JFK Airport to Princeton NJ

JFK Airport to Princeton NJ

Marko Jovanović, 29 Jul 2025

Princeton, New Jersey is known for its quiet streets, college-town charm, and green spaces. The town is home to Princeton University, small museums, bookstores, and local cafés. The mix of campus life and peaceful neighborhoods draws both students and visitors. Families walk along Nassau Street, while others relax in the parks or explore the nearby trails. Princeton feels calm but active, with something to do in every season.

Princeton University is the heart of the town. Its campus has quiet paths, open lawns, and historic halls. Nassau Hall, built in 1756, once held meetings of the U.S. Congress. The Princeton University Art Museum has a large collection, with works from ancient times to today. Entry is free, and many exhibits rotate through the year.

Princeton is walkable with many things to do. Palmer Square has shops and cafés, busy during holidays. The battlefield park marks a 1777 Revolutionary War fight. The canal trail is good for walking or biking. Morven Museum shows early American life with gardens.

Image by Joe from Pixabay

Image by Joe from Pixabay

The nearest airports to Princeton city center include Newark Liberty Airport (EWR) and Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN). While JFK Airport is not the closest to Princeton, it remains a common choice due to its wide range of international and domestic flights.

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is one of the busiest and often mentioned as the Best Airport to New York, located about 60 miles northeast of Princeton. The transfer from JFK to Princeton usually takes around 90 minutes.

  • For those traveling from John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), the distance is around 95 miles. The transfer typically takes 2 to 2.5 hours.

About the Airport

Official Name: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

Location: In Queens, New York City, about 15 miles southeast of Manhattan, USA.

Facilities: JFK has several terminals that serve many domestic and international flights daily. It offers shops, food outlets, car rentals, currency exchange, ATMs, and free Wi-Fi throughout the terminals.

So, How do you get from JFK Airport to Princeton NJ? There are several ways to travel from JFK Airport to Princeton, including subway, train, bus , car rental, taxi, and private car service. Taking public transport ( train and bus ) involves multiple steps. A private JFK Airport transfer option to Princeton NJ provides an easy way and direc transfer to get to city center, Princeton hotels and Airbnb.

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Train from JFK Airport to Princeton, NJ

Journey Time: The trip from JFK Airport to Princeton, New Jersey takes around 3 hours and 20 minutes. You will use the AirTrain, subway, and two different trains.

Key Point: From JFK Airport Terminal 4, follow the signs for the AirTrain. This train runs every 10 minutes and takes about 12 minutes to reach Howard Beach Station in Queens. You need to pay $9 to use the AirTrain.

At Howard Beach Station, switch to the A subway line. The subway ride to 42 St–Port Authority Bus Terminal takes around 50 minutes. The subway fare is $3.

From the subway stop, walk about 13 minutes (1.1 km) to New York Penn Station.

At Penn Station, take the NEC (Northeast Corridor) train to Princeton Junction Station. This train runs every 30 minutes and the ride takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. The ticket price is between $11 and $17.

At Princeton Junction, transfer to the Dinky Train, a small train that takes you straight to Princeton Station. The ride takes 5 minutes and costs between $2 and $4. Trains run every 30 minutes.

Train Fare from JFK Airport to Princeton, NJ

The train fare from JFK Airport to Princeton, NJ costs about $24 to $32. You will pay for the AirTrain, subway, and two train rides. The fares may change slightly depending on the time of day.

  • This route includes 4 parts: AirTrain, subway, intercity train, and local train.

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Bus from JFK Airport to Princeton, NJ

Journey Time: The trip from JFK Airport to Princeton, New Jersey takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes. You will take the AirTrain, subway, and an intercity bus.

Key Point: At JFK Terminal 4, follow the signs for the AirTrain. This tram runs every 10 minutes and reaches Howard Beach Station in around 12 minutes. The fare is $9.

At Howard Beach Station, board the A subway line. This train goes to 42 St–Port Authority Bus Terminal in about 51 minutes. The subway fare is $3.

When you get off the subway, walk for around 6 minutes (about 500 meters) to reach the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

From the bus terminal, board a Suburban Transit bus going to Princeton. The bus ride takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes and ends at Nassau St & Witherspoon St – Palmer Square, which is in the center of Princeton. The bus fare ranges from $30 to $45. Buses run every hour during the day.

Bus Fare from JFK Airport to Princeton, NJ

The bus fare JFK Airport to Princeton, NJ costs about $41 to $56. The price includes the AirTrain, subway, and coach bus tickets.

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Taxi from JFK Airport to Princeton, NJ

Journey Time: The taxi ride from JFK Airport to Princeton, New Jersey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on traffic. The route covers around 60 miles (97 km).

Key Point: Yellow taxis wait outside all terminals at JFK. You can find them at the official taxi ranks. Drivers use meters to calculate the fare. The base fare for a trip to Princeton ranges from $220 to $310.

There is a $5 peak hour surcharge on weekdays from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, except on public holidays. Tolls and tips are not included in the base fare, so the final cost can be higher.

Taxi Fare from JFK Airport to Princeton, NJ

The taxi fare from JFK Airport to Princeton, NJ falls between $220 and $310. This price does not include tolls, tips, or the $5 surcharge during peak hours. Once you add these extras, the cost can rise.

