JFK Airport
John F. Kennedy Airport (or JFK as it is more commonly called) is one of the busiest airports not only in the US, but also in the world! Almost 30,000,000 passengers passed through JFK's terminals in the year 2002 alone! The John F. Kennedy Airport was originally named the Idlewild, but was changed in 1963 in order to honour the slain US president. For more information on directions for your New York Rental car, terminal information and other facts, please continue on down this page.
New York Rental Car Directions to JFK Airport
The John F. Kennedy Airport is located in Queens, just off of the Belt Parkway, (better known as the Southern State Parkway) and also off of the Van Wyck Expressway. Both of these roads are often backed up with rush hour traffic, so be sure to plan accordingly before you get ready to leave in your New York rental car. Traffic at anytime can be unpredictable in NYC so be sure to tune into 1010 Wins radio on the AM dial for regular traffic updates and live reports.
If you're driving from Manhattan in your New York rental car, expect at least a 30-minute travel time to JFK, but it's been known to take over 2 hours during peak traffic times, so be sure to plan accordingly. If possible, avoid taking the Van Wyck at all costs; Seinfeld had a running joke remarking on the nasty traffic on this expressway for a reason!
If you have already brought back your New York Rental car and are planning to take a cab to JFK expect a $35 flat fee to just about any point in Manhattan.
Directions to JFK from Downtown Manhattan
There are 3 options when travelling from Manhattan to the JFK Airport
- Via the Midtown Tunnel
- Via the Triborough Bridge
- Via the Williamsburg, Manhattan or Brooklyn Bridges
There are 2 options when travelling from Brooklyn to JFK
- Via the Brooklyn Queens Expressway
- Via the Jackie Robinson Parkway
JFK's Terminal Set up
At John F. Kennedy there are 8 operating airline passenger terminals. At this point in time only one terminal is closed (terminal 5) and all are located around the Central Terminal area.
A Listing of Major Airlines and Their Corresponding Terminals:
- Terminal 1 - Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic and more
- Terminal 2 and 3 - Delta Airlines
- Terminal 4 - Continental Airlines
- Terminal 5 - Temporarily out of Order
- Terminal 6 - JetBlue Airways
- Terminal 7 - British Airways, United Airlines
- Terminal 8 - American Airlines (International Flights)
- Terminal 9 - American Airlines (Domestic Flights)
John F. Kennedy Airport offers parking garages at Terminals 2,3,4 and 7, and there are also many privately owned lots near by where you can park your New York rental car.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey operates the JFK airport.
