John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is the main gateway into New York City. It's one of the most flown-to American airports, helping millions of tourists visit the City of Dreams each year.
Looking to make travel around New York easier? Book a car rental online and collect from JFK.
Choose from thousands of rentals with luxury cars perfect for getting you to your next business meeting, minivans to fit all the family, compacts that make parking a breeze and many more available vehicles!
There’s no need to worry about long wait times and navigating public transport. Enjoy easy transfers when you book your car rental at your arrival airport. Land at your destination with your rental parked up and ready. 🏎️
Unlock discounts, deals, and driving tips
JFK’s car rentals are located within the Federal Circle Station. To reach the station, take the AirTrain, which operates a 24/7 service from the airport. Please note that while the Federal Circle Station itself is open 24/7, some suppliers may only be available during day hours.
Need additional help? On the arrivals level of each terminal, there will be a car rental desk or designated telephone. Here you'll be able to ask additional questions and find instructions to the car rental site if you're lost.
To return your car rental to JFK Airport, either follow the designated signs as you get closer to the airport facility or type Federal Circle, Jamaica, NY, into Google Maps.
Once you've handed in your keys, you'll get the AirTrain back to JFK's terminals. The AirTrain journey takes 10 to 13 minutes and runs roughly every 5 to 15 minutes.
That’s right! You don’t have to drop off your rental at the same place you collected it! Travel across America without doubling back on yourself when you book a one-way rental!
These are just some of the available rentals at JFK.
Cars like the Kia Rio or similar. Perfect for the budget-conscious traveller. Economy cars are designed with affordability in mind. While they won't have the most powerful engines or fanciest tech, their affordable pricing makes them a popular choice.
You can make your rental even more affordable by paying in installments. Just select a buy now, pay later option at checkout. Available to U.S. residents. ✨
Cars like the Nissan LEAF, Tesla Model 3 or similar. The vehicles of our future. Whether you opt for a more affordable compact option or a top-end luxury vehicle, electric cars ensure a smooth, bump-free driving experience.
New York has one of the highest number of EV charging points in the US, so you'll never have to worry about running out of juice. ✨
Vans like the Chrysler Pacifica, Chevrolet Express Cargo or similar. Need more space? Then you can't beat a van rental. Minivans and 15-passenger vans are perfect for fitting the whole family into one vehicle. While cargo vans help you carry larger amounts of goods.
Make sure you're selecting the right van at checkout. Passenger and cargo vans serve entirely different purposes. ✨
Cars like the Genesis G80E or similar. The best of the best. Vehicles with the newest tech, nicest interiors and strongest engines. Cruise through NYC in style.
It's not just economy vehicles that buy now pay later makes more affordable. Make financing a luxury car possible when you pay over time!✨
❗Please note that the specific cars you see at checkout may vary from those mentioned above. ❗
Want to make your JFK car rental more affordable? Then select one of our buy now pay later partners at checkout!
NYC is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Whether you’re funding a family vacation or an important business trip, finding ways to cut costs is essential. That’s where we come in.
Rather than paying for your car rental in full up front, you get the option to pay over time. Have more to spend in the moment when you pay for your rental in later installments.
Our customers love using Affirm! Discover what makes Affirm so special.
Some other customer favorites include Klarna and Afterpay.
Put the brakes on expensive rentals. Pay over a timeframe that fits your schedule!
Please note: our buy now, pay later plans are only available to residents of the USA. Non-U.S. customers can pay via a debit or credit card transaction in USD.
Available to residents of the United States
Airport car rentals are usually more expensive than neighborhood pick-ups, especially at major airports like JFK. Discover some handy tips and tricks to keep your rental budget-friendly!
Looking for some inspiration on where to go after NYC? These are some of our favourite locations within a 5-hour drive from the city!
With its beautiful rocky coastline and sandy beaches, Long Island is a great place to walk and relax. You'll find fairground rides across the coast with roller coasters and Ferris wheels that are perfect for a family day out. Long Island is just an hour's drive from JFK Airport.
As one of the most important cities in American history, Philadelphia isn't a place to be missed. If you're a history buff or just interested in learning more about America's past, then visiting Philadelphia's museums and landmarks is a must. Philadelphia is only 2 hours from JFK Airport by car.
This beautiful mountain range is ideal for nature lovers. Its vast forest is home to plenty of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, bobcats and black bears. You can navigate the mountain either through one of its many walking trails or along its road routes. The Catskill Mountains are a 3-hour drive from JFK Airport.
We don’t just offer car rentals but flights, too! Book your flights to JFK Airport today and travel stress-free!
