JFK to Times Square: Cheapest & Fastest Ways (2026)

Last updated: July 29, 2026

Getting from JFK to Times Square in 2026 comes down to a simple choice: the AirTrain + E subway gets you a 3-minute walk from Times Square for just $11.40 in about 50–55 minutes, while a yellow cab is door-to-door for a $70 flat fare that lands nearer $90–$120 all-in — and can crawl in Midtown traffic. Here’s every route from JFK to Times Square compared on cost, time and hassle, so you can pick the right one before you land.

JFK to Times Square: quick comparison (2026)

Option	Time	Cost	Best for
AirTrain + E subway	50–55 min	$11.40	Lowest cost, drops near Times Square
AirTrain + LIRR (via Penn)	40–50 min	$13.75–$17.25	Comfort, seat and luggage space
Yellow cab	45–75 min	~$90–$120 all-in	Door-to-door, groups, lots of bags
Uber / Lyft	45–75 min	From ~$45+	Door-to-door without hailing

The cheapest way from JFK to Times Square: AirTrain + E subway

The budget route is the AirTrain to Jamaica Station, then the E subway toward World Trade Center. The E runs straight to 42 St–Port Authority Bus Terminal, a 3-minute walk from Times Square. Total cost is just $11.40 — $8.50 for the AirTrain plus the $2.90 subway fare — and the whole trip takes about 50–55 minutes. The AirTrain runs 24/7 (roughly 10–15 minutes to Jamaica), and the E covers Jamaica to 42nd Street in about 40 minutes.

Good to know for summer 2026: the AirTrain fare was temporarily cut to $4.25 from 30 June through Labor Day, which drops the whole JFK–Times Square trip to around $7.15 during peak season. The trade-off with the subway is comfort — you may stand with your bags at rush hour, and there are stairs at some stations.

The comfortable way: AirTrain + LIRR via Penn Station

For a guaranteed seat and luggage space, take the AirTrain to Jamaica, then the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to Penn Station — about 20 minutes on the train. Penn Station is at 34th Street, so Times Square is a short 10-minute walk up Seventh Avenue or one stop on the subway. Total is roughly 40–50 minutes and costs $13.75 off-peak or $15.75–$17.25 at peak ($8.50 AirTrain + the LIRR fare). It’s the most comfortable rail option and often the fastest when Midtown traffic is bad.

Yellow cab from JFK to Times Square: the real cost

New York yellow cabs charge a TLC-set flat fare of $70 between JFK and anywhere in Manhattan, including Times Square. But that’s before extras: the $2.50 state congestion surcharge, a $0.75 congestion-pricing charge for entering Manhattan below 60th Street (Times Square is inside the zone), tolls of around $6–$12, a possible $5 weekday rush-hour add-on (4–8 pm) and a 15–20% tip. Most riders actually pay $90–$120. It’s the simplest door-to-door option and can be good value split between three or four people, but Midtown traffic near Times Square can make it slower than the train.

Uber and Lyft to Times Square

Rideshare from JFK starts around $45 and rises with demand and traffic, often landing in the $60–$90 range at busy times. Uber and Lyft also pay the $1.50 congestion-pricing charge into the zone plus the existing for-hire surcharge. Pickup is from designated areas rather than the terminal kerb, so factor in a short walk and possible wait. For a solo traveller heading to a Times Square hotel, the train is usually cheaper and just as quick; for two or more with luggage, rideshare or a cab is worth comparing.

Which option is best for you?

• Cheapest: AirTrain + E subway ($11.40) — drops you 3 minutes from Times Square if you don’t mind ~50 minutes and stairs.
• Most comfortable on rails: AirTrain + LIRR to Penn, then a short walk — a seat, space for bags, and reliable timing.
• Door-to-door / groups: a yellow cab (flat $70, ~$90–$120 all-in) or Uber/Lyft, especially with heavy luggage or three-plus people.
• Late at night: the AirTrain and subway run 24/7, but a cab or rideshare is simpler if you land after midnight.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way from JFK to Times Square?

The AirTrain to Jamaica then the E subway to 42 St–Port Authority, a 3-minute walk from Times Square, for $11.40 total ($8.50 AirTrain + $2.90 subway). It takes about 50–55 minutes.

How long does it take to get from JFK to Times Square?

About 50–55 minutes by AirTrain + E subway, 40–50 minutes by AirTrain + LIRR via Penn Station, and 45–75 minutes by cab or rideshare depending on Midtown traffic.

How much is a taxi from JFK to Times Square?

The yellow-cab flat fare is $70, but with the state congestion surcharge, the $0.75 congestion-pricing charge, tolls, any rush-hour add-on and tip, most riders pay $90–$120 in total.

Is there a direct train from JFK to Times Square?

There is no single direct train, but the AirTrain + E subway is close: the E runs to 42 St–Port Authority, a 3-minute walk from Times Square, with just one change at Jamaica.

What is the fastest way from JFK to Times Square?

When Midtown traffic is heavy, the AirTrain + LIRR to Penn Station (then a 10-minute walk) is usually fastest at 40–50 minutes. In light traffic a cab or rideshare is comparable.

Plan the rest of your JFK trip

• JFK to Manhattan: taxi vs train vs rideshare — the full overview of every route into the city
• JFK to Brooklyn — the cheapest and fastest ways across the river
• JFK to Grand Central — the LIRR and subway options to Midtown East
• JFK terminal transfer times — if you’re connecting between terminals
• Airport arrival time calculator — for your return flight from JFK

Fares and times verified July 2026 against MTA (subway and AirTrain), the LIRR, and NYC TLC taxi fare rules, including 2026 congestion pricing. Prices can change — check the operator before you travel.