Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our New York City JFK Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
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The TSA agent told me about the 24-hour Dunkin Donuts in the baggage claim area, as well as making some suggestions of where I can grab a snooze. – TheInfamousJ
JFK Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (code: JFK).
What to Expect
JFK Airport has six terminals connected by the free AirTrain landside (pre-security). Each terminal is big, so expect a lot of walking to reach your gate and other facilities. Your experience will vary depending on your terminal. For instance, Terminal 4 is the newest and shiniest, with plenty of amenities, but Terminal 8 is cold and sparse (no seats and a single cafe) until you’re inside the Secure area. Note: Terminals are numbered 1-8, but skip Terminals 3 and 6, which have been demolished.
Airside in most terminals, you’ll have a decent selection of shopping, dining, and services. For 24-hour eats, however, you’re limited to Terminals 1 and 4. The airport has free and unlimited WiFi, a significant upgrade from their previous 30-minute limit. The biggest complaint from travellers is the lack of seating. Other complaints are the cold temps, noise, long security lines, and seemingly never-ending construction. Hence, an extra layer and noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs are essential for a decent experience. If you’re willing to pay for more comfort, several lounges are open to Economy-class travellers, and a few even offer shower facilities!
Sleeping in JFK Airport
New York JFK Airport is notorious for its crowds and lack of decent seating, adding to a not-so-comfortable sleeping situation. You’ll mostly find cold, hard metal benches with armrests if you can grab a seat. Overnight campers should be prepared to spread out on the cold concrete floor, so a travel mat, blanket, or sleeping bag is a must-have for cushion and warmth. Note that some security checkpoints close overnight, so you may only be able to access the airside areas three hours before your flight.
Here are good sleep spots that travellers have reported:
- Terminal 1 – Try snagging a few chairs or a table in the food court and push them together for a makeshift bed.
- Terminal 2 – There is carpeted flooring upstairs from the café and eateries.
- Terminal 4 – Near the Norwegian Air check-in counters, a metal mesh bench has a couple of dividers, making the middle section a decent five-foot length for stretching out.
- Terminal 7 – The terminal has tall, high-back chairs – more comfortable seating than elsewhere in the airport, even if you can’t sleep in them.
- Terminal 8 – As you exit the AirTrain, two steel banks provide privacy for a few people willing to spread out on the floor. It’s a little quieter thanks to its out-of-the-way location.
For uninterrupted sleep, the TWA Hotel is now open (Terminal 5), and area hotels run free shuttles to and from the airport. See Airport Hotels in the guide below for more info.
Read some traveller airport reviews for more tips.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our JFK Airport Guide.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security. For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.
Airport Hours
The airport is open 24 hours.
Remember that TSA, airline check-in, and baggage drop hours vary according to the flight schedule. Check these hours with your airline. If you are in the terminal’s public area (landside), you will not be able to get through to the terminal’s secure area (airside) until the morning.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Cots
JFK Airport sees more than its fair share of flight cancellations due to bad weather, but this means they are generally more prepared than other airports. When mass cancellations happen, cots are available for stranded passengers who opt against getting a hotel room. To find them, ask an airline or airport employee or use a courtesy phone to reach someone with access to this information. Keep in mind that these cots cannot be reserved in advance and are unavailable except for mass cancellations.
JFK Airport Hotels, Day Rooms & Sleep Pods
Quick Facts
- Nearest Hotel: Inside the Airport
- Sleep Cabins & Pods: No
- Day Rooms: Yes
- Nearby Hotels with Free Shuttles: Yes
When the prospect of sleeping on the floor or in a chair is giving you nightmares, there is good news for those of you who are looking to sleep at JFK Airport in comfort. For a quick cat nap, there are sleep pod/cabin options in Terminals 5 and 4 (coming soon), while an onsite hotel at Terminal 5 offers day rooms and overnight rates. Most nearby hotels offer free airport shuttles.
