Standard MTA fare gets you from JFK to Kew Gardens on the Q10
The MTA Bus Q10 runs between JFK and Queens for the standard local bus fare, connecting the airport with Kew Gardens, Ozone Park, and a key subway transfer at Lefferts Blvd/Queens Blvd. It’s the surface option people use when they want to reach central Queens or the subway without paying the separate JFK AirTrain fare.
The Q10 serves JFK’s terminals via the Lefferts Blvd area, linking to Terminals 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8 using the airport’s internal connections. Typical daytime headways are under 15 minutes according to MTA schedules, with both Local and Limited variants shown separately on the front sign. Late at night the gap between buses can stretch, so check real-time arrivals in the MTA app before you walk to the stop.
Transit nerds and regular riders agree: the Q10 Limited is significantly faster than the all-stops local, especially between Kew Gardens and Lefferts Blvd. The Limited skips several intermediate stops along Lefferts Blvd and Queens Blvd, shaving noticeable time when traffic isn’t terrible. If the bus says just “Q10” without the “Limited” indicator, you’re on the slower version.
Many people use the Q10 specifically to reach Lefferts Blvd station and transfer to the A train without touching the paid AirTrain zone. From Lefferts Blvd/Liberty Ave you can ride the A toward Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan, or ride north from Kew Gardens–Union Turnpike on the E and F trains into Midtown. The trick Reddit users cite is “Q10 Limited + subway” for neighborhoods like Kew Gardens and Forest Hills.
How to ride the Q10 to or from JFK
- 1. At JFK, follow signs toward Lefferts Blvd and the bus stops that list Q10 as a route; confirm the bus front sign says Q10 and the direction you need.
- 2. If you see both, choose the Q10 Limited over the local; Limited runs have wider stop spacing and usually cut a few minutes off the trip.
- 3. Pay the standard local fare with OMNY tap or a MetroCard when you board through the front door; each tap or swipe covers one bus ride.
- 4. For the subway hack, ride to Lefferts Blvd station for the A train or continue to Kew Gardens–Union Turnpike for E/F; both are named clearly on stop announcements.
- 5. If you’re arriving from Queens, get off near the JFK entrance at Lefferts Blvd and follow airport signage or shuttle connections to your terminal (1, 4, 5, 7, or 8).
Watch out for and pro tips
Regulars warn that Q10 buses can be crowded and slow during rush hour, especially along Lefferts Blvd and Queens Blvd between roughly 7–9 a.m. and 4–7 p.m. Many locals time their airport trips outside those windows when they can and refresh the MTA app to grab a Limited instead of waiting blindly at the stop. One practical tip: build a 20–30 minute buffer above the schedule if you’re riding the Q10 to catch a flight from JFK.