  • During busy hours or holidays, you might wait in line at the taxi rank. When demand is high, it is best to prefer a private JFK airport transfer instead. You do not need to pay for tolls and fees and it doesn’t require waiting.

In New York City, Uber, Bolt, and Waymo each face key drawbacks—Uber and similar services like Lyft often suffer from unpredictable surge pricing, falling service quality, and weak customer support, while Waymo remains barely accessible due to strict local rules that require a human safety driver, limiting its self-driving capabilities.

How to Get from JFK Airport to Princeton University?

There are several ways to travel from JFK Airport to Princeton University including taxi, train, bus and private transfers.

  • Take the AirTrain from Terminal 4 at JFK to Howard Beach (12 minutes, $9). Then, transfer to the A subway line towards Manhattan (51 minutes, $3). Get off at 42nd Street-Port Authority, walk 13 minutes (1.1 km) to New York Penn Station, and take a train to Princeton Junction (1 hour 19 minutes, $11–17). Transfer to another train to Princeton (5 minutes, $2–4), then walk 4 minutes (360 meters) to Princeton University.

  • Take the AirTrain to Howard Beach (12 minutes, $9), then the A subway to 42nd Street-Port Authority (51 minutes, $3). Walk 6 minutes to Port Authority and catch a Suburban Transit bus to Nassau St & Witherspoon St in Princeton (1 hour 30 minutes, $30–45). From there, walk 11 minutes (890 meters) to Princeton University.

  • You can take a yellow taxi from JFK Airport to Princeton University. The taxi ride takes about 1 hour and 25 minutes and costs between $220 and $310, which is the most expensive option.

  • Booking a private transfer is the most comfortable and stress-free option, especially if you have luggage or want a seamless journey. You'll be picked up directly from your terminal and dropped off at Princeton University, with no need for public transport or multiple vehicle changes.

<b>Princeton NJ Private Transfers from JFK</b>

Princeton NJ Private Transfers from JFK

Private Transfers from JFK Airport to Princeton NJ

JFK Airport sits in New York City, but many travelers fly into JFK when they need to reach places in New Jersey. Princeton is one of them. This quiet town is about 60 miles from JFK. After a long flight, the last thing most people want is to look for a yellow taxi or stand in line.

With JFK Limo Transfers at AirportTransfer.com, the driver waits at the terminal, holds a sign with your name, and takes you straight to your destination. You don’t need to carry bags far or try to figure out a ride. Everything is already planned.

Our JFK Airport Chauffeur NYC service gives clear pricing, so you know what you’ll pay before the trip begins. No surprise costs at the end. You can also cancel your ride up to 48 hours before and get a 100% refund.

For anyone going from JFK to Princeton, a private car transfer takes away the stress. It’s not just faster. It’s also simple, direct, and private. Book online on AirportTransfer App from the Google Play Store or Airport Taxi Transfer App Store.

<b>Private Coach Hire JFK to Princeton</b>

Private Coach Hire JFK to Princeton

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Princeton Coach Transfers at JFK Airport

Princeton is a well-known town in New Jersey, home to Princeton University and quiet streets lined with trees. Group travel between these two places works best with a private bus.

Traveling as a group can be slow if you use taxis or public trains. People can get lost, buses get crowded, and taxis don't always have space for bags. A private bus keeps everyone together. It helps you reach your stop at the same time without stress.

AirportTransfer.com offers JFK to Princeton Bus Charter for groups of any size. Our group bus rental from JFK Airport to Princeton picks you up right outside JFK and drives straight to your stop in Princeton. No transfers, no waiting in line, no changing seats.

Coach transfer is also a good choice for school trips or college visits. It works well for students, teachers, and other academic groups visiting Princeton University. The bus has enough room for everyone and their bags. To book, pick your group size, your pickup spot, and your time. Contact AirportTransfer.com to book your JFK to Princeton Bus transfer today.

<b>JFK to Princeton Hotel Transfer Service</b>

JFK to Princeton Hotel Transfer Service

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Princeton Hotel Transfers

AirportTransfer.com offers Princeton hotel transfer service from JFK Airport to your hotel in town. AT driver picks you up at the airport and takes you straight to your hotel door. Princeton has many hotel and Airbnb types. There are big brand hotels, small inns, and quiet lodges near the university.

Hotel transfers are private. You ride in a car or van with only your group. The driver knows the area well and drops you right at your hotel’s main door. You don’t need to walk with bags or wait for other people. Prices are fixed when you book. There are no extra charges at the end. You know the full price before you get in the car.

Some of the popular Princeton hotels are:

Nassau Inn, Hyatt Place Princeton, The Peacock Inn, Courtyard by Marriott Princeton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Residence Inn by Marriott, Sonesta ES Suites, Chauncey Hotel and Conference Center.

Top picks in Princeton Airbnb are:

Private cottage near downtown, Stylish studio near Princeton University, Two-bedroom home with garden, Walkable guest suite near Nassau Street, Large family house close to campus.

The best JFK Airport transfers reviews are at AirportTransfer.com!