Sleep pods and hotels at JFK airport
TWA Hotel – Take the AirTrain to Terminal 5. The hotel is located outside the secure area, so you must pass through immigration and security to access it. The iconic hotel has no guided tours, but visitors are welcome to tour the property independently. You can also grab a drink at the infinity pool or get a day pass for the gym and showers (US$ 25). Day rooms are available from 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM and 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Day room rates are $149 + taxes (4-6 hours) or $209 + taxes (12 hours). » Check Rates
Minute Suites – opening in the future – Location: Terminal 4, airside. This micro-hotel will provide small rooms that can be rented for a few hours or overnight. Shower packages (with or without room rentals) will also be offered. Details will be added closer to the completion date.
Hotels near JFK Airport with shuttle service
- Comfort Inn » Check Rates
- Holiday Inn Express New York JFK Airport Area » Check Rates
- Days Inn Jamaica / JFK Airport » Check Rates
- Hampton Inn » Check Rates
- Courtyard by Marriott » Check Rates
- Crowne Plaza JFK Airport Hotel New York City » Check Rates
- Fairfield Inn New York JFK Airport » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels near JFK Airport that can be sorted by price, distance, traveller rating and popularity.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!
Terminal 1
- Air France Lounge – Location: Airside, near Gate 1. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
- KAL Business Class Lounge – Location: Airside, Gate 3. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
- Primeclass Lounge – Location: Airside, next to Gate 8 & 9. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
Terminal 4
- Air India Maharajah Lounge – Location: Airside, next to Gate A5. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
- Centurion Lounge – Location: Airside. Lounge Access: American Express® Platinum Card Members • Lounge membership programs.
- Primeclass – Location: Airside, A Gates. Lounge Access: Pay at the door ($55).
- Swiss Business Class Lounge – Location: Airside. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Pay at the door.
Terminal 7
- Alaska Lounge – Location: Airside, past Security Check, Mezzanine Level. Lounge Access: Lounge membership programs.
Terminal 8
- American Airlines Admirals Club – Two Locations: Airside, Concourses B and C. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Lounge membership programs.
Airline Lounges (members only)
If you are a First or Business Class traveller, you may have access to the lounges listed below. For more information, check the airline’s website.
- Terminal 1 – Lufthansa Senator Lounge • Casa Alitalia New York • Korean Air KAL First Class Lounge • Turkish Airlines Lounge.
- Terminal 2 – Delta Sky Club
- Terminal 4 – Delta Sky Club • Virgin Atlantic JFK Clubhouse • Swiss First Class HON Lounge • Etihad Airways First & Business Class Lounge • El Al King David Lounge • The Emirates Lounge • The Residence by Etihad Suite.
- Terminal 5 – JetBlue Rooftop Terrace • Aer Lingus Lounge.
- Terminal 7 – British Airways The Concorde Room • British Airways Galleries Lounge • British Airways First Lounge.
Military Lounge
USO Center – The USO offers a free lounge to active members of the US military and their families. Location: Terminal 5, across from baggage carousel 3.
Related Pages: JFK Airport Lounges
Drinking Water
A reader tells us water bottle refill stations are available (April 2024)
Food & Drinks
When you get the midnight munchies or give up trying to sleep and need a coffee to stay awake, 24-hour food concessions are available. Check out these vendors:
- Terminal 1 – Dunkin Donuts (airside)
- Terminal 4 – McDonalds (airside) • Central Diner (landside, Arrivals Hall)
- Throughout – Vending machines can be found in Terminal 4, Arrivals Hall East • Retail Hall East • Airside, Gate B23.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Short-term luggage storage is available at the locations listed below.
- Terminal 1, Arrivals (Landside) – Baggage Storage by SmartCarte • Accommodations Plus
- International Terminal 4, Arrivals (Landside) – Baggage Storage by SmartCarte • Accommodations Plus
- International Terminal 8, Arrivals (Landside) – Meehgan Services
Mobile Charging
Recharge your mobile devices at charging stations located landside and airside.
Showers
Freshen up (and loosen those stiff muscles) with a shower before your flight. Shower facilities are available inside the following lounges: the Air France Lounge, the KAL Business Class Lounge, Primeclass and Swiss Business Class Lounges. See the Airport Lounges section above for locations and entry details.
