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JFK · New York, NY · Major Hub

John F. Kennedy International Airport Guide

Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), sourced from the airport or the operator that runs each service, with minimums from OAG data.

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On this page
  1. Map
  2. Terminals & connections
  3. Layover helper
  4. Security & TSA
  5. Lounges
  6. Amenities
  7. Ground transport
  8. Parking
  9. Can I leave?
  10. FAQ

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 5 terminals, not all airside-connected
  • Minimum connection time: 30 min domestic, 1 hr 30 min international to domestic
  • Arrive: Follow your airline's check-in deadline
  • Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes · Sleep pods: Yes

Map

Open in OpenStreetMap

Terminals & connections

John F. Kennedy International Airport has 5 terminals. Not all terminals are airside-connected, so changing terminals can mean exiting security and re-clearing TSA. Every inter-terminal transfer requires exiting security, taking the AirTrain, and re-clearing TSA. International arrivals always require US Customs and (on separate tickets) bag recheck; pad intl-to-domestic connections to 2.5-3 hours.

Terminal 1

9 airlines: Air France, Lufthansa, Korean Air, Turkish Airlines, SWISS International Air Lines, TAP Air Portugal, and more

Alliance carriers; major reconstruction is ongoing through 2028.

Terminal 4

9 airlines: Delta Air Lines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Virgin Atlantic, Avianca, and more

Delta's international hub at JFK; SkyTeam and partner intl arrivals.

Terminal 5

2 airlines: JetBlue, Sun Country Airlines

JetBlue hub; also Cape Air and Sun Country. Aer Lingus moved to Terminal 7.

Terminal 7

6 airlines: Frontier Airlines, Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Norse Atlantic Airways, ANA All Nippon Airways, Condor

Now home to Frontier, Aer Lingus, ANA, Air Canada, and Norse after British Airways, Qatar, and Alaska moved to Terminal 8. Terminal 7 is slated for demolition as the new Terminal 6 (opening in phases from 2026) is built on its footprint.

Terminal 8

9 airlines: American Airlines, British Airways, Alaska Airlines, Qatar Airways, Iberia, Finnair, and more

American Airlines and oneworld hub; British Airways, Qatar, and Alaska now operate here.

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic
30 min
Domestic to international
1 hr
International to domestic
1 hr 30 min
International to international
1 hr 30 min
Transfer system
AirTrain (24/7 free within the airport; adjacent terminals 5-8 min, full loop 20-25 min)
Airside connected
No
Check your connection time at JFK

Layover helper

Find how long to plan for a connection at JFK: the official minimum connection time, plus a comfortable time of 30 minutes more, or 60 more when you clear customs or go through security again after a terminal change. Adjust trip type, terminal change, and checked-bag assumptions to match your itinerary.

Minimum connection at JFK

30min

Comfortable

60+ min

The shortest connection airlines usually sell here. Includes the walk between gates. Source: OAG

Comfortable is our guidance, not a rule.

Flying Delta both ways?Delta is a hub carrier here, with its own same-airline minimums
Both flights on Delta?
ConnectionDeltaAirportvs airport
Domestic → Domestic45'30'+15'
Domestic → International55'60'-5'
International → Domestic100'90'+10'
International → International100'90'+10'

Delta's same-airline minimums (OAG). Mixed-airline connections use the airport standard.

Flying JetBlue both ways?JetBlue is a hub carrier here, with its own same-airline minimums
Both flights on JetBlue?
ConnectionJetBlueAirportvs airport
Domestic → Domestic45'30'+15'
Domestic → International45'60'-15'
International → Domestic45'90'-45'
International → International120'90'+30'

JetBlue's same-airline minimums (OAG). Mixed-airline connections use the airport standard.

Based on:
Connection times are estimates. Verify with your airline.Powered by Travel VientTerms

Writing about JFK? Embed this connection time calculator on your site

Security & TSA

Security waits at JFK vary by time of day and checkpoint. We have not confirmed a standard arrival time published by JFK, so follow your airline's check-in and bag-drop deadlines. Check live JFK security wait times

TSA PreCheck
Available
CLEAR
Available
Global Entry
Available

Global Entry kiosks and Mobile Passport greatly reduce customs time.

