Transfer Options from JFK to Times Square
Times Square is one of the most distinctive parts of New York. The enormous buildings, the similar-sized gigantic billboards and ads, and the neon lights shining brightly during day and night feature exactly the “city that never sleeps”. Heading to the extraordinary Times Square after landing at New York Airport? Check out all the available options for your transfer from JFK to Times Square. Opting for comfort and convenience? The always available and door-to-door JFK airport taxis, the premium JFK airport transfers, and the handy car rentals should be your main thoughts. Looking for a cheaper alternative? The LIRR train and the NYC subway are at your disposal as well.
| Options | Price ($) | Price (€) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | 65$-75$ | 65€-75€ | 45 min |
| Subway (+ AirTrain) | 10.75$ | 10.75€ | 45 min |
| Train (+ AirTrain) | 18.75$ | 18.75€ | 45 min |
JFK to Times Square by Taxi
The most convenient yet often time-consuming way to travel from JFK Airport to Times Square is the NYC airport taxis. The iconic New York yellow taxis are lining up outside the JFK terminals around the clock, offering direct transfers to Manhattan no matter the day or the time. Still, JFK is one of the busiest aviation hubs globally. Thus, when the passenger traffic is high, the waiting time for a taxi can be up to half an hour. Nevertheless, you should always take your cab from the official airport taxi stands. Scamming incidents are a fact at New York Airport. Indeed, individual drivers approach passengers and rather persistently try to persuade them to accept an alleged value-for-money ride. In reality, they are unlicensed drivers trying to overcharge unfamiliar-with-the-city travelers.
Under light traffic, the journey from JFK to Times Square should last about 30 minutes. However, the usual traffic jams raise the traveling time to 45-90 minutes. Fortunately, there is a flat rate for transfers from JFK Airport to Manhattan. Thus, the 52$/52€ tariff isn’t affected by the roads’ congestion. Nevertheless, extra charges apply to the set price. Taxes, toll fees, an extra 4.50$/4.50€ fare on weekdays, from 04:00 pm to 08:00 pm, and tips (tipping isn’t obligatory, yet a 15% tip is a common practice) are added to the fixed rate, raising it to 65$-75$/65€-75€. On the other hand, night rides and luggage aren’t charged additionally. NYC taxi drivers accept payments both in cash and via bank cards.
Our Tip 1: At the beginning of the ride, the taximeter should indicate “Rate #2 – JFK Airport”.
Our Tip 2: For official complaints or forgotten items, you can call 311.
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
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- Flight monitoring for delays
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JFK to Times Square by Subway
The most comfortable way to travel from JFK to Times Square by public transport is the subway. It may not be 100% direct (as it requires a transfer with the JFK AirTrain). Still, the subway ride from New York Airport to the “Crossroad of the World”, the one-of-a-kind Times Square, is fairly fast, cheap and hassle-free.
Hence, if you settle on a JFK subway transfer, you should head to your terminal’s AirTrain stop as soon as you land at New York Airport. AirTrain runs around the clock, every 7 minutes during rush hours and every 15 minuter at other times, and needs approximately 15 minutes (depending on the departure JFK terminal) to reach Jamaica Station. Please note that the Red AirTrain Jamaica Line heads to Jamaica Station, while the Green Line to Howard Beach Station. After reaching Jamaica Station, you’ll have to walk to the adjacent Sutphin Boulevard/Archer Avenue/JFK Airport Subway Station and hop on the Subway Line E heading to World Trade Center. After an approximately 41-minute journey, you’ll get to 42 St – Port Authority Bus Terminal, a 3-minute walk from Times Square. Therefore, the total traveling time will be around one hour, plus the waiting time for the next train route. NYC subway also runs 24/7, with a 5-10-minute frequency (and a 20-minute frequency at night).
The Cost for your JFK to Times Square Subway Transfer
AirTrain is free but only for transfers inside the JFK airport complex. Thus, a ride to Jamaica Station costs 8$/8€. On the other hand, a subway ticket is 2.75$/2.75€ for adult passengers, while children up to 44 inches (111cm) don’t have to pay for their tickets. Moreover, you’ll have to load both tickets to a Metrocard, a rechargeable card valid for all bus and subway NYC lines. Metrocards cost 1$/1€ and can be bought by the automatic ticket machines of Jamaica Station (you’ll spot them right before the exit of the AirTrain stop). From those ticket vendors (the subway, NOT the LIRR ones), you’ll also buy your AirTrain and subway tickets. All types of payment are accepted. Therefore, the total fare of your journey will be 10.75$/10.75€, plus the Metrocard fee.
Our Tip 1: Please keep in mind that Jamaica Station is a very busy hub. Thus, the waiting lines at the ticket machines can be long.
Our Tip 2: Sutphin Boulevard/Archer Avenue/JFK Airport Subway Station is close to Subway Line E’s departure point. For that reason, even though subway carriages usually get overcrowded, you should find an available seat. Still, as there is no designated luggage area, you should keep an eye on your personal belongings at all times.
