How To Get Between Terminals at JFK International Airport

Key Takeaways

• The AirTrain connects all terminals, offering free service within the airport and additional routes to public transportation options like subways and buses.
• Walking between adjacent terminals is possible but not recommended, given the busy roadways. Most passengers prefer the AirTrain for its speed and convenience.
• A one-way trip to or from Jamaica or Howard Beach stations costs $8.50.

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is a very busy airport, serving over 63 million passengers in 2024. Traffic congestion around the airport is considerable, but there are good public transport connections around New York City and beyond.

JFK’s automated people mover, the AirTrain, makes it quick and convenient to move between terminals while transporting passengers to the airport’s outskirts for car rental services, pick-up and drop-off stations, and long-term parking. This eases central airport congestion further.

JFK Airport Layout

John F. Kennedy International Airport has 5 terminals numbered 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8. These are on the outside of a rectangular loop, with vehicle access and parking on the inside. The inside of the loop is landside, or pre-security, where all passengers and visitors can access, and the outside areas are airside, or post-security, where only passengers with a valid ticket are permitted.

The AirTrain tracks define the loop, which is used to get from one terminal to another. None of the terminals interconnect with airside walkways, so you must go through security again for a flight connection.

Facilities vary considerably between terminals, so if you’re looking to shop or grab a bite to eat before heading airside, it’s best to check what options are available in your terminal. You can check this information on the airport’s website.

JFK Ground Transportation Pre-Security

AirTrain

Inter-terminal transportation revolves around the AirTrain, and there are currently a couple of different lines you can ride depending on your destination. You can ride both lines for free to move from one terminal to another.

The AirTrain lines usually loop around all terminals before moving to Jamaica Station (Red Line) or Howard Beach (Green Line). The 2 lines split at Federal Circle, with the Green Line also stopping at the long-term parking lot A/B and pick-up/drop-off area.

If you ride the AirTrain between terminals to Federal Circle or Lefferts Boulevard, your ride will be free. If you start or end your journey at Jamaica or Howard Beach, a one-way trip will cost $8.50.

AirTrain stations are outside each terminal, connected by walkways on the following levels:

• Terminal 1: Levels 1 and 4
• Terminal 4: Level 3
• Terminal 5: Levels 1 and 4
• Terminal 7: Levels 1 and 2
• Terminal 8: Levels 1 and 2

Walking

JFK doesn’t encourage walking between terminals as the roads are busy inside the airport loop. However, sidewalks are available, and walking between some of the closer terminals, such as Terminals 4 and 5, is possible.

Layout of Terminals at JFK

JFK Terminal 1

Terminal 1 is on the airport’s southeast side, and it operates flights from international airlines such as Air France, Lufthansa, and Turkish Airlines. With the Terminal 1 parking lot currently closed, the nearest parking is Terminal 8 (red parking garage), which is a quick journey on the free shuttle bus.

Level 1 – Baggage Claim

Baggage claim and Customs and Immigration are on level 1. When connecting from Terminal 1, you can walk across the pedestrian walkways on levels 1 or 4 to the AirTrain station.

Level 2 – Departure Concourse

Terminal 1 has 14 gates numbered 1 to 4, 5A, 5B, 6, 7A, 7B, and 8 to 12. Passing through security, gates 4 to 12 are down the long corridor straight ahead, and gates 1 to 3 are to the right. Shops and restaurants are on the concourse level, along with a Korean Airlines Lounge and Turkish Airlines Lounge near gate 3 and an Air France Lounge near gate 1.

Level 3 – Check-In

The ticketing desks and security checkpoint are on level 2. Outside of security, there’s also a VIP One Lounge.

Level 4 – Food Court

The terminal food court is on level 4, with options such as McDonald’s and Dunkin’. The pedestrian bridge across to the AirTrain station is also on level 4, accessible via the escalators and elevators in the check-in area on level 3.

JFK Terminal 4

Terminal 4 comprises 42 gates split across 2 concourses and operates international and domestic flights. It’s at the southern end of the airport, and parking is available in the blue garage outside the terminal.

Level 1 – Arrivals

Baggage claim is on level 1 of the terminal, where international arrivals will also pass through Customs and Immigration. The Global Entry enrollment office is in the arrivals hall.

Level 4 – Check-In

Check-in desks are on level 3. After passing through security, you must take the escalator or elevator down to the departure level, where Concourse A is to the left and Concourse B is to the right. Once inside the secure area, eligible passengers can access the American Express Centurion Lounge and Delta Sky Clubs on this level.

Concourse A

Concourse A has 17 gates numbered A2 to A8 on the upper level and gates A9 to A12, A14 to A17, A19, and A21 on the lower level. It has a good selection of shops and restaurants, with more in the connector between Concourses A and B.

Level 4 of the concourse has a Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, Air India Maharaja Lounge, Delta SkyClub, and an Emirates Lounge.

