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28.8 km • ~36 mins

How to Get from New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to World Trade Center

JFK Airport is about 29 km south-east of the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. Depending on traffic and mode, the trip takes 40 to 90 minutes, with the AirTrain plus subway the cheapest at about €10.50 per person.

✓ Verified Nov 2, 2026 • 28.8 km road distance

Pre-Booked Private Transfer

Recommended
40 mins •On Request
€85 - €110 (Per Vehicle)
Luggage: 2 Suitcases + Hand Luggage
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. After baggage claim, exit into the arrivals hall and look for your driver holding a name sign.
  2. Confirm the destination (World Trade Center) and fixed price with the driver before departing.
  3. The driver will load your luggage and take you directly to the World Trade Center entrance.
  4. Travel time is about 40 minutes without heavy traffic; allow longer during rush hour.
Book Fixed-Price Transfer

Official Yellow Taxi

Flat Fare to Manhattan
45 mins •Available 24/7 at Taxi Ranks
€81 - €99 (Per Vehicle)
Luggage: Luggage Included
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Follow signs to the official taxi rank outside your terminal arrivals area.
  2. Take the next yellow cab from the dispatcher in a yellow jacket; refuse touts inside.
  3. Tell the driver 'World Trade Center' and confirm the $70 flat fare plus surcharges before leaving.
  4. The trip to Lower Manhattan takes about 45-75 minutes depending on traffic.
  5. Pay by card or cash and add a 15-20% tip.

AirTrain JFK + Subway E (Jamaica)

Cheapest
70 mins •Frequent (24/7)
€10.50 / Person
Luggage: Luggage Space Limited
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Follow signs in arrivals to the AirTrain station; every terminal has an AirTrain station.
  2. Ride AirTrain to Jamaica Station (about 10-12 minutes).
  3. Tap your contactless card or phone at the AirTrain fare gates when exiting Jamaica to pay $8.75.
  4. Follow signs to the subway and tap again with OMNY ($3.00) to board the E train toward World Trade Center.
  5. Stay on the E train to World Trade Center station; the memorial is a 2-minute walk from the exit.

AirTrain JFK + LIRR + Subway E (Penn Station)

Fastest Public
55 mins •Frequent (See TrainTime App)
€15.00 - €17.00 / Person
Luggage: Luggage Space Limited
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Follow signs to the AirTrain station from arrivals and ride to Jamaica Station (10-12 minutes).
  2. Pay the $8.75 AirTrain fare by tapping your contactless card/phone at the Jamaica exit gates.
  3. Buy an LIRR CityTicket ($5.25 off-peak / $7.25 peak) before boarding using the MTA TrainTime app or a ticket machine.
  4. Take an LIRR train to Penn Station (about 20 minutes).
  5. At Penn Station, follow signs to the E subway, tap OMNY ($3.00), and ride to World Trade Center.

AirTrain JFK + Subway A (Howard Beach)

Alternative
80 mins •Frequent (24/7)
€10.50 / Person
Luggage: Luggage Space Limited
How to take it step-by-step:
  1. Follow signs to the AirTrain station from arrivals and ride to Howard Beach (about 8-10 minutes).
  2. Tap your contactless card or phone at the AirTrain exit gates to pay $8.75.
  3. Board the A train marked Manhattan/Inwood (about 45-55 minutes to Chambers St).
  4. Exit at Chambers St or Fulton St and walk about 5 minutes to the World Trade Center.
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Things to do near World Trade Center

World Trade Center World Trade Center former skyscraper complex in Manhattan, New York (1968-2001) See tours 2 World Trade Center 2 World Trade Center unfinished office building at the rebuilt World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York City See tours World Trade Center site World Trade Center site grounds of the World Trade Center in New York City See tours National September 11 Memorial & Museum National September 11 Memorial & Museum memorial & museum in New York City commemorating the September 11, 2001 attacks See tours 7 World Trade Center 7 World Trade Center building in Lower Manhattan, New York City See tours Manhattan Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, United States See tours 3 World Trade Center 3 World Trade Center Skyscraper within New York City See tours construction of the World Trade Center construction of the World Trade Center building construction project in New York City See tours
Things to Do in New York City
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⚠️ Important Local Taxi & Arrival Tips

  • Ignore anyone inside the terminal who offers you a taxi ride; touts often overcharge or use unlicensed cars. Go only to the official taxi rank or use a pre-booked transfer.
  • For taxis to Manhattan, the fare is a flat $70 plus surcharges, not a metered fare. Confirm the total before departing and ask for a receipt.
  • AirTrain fares are paid only at the Jamaica or Howard Beach exit gates; do not buy a 'ticket' from someone in the terminal.
  • At the taxi rank, make sure the driver uses the meter when going to Brooklyn or Queens; to Manhattan the flat fare applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest way to get from JFK to the World Trade Center?

Take the AirTrain to Jamaica ($8.75) and then the E subway to World Trade Center ($3.00), for a total of $11.75, about €10.50 per person. The trip takes about 70 minutes door to door.

How long does it take to get from JFK to the World Trade Center?

By private car or taxi, allow 45-75 minutes depending on traffic. By AirTrain and subway E, the trip usually takes 60-75 minutes, and by AirTrain/LIRR/subway about 50-60 minutes.

How do I pay for the AirTrain and subway?

Tap a contactless bank card, smartphone, or OMNY card at the fare gates. The AirTrain fare is $8.75 when exiting at Jamaica or Howard Beach, and each subway ride is $3.00.

Is there a direct bus or shuttle from JFK to Manhattan?

There is no verified direct public bus or shuttle from JFK to Manhattan. City buses only connect to the subway in Queens/Brooklyn and are slower; the AirTrain with subway is the best public option.

What is the taxi flat fare from JFK to Manhattan?

The official NYC yellow taxi flat fare from JFK to any Manhattan address is $70, plus surcharges. With surcharges and tip, the total is usually $90-$110 (about €81-€99).

Which option is best for families with luggage?

A pre-booked private transfer is the easiest for families: the driver meets you in arrivals, helps with luggage, and takes you directly to the World Trade Center. It costs about €85-€110 per vehicle.

Nearby places

More transfers from New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

Financial District · 28.6 km SoHo · 30.1 km DUMBO · 30.4 km Downtown Brooklyn · 30.5 km Chelsea · 29.8 km Penn Station · 28.9 km Hudson Yards · 29.9 km Williamsburg · 26.2 km Midtown Manhattan · 28.3 km Grand Central Terminal · 27.7 km