Lounges

3 notable lounges at JFK, including airline-branded clubs and third-party options accessible via Priority Pass or day-pass. Check your credit card benefits (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X) before paying a day-pass fee.

Delta One Lounge

Terminal 4

Delta / SkyTeam

Access: Delta One on qualifying transcon/intl

Amenities: Sit-down dining, Showers, Wellness area

Chelsea Lounge (American)

Terminal 8

American / OneWorld

Access: Flagship First + ConciergeKey

Amenities: Caviar bar, Showers

The Greenwich (American Flagship)

Terminal 8

American / OneWorld

Access: Flagship Business same-day intl

Amenities: A la carte dining, Showers

Amenities

7 of 7 core amenities available at JFK: showers, sleep pods, free WiFi, nursing rooms, chapel, pharmacy, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated good. Dining options span 3 terminals.

Showers

Available

Premium lounges

Sleep pods

Available

Minute Suites Express (Terminal 4 and Terminal 8)

WiFi

Free (good)

Free WiFi across all terminals.

Nursing rooms

Available

All terminals

Chapel

Available

Interdenominational chapel (between T4 and T2)

Pet relief areas

Available

Pet relief areas in every terminal

Dining highlights

Terminal 4: Shake Shack, Uptown Brasserie (Marcus Samuelsson)

Terminal 5: Deep Blue Sushi, La Vie

Terminal 8: Bobby Van's Steakhouse

Ground transport to New York

No official source we checked publishes a ride time from JFK to downtown New York.

OptionCostTime
AirTrain + LIRR (Jamaica Station)
Train
$8.75 AirTrain + $5.25-$7.25 LIRR to Penn Station. Faster than the subway.
$14-$16Varies
AirTrain + Subway E/J/Z
Subway
$8.75 AirTrain + $3 subway. Slower than the LIRR.
$11.75Varies
Uber/Lyft
Rideshare
VariesVaries
NYC Taxi flat fare
Taxi
Flat $70 fare plus tolls, tip and $2.75-$8.50 in extra fees to Manhattan (outbound JFK-Manhattan).
$70Varies

Parking

JFK on-airport parking runs $45 to $70 per day depending on the lot. Official drive-up 24-hour maximums from jfkairport.com: Long-Term Parking Lot $45 (shown as the long-term rate); terminal garages $70-$82 (Terminal 8 Red $70, Terminal 5 Yellow $75, Terminal 4 Blue $82), with the lowest terminal rate ($70) shown as the short-term rate. The Terminal 1 Green and Terminal 7 Orange lots are closed. JFK has no economy lot and no valet (only reserved Premium spaces), so neither is listed. Pre-booking is cheaper.

Short-term
$70/day
Long-term
$45/day
Economy
Not published
Valet
Not published

Can I leave JFK during a layover?

With a 3-hour layover, stay inside JFK. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of New York.

6+ hour layovers are enough for a quick Manhattan visit via the AirTrain and the LIRR. For shorter layovers, the TWA Hotel's retro lounge and pool are walkable from T5.

Overnight layover hotels

  • TWA Hotel
    On-airport, connected via tube to T5
    $$$
  • JFK Hilton
    5-min shuttle
    $$

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at JFK?

We have not confirmed a standard arrival time published by John F. Kennedy International Airport, so follow your airline's check-in and bag-drop deadlines. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint, so add buffer at busy times.

What is the minimum connection time at JFK?

JFK requires at least 30 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 90 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. JFK terminals are not all airside-connected, so changing terminals can mean re-clearing security. Transfer system: AirTrain (24/7 free within the airport; adjacent terminals 5-8 min, full loop 20-25 min).

How long does it take to get between terminals at JFK?

We have no officially published terminal-to-terminal transfer time for JFK, so plan around the minimum connection time and add time for the terminal change.

Can I leave JFK during a 6-hour layover?

