for a New York airport transfer. In that way, you’ll have your driver waiting for you at the Arrivals hall of your JFK terminal, assist you with your luggage, and escort you to the vehicle of your preference parked outside the airport’s doors. While giving you useful advice about your stay in Brooklyn, he will drive you to the door of your accommodation. New York airport transfers may be slightly costlier than ordinary taxis. Still, as JFK houses plenty of private transfer companies, the prices are overall competitive. On the other hand, even though the high traffic levels will certainly affect the time of your ride, they won’t affect the price of your airport transfer at all.
FAQs
Is there a flat rate from JFK to Brooklyn?
No, NYC airport taxis offer set fares only for JFK to Manhattan transfers. Thus, the ride from JFK to Brooklyn will be metered. In any case, you should expect a 52$-55$/52€-55€ price, plus a 15%-20% tip. Nevertheless, heavy traffic will affect your taxi rate considerably.
How do I get to Brooklyn from JFK by subway?
JFK is connected to Brooklyn via the subway, yet not directly. Thus, you’ll have to take the Red AirTrain Jamaica Line to Jamaica Station, head to Sutphin Boulevard/Archer Avenue/JFK Airport Subway Station, and take Subway Line J to Kosciusko St. Station. Alternatively, you can hop on the Green AirTrain Howard Beach Line to Howard Beach Station and take Subway Line A to Jay St. – Metrotech Station.