How Far Is Times Square from Madison Square Garden? | No Cab

Times Square is about 0.6 miles from Madison Square Garden, a 10-12 minute walk down Seventh Avenue.

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Times Square and Madison Square Garden sit close enough that walking usually beats a cab. From the Times Square bowtie around West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue, Madison Square Garden is about 0.6 miles south at Penn Station, so most visitors need 10 to 12 minutes on foot.

The simplest route follows Seventh Avenue straight south to West 33rd Street, then bends toward the arena entrances around Seventh or Eighth Avenue. The subway works when rain, heat, luggage, or limited mobility makes the walk less appealing, but station time can erase the one-stop ride.

For plans that pair this short hop with airport rail, buses, or another New York stop, compare the Midtown transfer choices here:

Times Square To Madison Square Garden: Every Short Route Compared

The Times Square to Madison Square Garden distance is about 0.6 miles from the center of Times Square. The route is nearly straight south, so the main choice is not distance; the real choice is walking, subway, bus, or car traffic.

Distance changes a little by starting point. From the red steps near TKTS, plan on roughly 10 minutes. From the north end of Times Square near West 47th Street, add 3 to 5 minutes. From the south end near West 41st Street, the walk can be closer to 8 minutes.

Madison Square Garden occupies the Penn Station block between West 31st and West 33rd Streets. Arena entrances can move your final few steps, so use the gate listed on your ticket before leaving Times Square.

How Long Does The Walk Take?

The walk from Times Square to Madison Square Garden takes 10 to 12 minutes for most travelers. Add a few minutes after a Broadway show, before a Knicks or Rangers game, or during heavy rain when crossings slow down.

The most direct walking route is simple enough to do without transit apps:

1. Start near West 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue.
2. Walk south on Seventh Avenue toward Penn Station.
3. Cross West 34th Street and continue toward the arena side of the block.
4. Check your ticket for the closest Madison Square Garden entrance.

Avenue blocks in Midtown are longer than street blocks, but this route is mostly north-south. That matters because the walk avoids the long east-west blocks that make some Manhattan distances feel slower than they look on a map.

Route Options From Times Square To The Garden

Walking is the cleanest choice for most visitors, while the subway is the better backup when weather or mobility changes the plan. A car is usually the weakest option because the route is short and Midtown traffic can swallow the time saved.

The subway and bus cost is easy to check before you ride: the MTA subway and bus fare page lists the standard local fare at $3. On such a short hop, that fare is paying for shelter or accessibility more than speed.

When A Cab Makes Sense

A cab from Times Square to Madison Square Garden makes sense only when walking is uncomfortable or your group has bags, kids, or mobility needs. For everyone else, a car often spends more time reaching the curb than the walk would take.

Midtown traffic gets tight around theater exits, evening arena doors, holiday weeks, and rainy rush hours. A taxi can still be useful late at night if your hotel is not on the direct walking line or you are heading beyond Penn Station after the event.

Trip tip: If you use a car, set the drop-off near your ticketed entrance rather than asking for Madison Square Garden in general. The arena covers a large block, and the wrong side can add a slow sidewalk loop.

Where To Stay For An MSG Night

Madison Square Garden is easiest when your hotel sits near Penn Station, Herald Square, Bryant Park, or the south end of Times Square. A room in those areas keeps the arena walk short without pushing you far from Broadway theaters.

Use a Midtown hotel map if the trip includes both a Times Square night and an event at Madison Square Garden:

Penn Station works for the shortest arena access. Times Square works better if Broadway shows and late-night lights matter more. Bryant Park and Herald Square split the difference with easier subway access and less street noise on many side streets.

Which Route Should You Take?

The right route depends on weather, luggage, and how close you are to West 42nd Street. Walking wins most normal cases, while the subway wins when shelter or elevators matter more than saving money.

The Smart Midtown Choice

The Times Square to Madison Square Garden route is simplest on foot unless rain, luggage, or mobility changes the math. Treat the route as a short Midtown walk, not a cross-city transfer.

• Fastest for most travelers: walk straight down Seventh Avenue.
• Lowest cost: walk for $0.
• Bad-weather backup: take the 1, 2, 3, A, C, or E subway one stop to 34 St-Penn Station.
• Group with bags: use a taxi or rideshare and choose the entrance side listed on your ticket.
• Game or concert night: leave Times Square 25 to 30 minutes before you want to be inside, so the walk and security line both fit.

A visitor starting in central Times Square should plan on walking unless the forecast or luggage says otherwise. Madison Square Garden is close enough that the simplest route is also the one that gets you there with the least stress.