Our Tip 3: You can also take the Green AirTrain Line to Howards Beach Station and hop on the Subway Line A to 42 St – Port Authority Bus Terminal. However, Line A calls at more in-between stations, making the duration of the ride longer, while finding a seat in Line A will be probably a long shot.
JFK to Times Square by Train
Another alternative for traveling from JFK to Times Square is the LIRR (Long Island Railroad) train. Although faster than the NYC subway, it is costlier and requires an AirTrain transfer and a 10-minute walk to your destination. Nevertheless, even if it doesn’t have storage space either, it is considered more spacious and comfortable than subway carriages.
If you choose an LIRR transfer anyway, you’ll take the 24/7 Green AirTrain Line to Howard Beach Station. Running every 7 minutes during rush hours and every 15 minutes at non-peak times, the AirTrain needs about 15 minutes to get to Howard Beach Station. Once leaving the AirTrain, you’ll take the LIRR to Penn Station in Manhattan, a 20-minute ride away. From Penn Station, you’ll have to walk a 0.5-mile (0.8km) distance to Times Square. You can also hop on one of the many subway lines leaving from Penn Station and hop off at Times Sq-42 St after 1 stop. However, you’ll have to pay for a subway ticket too. Overall, your journey from JFK to Times Square with the LIRR train will last about 45 minutes.
As far as its cost is concerned, apart from the 8$/8€ AirTrain ticket and the 1$/1€ Metrocard necessary to load the AirTrain fare into, you’ll be charged 10.75$/10.75€ for your LIRR ticket on weekdays from 06:00 am to 10:00 am, and 7.75$/7.75€ during off-peak hours (and holidays). A City Ticket, costing 5$/5€, can also be used during the non-rush hours. Both Metrocards and AirTrain fares, and the LIRR tickets can be bought from the automatic machines just before the exit of the AirTrain stop at Howard Beach Station. Please be careful to use the LIRR vendors and not the automatic subway ticket machines. LIRR tickets are also available onboard, yet they are more expensive. In any case, the cost of your transfer will be 18.75$/18.75€ during rush hours and 15.75$/15.75€ at other times.
Our Tip 1: Children from 6 to 12 pay half the price, whereas younger kids travel for free.
Our Tip 2: You should keep your ticket at all times, as the train conductor may ask for it.
Our Tip 3: LIRR runs every 3 minutes, while during off-peak hours, its routes are scarcer (every 5-20 minutes).
JFK to Times Square by Bus
The NYC Bus Line that ran directly from JFK to Manhattan has ceased its operation. Despite being a rather popular option for transfers from JFK to Times Square, the airport bus no longer exists. Although it is planned to get replaced, for the time being, the replacement time remains vague. Thus, currently, only private airport transfer companies provide shuttle services from New York Airport.
Car Rental from JFK to Times Square
A NYC car rental is ideal for independent rides to New York City and its surrounding areas. Thus, if you don’t mind the high traffic levels and appreciate the autonomous transfers, you should settle on a JFK airport car rental. All the major car rental companies are available at New York Airport, along with many local providers. Thus, finding the ideal car rental for you at the best price will be an easy task if you search and compare your options. In general, the sooner you make your reservation, the better prices and the wider variety of vehicles you’ll find.
Your ride from JFK Airport to Times Square will last about 30 minutes, with no road congestion. However, as traffic jams are a common reality in NYC, you should expect a 45-90-minute journey’s duration to your destination. Once arriving at Times Square, you should choose one of the nearby car parks to leave your car rental, as street parking will be proven hard to find.
Private Airport Transfers from JFK to Times Square
Although dependent on traffic levels, JFK airport transfers are the utmost traveling experience from JFK to Times Square. When booking a private airport transfer, you have the driver waiting for you at JFK Arrivals hall, help you with your luggage, and escort you to the vehicle of your preference, parked outside the terminal’s doors. Driving you directly to Times Square, he’ll give you handy advice about your stay in New York. In that way, you’ll make your trip even more memorable. New York airport transfer companies lie at the Ground Transportation Center, near the baggage claim areas of JFK terminals. However, it is highly recommended to make your booking in advance to secure the best deals and the lowest prices.
FAQs
How to get to Times Square from the airport?
Apart from the 24/7 NYC taxis, the lavish New York airport transfers, and the autonomous car rentals, you can also opt for a subway or train ride from JFK to Times Square. An express bus headed from New York Airport to Manhattan. However, it is no longer running.
How long is a subway ride from JFK to Times Square?
Besides the 15-minute AirTrain ride from JFK to Jamaica Station, the transfer to Times Square with the Subway Line E should last around 41 minutes. Thus, the total duration of your ride from JFK to Times Square should be approximately one hour.
How much does it cost to get from JFK Airport to Times Square?
A taxi ride from JFK to Times Square costs around 65$-7$/65€-75€, including all extra charges (taxes, toll fees, the highly customary tipping, etc.) On the other hand, a subway transfer to Times Square is priced at 10.75$/10.75€, whereas an LIRR train ride at 18.75$/18.75€