Concourse B

Concourse B has 29 gates numbered B20, B22 to B39, and B41 on the upper level and B42 to B49 and B51 on the lower level. The concourse also features Minute Suites, XpresSpa, and a large selection of shops and restaurants.

JFK Terminal 5

Terminal 5 is on the east side of the airport and is connected to the TWA Hotel. JetBlue and several other airlines operate out of Terminal 5 for domestic and international flights, and passengers may park in the yellow parking garage for the easiest access.

Level 1 – Baggage Claim

Baggage claim and a USO Lounge are on level 1 of Terminal 5. A welcome center is in the arrivals hall, and ground transportation is available at the arrivals curbside.

Level 2 – Arrival Gates

The international flight arrival gates are on level 2, and after processing, passengers will continue into the main arrivals hall. Hotel guests can also walk along the connector bridges between Terminal 5 and the TWA Hotel on this level.

Level 3 – Departure Concourse

When you clear security, gates 22 to 30 are to the left, gates 1 to 7 are to the right, and gates 8 to 12 and 14 to 21 are straight ahead along the long corridor. Terminal 5 has shops and restaurants pre-security and a wide selection after security.

Hot Tip: If connecting from Terminal 5, you would need to take the escalator or elevator from arrivals to the level 4 Skywalk, where there are moving walkways to the AirTrain.

JFK Terminal 7

Terminal 7 is used for both domestic and international flights operated by Alaska Airlines, Icelandair, Frontier, and several other airlines.

Level 1 – Baggage Claim

Baggage claim and Customs and Immigration are on level 1. There are very few places to eat or shop outside of the secure area on the arrival or departure levels.

Level 2 – Check-In

Check-in and the security checkpoint are on level 2. When you clear security, you must take the escalator to level 3 for departures.

Level 3 – Departure Concourse

Terminal 7 has 10 departure gates, Alaska Airlines and Aer Lingus Lounges, and a good selection of shops and restaurants. Gates 1 to 6 are to the left, gates 7 and 8 are straight ahead, and gates 9 and 10 are to the right.

JFK Terminal 8

Terminal 8 is on the airport’s northwest side and operates both domestic and international flights. Terminal 8 has 36 gates split across Concourses B and C.

Level 1 – Arrivals

Customs and Immigration and baggage claim are on level 1. A Dunkin’ is available for refreshments, and there’s a welcome center in the arrivals hall. The AirTrain walkway is accessible from level 2.

Level 3 – Check-in and Concourse A

Check-in is on level 3, near the security checkpoint. Once security is cleared, passengers will arrive in the central concourse area, which offers a good choice of shops and restaurants.

Once you’ve passed through security, you’ll enter Concourse A first, with gates 1 to 8, 10, and 12 to the left and gates 14, 16, 18, and 20 to the right. There’s a good selection of shops and restaurants along the concourse, and the joint lounges for British Airways and American Airlines are on level 4.

Level 3 – Concourse B

To reach Concourse B, you must go straight from security and walk to the terminal via the underground tunnel. Gates 31A to D and gate 42 are to the left, and gates 43 to 47 are to the right.

There’s a small selection of cafes, restaurants, and shops along the concourse and an Admirals Club.

Flight Connections at JFK

For all domestic-to-domestic and domestic-to-international flight connections from a different terminal, you’ll need to exit the terminal and re-clear security. If you’ve booked 2 flights on 1 reservation, then double-check that any checked luggage is tagged through to your final destination.

If you’re connecting between domestic flights or domestic-to-international flights and your onward flight departs from the same terminal you arrive at, you won’t have to re-clear security (provided you have an onward boarding card and your luggage doesn’t need re-checking).

For international-to-international or international-to-domestic connections, passengers must clear Immigration, claim baggage, and then clear Customs. After passing through Customs, recheck counters are available for bags tagged to an onward destination.

Hot Tip: Be sure to leave plenty of time to transfer to the next terminal, as security checkpoint times can vary. Also, consider whether you will have to check in and bag-drop if you’ve booked 2 flights separately.

Accessibility

All terminals at JFK are accessible to those with mobility issues and wheelchair users. There are elevators stationed at all level changes and for access to the AirTrain, where each train has 2 designated wheelchair areas. All airlines offer accessibility services if you request it before your flight.

Final Thoughts

Hopping on the AirTrain is a quick and convenient way to get between terminals at JFK. The only downside is the lack of post-security transportation, unlike the post-security people-mover at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. However, Atlanta receives criticism about not having enough pre-security transportation options, so there’s no right or wrong answer here.

As the terminals have received renovations at different times over the years, there is a clear difference between the facilities and the modernization of each building. If you’re arriving early or are planning a layover at JFK, then be sure to check out the restaurants and shops available to you pre-security to establish whether you would be better off waiting out your time at another terminal.

Check out our in-depth review for more information about JFK.