How do I get from JFK airport to Grand Central?

Q: How do I get from JFK airport to Grand Central?

AirTrain and LIRR to Grand Central: US$14 for one traveler, 30 min. It leaves you at Grand Central Madison, beneath Grand Central Terminal on East 42nd Street. Take the AirTrain to Jamaica and a Long Island Rail Road train to Grand Central Madison: about 30 minutes for $14 ($16 in the weekday morning peak). Trains run from Jamaica from 05:10 to 01:13; after that, take one to Penn Station.

Home / New York / John F. Kennedy International Airport / Grand Central

JFK airporttoGrand Central

Airport to destination · One way · All prices are totals for 1 adult · All service hours

2 ways to Grand Central

For New York generally we recommend the AirTrain and LIRR to Penn Station; for Grand Central the answer changes.

Recommended

The cheapest way in. Nothing listed is quicker.

AirTrain and LIRR to Grand Central

AirTrainLIRR · Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (AirTrain); Long Island Rail Road (MTA)

30 min rideEvery 15 min05:10–01:13

The AirTrain station at your terminalGrand Central Madison

1 change

US$14total for 1 adultUS$14 eachBuy ticketOn Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Pickup, hours & luggage

Boards at. The AirTrain station at your terminal, trains to Jamaica

The $8.75 AirTrain fare and a $5.25 CityTicket from Jamaica; $16 in all on weekday trains reaching Grand Central from 06:00 to 10:00.

Hours. Trains leave Jamaica for Grand Central Madison from 05:10 (05:36 at weekends) to 01:13, every 10 to 15 minutes by day. Outside those hours, take a train to Penn Station.

Price for every party size · Fare source

Pre-booked

Welcome Pickups transfer to Manhattan

Driver meets you in arrivals

35 min rideTraffic dependentRuns all night

Driver meets you in the arrivals hall of your terminal with a name boardAny address in Manhattan

Non-stop24-hour servicePer vehiclePre-book

€78total for 1 adult€78 each · about US$90 in allBook transferPartner link · through Welcome Pickups

Pickup, hours & luggage

Boards at. Driver meets you in the arrivals hall of your terminal with a name board

Charged in euros: €78 for the sedan. Converted at the European Central Bank's reference rate of 15 September 2026 only to compare it with the local fares; your card's rate will differ a little.

Price for every party size · Fare source (partner link)

Take the AirTrain to Jamaica and a Long Island Rail Road train to Grand Central Madison: about 30 minutes for $14 ($16 in the weekday morning peak). Trains run from Jamaica from 05:10 to 01:13; after that, take one to Penn Station.

Ride times exclude walking and waiting. Every way from John F. Kennedy International Airport into New York

Your destination

Straight there.

Grand Central Terminal on East 42nd Street, in Midtown east of Fifth Avenue, with Grand Central Madison, the Long Island Rail Road's station, beneath it.

John F. Kennedy International Airport

Follow the signs

The AirTrain station at your terminal

AirTrain and LIRR to Grand Central · 30 min

Grand Central

AirTrain and LIRR to Grand Central serves Grand Central. AirTrain and LIRR to Penn Station does not.

Arriving late?

Not everything runs around the clock: the AirTrain and LIRR to Grand Central runs 05:10–01:13. Outside those hours, the Welcome Pickups transfer to Manhattan is what remains. and the board keeps only what is running.

From arrivals to Grand Central

Find the stop

The AirTrain station at your terminal. Follow the signs from arrivals.

Choose AirTrain and LIRR to Grand Central

Check the destination and departure board before boarding.

Arrive at Grand Central

30 min. Continue to your accommodation or follow signs for onward transport.

A few things for the rest of your trip

Partner offers

Not transport options · Affiliate links

Car hire at JFK airportDiscover Cars

Hire a car for Long Island, the Hamptons or the Hudson Valley at your own hours. You are staying in Manhattan: the AirTrain and the Long Island Rail Road reach Penn Station in about 30 minutes for US$14, and the E subway in about 50 for US$11.75. Discover Cars shows the full price before you book.

Compare car hire

Data in United StatesAiralo

An eSIM for United States, installed before you fly, works in the arrivals hall: tickets, maps, the driver's messages.

Choose an eSIM

Bags in New YorkRadical Storage

Radical Storage keeps bags in shops and hotels around New York: 196 places by its own count, booked by the day for the hours before check-in.

Find a bag drop

A late flight?AirHelp

A flight three or more hours late, or cancelled at short notice, can be owed up to €600 a passenger under EU and UK rules, depending on the flight. AirHelp charges only if the claim succeeds.

Check your flight

These links pay us a commission. They never change which transfer we rank first.

Continuing by public transport?

Follow the station signs for your onward connection.

Walking to your stay?

Check the address and choose the nearest exit.

Before you travel

Does the AirTrain and LIRR to Penn Station stop at Grand Central?

No. It runs to Penn Station.

Does the AirTrain and E train to Penn Station stop at Grand Central?

No. It runs to 34th Street-Penn Station on Eighth Avenue.

What if my flight arrives late?

Not everything runs around the clock: the AirTrain and LIRR to Grand Central runs 05:10–01:13. Outside those hours, the Welcome Pickups transfer to Manhattan is what remains.

How far is Grand Central from the centre?