AirTrain fares to JFK airport reduced by 50% to ease summer traffic crunch
Travelers heading in and out of New York City looking to save some money are getting a summer surprise. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is cutting AirTrain fares to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) by 50% as it tries to reduce traffic congestion during the summer travel season.
It's not a permanent price cut, but fares will drop from $8.50 to $4.25 starting June 30 through Labor Day. While some travelers view the AirTrain as an inconvenient way to get to JFK, this reduction might make people rethink their plans, especially when considering how bad traffic could be this summer.
JFK is around 15 miles from Midtown Manhattan, and traffic to and from the airport is always busy. This summer, however, brings a perfect storm of events that threaten to create major traffic problems. The airport is currently in the midst of a $19 billion renovation, the largest airport redevelopment project in the U.S. At the same time, the Port Authority expects a record-breaking travel summer, with more than 18.3 million passengers expected to pass through it during that time.
Related: The best ways to get from JFK Airport to Manhattan
"As we head into a busy summer construction period in our $19 billion effort to build a new JFK International with record traveler volumes, we are once again asking travelers to leave their cars at home and take public transit to the airport," Port Authority chairman Kevin O'Toole said in a statement.
"The discounted AirTrain fare is one of a multitude of steps we're taking to move passengers to and from JFK as quickly and reliably as possible," he said.
You can connect to the AirTrain JFK via the Long Island Railroad, the New York City Subway and through local buses. The AirTrain connects travelers from two major transit hubs: Howard Beach Station and Jamaica Station.
Howard Beach offers a direct connection from the A subway line; Jamaica Station is accessible via the E, J and Z lines, as well as the LIRR from Grand Central Madison, Penn Station and Atlantic Terminal. Both AirTrain entry points require payment via MetroCard or OMNY; taking the AirTrain around JFK Airport remains free.
Construction at JFK is approaching its peak for roadway work, with the Port Authority expecting more than $200 million of construction activity each month from now until the end of summer. With that in mind, access to the airport by car is going to be limited — especially around Terminal 7, where the old access route is being demolished to make way for steel beams that will support a new roadway leading to Terminal 6.
"We apologize for any inconvenience, but we promise that a new JFK is just around the corner, with the first new gates opening next year," Rick Cotton, the executive director of the Port Authority, said. The redevelopment of JFK Airport will include a brand-new Terminal 1 and Terminal 6, with Terminals 4 and 8 undergoing massive renovations and expansions.
Airport officials are encouraging travelers to take advantage of the AirTrain fare reductions. For those who must drive to the airport, officials recommend arriving at least three hours before your flight and pre-booking parking on the JFK airport website. Customers using ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft will need to meet their drivers at remote pick-up lots.
Related reading:
- Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a first-time or frequent traveler
- The best travel credit cards
- The 18 best places to travel in 2023
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
- 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.