What is the AirTrain and how does it work?
AirTrain is the name for two separate airport shuttle systems, one at JFK and one at Newark, each connecting terminals to a nearby rail or subway station. Neither AirTrain is part of the subway fare system, and each charges its own fare.
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How it works
At JFK, the AirTrain links all terminals to the subway at Howard Beach and to the subway and Long Island Rail Road at Jamaica. At Newark, the AirTrain links terminals to Newark Liberty International Airport Station for NJ Transit and Amtrak trains.
Commonly mixed up with
The two AirTrain systems are often assumed to be one connected network. They are unrelated systems at different airports with separate fares and separate stations.
What is the AirTrain and how does it work?
| Knowledge, New York | Travel and visit |
|---|---|
| Short answer | AirTrain is the name for two separate airport shuttle systems, one at JFK and one at Newark, each connecting terminals to a nearby rail or subway station. Neither AirTrain is part of the subway fare system, and each charges its own fare. |
| How it works | At JFK, the AirTrain links all terminals to the subway at Howard Beach and to the subway and Long Island Rail Road at Jamaica. At Newark, the AirTrain links terminals to Newark Liberty International Airport Station for NJ Transit and Amtrak trains. |
| Commonly mixed up with | The two AirTrain systems are often assumed to be one connected network. They are unrelated systems at different airports with separate fares and separate stations. |
| Last reviewed | 2026-08-08 |
Short questions
- Is AirTrain fare included in the subway fare?
- No, AirTrain charges a separate fare at JFK, paid before or after the subway transfer.
- Does Newark AirTrain connect to the subway?
- No, it connects to NJ Transit and Amtrak rail, not the New York City subway.
- Can I use OMNY on the AirTrain?
- Fare payment methods differ by airport and are published by the operator.
- Does AirTrain run at night?
- Both AirTrain systems run on extended schedules to match flight activity.
- Where do I check current fares?
- The Port Authority publishes AirTrain fares for JFK and Newark.
Sources
More in this track
- How do you get from JFK to Manhattan?
- How do you get from LaGuardia to Manhattan?
- How do you get from Newark Airport to Manhattan?
- How do subway fares work in New York?
- OMNY or MetroCard: what is the difference?
- Can you get around New York without a car?
- What is the weather like in New York through the year?
- What is the difference between Penn Station and Grand Central?
- How does Citi Bike fit alongside public transit in New York?
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