Times Square to Bryant Park | Walk It In 10 Minutes

Times Square and Bryant Park are about a 10-minute walk apart; follow 42nd Street east to Sixth Avenue.

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Midtown’s shortest useful transfer is easy to overthink. The easiest Times Square to Bryant Park route is a straight eastbound walk on West 42nd Street, usually taking 8 to 12 minutes from the center of Times Square to the north edge of the park.

The subway works only in specific cases: bad weather, limited mobility, heavy luggage, or a starting point already inside the Times Sq-42 St station complex. For most visitors, walking is simpler, cheaper, and often faster than going down to a platform for one stop.

The Direct Route Between Times Square And Bryant Park

The direct route between Times Square and Bryant Park follows West 42nd Street east toward Sixth Avenue. Bryant Park sits behind the New York Public Library, between 40th and 42nd Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues.

From the TKTS red steps or the Times Square-42 St subway area, walk east on West 42nd Street. You will pass Broadway and Sixth Avenue, then reach Bryant Park along its 42nd Street side, with the lawn and library just beyond the sidewalk.

• Start: Times Square around Broadway, Seventh Avenue, and West 42nd Street.
• Direction: Walk east, away from Eighth Avenue and toward Sixth Avenue.
• Arrival: Enter Bryant Park from West 42nd Street, Sixth Avenue, or the Fifth Avenue side by the library.

How Long Does The Walk Take?

The walk from Times Square to Bryant Park usually takes 8 to 12 minutes, depending on where you start in Times Square and how crowded 42nd Street is. From the Times Sq-42 St subway exits near Broadway, the distance is roughly half a mile or less.

Traffic lights matter more than distance here. West 42nd Street has several busy crossings, and the sidewalk crowd can slow you down around theater times, holiday windows, and after major events in Times Square.

For the calmest walk, use the north side of West 42nd Street and cross Sixth Avenue with the signal. If you are heading to the Bryant Park lawn, the Winter Village area, or the public library steps, stay on 42nd Street until the park opens in front of you.

Should You Take The Subway?

The subway between Times Square and Bryant Park is usually slower than walking once stairs, platforms, and wait time are counted. The 7 train runs one stop between Times Sq-42 St and 5 Av-Bryant Park, but entering the station just for that short hop rarely saves time.

A subway ride can make sense if you are already inside the Times Sq-42 St station complex, if rain is heavy, or if you are connecting from another train. The MTA lists the standard subway and local bus fare as $3 for most riders on its subway and bus fares page, so walking is the clear budget choice.

For travelers folding this Midtown hop into a larger New York transfer, compare transport options here:

Bryant Park Route From Times Square: What Each Option Takes

The route options from Times Square to Bryant Park all cover a very short Midtown distance. Walking wins for most travelers, while transit and taxis only help when weather, bags, or accessibility needs change the math.

When A Taxi Or Rideshare Makes Sense

A taxi or rideshare makes sense only when luggage, mobility needs, weather, or a late-night safety concern outweighs the short distance. Midtown traffic can turn a tiny ride into a slow, expensive loop around one-way streets.

If you do use a car, set the pickup away from the densest part of Times Square when possible. West 42nd Street near Seventh Avenue can be chaotic, while a pickup on a quieter side street may save time before the car even moves.

For most theatergoers, families, and first-time visitors, walking still feels easier. The route stays on major streets, has steady foot traffic, and ends directly at one of Midtown’s easiest landmarks to recognize.

Where To Stay For Bryant Park And Theater Nights

Staying between Bryant Park, Times Square, and Grand Central keeps this route walkable at nearly any hour. Midtown hotels cost more than outer-borough stays, but they save time when your plans include Broadway, Fifth Avenue, the New York Public Library, and subway lines across Manhattan.

Pick a hotel west of Sixth Avenue if Broadway is the main event. Pick a hotel closer to Fifth Avenue or Madison Avenue if Bryant Park, Grand Central, and museum-hopping on the East Side matter more.

To compare hotels around Bryant Park, Times Square, and nearby Midtown blocks, use the map below:

Small Details That Save Time

A few small choices can make the walk feel much easier. West 42nd Street is straightforward, but Midtown crowds reward simple positioning.

• Use Sixth Avenue as your target: Bryant Park begins just east of Sixth Avenue, so that crossing tells you the route is almost done.
• Avoid stopping in the Times Square pedestrian plazas: Photos are easier there, but the fastest eastbound route starts once you commit to 42nd Street.
• Check park hours for late visits: Bryant Park is open daily, but hours vary by month and can change for weather or maintenance.
• Plan extra time in winter: The Bryant Park Winter Village area can make the park entrances busier, especially at night and on weekends.
• Use the public library as a landmark: The Stephen A. Schwarzman Building sits directly behind Bryant Park on Fifth Avenue.

Pick The Right Option For Your Situation

The best choice for the Times Square-to-Bryant Park hop is simple: walk if you can, use the 7 train only if you are already in the subway system, and save taxis for luggage or bad weather. The distance is too short for most paid transport to beat a direct sidewalk route.

Choose by priority:

• Fastest in normal conditions: Walk east on West 42nd Street.
• Cheapest: Walk; the route costs nothing and avoids a one-stop fare.
• Best in heavy rain: Subway if you are already near the Times Sq-42 St entrance; taxi if bags make stairs hard.
• Best with a stroller or wheelchair: Use the sidewalks on 42nd Street and allow a few extra minutes for crossings.
• Best after a Broadway show: Walk with the crowd toward Sixth Avenue, then enter Bryant Park from 42nd Street.

For nearly every visitor, the answer is a 10-minute walk. Save your fare, stay above ground, and use Bryant Park as the calm reset after Times Square’s lights and crowds.