They're on the right track. (giggle)…read more
So glad they offer this service. Super easy to get to other terminals, car rentals, or hotel shuttles. And, if you are trying to get to the city, the Air Train is more reliable, faster, and predictable than taxis and rideshare at a fraction of the cost (and sometime more spacious or comfortable). Plus, it's luggage friendly and accessible. And they don't need to know your name.
If you're confused, you need to take the smooth, magnetic Air Train to exit the airport to either Howard Beach to catch the A train or to Jamaica for the E, J, or Z train (or the Long Island Rail Road direct to Grand Central or Penn Station for $5.25-$7.25). To get directions in reverse back to the airport, just hold this review up to a mirror.
Ideally, it would be great to have a direct link from airport to city, like Chicago, Atlanta, DC, San Francisco, Cleveland, Salt Lake City, St. Louis, and Minneapolis and Portland (and Seattle if you walk 1000 feet), but I still appreciate the "two-seat" system because the signage is super easy. You can jump off your plane and follow the yellow signs straight to the air train, pay at the turnstile, and be on a train within 15 minutes anytime of the day.
As of June 2026, it's $8.75 for the Air Train, and $3 for the subway.
Pro Tip: If you are heading to Terminal 8 from the city, get off the train at Terminal 1, walk across the platform, and catch the clockwise "All Terminals" to catch it in 1 (not 5) stops.