WiFi / Internet
Free and unlimited WiFi is available at New York JFK Airport. Connect to the “_Free JFK WiFi” network.
Security & Safety
Airport staff seem to have no problem with sleeping travellers. In general, the security guards do a good job of preventing non-travellers from hanging out in the landside areas. Still, the occasional homeless person may wander the terminal, especially on cold evenings.
At the time of this update, we have no reports from travellers commenting on safety issues at New York JFK Airport. However, sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s essential to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Please don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay sharp, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
Pro-tip: If you sleep in the public zone, don’t be surprised if you receive an early morning wake-up call. Security is known to make the rounds, waking people up as travellers arrive for morning flights.
More Airport Information
Baby Care Facilities – These family-friendly facilities are available if you are travelling with small children.
- Nursing Stations can be found in these locations (Airside only): T1 (near Gate 1) • T2 (Gate C70) • T4 (near Gate A3, Gate B31 and West Retail Hall) • T5 (near Gate1, Gate 12 and Gate 27) • T7 (adjacent to Gate 10 • T8, near Gate 14, Gate 42 and 3rd Floor Hallway). Hours: unknown.
- Family washrooms can be found both Landside and Airside in T4, T5, T7 and T8.
Information
- Information Desk – If you have any questions, Information Centers and Welcome Centers are available to provide assistance. Locations: T1 (outside Arrivals Area) • T2 (outside Arrivals Area) • T4 (Arrivals Hall) • T5 (outside Arrivals Area) • T7 (outside Arrivals Area) • T8 (outside Arrivals Area). Hours: unknown.
- Traveller’s Aid – Traveller’s Aid is a non-profit organization that assists stranded and distressed passengers. Volunteers assist passengers with general airport and destination queries and situations such as transportation assistance, lost or stolen money, wiring money, emergency housing, etc. Landside locations: Terminal 1 – Arrivals • Terminal 4 – East Arrivals Hall • Terminal 5 – Arrivals, Welcome Center • Terminal 7 – Arrivals • Terminal 8 – Arrivals & Departures. Hours: unknown.
Interfaith Chapel – Terminal 4 – Landside, Departures Level.
Luggage
- Luggage Storage & Lockers – see “Luggage Storage & Lockers” above.
- Luggage Wrapping – Protect your bags from theft and damage by having them wrapped in plastic using Secure Wrap. Locations: Terminal 5.
Medical Services – If you feel unwell or injure yourself, a medical center is located in Building 22A. Take the free shuttle from the Terminals. Hours: 24 hours.
Money
- ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: throughout all terminals (Landside and Airside).
- Currency Exchange – Foreign currency exchange and ATMS can be found in these locations:
- Terminal 1 – Landside, Arrivals West • Landside, Departures Level West • Landside, Food Court • Airside, Gates 3/4 • Departures Level, West Concourse Gates 1-3.
- Terminal 4 – Landside, Arrivals Hall • Departures, Concourse B • Departures, Retail Hall East • Departures, Retail Hall West
- Terminal 7 – Arrivals • Departures, near gates 3/4
Pet Relief Areas – Take your pet for a potty break in these areas:
- Terminal 1 – Outside, on the Arrivals level
- Terminal 2 – Outside on the Arrivals level (west end) • Indoors, near Gate C60 (airside)
- Terminal 4 – Outside, on the Arrivals level (east end) • Indoors, near Gate 31 (airside)
- Terminal 5 – Arrivals, Welcome Center • Outside, on the Arrivals level (north end) • Indoors, near Gate 28 (airside)
- Terminal 7 – Outside, on the Arrivals level (west end) • Indoors, behind Hudson News at Gates 9 – 10 (airside)
- Terminal 8 – Outside, on the Departures level • Indoors, near Gate 38 (airside)
Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available airside in Terminals 4, 5, 7 and 8. In addition, a wide variety of retail stores, boutiques, and newsstands are located throughout the airport.
SIM Cards – A reader says, “SIM cards available in Terminal 1, upstairs by the restaurants, next to the phones.” (September 2023)
Spa & Salon Services – Manicures, pedicures, facials, massages and more are available at XpresSpa and BeRelax.
