JFK Airport: The Ultimate 4-7 Hour Layover Guide (by a Pilot)

You may be wondering: what is there to do if I have 4 or more hours transiting JFK? Can I leave New York’s JFK Airport on a 7 hour layover?

A 4-7 hour layover at JFK may seem to be that awkward amount of time where you’re not really sure if it’s worth leaving the airport for New York City, but you also don’t want to stupor in boredom stuck inside. But here’s why and how it doesn’t have to be!

As a New York based airline pilot commuting to JFK for work, I often arrive at New York’s JFK Airport 3 or more hours before I have to fly. But contrary to popular belief, I don’t just sit around. I go out and make the most of it!

Luckily, JFK Airport is surprisingly great for any sort of layover – short or long. Even on a 7 hour layover, you have a ton of options to occupy your time and even have some fun.

Check out these other awesome Ultimate Airport Layover Guides: ATL | AMS | ATH | CDG | LAS | LGA | LHR | SEA | SFO | and more!

Wondering how to best pack and prepare for your layover? Read The Ultimate Layover Survival Guide: 10 Tips from an Airline Pilot

Updated 1/7/25: Taxis, Lounges, Order

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The 10 best things you can do inside JFK Airport on a layover

Even if you have enough time to leave the airport and come back on your layover, JFK offers so much to do, you may not want to leave. Here are the 10 top things to do at JFK on a layover:

1. Relax in an awesome lounge – there’s at least one in each terminal
2. Visit the world famous, historic TWA Hotel
3. Enjoy New York City’s Best Food – inside the airport
4. Get some exercise and stretch your legs by walking the length of the concourse
5. Meditate in a free and quiet spiritual room
6. Delight your tastebuds with a craft cocktail
7. Go planespotting, even inside the secure area!
8. Dive into some epic shopping inside the airport
9. Sleep in peace inside a MinuteSuite
10. Enjoy some fantastic spa services

1) Relax at one of many excellent JFK lounges

There are 24 truly brilliant lounges you can enjoy at JFK. My favorite is Virgin Atlantic’s JFK Clubhouse, closely followed by the Delta SkyClub with a full observation deck in Terminal 4. Delta also now offers a highly exclusive Delta One Lounge in Terminal 4, supposedly one of the best lounges in the country,

Most lounges at JFK are only accessible by membership, credit card (such as a Delta Amex), or for first/business class passengers. But you can purchase entry into these lounges:

• Air France/KLM Lounge (T1, Variable Rates)
• Alaska Airlines Lounge (T7, $60, only if flying Alaska or one world)
• American Airlines Admirals Club (T7, $79, only if flying AA)
• Etihad Airways Lounge/Sapphire Lounge ($100, subject to availability)
• Primeclass Lounge (T1, $65)

PriorityPass Lounges at JFK: A Winner

7 of the JFK lounges are available to passengers with Priority Pass membership (as low as $79/year + fees), including the Primeclass, VIP ONE, and other excellent lounges.

The VIP ONE Lounge in Terminal 1 is absolutely phenomenal, and now accessible to those with PriorityPass. But if you get bored and want to lounge hop, you’ll have access to the KAL Business Class Lounge, the Air France Lounge, the Turkish Airlines Lounges, and, if that’s not enough, both the Primeclass and Lufthansa Business Lounges. All of that complimentary with PriorityPass!

My favorite PriorityPass Lounge at Terminal 4 is the Chase Sapphire Lounge, although the Centurion Lounge (accessible by those with an Amex Platinum but not PriorityPass) is definitely superior in almost every measurable way if you have the Amex. The Air India Lounge has great food, and the Virgin Clubhouse is fantastic but has very limited hours for PriorityPass Members.

2) Visit the world famous TWA Hotel (and go for a swim!)

I’ve written about the TWA Hotel many times. In fact, it’s a huge part of why JFK Airport is my favorite in the NYC area!

