Live Departures New York JFK

New York JFK Airport Guide

New York JFK Terminal MapNew York JFK airline loungesNew York JFK airport trainNew York JFK airport Hotel
New York airport

New York JFK airport

John F. Kennedy International Airport, normally just referred to as JFK Airport, or even just Kennedy to some taxi drivers, is the vast US airport and primary gateway for New York City.

By far the busiest international airport, and 6th biggest by traffic, in North America, however it isn't even in the top 20 of the busiest airports in the world.

However, it's age, and chaotic design, are it's Achilles' heel, and quite often it's downfall. Making Heathrow look well planned out, each airline was allowed to design their own terminal, which are all separate and disconnected. No wonder many people still refer to it as Idlewild Airport, for that is what you may be doing, wildly idling time.

New York airport

New York JFK airport

No JFK Airport guide could also fail to note that JFK is located in the Jamaica neighbourhood of Queens in New York, a mere 16 miles (26 km) south east of Midtown Manhattan. However actually getting to the airport is often a nightmare, with no real dedicated JFK Airport train, or even fast metro service. It really makes ever other airport look state of the art.

And then there are the terminal. Thankfully three have been demolished or renovated, (Terminal 3 and Terminal 6 at JFK no longer exist) but the ones that remain are a miserable bunch.

New York airport

New York JFK airport

It is possible to go from each terminal, via the AirTrain JFK rapid-transit system. However, it only runs clockwise, and if you want to go just one terminal in the opposite direction, it can be quicker to walk.


New York JFK Airport Pay in, First & Business Class lounges

New York JFK Airport Terminal Map

New York JFK Airport terminal map
New York JFK Airport Terminal Map

New York JFK Airport transport

New York JFK Airport train

You can now get a train to JFK airport from downtown, and back again, but it's a bit of a faff.

Both the New York City Subway and Long Island Rail Road have stations that connect to the AirTrain JFK - the internal train which stops at all terminals.

To get to the Long Island Rail Road, head to the Jamaica LIRR station.

Meanwhile for the New York City Subway, go to the Howard Beach-JFK Airport subway station on the IND Rockaway Line (A train) or the Sutphin Boulevard-Archer Avenue-JFK Airport subway station on the Archer Avenue Line (E​, ​J, and ​Z trains).

The cost of a SingleRide ticket is $3.00. These tickets are sold at vending machines only, but you might be better off with a Metrocard.

New York JFK Airport shuttle bus services

If you are really brave, don't try the train - take the bus. This can take a really long time to get to JFK.

The city bus lines that link JFK to the New York City Subway and Long Island Rail Road, including the Q3, Q6, Q7, Q10, B15, with free transfers provided for subway connections.

Meanwhile, the B15, Q3 and Q10 buses all serve the Central Terminal Area via a dedicated bus stop at the former Terminal 6, from where there are connection to other terminals via AirTrain JFK, with a direct walkway provided to Terminal 5.

New York JFK Airport taxi services

Getting a taxi to and from New York JFK Airport is usually trouble free, if you use New York City's famous yellow cabs.

There is a flat-rate service of $52 from JFK Airport to Manhattan, excluding tips and tolls.

Beware that the journey can be leanthy at rush hour - allow an hour and a half, although sometimes it can be only 40 minutes.

Car Hire at New York JFK Airport

Major car hire operators are located in the Arrivals Halls. To save time and ensure you get the car you want, book your rental in advance. Rental car operators from New York JFK Airport include: Europcar, Thrifty, Avis and Budget.

New York JFK Airport Bars and Restaurants

It's annoying that all the terminals are disconnected airside - you have only a basic selection of bars in each terminal.

JFK Terminal 4 airport bars

Terminal 4 has by far the most airport bars, compared to most of the other terminals. In the evenings, it can get quite lively, particularlly in the Irish bar in the summer.

New York airport

New York JFK airport

T4 JFK Tigin Irish Bar

Open: 1100-2300 Airside T4 JFK
A classic pub built by the Irish Pub Company, which exports Fake Irish Pub interiors all over the world.

