How long does the AirTrain + subway take?
The AirTrain takes about 10 minutes to get to either Jamaica Station (for the E train) or Howard Beach (for the A train). It takes about 5 minutes to switch between trains. The E train between NY Penn Station and Suthphin Blvd-Archer Ave takes 35-45 minutes. The A train between Howard Beach and the Financial District takes about 45-60 minutes. If your flight arrives at Terminals 1, 2 or 3 at JFK, you can cut a few minutes off of your AirTrain ride by taking the “internal” AirTrain to the Terminal 8/9 stop and switching there to the “external” AirTrain to Jamaica or Howard Beach. This way you avoid having to go all the way around to all of the terminals. Going to JFK Termainls 8/9 you can do the same trick: get off the “external” AirTrain at Terminal 1 and take the “internal” AirTrain to 8/9. After planning for connection timing delays, expect a total of 60-75 minutes to/from Penn Station on the E subway line, compared to 45-60 minutes using LIRR.