From the epic “Connie” Constellation propeller airliner with a first class bar (and full cockpit!) to the always-85 degrees rooftop pool, you can’t get bored here. Plus, all of the memorabilia (including a fully functional 1950’s flight timetable!) makes you feel like you’re back in the golden age of aviation.

Exit security, take the AirTrain to Terminal 5 and follow signs to the TWA Hotel. It’s by far my favorite airport hotel in New York City. You’ll also find:

• An incredible full-size gym, probably the best airport-hotel gym in the country
• Several restaurants and cafes with the best non-lounge food at JFK Airport

Since there’s so much to see at the TWA Hotel and it requires exiting the secure area of the terminal, I think it’s the ultimate 5 (or more) hour layover activity at JFK airport.

3) Delight your tastebuds with a crafty NYC-style cocktail

Though I personally have not tried any of the incredible bars at JFK, I’ve only heard great things. Here’s what’s on offer if you’d like to imbibe at JFK airport:

• At Terminal 1, there’s The Local
• Beer lovers can rejoice in Terminal 2 at BKLYN Beer Garden, with a fantastic pub menu curated by celebrated chef Laurent Tourondel.
• In Terminal 4, Mi Casa Cantina and Restaurant offers tequila and mezcal. You’ll also find a Jamba Juice for a healthy smoothie (or even acai bowl!).
• Terminal 5 has the Spanish Piquillo Tapas Bar.
• At Terminal 7, Le Grand Comptoir offers a French-inspired wine bar. There’s also a full bar at the Thirsty Beer & Wine Bar.
• Terminal 8 is host to the New York Sports Bar.

4) Get some exercise!

Whether I’m sitting in Atlanta Hartsfield International or laying over in SFO International Airport, one thing that never gets old is getting some exercise between flights.

For me, that means walking the length of the terminals. And there’s hardly a better place for it than JFK International Airport.

My personal favorites to walk are Terminal 4 (by far) with Terminal 7 in distant second place. You can easily walk over a mile each way in either terminal.

5) Meditate

Something that seemingly nobody knows JFK has: spiritual rooms. Though normally used for religious purposes, these rooms offer silence and stillness you’d be shocked can exist in an airport.

There is one on the departures level of Terminal 4 inside security, upstairs. It’s very close to where you end up after passing security – not far from some of the lounges.

6) Enjoy NYC’s finest food

Called an “oasis in a sea of typically unappealing airport” by the Sushi Legend, Deep Blue Sushi in Terminal 5 is a surprisingly great experience for any airport.

The best food at JFK Airport, in my opinion, is actually free! That is if you have access to the Delta One Lounge. But worry not, the Delta SkyClub also offers incredible cuisine.

Other amazing, top-rated restaurants, lounges, and cafe’s for the best food at JFK include:

• Primeclass Lounge (Terminal 1)
• Vinny’s Panini (TWA Hotel)
• The Palm (Terminal 4)
• Shake Shack (Terminal 4)
• Aeronuevo (Italian Cuisine, Terminal 5)
• Bobby Van’s Steakhouse (Terminal 8)
• Villa Pizza (Terminal 8)

Tip: For quick, fresh, high-quality food on the go, I highly recommend grabbing something from the many Farmers Fridge vending machines! 

7) Go planespotting!

I might totally be outing myself as a huge nerd, but planespotting truly is one of the most fun things you can do at an airport.

My personal favorite spot is the Delta SkyClub in Terminal 4, but the TWA Hotel’s rooftop infinity pool is not so bad either!

This great guide has a list of alternative spots to suit your wildest aircraft spotting desires!

8) Dive into JFK’s amazing shopping scene

If you love shopping, Terminal 1 and 4 in JFK are the places to be.

You’ll find all sorts of designer boutiques – Guess, Kiehl’s, Victoria’s Secret, Hermès, Salvatore Ferragamo, Hugo Boss, and Jo Malone.

9) Take a nap

Though JFK isn’t really ideal as an airport to sleep in, you do have several great options.