You can get a full Fry Up for breakfast, lots of burgers or Sandwiches.

New York airport

New York JFK airport

T4 Buffalo Wings Bar

Open: 0500-2300 Airside T4 JFK
A very mainstream airport bar, right in the middle of Terminal 4.

This lively sports-bar chain dishes up wings & other fairly mainstream American pub grub amid a large long bar with stools, facing some large screen Televisions.

New York airport

New York JFK airport

T4 Blue Smoke on the Road

Open: 1100-2300 Airside T4 JFK by gate B34
Blue Smoke on the Road is an offshoot of Danny Meyer's barbecue establishment empire.

Blue Smoke serves ribs, sausages, and sandwiches, plus beer, wine, and cocktails.

This is also a great place to hang out and watch the game, and you can see the runway out of the windows.

Service here is always remarkably prompt.

New York airport

New York JFK airport

T4 Camden Foods Borough Market

Open: 1100-2300 Airside T4 JFK by gate B41
A classic sandwich shop with coffee and tea.

It is a bakery, coffee, deli, panini, and of course those famous sandwiches - and it serves them out of a nice little van too.

New York airport

New York JFK airport

T4 Le Grand Comptoir

Open: 0600-2300 Airside T4 JFK
A lovely little wine bar with cheese and charcuterie.

It can seem a little more 'open' to the terminal, unlike the one in Terminal 7, but the food appears marginally better.

Wine is of course excellent, but can be pricey.

New York airport

New York JFK airport

T4 Sam Adams Bar

Open: 1100-2300 Landside T4
Hole in the wall, landside pub.
New York airport

New York JFK airport

T4 PizzaVino

Open: 0730-2300 Airside T4 JFK by gate B28
It does what it says - Pizza, and Vino.

A rather open to the terminal, modern style Italian ish place, it only does wine and beer - no spirits - but the wine is good, and the pizza decent too.

Service can be a little slow however, but the good natured service makes up for it.

New York airport

New York JFK airport

T4 The Palm Bar & Grille

Open: 0730-2300 Airside T4 JFK by gate B28
The famed Manhattan steakhouse has a small outlet in Terminal 4. The Palm Bar & Grille is upscale, and does quality if leisurely steaks, and classic American food.

JFK TWA hotel bars

TWA The Sunken Lounge

Open: 1100-2300 Landside, TWA hotel JFK
This bar is in the red velvet conversation pit right in the middle of the hotel lobby.

It serves 1960s-era favourites like a wiskey Old Fashioned and a champagne cocktail in gold-flecked glassware, similar to that which was served to TWA's elite passengers.

Of course it does the usual wines and craft beers, as well as snacks like olives, hummus, and a charcuterie board.

TWA Rooftop pool bar

Open: 1100-2300 Landside, TWA airport hotel
Right on the rooftop observation deck, overlooking the runway, and serving aviation-themed drinks like the "Mile High Spritz," made with vodka, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, lime, and Prosecco.

You can eat beside the pool too, with fish tacos, and a fried chicken sandwich.

JFK Terminal 7 airport bars

New York airport

New York JFK airport

T7 Long Island Brew House

Open: 1100-2300 Airside T4 JFK
A classic brewpub fwith plenty of beers.

Serves burgers, and a large good breakfast.

T7 Le Grand Comptoir

Open: 1100-2300 Airside T7 JFK
Right in the middle of terminal 7, this is a good free-standing wine bar with a nice selection of cheese and a charcuterie board.

Excellent wine selection.

New York JFK airport
JFK: New York Airport Guide - Terminal map, airport guide, lounges, bars, restaurants & reviews with images
Airport review with maps by
rating: 3 out of 10 1.5 Star Rating
New York JFK Airport Code: JFK
ICAO Code: KJFKTimezone:UTC+29:08 (DST+32:08)
Elevation: 13 ft (4 m)Runways: 4
Latitude: 40.640Longitude: -73.779

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