tomc6273

hI.
What's THE CHEAPEAST WAY TO TRAVEL FROM NEW York City To JFK airport?
Is there a bus still running from the new yok Port Authority to JFK?
thanks
tc

nycguy10002

The cheapest way is by subway plus Airtrain $10.50 total using a MetroCard. The subway is $2.75, the Airtrain is $7.75. You should put the total amount on the same MetroCard and the subway and Airtrain will deduct the appropriate amount.

From the Port Authority Bus Terminal take an uptown E train to the Sutphin Blvd-JFK station. Use escalators or elevator in the middle of the platform. Then exit the subway. Walk toward the escaltors and you will see elevators on the right take the elevator up to the top level. Then walk to the other side and thru the doors. The Airtrain will be to the right.

Not including wait time the trip should take about 45 minutes.

J62

The AirTrain fare is going to increase to $8 at the start of 2022, so plan accordingly with $10.75 on the MetroCard.
If your starting point is lower Manhattan vs closer to Port Authority Bus Terminal then taking the A train to the Howard Beach station may be faster.

https://www.jfkairport.com/to-from-airport/air-train

Michael

The cheapest way is to take the A train to a local bus line which services JFK. But that is a long ride because the bus is making all sorts of stops on the way to JFK. If I am reading the attached map correctly, get off at Lefferts Blvd and take the B15 or Q10 limited.

https://www.jfkairport.com/to-from-a...transportation

If you are in NYC, go to a subway station anhd look at the subway map. It will give the bus connections, including those to get to JFK and LaGuardia. The cost might be a single ride cost if a transfer is allowed from subway to bus.

nycguy10002

I would like to clarify/add to a few things posted by J62 and Michael.
​​​​
As J62 said if you are in lower Manhattan (or at least at 14th St or below) the A train to the Howard Beach station would be more efficient than the E train as I suggested. Also there are two possible destinations for the downtown/Brooklyn bound A train - Lefferts Blvd or Far Rockaway. Only the Far Rockaway bound train stops at Howard Beach-JFK (where you can get the Airtrain). Check the route sign on the side of the train car before boarding.

As far as Lefferts Blvd goes, only the Q10 local bus stops there. The B15 local bus does run on Lefferts but does not go anywhere near the Lefferts Blvd A train station. (I was looking at a Queens bus map to be sure since the Airport is in Queens).

Michael is right that local buses take longer because of multiple stops but also because they have to deal with traffic and traffic lights. Don't expect that the bus will be there when you get there.

One other thing is that since you would be in the street you would have to hope the weather is favorable.

A word on the free transfer to a local bus that Michael mentioned. The transfer is valid for 2hours once the subway fare is paid. This will only work if you pay the subway fare using a regular (or unlimited) MetroCard. If you use a single fare card ($3.00) for the subway you will not get a transfer. If you do not have a regular MetroCard you have to buy it from the MetroCard Vending Machine. You will be charged $1.00 for a new card (this is a one time fee) in addition to the amount you put on for the fare. The minimum amount you can put on a NEW MetroCard is $5.50. The MetroCard machine will not accept any lesser amount. (If you do have an existing MetroCard the minimum can be as low as $.05).

Note: If you have an existing MetroCard and have an unlimited pass (7 or 30 day) on it and plan to use the subway/Airtrain method you must add a value amount for the Airtrain fare to the card. The Airtrain turnstiles do not accept the unlimited subway pass but will recognize any cash value placed on the card.