The Minute Suites in terminal 4 have private mini-suites with a napping couch, TV, and work desk. But if you want real, solid sleep, head to the TWA Hotel. The rooms have insanely good noise isolation and pretty good blackout curtains.

Priority Pass members get one hour free! (Subject to availability)

Alternatively, you can book either day rooms or night rooms, or rooms for several hours.

10) Get some of that JFK spa treatment!

One of the best options for spa treatment at JFK is the XpresSpa in Terminal 4. They are open Monday – Friday, 8AM – 9PM and offer massages and nail care.

Not a bad way to kill some time!

In the meanwhile, you can always catch up on work with free wi-fi featured all around the airport!

Should I leave New York’s JFK Airport on a layover? Here’s why you should leave only if you have 6 hours or more.

Though there’s an incredible array of ways to stay occupied on a layover at JFK, you’re in New York – you might as well take advantage!

But JFK Airport is at least an hour away from Manhattan regardless of the means of transportation (except by helicopter if you can sport that!), which makes it inaccessible unless you have a long layover.

Overall, it depends on a couple factors;

• Are you arriving to JFK from an international flight? If so, you’ll have to go through customs, then back through normal security again. Depending on how long it takes to get through customs, your options may become limited.
• What time is your connecting flight departing? If it’s between 4PM and 10PM, you will have to contend with rush hour traffic. Same for flights departing between 8AM and 12PM.
• Are you enrolled in TSA PreCheck, or better yet CLEAR? These options can give you the confidence to leave the airport knowing that security won’t take nearly as long coming back through.
• Are you checked in your for next flight, including baggage (if checking it)? Waiting in line to check in will add considerable time to the process.
• What’s the weather like? Inclement weather can severely disrupt NYC traffic at any time.

In terms of planning for time on your JFK layover, you should arrange to have:

• Around 3 hours of transit time roundtrip/return to downtown Manhattan
• About 1 hour (to be safe) to get back through security (or <5 minutes if you have CLEAR)
• Additional time to check in for your next flight if it’s not already done
• About 20 minutes to walk to the gate. JFK is big; some gates are far!

You should try to arrive at the gate before boarding time. This normally leaves 1-3 hours to explore NYC on a 6+ hour layover!

So all of that being said, in my opinion, a 6 hour or longer layover is the perfect/”sweet spot” amount of time to leave JFK airport and go explore. Plus, there’s more to see (and many closer options) than just the city!

Anything less than 6 hours from exiting the airport is not enough to comfortably go to downtown Manhattan, but you can still leave the airport and visit more local places around JFK if you have less than a 6 hour layover.

Related: Ask a Pilot: Which NYC Airport is best, LGA, JFK, or EWR?

Leaving JFK airport on a 7+ hour layover: the ultimate taste of New York City

One of the best things about JFK airport is just how connected it is to everything. Although it’s a huge airport serving a city of 10 million people (and even more visitors), its location is quite convenient.

A 7 hour layover is plenty to make it to Manhattan and visit a couple of the hotspots NYC has to offer. But even if you have a bit less time, Queens and Brooklyn have a lot to offer. And plus, you can always Rockaway to the beach.

The SkyTrain connects JFK Airport directly to New York’s enormous subway system. I usually just use Google Maps to plan my trips into the city, but there are fabulous NYC Transit apps available that make it even easier.

Leaving the airport:

1. What to see in Manhattan during your layover
2. Where to store your luggage at JFK
3. How to get to Manhattan from JFK efficiently
4. Other amazing places closer to JFK for those sensitive on time

Spending your 7 hour layover in Manhattan

Those looking to get an awesome taste of New York City will love to head downtown, if only for a few hours. A 7 hour layover is perfect for this – but you’ll have to pick and choose what you want to do wisely.

