Cat-Friendly Hotels Near JFK: Verified Pet Fees & Easy Transfers

Last updated: 28 November 2025

Travelling through JFK with your cat can feel like stepping into a maze at the end of a long day - noisy terminals, tight timing, new rules, unfamiliar crowds. It’s a lot for anyone, and especially for a small feline who depends on you to keep the world predictable.

This guide is here to make that part gentler.

In a few minutes, you’ll have a shortlist of hotels that welcome cats, with fees you can trust, clear transfer routes, and a simple email you can send to confirm everything before you book.

If you’re still choosing your airline, start with Airlines That Allow Cats in Cabin 2025 — Updated Guide. It settles many of the key decisions that make overnights smoother.

Quick Picks: Cat-Friendly Hotels Near JFK

Finding the right hotel near JFK is about prices and distance as it’s about knowing where you and your cat can land gently after a long day.

The hotels below make that part easier. They welcome cats openly, publish their fees clearly, and offer transfers that don’t feel like an obstacle course at 10pm with a carrier in hand.

To help you spot the calmer, lower-cost options, any hotel with a pet fee of $75 or less per stay is marked Good Value for Cats. It’s a small detail, but when you’re tired and want predictability, these price points can make the decision feel lighter.

Take your time, you’re choosing the place where the two of you will finally exhale.

Quick Picks Table

How We Verify

Pet policies come directly from each hotel’s official page (Hilton, Marriott, TWA).
If a detail isn’t published — max pets, quiet-floor availability, flooring — we flag it so you know exactly what to confirm.

Last updated: 28 November 2025

Booking Email Script (Copy-Paste)

Before booking, a quick message helps ensure everything matches your expectations. It clears up small uncertainties and gives you written confirmation — helpful when details matter, like on this occasion.

Subject: Pet Policy Confirmation for Upcoming Stay

Hello,

I'm planning to stay at [Hotel Name] near JFK with my cat, and I'd be grateful if you could confirm a few details so I can prepare properly:



• That cats are allowed in guest rooms

• The pet fee, and whether it's per night or per stay

• Whether the fee applies per cat or per room

• Any refundable or non-refundable deposit

• The maximum number of pets allowed

• Whether a hard-floor or quieter room might be available

• Whether my cat may remain crated briefly while I collect food from the lobby



Thank you — this helps me plan the evening calmly.

[Your Name]

Getting to JFK Hotels with a Cat

Transfers can often be regarded as a secondary issue when travelling by plane, however they can feel like the most intense part of the journey once the moment arrives. Crowds, noise, timing, and a cat trying to make sense of it all are quite the mix!

To make things simple, here’s the calmest version of each possible route.

AirTrain: the gentler transport

• Carriers allowed
• Runs every 2–4 minutes
• Terminals 5 and 8 usually feel calmer
• Quietest before 16:00 or after 20:00

Hotel Shuttles: steady and familiar

• Most JFK hotels pick up from Federal Circle
• Let a full shuttle pass and take the next one
• Drivers are used to carriers
• Night waits can be slightly longer

TWA Hotel: no shuttle required

Connected to Terminal 5 via an enclosed walkway: ideal for sensitive cats or late arrivals.

Taxis & Rideshares: calm with two small adjustments

• Ask the driver to pull slightly ahead/behind the queue to reduce noise
• Keep carrier closed until doors are shut

One-Night Room Setup

Once in the room, don’t forget to help your cat settle without any fuss with the following:

• Litter tray in the bathroom on a towel
• A handful of their usual litter
• Block gaps under beds or behind furniture
• Leave the carrier open as a safe base
• Travel sheet on bed or chair
• Gentle background noise

This is all you need for a calm night.

Pet Fees, Deposits & US-Specific Gotchas

A short email using the template above should confirm everything cleanly, but make sure you specifically keep an eye out for any of the below:

• Per pet vs per room: Many US hotels charge per pet
• Per stay vs per night: TWA charges per stay; others may charge nightly
• Cleaning fees: Often non-refundable
• Weight limits: Usually generous but worth checking
• High fees ($200+): Rarely worth it for a simple overnight

Packing Micro-Checklist

Last but not least, make sure you’ve got everything with you to help your beloved cat - and you! - travel with as much comfort as possible:

• Collapsible litter tray + liner
• Small amount of usual litter
• Unscented wipes + trash bag
• Door wedge or tape
• Travel sheet or blanket
• Spare carrier pad
• Screenshot of the hotel’s pet policy

FAQs

Do JFK hotels charge per cat or per room?
Most charge per pet. TWA charges one per-stay fee.

Can I leave my cat alone in the room?
Often yes, if crated and you stay on the property.

Are cats allowed on shuttles and the AirTrain?
Yes — carriers are accepted on both.

Any no-fee pet hotels?
No consistent free options near JFK.

Is staying on-airport better?
For sensitive cats or late arrivals, yes, TWA is the smoothest.

Before You Book

You’ve already done the smart part: pausing, checking the details, and setting up the night around your cat’s comfort. Once you’ve chosen the hotel that fits your pace, everything becomes more straightforward. Think a quiet room, a simple setup, and a predictable morning.

If you want to double-check carrier sizing, onward travel, or airline rules, those guides are easy to reach from here. You’re nearly done and happy travels!

Sources

• TWA Hotel — official pet policy
• Hilton Garden Inn Queens/JFK Airport — Hilton policy
• Hampton Inn NY–JFK — Hilton policy
• Courtyard by Marriott JFK — Marriott policy
• Residence Inn JFK — Marriott policy
• JFK AirTrain (MTA) — AirTrain information
• Port Authority of NY/NJ — Federal Circle shuttle operations

Please note: Always confirm pet details with the hotel directly before booking, especially if you’re traveling soon — pet policies can change without notice, and unpublished details (e.g., room types or pet weight limits) may affect your stay.