With 3 hours you should stay inside JFK. A 6-hour layover is enough to leave the airport briefly. 6+ hour layovers are enough for a quick Manhattan visit via the AirTrain and the LIRR. For shorter layovers, the TWA Hotel's retro lounge and pool are walkable from T5.

Does JFK have showers?

Yes, JFK has showers at Premium lounges.

Does JFK have sleep pods?

Yes. Minute Suites Express (Terminal 4 and Terminal 8) offers private sleep rooms.

Is WiFi free at JFK?

Yes. JFK offers free WiFi throughout the airport. Free WiFi across all terminals.

What is the cheapest way to get from JFK to New York?

The cheapest option is typically AirTrain + Subway E/J/Z at $11.75, taking a variable amount of time. $8.75 AirTrain + $3 subway. Slower than the LIRR.

Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at JFK?

JFK supports TSA PreCheck and has CLEAR lanes. Global Entry kiosks are available for returning international travelers. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint, and JFK posts live wait times on its website. Global Entry kiosks and Mobile Passport greatly reduce customs time.

Where should I eat at JFK during a layover?

Notable dining at JFK includes Shake Shack (Terminal 4), Uptown Brasserie (Marcus Samuelsson) (Terminal 4), Deep Blue Sushi (Terminal 5), La Vie (Terminal 5), Bobby Van's Steakhouse (Terminal 8). Dining is spread across 3 terminals or concourses, so check your departure gate before committing to a sit-down meal.

How much does parking cost at JFK?

JFK parking rates: $70/day short-term, $45/day long-term. Official drive-up 24-hour maximums from jfkairport.com: Long-Term Parking Lot $45 (shown as the long-term rate); terminal garages $70-$82 (Terminal 8 Red $70, Terminal 5 Yellow $75, Terminal 4 Blue $82), with the lowest terminal rate ($70) shown as the short-term rate. The Terminal 1 Green and Terminal 7 Orange lots are closed. JFK has no economy lot and no valet (only reserved Premium spaces), so neither is listed. Pre-booking is cheaper.

Is there a hotel at JFK for overnight layovers?

Yes. TWA Hotel is on-airport (On-airport, connected via tube to T5) in the $$$ price band. This is the easiest option for overnight layovers or early-morning departures since you can reach the terminal on foot without a shuttle or rideshare.

Which terminal does my airline use at JFK?

JFK has 5 terminals. Major airline assignments: Terminal 1: Air France, Lufthansa, Korean Air; Terminal 4: Delta Air Lines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Singapore Airlines; Terminal 5: JetBlue, Sun Country Airlines; Terminal 7: Frontier Airlines, Aer Lingus, Air Canada. Confirm with your boarding pass before arrival since a few airlines operate from multiple terminals depending on route.

Are there pet relief areas at JFK?

Yes. Pet relief areas in every terminal.

Can I cruise from New York?

Yes. Cruise ports within 100 miles of JFK: Cape Liberty Cruise Port (16 mi). See our cruise port guides for sailing lines, parking, and embarkation details.

Is there a chapel or prayer room at JFK?

Yes. Interdenominational chapel (between T4 and T2). Our Lady of the Skies.

Compare JFK to other airports

See how JFK ranks against the other 111 airports in our dataset.

Best for layoversJFK is workable for 6h+ layoversWith sleep podsJFK has Minute Suites Express (Terminal 4 and Terminal 8)Shortest MCTJFK dom-to-dom: 30 min · intl-to-dom: 1 hr 30 min

More on New York and JFK

Go deeper on connecting through JFK and on visiting New York.

Airlines operating at JFK

Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of JFK.

Pack for your New York trip

Destination packing lists for cities served by JFK.

Cruise ports near JFK

Cruise terminals within 100 miles of John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Compare other airports

Sources & verification

Connection times, security, ground transport, parking and sleep pods verified Oct 2026 against the sources above. Amenities, lounges and nearby hotels without a listed source are not yet verified. Always confirm with John F. Kennedy International Airport before flying.

If a figure looks wrong, email hello@vient.org, see how we handle corrections, or browse past fixes in our public changelog.