Distance between Brooklyn and JFK Airport
JFK Airport is in Queens, the borough that borders Brooklyn to the east. There is no single distance between "Brooklyn" and JFK, because the borough covers a wide area. A trip from a neighborhood near the Queens border is a short hop. A trip from Downtown Brooklyn or the waterfront crosses most of the borough first.
Explanation of distance measurement
Two numbers matter when you plan the trip:
- The road distance from your address to your terminal. This is what a taxi meter charges for, and it changes with the route the driver takes.
- The travel time, which depends far more on traffic, the time of day and how many transfers you make than on miles.
For an accurate figure, enter your exact Brooklyn address and your JFK terminal into a map app before you leave. Check the terminal with your airline or on JFK's website, since JFK has several terminals and the AirTrain stops at each one.
Transportation options from JFK Airport to Brooklyn
Taxi/Car Service
Taxis pick up at the JFK terminals. The $70 flat fare only applies to trips between JFK and Manhattan. Trips between JFK and Brooklyn, like other New York City destinations, are charged the standard metered fare.
According to the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC), the metered fare is:
- $3.00 initial charge.
- 70 cents per 1/5 mile when traveling above 12 mph, or per 60 seconds in slow traffic or when stopped.
- 50 cents MTA State Surcharge and a $1.00 Improvement Surcharge.
- $1.00 overnight surcharge from 8 pm to 6 am.
- $2.50 rush hour surcharge from 4 pm to 8 pm on weekdays, excluding holidays.
- A $2.00 Airport Access Fee on pickups at JFK.
- Plus tips and any tolls.
Some E-Hail apps offer binding upfront fare quotes in participating taxis, which tell you the price before you ride. App-based car services work the same way. Prices change with demand.
Public transportation
There is no direct subway line into the JFK terminals. Every transit route ends with AirTrain JFK, which connects to all terminals. The AirTrain costs $8.75 when you enter or exit at Jamaica or Howard Beach. Unlimited passes are not accepted on the AirTrain, and children under 5 ride free.
Subway and AirTrain ($11.75 for most riders). This is a $3 subway fare plus the $8.75 AirTrain fare.
- Take a Far Rockaway-bound A train to Howard Beach-JFK Airport and transfer to the AirTrain. Make sure your train is going to Far Rockaway, because Lefferts Boulevard-bound A trains do not connect to the airport.
- Or take the J or Z toward Jamaica Center, get off at Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport, and follow the signs up to the AirTrain at Jamaica Station.
LIRR and AirTrain ($14 or $16 for most riders). Board the LIRR at Atlantic Terminal in Downtown Brooklyn and ride to Jamaica. Not every train stops at Jamaica, so check before you board. A ticket from Atlantic Terminal to Jamaica costs $5.25 off-peak or $7.25 at peak times, plus the $8.75 AirTrain fare. Sitting near the front of an eastbound train puts you closer to the AirTrain when you get off at Jamaica.
The MTA suggests the LIRR if you start in Downtown Brooklyn or want to save time, and the subway if you start elsewhere or want to save on fares.
Helicopter, if you are coming from Manhattan
BLADE's scheduled airport flights run between Manhattan and JFK or Newark. They do not fly from Brooklyn. If your day starts in Manhattan, a flight from the West 30th Street or East 34th Street heliport takes about 5 minutes, from $195 per seat, and a BLADE vehicle takes you to your terminal at JFK.
Travel Time Estimates
Factors That Affect Travel Time
- Where in Brooklyn you start. Eastern neighborhoods are much closer than Downtown Brooklyn or the western waterfront.
- Time of day. Rush hour slows taxis and cars, and the meter keeps running in slow traffic.
- Transfers. Each change between subway, LIRR and AirTrain adds walking and waiting time, especially with luggage.
- Train frequency. The AirTrain runs every 5 to 15 minutes. Some subway lines run local overnight, so allow extra time.
Rough Travel Time Estimates for Transportation Options
Rather than rely on a fixed number, check a live estimate in a map app or the MTA trip planner shortly before you leave, then add a buffer for security and bag drop at JFK. The LIRR is usually the quicker transit option from Downtown Brooklyn, and a taxi saves transfers when you have heavy bags.
FAQs about How Far Is Brooklyn From Jfk Airport?
How far is Brooklyn from JFK Airport?
It depends on the neighborhood. Trips from the eastern side of Brooklyn are shorter, while trips from Downtown Brooklyn cross most of the borough. Use your exact address in a map app for a precise distance.
What are the options for transportation from JFK Airport to Brooklyn?
Taxis, app-based car services, the subway plus AirTrain JFK, and the LIRR plus AirTrain JFK.
How much does a taxi ride from JFK Airport to Brooklyn cost?
Taxis charge the standard metered fare: a $3.00 initial charge plus 70 cents per 1/5 mile or per 60 seconds in slow traffic, plus surcharges, the $2.00 Airport Access Fee on JFK pickups, tolls and tip. The total depends on distance and traffic.
Is it possible to take public transportation from JFK Airport to Brooklyn?
Yes. Take the AirTrain from your terminal to Howard Beach for the A train, or to Jamaica for the J, Z or the LIRR to Atlantic Terminal.
How long does it take to travel from JFK Airport to Brooklyn using public transportation?
It varies with your starting point and route. Check the MTA trip planner for a live estimate, and allow extra time overnight, when some lines run local.
Can I rent a car at JFK Airport to travel to Brooklyn?
Yes, rental cars are available at JFK. Keep in mind that traffic and parking in New York City can add time and cost to the trip.