With over 600 airlines to choose from, you get to travel exactly how you want. Looking to spend as little as possible? Choose an ultra-low-cost airline like Spirit or Frontier. Prefer a full-service experience? We have United and Delta available too!
Make planning your trip that much easier when you book your flights and car rentals all in one place!
From the runway to the road, we’re here to support you every step of the way! ✈️🚗
Please note that while our customers can pay later for flights from a variety of countries worldwide, such as the UK, UAE, and South Africa, our car rental pay-later options are currently only available for US residents.
While JFK offers convenience and an extensive fleet, its rentals can get pricey. Looking for something more affordable? Then a non-airport location in NYC might suit you better.
At Alternative Airlines, you can book a car rental to collect from all across the USA. Choose the ideal location for you, whether that’s a busy airport or a remote neighborhood.
Book affordable car rentals to collect from JFK Airport. Find a rental that suits your budget and travel needs. Then pay your way with upfront and pay-later options available!
We’re super proud of our Trustpilot rating, but don’t just take it from us. See why millions of others love booking their flights through Alternative Airlines
Yes, despite our name, we're more than just a flight booking site!
We offer deals from leading rental suppliers. Choose from economy vehicles, luxury cars, vans, SUVS and more.
Book online and then collect your car rental from one of the thousands of available rental locations within America, including JFK Airport!
Yes! You can book car rentals to collect from JFK Airport right here at Alternative Airlines!
With leading brands available and operating at JFK, you'll have plenty of rentals to choose from.
Yes. Airports in general are usually more expensive than neighborhood pick-ups.
JFK Airport is one of America's busiest airports, and given its location in NYC, one of the world's most expensive cities, its car rentals can really add up.
Luckily, there are ways to make your car rental more affordable. By booking an economy or compact vehicle for travel during the off-season, you can significantly reduce the price of your rental.
Make financing travel even easier when you select a buy now, pay later option at our checkout. Go easy on your bank account by spreading the cost of your rental into manageable installments.
Yes! At Alternative Airlines, American residents will have the option to pay for their car rentals over time! Just select one of our buy now, pay later options at checkout!
Buy now pay later plans for car rental is available to residents of the United States. Non-U.S. customers can pay via a debit or credit card purchases in USD
Yes! Drive now and pay later when you book through Alternative Airlines!
Depending on your selected plan, you might not have reached the end of your payment schedule before your rental dates. Rather than rushing to make those final payments, you can drive your rental first, then continue paying after your trip!
Most customers tend to book their rentals in the weeks leading up to travel.
This way, they're not too early that their rental needs change. But also not too late that they have limited options at checkout.
To book a car rental at Alternative Airlines, you must meet the following criteria:
No! You don't need to be flying to or from JFK to book an airport car rental.
Airport locations typically offer a wider range of rental options, making them an attractive choice even for people not flying.
This depends. If you're between 18 and 21 years old, you cannot drive your rental outside of New York. Only New York and Michigan allow under-21-year-olds to rent vehicles.
If you're 21 or over, then yes, you can drive your rental between as many states as you'd like!
Please note that Alternative Airlines only supplies car rentals within the USA, so you won't be able to cross any international borders.
Yes. While JFK Airport is the main gateway into New York, there are plenty of other airports to choose from.
Other major commercial airports include Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
JFK Airport tends to be the best New York airport for collecting a car rental as it offers a larger selection of cars.
No, you don't need to, but it's recommended.
This way, your car rental supplier can track your flight, ensuring your rental is ready upon your arrival. It also means that if your flight is delayed and you're late to collect, the supplier will still hold your rental.
10 car rental companies operate at JFK Airport. They are:
Alternative Airlines offers car rentals with each of these suppliers!
Yes! Budget operates at all 3 major New York airports, including JFK.
To reach the Budget Car Rental collection point from JFK, take the AirTrain from the airport to the Federal Circle Station.
If you're looking for a low-cost rental, then Budget is the perfect supplier for you! Its affordable rentals rival the pricing of many other suppliers.
Yes! Sixt is one of the 10 suppliers operating at JFK Airport.
To get to Sixt Car Rental from JFK, take the AirTrain from the airport to the Federal Circle Station.
Sixt is a customer favorite. So much so that in 2025, it was named the Best Rental Car Company at the USA Today 10Best Reader's Choice Awards.
Yes! Hertz is one of the 10 suppliers operating at JFK Airport.
To get to Hertz Car Rental from JFK, take the AirTrain from the airport to the Federal Circle Station.
Hertz is a global, multi-award-winning supplier. One of its achievements includes being crowned the Best International Car Rental Company in the 2024 Readers' Choice Awards!
Thrifty Car Rental is located within the Federal Circle Station. To reach the station from JFK, take the AirTrain for roughly 10 minutes.