- BeRelax – Locations: T5, airside, across from Gates 6 & 7.
- XpresSpa – Locations: T1, airside, near Gates 3 and 6.
Smoking – Smoking is permitted only in designated areas outside the terminal. There are no smoking facilities inside the terminal.
Things to Do
- Roller Skating – In the past, the TWA Hotel has offered activities such as roller skating and curling. They also have a pool and gym accessible to non-guests for a cover fee. Visit the hotel website to see what is available at the time you visit.
Do you want to make the most of your stopover or long layover by leaving the airport to do some sightseeing? Check out our JFK Airport Layover Sightseeing guide or explore Things to do in New York City on Tripadvisor.
Airport Shuttles
Go Airlink provides a ride-share airport shuttle between the airport and New York City. Service is available 24 hours per day. Head to the ground transportation desk and present the desk agent with your shuttle voucher. The agent will direct you to your scheduled shuttle. Your shuttle driver will know when your flight is expected to arrive. For more information, visit the Go Airlink
website.
Additionally, several shared van services will get you directly to your destination. Go to the Port Authority Welcome Center, located on the Arrivals level of each terminal, to make arrangements.
AirTrain
AirTrain is an elevated railway system that serves JFK Airport and connects all airport terminals and parking lots with the Long Island Rail Road and New York City subway lines in Queens. AirTrain service runs 24 hours daily and is affordable, easy to use and wheelchair-accessible. Three overlapping routes are available: the Howard Beach route, Jamaica Station route and All Terminals loop. Passengers can ride the AirTrain free of charge around the airport but must pay $8.00 by MetroCard if entering or exiting at Jamaica or Howard Beach Stations. For more information, visit the Airtrain website.
Buses
A total of 6 bus routes (Q3, Q6, Q7, Q10, Q10 LTD and B15) connect the airport with surrounding metropolitan areas. These buses stop adjacent to Terminal 5 and can be accessed via a free on-airport AirTrain trip to the Terminal 5/6 station. Hours: most of these routes operate 24 hours a day. For more information regarding the bus routes, schedules and fares, visit the MTA website.
Car Rentals
The following car rental companies are available at the airport: Advantage • Alamo • Avis • Budget • Dollar • Enterprise • Hertz • National • Payless • Thrifty. Location: Car rental counters or courtesy phones can be found on the arrivals level near the baggage claim in all terminals. You will take the AirTrain to Federal Circle Station to pick up the car.
Hotel Shuttles
Some area hotels provide airport shuttle service: Best Western JFK Airport Hotel • Comfort Inn JFK Airport • Crowne Plaza JFK Airport • Days Inn JFK Airport • Fairfield Inn New York JFK Airport • Five Towns Inn • Hampton Inn NY – JFK • Hilton New York JFK • Holiday Inn Express At JFK • Hyatt Regency JFK Airport at Resorts World New York • JFK Inn • Radisson Hotel JFK Airport • Super 8 by Wyndham Jamaica North Conduit • The Five Towns Inn • Wingate by Wyndham Far Rockaway JFK Airport.
Passengers can take the AirTrain to the hotel shuttle waiting area at Federal Circle station.
See also Airport Hotels above.
Inter-Airport Transfers
The New York City metropolitan area is served by three major airports: JFK, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty. The NYC Airporter provides service between JFK and LaGuardia or JFK and Newark Airport (via Port Authority Bus Terminal transfer to a partner service). All County Express and ETS Air Shuttles also provide service between JFK and LaGuardia or Newark Liberty Airport.
Taxis
Taxi stands are outside each terminal. Ignore non-uniformed people offering to assist with baggage. Sample Taxi Fares from JFK Airport: Flat Fare is $52 (or $56.50 during peak 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM) to the first destination (plus tolls and tip). The taximeter and receipt should reflect this is a flat fare.
Train
JFK is connected to the NYC subway station at Jamaica and Howard Beach Stations. At Jamaica, take the E Train or LIRR. At Howard Beach, take the A Line. The fare is $10.75 ($8.00 for the AirTrain + $2.75 subway fare). For more information, visit the MTA website.
Last updated: 2024-08-26
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.