You’re standing in the middle of Penn Station. It’s loud, it’s chaotic, and if you’re like most people, you’re probably staring at a massive departure board feeling a little bit like a deer in headlights. Your flight leaves in three hours. You need the train from Penn Station NYC to JFK airport, but the map looks like a bowl of multi-colored spaghetti.
Honestly, it’s easier than it looks. But if you mess up the timing or get on the wrong branch of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), you’re looking at a very expensive Uber ride from a random station in Queens—or worse, a missed flight.
Most travelers default to the subway because it’s cheap. Big mistake. Unless you have an extra two hours to kill and a high tolerance for stops at every single block in Brooklyn, the LIRR is the only way to go. It’s faster. It’s cleaner. It’s just... better. Here is the reality of making that trek without losing your mind.
Why the LIRR beats the subway every single time
The E train is a classic. It’s $2.90. It goes from Penn Station (34th St) right to Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport. But here’s the thing: it takes forever. You’re stopping at every local station, dodging buskers, and lugging suitcases through narrow turnstiles.
The train from Penn Station NYC to JFK airport—specifically the LIRR—shaves about 30 minutes off that trip.
You’re looking at a 20-minute ride to Jamaica Station. That’s it. From there, you hop the AirTrain. While the subway feels like a chore, the LIRR feels like you’ve actually started your vacation. There’s overhead luggage space. People aren’t usually leaning on you. It’s civilized.
The "Jamaica Station" bottleneck
Everything hinges on Jamaica.
Jamaica Station is the giant hub in Queens where almost every LIRR line converges. When you’re at Penn Station, you don’t necessarily need a train that says "JFK" on it. In fact, none of them do. You just need any train that stops at Jamaica.
Look for lines like the Babylon, Far Rockaway, Long Beach, or Ronkonkoma branches. They almost always stop at Jamaica. Just check the "stops" list on the digital screens or the MTA TrainTime app. If it says Jamaica, you’re golden.
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Once you hop off at Jamaica, follow the symbols for the AirTrain. It’s a bit of a hike through the station, across a glass-walled bridge, and through some high-speed turnstiles. This is where the "NYC sticker shock" usually hits. The AirTrain isn't free. It’s currently $8.50, and you can’t pay with a standard paper MetroCard anymore unless it has a specific balance.
Pro tip: Use OMNY. Just tap your credit card, phone, or smartwatch at the turnstile. It’s way faster than standing in line at the kiosks with fifty other confused tourists.
Timing is everything (The Peak vs. Off-Peak Trap)
Price changes depending on when you travel. New York is funny like that.
If you’re heading out during "Peak" hours—basically weekday mornings toward the city or weekday afternoons away from the city—your LIRR ticket will cost more. Usually around $10.75. If you’re traveling mid-day, late at night, or on weekends, you can snag an "Off-Peak" ticket for about $7.75.
Then there’s the CityTicket. If you’re traveling on a weekday (off-peak) or anytime on a weekend, the CityTicket is only $5.00 for trips within NYC limits. Since Jamaica is in Queens, it counts.
Don't buy your ticket on the train. The conductors will charge you a "on-board" fee that’s basically a penalty for being unprepared. It can jump the price up by $5 or $6. Use the MTA TrainTime app or the machines at Penn Station.
Navigating the new Penn Station layout
Penn Station isn't just one room. It's a sprawling subterranean labyrinth.
For years, we all suffered in the cramped, low-ceilinged basement of the old LIRR concourse. But now, you have the Moynihan Train Hall. It’s across 8th Avenue from the "old" Penn (the Madison Square Garden side).
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If you want the train from Penn Station NYC to JFK airport, go to Moynihan.
It has natural light. It has decent coffee. It has massive screens that actually work. Most importantly, it has plenty of space to wheel a suitcase without hitting someone’s ankles. The tracks are the same—the trains just pull into the platforms that run underneath both buildings. Moynihan is just the "fancy" entrance.
What happens when things go wrong?
Let’s be real. The MTA isn't perfect. Signal problems happen. Track fires happen. People drop things on the rails.
If the LIRR is seeing massive delays, your backup is the E subway line. It’s located on the 8th Avenue side of Penn Station. It also goes to Jamaica (Sutphin Blvd). It’ll take about 50 to 60 minutes compared to the LIRR’s 20, but it’ll get you there.
If there’s a total meltdown on the rails? Grab a yellow cab or an Uber. But be warned: a car from Midtown to JFK at 5:00 PM on a Friday can take 90 minutes and cost $100 with tip and tolls. The train is your best friend.
The AirTrain leg: The final stretch
The AirTrain runs 24/7. It circles the terminals.
Pay attention to which terminal you need before you get on. JFK is huge. If you’re flying Delta, you’re likely Terminal 4. JetBlue? Terminal 5. International carriers are scattered, though many are in Terminal 1 or 4.
The AirTrain usually runs in two loops:
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- The "All Terminals" loop (just stays at the airport).
- The "Jamaica Station" line (the one you want).
- The "Howard Beach" line (avoid this unless you took the A train subway).
If you accidentally get on the Howard Beach train from JFK, you’ll end up in a completely different part of Queens. Just stay alert.
Real world cost breakdown
Let's do the math so you aren't surprised at the turnstile.
- LIRR Ticket (Off-Peak/CityTicket): $5.00 - $7.75
- AirTrain Fare: $8.50
- Total: ~$13.50 to $16.25
Compare that to a $70+ Uber ride. It’s a no-brainer for most people, especially solo travelers or couples. If you’re a family of five, the price gap closes a bit, but the train still wins on speed during rush hour.
Actionable steps for your trip
Don't just wing it.
First, download the MTA TrainTime app. It shows you exactly which track your train is on the second it’s announced. This prevents that frantic "scramble" everyone does when the board flips at Penn Station.
Second, make sure your phone is charged or you have a contactless credit card ready. Fiddling with MetroCard machines at Jamaica Station is a rite of passage you want to skip. The lines can be twenty people deep when a large train arrives.
Third, give yourself a 20-minute buffer. If you think you need to leave Penn Station at 2:00 PM to make your flight, leave at 1:40 PM. The walk from the LIRR platform at Jamaica to the AirTrain platform takes longer than you think, especially with heavy bags.
Finally, double-check your terminal. JFK Terminal 2 and 3 don't exist anymore—they were demolished or repurposed. If your old itinerary says Terminal 2, check again. You're probably going to 1 or 4.
The train from Penn Station NYC to JFK airport is the "local" secret that isn't really a secret. It’s just the most logical way to traverse one of the most congested corridors in the world. Stick to the LIRR, keep your OMNY-ready device out, and you’ll be through security while everyone else is still sitting in traffic on the Van Wyck Expressway.