How to Get to Penn Station, New York | Routes That Work

New York Penn Station is directly served by the 1, 2, 3, A, C, and E subways, plus Amtrak, LIRR, and NJ Transit trains.

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Arriving without a route can mean circling Madison Square Garden while a train clock runs down. The practical answer to how to get to Penn Station, New York is to aim for 34 St–Penn Station by subway, use a direct commuter train, or choose the airport connection that ends inside the station.

New York Penn Station sits beneath Madison Square Garden between Seventh and Eighth avenues, from West 31st to West 34th streets. Amtrak passengers usually enter through Moynihan Train Hall across Eighth Avenue, while Long Island Rail Road and NJ Transit passengers can use the connected Penn Station concourses.

Which Subway Goes Directly To Penn Station?

The 1, 2, and 3 trains stop at 34 St–Penn Station on Seventh Avenue, while the A, C, and E trains stop at a separate 34 St–Penn Station complex on Eighth Avenue. Both subway stations connect directly to the rail complex and cost $3 for most riders.

• Use the 1, 2, or 3 for the Seventh Avenue side, Madison Square Garden, and the eastern Penn Station entrances.
• Use the A, C, or E for Moynihan Train Hall, the Eighth Avenue side, and a shorter indoor walk to many Amtrak areas.
• Use 34 St–Herald Square as a backup when the B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, or W is more convenient. The station is at Sixth Avenue, about a 5- to 10-minute walk from Penn Station.

From Times Square, take a downtown 1, 2, or 3 one stop. From Port Authority Bus Terminal, take a downtown A, C, or E one stop, or walk south for roughly 10 to 15 minutes.

Getting To Penn Station In New York From The Airports

JFK and Newark airports have rail connections to Penn Station, while LaGuardia requires a bus-to-subway or bus-to-LIRR transfer. Rail is usually more predictable than a taxi during weekday traffic.

From John F. Kennedy International Airport

JFK Airport’s fastest public-transit pattern is AirTrain to Jamaica, then a westbound Long Island Rail Road train marked for Penn Station. AirTrain costs $8.75, and the LIRR CityTicket within New York City costs $5.25 off-peak or $7.25 during peak periods, putting the combined fare at $14 or $16.

Allow roughly 35 to 55 minutes after reaching the AirTrain platform, with extra time for terminal walking and the transfer at Jamaica. Check the destination board before boarding because some westbound trains go to Grand Central or Atlantic Terminal instead of Penn Station.

From LaGuardia Airport

From Terminals B and C, LaGuardia Airport’s simplest low-cost route is the free Q70 LaGuardia Link to Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Avenue, then the E train to 34 St–Penn Station. The subway portion costs $3, and the full trip commonly takes 45 to 70 minutes depending on traffic and the transfer wait. Terminal A passengers may find the M60-SBS connection more direct.

A rail-based alternative is the free Q70 to Woodside, followed by a westbound LIRR train to Penn Station. The Woodside-to-Penn fare is $5.25 off-peak or $7.25 at peak times.

From Newark Liberty International Airport

Newark Liberty International Airport connects to Penn Station by AirTrain Newark and an NJ Transit train from Newark Liberty International Airport Rail Station. NJ Transit lists the trip at about 30 minutes and $17.25 for an adult ticket, with the AirTrain fee included.

Board a Northeast Corridor or North Jersey Coast Line train showing New York as its destination. Do not exit at Newark Penn Station unless the itinerary specifically requires a transfer; Newark Penn and New York Penn are different stations.

Routes To Penn Station At A Glance

The right route depends on the starting point, luggage, and time of day. Subway fares are fixed, while commuter-rail schedules and airport transfers can change during maintenance work.

Check the destination name: New York Penn Station may appear as “New York,” “Penn Station,” or station code “NYP.” Newark Penn Station is a separate stop in New Jersey.

Where To Stay For An Early Train

Hotels in Midtown West, Chelsea, and the blocks around Herald Square place travelers within a short walk or one subway stop of Penn Station. A nearby room can be useful for an early Amtrak departure or a late arrival when Moynihan Train Hall is nearing its 1 a.m. closing time.

Use the map below to compare stays around New York Penn Station and check the walking route to the entrance used by the correct rail operator:

How Do You Enter The Right Part Of Penn Station?

The correct entrance depends on the rail operator: Moynihan Train Hall is the main Amtrak concourse, while NJ Transit and LIRR use connected areas beneath Madison Square Garden. The underground complex is connected, but not every platform is reached from every concourse, so following the operator signs saves time.

The official MTA Penn Station page lists current connections and concourse hours. The LIRR concourse is open 24 hours, while Moynihan Train Hall is open daily from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m.; overnight Amtrak passengers should use the Penn Station side when Moynihan is closed.

• Amtrak: Enter Moynihan Train Hall at 351 West 31st Street or from Eighth Avenue. Amtrak’s station code is NYP.
• Long Island Rail Road: Use the LIRR concourse under Penn Station or the connected Moynihan area, then follow the posted track number.
• NJ Transit: Follow NJ Transit signs inside Penn Station and wait for the track announcement before heading to the platform.

Meeting someone at “Penn Station” is too vague. Agree on an operator, street, and avenue, such as the Moynihan entrance on West 31st Street or the Seventh Avenue entrance near West 33rd Street.

Arriving With Luggage Or Limited Mobility

Travelers with heavy bags, strollers, or limited mobility should favor the direct subway stations or rail routes and allow time to locate elevators. Both 34 St–Penn Station subway complexes have accessible routes, but elevator outages can change the usable entrance.

Check the MTA app for elevator status before leaving, and avoid a tight transfer from street level to a departing train. Penn Station track numbers are often posted close to boarding time, so staying near the correct operator’s concourse reduces last-minute walking.

• Use a contactless card, phone, wearable, or OMNY Card at subway turnstiles.
• Buy LIRR tickets before boarding through TrainTime or a station machine.
• Buy NJ Transit tickets in its app or at a machine, then activate mobile tickets before boarding when instructed.
• For Amtrak, arrive at least 30 minutes before departure; allow 60 minutes when baggage or ticketing help is needed.

Pick The Route For Your Starting Point

The simplest choice is the route with the fewest transfers: subway from Manhattan, LIRR from JFK or Long Island, NJ Transit from Newark Airport or New Jersey, and Q70 plus the E train from LaGuardia. Traffic makes taxis less predictable during busy periods, so road transport works best when several people can split the fare or luggage makes transfers difficult.

• From Midtown: Take the 1, 2, 3, A, C, or E directly to 34 St–Penn Station.
• From JFK: Use AirTrain to Jamaica and LIRR to Penn Station for the shortest public-transit trip.
• From LaGuardia: Use the free Q70 and E train for the lowest fare; use LIRR at Woodside when the next train lines up well.
• From Newark Airport: Use AirTrain Newark and an NJ Transit train bound for New York.
• For Amtrak: Aim for Moynihan Train Hall before 1 a.m.; use Penn Station’s overnight side outside those hours.

Service changes are common on nights and weekends. Check the MTA, LIRR, NJ Transit, or Amtrak app shortly before departure, then follow signs for the operator rather than relying only on the words “Penn Station.”