My recommendation is to pick and choose one or two of the following to visit in Manhattan:

• Central Park
• Times Square
• The “Rock”, Rockefeller Center (if the line is short – and only by reservation)
• Wall Street
• Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Empire State Museum
• Guggenheim Museum
• A sightseeing ferry of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
• Brooklyn Bridge/DUMBO Area
• One World Trade Center
• ChinaTown

Tip: Make sure to buy a "Skip the Line" ticket if you plane to visit the Rockefeller or Empire State Building.

Storing your luggage in JFK

You probably don’t want to drag your suitcases in and around busy metro stations, throughout Central Park, or on the train.

Worry not – JFK actually has baggage storage facilities. They include:

• Terminal 1 Arrivals – Smarte Carte Bag Storage, $4-20 per day per suitcase, Open 7AM-10PM
• Terminal 4 Arrival – Smarte Carte Bag Storage, $4-20 per day per suitcase, Open 24/7

Getting to Manhattan efficiently

The next thing you may be wondering is: how do I get to Manhattan from JFK? Which method is best?

Once again, it depends. Sometimes public transportation is quicker than taking a taxi, and it’s always the cheapest.

But there’s an even faster, and fun way to get to Manhattan for those in a hurry – by helicopter.

Methods of getting from JFK to Manhattan

1. Public Transportation (bus or train)
2. Taxi vs Rideshare
3. Renting a car (including Teslas!)
4. The Cool Way: Helicopters

How to get out of JFK Airport by Public Transportation

So obviously, public transportation is the cheapest (and often quickest!) way to get anywhere from JFK. But just how cheap is it?

Surprisingly, not that cheap. Just taking the AirTrain from JFK to the Jamaica Station costs $8.50. If you don’t have a MetroCard, worry not – NYC Metro now offers contactless payment (i.e. Apple Pay). From Jamaica Station, you have the option of taking:

• The subway (slower, cheaper): $3, 70-90 minutes total from JFK to Manhattan
• The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR, faster, more expensive): $6.25 (off-peak), 50-60 minutes total from JFK to Manhattan

Pro Tip: You can now also buy a CityTicket for $5 (off-peak) and $7 (peak) for the LIRR. You can buy these, and any other MTA Train Tickets, on the Official MTA TrainTime App.

The quoted total time from JFK Airport to downtown Manhattan is 50 minutes by LIRR and 75-90 minutes by subway, but it can be longer. Beware of full subway cars; if you’re returning during rush hour, waiting for room on a car could slow down your plans, even though the trains stop every other minute or so.

And dragging your suitcases is a pain in NYC public transportation.

Rough Cost & Time Estimate to Various Manhattan Destinations from JFK

To summarize, it’s quite simple to get to downtown Manhattan from JFK by train:

1. Take the AirTrain from any terminal, at any time, to the Jamaica Station.
2. Ride on the Subway (E to Midtown Manhattan, J/Z to Lower Manhattan) or take the LIRR directly to Penn Station

Sometimes quicker, definitely more expensive: taxi or rideshare

For those of you wishing to speed things up, you may be inclined to go for a taxi or some sort of rideshare app.

But this part may surprise you – taxis from JFK are not always faster than taking public transportation. Here’s why:

• There’s often a line for taxis, and a wait for rideshare
• At rush hour, it’s simply slower to drive to JFK than it is to take the train

It usually takes over an hour to drive to/from JFK and Manhattan during rush hour. 

Taxis to Manhattan are a fixed $70+$5 during peak+tolls+tip, but at the right time of the day (or more likely, night), you could get from JFK to downtown in only 35 minutes. Rideshares tend to be even more expensive, usually closer to $100.

Note: Do NOT respond to anyone yelling out taxi inside or around the terminal. These are scammers and they will charge you 3-4 times more than what the official taxis will charge you. And you could be endangering yourself.

In one morning on a walk from Terminal 5 to Terminal 4, I was pestered by at least 10 of these scammers offering their unofficial taxi services.

The more flexible layover option: Renting a car

Another option for a layover in JFK is to rent a car. Rental cars are very often cheaper than taking a taxi or a rideshare, though tolls and parking can easily change that.

