Manhattan to JFK airport via Subway & Bus for $2.90 | Avoiding the expense of the JFK AirTrain

Avoiding the expense of the JFK AirTrain. Manhattan to JFK airport via Subway & Bus for only $2.90.
Step 1: take the subway E or F train to Kew Gardens Subway Station (cost $2.90);
Step 2: take the Q10 bus from Kew Gardens station to Lefferts Blvd AirTrain Station (free transfer);
Step 3: take the AirTrain from Lefferts Blvd Station to JFK Airport Terminals (FREE).
Note: there is a typo in my video. I misspelled "Lefferts" Blvd. as "Jefferts Blvd." However, my video will help you to visualize what the Q10 bus looks like and what the Lefferts Blvd AirTrain Station looks like (where to get of the bus and where to take the AirTrain).
Flying into or out of JFK airport and planning to get around using public transport? Chances are your trip will involve a ride on the JFK AirTrain, which connects all terminals to Jamaica and Howard Beach Stations. From either of those stations, you can then get on a subway to wherever you’re going. However, when using either Jamaica or Howard Beach stations, you’ll be charged an $8.25 fare, which can only be paid for using a MetroCard. If you don’t already have one, you’ll need to purchase a MetroCard for $1, making your total trip $9.25 as of Oct 2023. And that’s before you’ve even used the subway, which will attract an additional $2.90.
Howard Beach and Jamaica stations are the only stations where you will be charged a fee for using the AirTrain service, when either entering or leaving the AirTrain system. Eagle-eyed observers would also see that the Lefferts Boulevard station also has connections to NYC busses, including the B15, Q10 and Q3 buses. While Q3 also continues to Terminal 8, our focus today is on the Q10 bus, as this was the quickest on the day we needed to get to the airport. Your situation may merit consideration of the other buses, so be sure to research these too.
We took the E Train from Manhattan to Kew Gardens subway station in Queens. At Kew Gardens, we waited for the Q10 Limited JFK Airport service (as opposed to the Local JFK Airport service) at the corner of Kew Gardens Rd and 80 Rd, in front of Kew Gardens Chicken. The Limited service has fewer stops and will get you to the AirTrain station quicker, but both will get you there. We joined an orderly queue of about 20 people waiting for the bus.
After 8 stops, the pretty houses of Lefferts Boulevard gave way to views of the JFK Airport long term car park, and we pulled up at the Lefferts Boulevard AirTrain station. It’s the end of the line for the Limited Service, so you don’t need to pull the stop line to alight here. You also don’t need to tap off when getting off MTA buses. From there, we walked about 20 meters to the entrance of the AirTrain station and went up the escalator to the platform and onward to our departure terminal. Total charge $2.90 and travel time about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Had we taken the Subway and AirTrain via Howard Beach/Jamaica, we would have saved about 10 minutes, but paid $12.15.
NYC buses used on this route are designed for commuters rather than travellers, so will not have luggage racks. If you are travelling with a lot of luggage, an alternative means may be more comfortable for both you and other commuters.
At peak hour, the Q10 service can get very crowded, so you may struggle to catch the first service that arrives. They are however quite frequent, so you shouldn’t need to wait long for the next service. Also take note about the previous point, which is especially relevant at busy times.