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), every figure cited to the airport's own data.

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 6 terminals, not airside-connected (re-security between some)
  • Minimum connection time: 1 hr domestic, 2 hr international to domestic
  • Arrive: 2 hr before domestic, 3 hr 30 min before international
  • To New York: about 45 min one-way
  • Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes · Sleep pods: Yes

Terminals & connections

John F. Kennedy International Airport has 6 terminals. Not all terminals are airside-connected; transfers between some terminals require exiting security and re-clearing TSA. No terminals are airside-connected. 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

4 airlines: Air France, Lufthansa, Korean Air, Japan Airlines

Alliance carriers; major reconstruction is ongoing through 2028.

Terminal 4

6 airlines: Delta Air Lines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Virgin Atlantic, Avianca

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

Terminal 5

5 airlines: JetBlue, Aer Lingus, Cathay Pacific, TAP Air Portugal, Hawaiian Airlines

JetBlue hub.

Terminal 6

New Terminal 6 opens in phases starting 2026.

Terminal 7

3 airlines: British Airways, Qatar Airways, Alaska Airlines

Legacy British Airways terminal; being absorbed into the new Terminal 6.

Terminal 8

4 airlines: American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Finnair

American Airlines and OneWorld hub.

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic
1 hr
Domestic to international
1 hr 30 min
International to domestic
2 hr
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

Layover helper

Interactive tool

Enter your layover details and we will tell you whether you have a tight connection, a comfortable connection, or enough time to leave JFK.

Security & TSA

Typical TSA wait at JFK is 40 minutes at peak and 15 minutes off-peak. Arrive at least 2 hr before a domestic flight and 3 hr 30 min before international.

TSA PreCheck
Available
CLEAR
Available
Global Entry
Available

T4 and T8 have the longest peak waits. T5 JetBlue is generally fastest. 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; Minute Suites T4

Sleep pods

Available (from $45/hr)

Minute Suites (Terminal 4)

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

JFK is about 45 min from downtown New York by the fastest transit option.

Option Cost Time
AirTrain + LIRR (Jamaica Station)
Train
$8.50 AirTrain + $5-10 LIRR to Penn Station. Fastest public transit option.
 $10-$12 40-55 min
AirTrain + Subway E/J/Z
Subway
$8.50 AirTrain + $2.90 Subway. Slower but runs 24/7.
 $11 60-90 min
Uber/Lyft
Rideshare
Traffic is highly variable; rush hour can push the price and time up significantly.
 $70-$130 45-120 min
NYC Taxi flat fare
Taxi
Flat $70 fare + tolls + tip to Manhattan (outbound JFK-Manhattan).
 $70-$75 45-90 min

Parking

JFK parking ranges from $25/day economy to $60/day short-term. Long-term lots served by AirTrain; reserve online for discounts.

Short-term
$60/day
Long-term
$40/day
Economy
$25/day
Valet
$75/day

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. Round-trip to the city center is about 1 hr 30 min plus re-screening on return.

6+ hour layovers are enough for a quick Manhattan visit via AirTrain+LIRR (45 min each way). Budget 4 hours round trip including re-security. 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?

Arrive at least 120 minutes before a domestic flight from JFK, and 210 minutes before an international flight. Peak-time TSA waits at JFK can hit 40+ minutes, so add buffer.

What is the minimum connection time at JFK?

JFK requires at least 60 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 120 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. JFK terminals are not all airside-connected; expect to re-clear security between some terminals. 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?

Budget 15 min for same-terminal transfers and 30 min for different-terminal transfers at JFK via AirTrain (24/7 free within the airport; adjacent terminals 5-8 min, full loop 20-25 min). No terminals are airside-connected. 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.

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. Round-trip to the city center is about 90 minutes plus re-screening. 6+ hour layovers are enough for a quick Manhattan visit via AirTrain+LIRR (45 min each way). Budget 4 hours round trip including re-security. 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; Minute Suites T4.

Does JFK have sleep pods?

Yes. Minute Suites (Terminal 4) offers private sleep rooms starting around $45/hour.

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 + LIRR (Jamaica Station) at $10-$12, taking 40-55 minutes. $8.50 AirTrain + $5-10 LIRR to Penn Station. Fastest public transit option.

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. Typical peak-hour wait is 40 minutes. T4 and T8 have the longest peak waits. T5 JetBlue is generally fastest. 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: $60/day short-term, $40/day long-term, $25/day economy, $75/day valet. Long-term lots served by AirTrain; reserve online for discounts.

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 6 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, Aer Lingus, Cathay Pacific; Terminal 7: British Airways, Qatar Airways, Alaska Airlines. 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.

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 69 airports in our dataset.

Best for layovers JFK is workable for 6h+ layovers With sleep pods JFK has Minute Suites (Terminal 4) from $45/hr Shortest MCT JFK dom-to-dom: 1 hr · intl-to-dom: 2 hr

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.

Compare other airports

Sources & verification

Verified 2026-04-14. Airport operations, parking rates, and amenities change; always confirm with John F. Kennedy International Airport before flying.