It’s super easy to get to the rental car center by AirTrain from any terminal. And the drop off process is easy with most rental car providers as well. Currently, Hertz is always my go-to for an easy, quick pickup- the perfect ride to explore NYC.

The hangup comes when you consider the difficulty and cost of finding parking in New York City. Most parking garages charge upwards of $50 per day, minimum, with required valet service (and sometimes long waits to retrieve your car).

So the flexibility of having a rental car at your disposal may actually end up being a huge thorn in your side.

There are plenty of alternatives for those looking for a fun layover outside of Manhattan.

Fastest transportation to Manhattan from JFK: helicopter!

If you really want to eek out every minute of your layover in New York City, plus enjoy some once in a lifetime sightseeing on the way, consider taking a helicopter from the airport to Manhattan.

BLADE offers surprisingly affordable service; as low was $195 per seat each way. OK, it’s not that affordable. But when you consider that you’ll likely pay $100 for a rideshare or taxi after tips, a helicopter from JFK to Manhattan can actually make a lot of sense.

Included in the price are amazing views of New York! It’s both a thrill and a major convenience!

Other great, close places to check out on a layover at JFK

Just because you’re in New York doesn’t mean you can only visit Manhattan. There are tons of other fantastic and much closer places to visit that won’t leave you sweating for time.

For example, as a lover of the ocean (see: my trip to the Galapagos) , I naturally gravitate towards the beach. And the beaches surrounding NYC are surprisingly nice! Rockaway is the starting point to see them, and it’s SUPER easy to get to from JFK.

On top of that, most of these places are easily accessible by public transport from JFK. They include:

• Jamaica Bay (Shirley Chisholm State Park, 15 minutes by Uber or taxi)
  • Great for walking, enjoying the NYC skyline, and even getting tanned in summer
• Rockaway Beach (22 minutes by taxi, 32 minutes by train)
  • Lovely, mostly unspoiled beaches with a seemingly endless boardwalk and lots of parks
• Corona Park (20 minutes driving, 1 hour by public transportation)
  • A great park in a foody, trendy part of Queens
• Queens Botanical Garden (25 minutes driving, 50 minutes by public transportation)
  • Historic parks of all themes, fun for walking and families
• Jackson Heights or Astoria (35 minutes driving, 1 hour by train)
  • Tons of great restaurants with street side dining and a true NYC feel

I personally prefer heading to the beaches than Manhattan. Not only are they super close to JFK, it is simply more relaxing. And what’s better than relaxing between flights?

FAQs

Can I leave JFK airport during a layover?

Absolutely! On a shorter layover (3 hours or less), you can explore the fascinating TWA Hotel. With 4-6 hours, there are plenty of places to explore in Brooklyn and Queens. And with more than 6 hours at your disposal, you can even make it to Manhattan.

What’s so special about the TWA hotel?

The TWA Hotel was created as a way to re-envision the head house of the TWA Flight Center, originally designed by architect Eero Saarinen and completed in 1962, revive TWA’s incredible, fascinating, and rich history.

There’s a vivid, absolutely comprehensive 1960s vibe here. The TWA Hotel features replicas of the TWA Flight Center’s 486 distinctively shaped window panels, custom ceramic tiles, and even a museum. Brass lighting, red-carpeted hallways, walnut furnishings, and a vintage split-flap departure board evoke the charm of the era and pay homage to the golden age of flying.

In other words, it’s a vibe.

What hotels are near JFK Airport?

Apart from the on-airport TWA Hotel, there are many hotels surrounding JFK Airport. You can read about the top 5 JFK hotels here.

What are the best things to do near JFK Airport?

Whether you want to visit local beaches, attractions in Queens and Brooklyn, or find a nearby park to get some fresh air, there’s a ton to do in the local area surrounding JFK airport for a layover long enough to explore but too short to make it to Manhattan.

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