AirTrain fares to JFK airport reduced by 50% to ease summer traffic crunch

Travelers heading in and out of New York City looking to save some money are getting a summer surprise. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is cutting AirTrain fares to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) by 50% as it tries to reduce traffic congestion during the summer travel season.

It’s not a permanent price cut, but fares will drop from $8.50 to $4.25 starting June 30 through Labor Day. While some travelers view the AirTrain as an inconvenient way to get to JFK, this reduction might make people rethink their plans, especially when considering how bad traffic could be this summer.

JFK is around 15 miles from Midtown Manhattan, and traffic to and from the airport is always busy. This summer, however, brings a perfect storm of events that threaten to create major traffic problems. The airport is currently in the midst of a $19 billion renovation, the largest airport redevelopment project in the U.S. At the same time, the Port Authority expects a record-breaking travel summer, with more than 18.3 million passengers expected to pass through it during that time.

Related: The best ways to get from JFK Airport to Manhattan

“As we head into a busy summer construction period in our $19 billion effort to build a new JFK International with record traveler volumes, we are once again asking travelers to leave their cars at home and take public transit to the airport,” Port Authority chairman Kevin O’Toole said in a statement.

“The discounted AirTrain fare is one of a multitude of steps we’re taking to move passengers to and from JFK as quickly and reliably as possible,” he said.

You can connect to the AirTrain JFK via the Long Island Railroad, the New York City Subway and through local buses. The AirTrain connects travelers from two major transit hubs: Howard Beach Station and Jamaica Station.

Howard Beach offers a direct connection from the A subway line; Jamaica Station is accessible via the E, J and Z lines, as well as the LIRR from Grand Central Madison, Penn Station and Atlantic Terminal. Both AirTrain entry points require payment via MetroCard or OMNY; taking the AirTrain around JFK Airport remains free.

Construction at JFK is approaching its peak for roadway work, with the Port Authority expecting more than $200 million of construction activity each month from now until the end of summer. With that in mind, access to the airport by car is going to be limited — especially around Terminal 7, where the old access route is being demolished to make way for steel beams that will support a new roadway leading to Terminal 6.

“We apologize for any inconvenience, but we promise that a new JFK is just around the corner, with the first new gates opening next year,” Rick Cotton, the executive director of the Port Authority, said. The redevelopment of JFK Airport will include a brand-new Terminal 1 and Terminal 6, with Terminals 4 and 8 undergoing massive renovations and expansions.

Airport officials are encouraging travelers to take advantage of the AirTrain fare reductions. For those who must drive to the airport, officials recommend arriving at least three hours before your flight and pre-booking parking on the JFK airport website. Customers using ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft will need to meet their drivers at remote pick-up lots.

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