New York Penn Station

The Basics

Though humble in its current form, Penn Station was once housed in a Parisian-inspired beaux arts building. Since its reconstruction in the late 1960s, most of the station—replete with myriad shops, eateries, and subway entrances—is located below ground. You can always book same-day travel out of Penn Station, but trains to popular destinations may sell out, especially at peak times. Consider purchasing tickets in advance to ensure a seat and avoid the crowds at ticket lines.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Penn Station is an ideal stop for visitors who want to book convenient train travel outside of NYC.

• More than 600,000 travelers pass through Penn Station daily, so expect crowds.

• Leave extra time to find your train, as the station’s maze-like corridors can be challenging to navigate.

• The station and all tracks are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.

How to Get There

Penn Station is centrally located in Midtown Manhattan, between 31st and 33rd streets, and 7th and 8th avenues. Enter on 7th Avenue for commuter rail travel to Long Island and New Jersey, and along 8th Avenue for Amtrak service to other cities. To get there most easily, take the A, C, E, 1, 2, or 3 subway train to 34th Street–Penn Station. Alternatively, the 7, 20, and 104 buses stop nearby.

When to Get There

As a major New York City transit hub, Penn Station is busiest during peak commuting hours on weekdays; consider arriving in the slightly less hectic late morning or early afternoon. New York weather is ideal in spring, summer, and autumn. If you travel by rail in October, you’ll be treated to lovely autumn-hued landscapes.

How to Visit New York’s Favorite Arena

Above Penn Station sits New York’s major arena, Madison Square Garden, situated at street level. The Garden hosts concerts, conventions, and New York Rangers hockey and New York Knicks basketball games. To see the city’s professional sports teams in action, consider buying tickets to a game before you head out of, or upon arrival at, Penn Station. You can even store your bags with Amtrak, inside Penn Station, before going to an event.

Why is New York Penn Station so famous?

New York Penn Station is famous for once being a beautiful Beaux Art building that was Manhattan’s main railway station. The structure was demolished in the 1960s due to maintenance costs, but much of the original infrastructure remains. It’s still one of North America’s busiest transport hubs.

Is Grand Central Station the same as Penn Station?

Grand Central Station and Penn Station aren’t the same. The Metro-North Railroad commuter trains, plus MTA Subway lines 4, 5, 6, 7, and S, operate from Grand Central Station. The Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road, New Jersey Transit trains, and MTA Subway lines A, C, E, 1, 2, and 3 run from New York Penn Station.

What is the difference between New York Penn Station and Newark Penn Station?

Penn Station is short for Pennsylvania Station—both New York and Newark have a Penn Station. They were both made by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in the early-20th century. They are different stations in different cities, so make sure you book tickets to and from the right station and get off at the correct stop.

Is New York Penn Station connected to Grand Central Station?

No, New York Penn Station isn’t connected to Grand Central Station. They’re both in Manhattan, but Penn Station is on 33rd and 31st Streets, while Grand Central Station is on 42nd Street and Park Avenue. Taking public transit between the two stations requires some subway or bus changes, or takes 25 minutes to walk.

How much is the train from JFK Airport to New York Penn Station?

The cheapest train fare from JFK Airport to New York Penn Station is US$19.40, and the most expensive is $23.50. The AirTrain from JFK to Jamaica, Queens, costs $8.25. Then, the subway (E train) to Penn Station costs US$11.15 and the train (Long Island Rail Road) costs US$13.25 peak or US$15.25 off-peak.

How do I pay at New York Penn Station?

To pay for subway tickets, use the OMNY contactless card or digital wallet (which you can buy from select retailers and vending machines) or MetroCard swipe cards available in most subway stations. There are staffed ticket counters for long-distance trains and you can also buy tickets online.

Ways to explore

The main concourse at Penn Station hums 24 hours a day, seven days a week. From here, you can access the subway, many bus lines, the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) rapid transit system, and three rail lines: Amtrak, NJ Transit, and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). Each transit system has its own waiting areas, including seating. There’s also a lot of fascinating history to explore here, particularly for transit buffs. Tours of Penn Station generally take in artifacts of the historic rail station as well as newer additions such as the neighboring Moynihan Train Hall.

Accessibility

Penn Station is wheelchair accessible and has audiovisual information systems for visitors with hearing loss and/or vision impairment.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Credit card, debit card, smartphone, or OMNY card (for paying fares)

What to wear

Navigating the New York transit system can mean long walks, so comfortable shoes are a must.

Not allowed

Weapons, cigarettes, e-cigarettes

Amenities

Restrooms, Wi-Fi, luggage check for Amtrak passengers with tickets

Address

The main entrance to Penn Station is on 7th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets. Additional entrances are located on 8th Avenue, 9th Avenue, 31st Street, 33rd Street, 34th Street, and 38th Street.

Driving

While it is possible to drive to Penn Station, congestion and very limited parking mean most travelers choose to walk, come by public transit, or take a taxi or rideshare.

Public transportation

Subway lines 1, 2, 3, A, C, and E stop at Penn Station. Bus lines with direct service to Penn Station include M34-SBS, M7, M20, and Q32. You can also arrive via commuter rail (NJ Transit or LIRR) or Amtrak.

Best times to visit

When possible, avoid the peak weekday morning commuter rush between 6am and 10am, and the evening rush hour from 4pm to 8pm.

Best days to visit

Saturday and Sunday tend to be quieter times at Penn Station, without Manhattan’s workday rush.

Best months to visit

While New York City is a year-round destination, spring and fall are particularly nice times to visit, with blooming flowers from April through June and bright fall foliage in October.

Special events

Neighboring Moynihan Train Hall sometimes hosts live music. Performances generally take place in the afternoon, on the Main Concourse or the outdoor plaza at 33rd Street and 8th Avenue.