Wall Street to Times Square | Subway Wins Most Trips

The uptown 2 or 3 train is the simplest route from Wall Street, reaching Times Square in about 13 minutes on the train.

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For most Wall Street to Times Square trips, take an uptown 2 or 3 train from the Wall Street station marked with red line symbols and stay aboard to Times Sq-42 St. The scheduled ride takes about 13 minutes during normal express service, while station walking and waiting usually bring the full trip to 20–30 minutes.

No transfer is needed, and the subway avoids the traffic that can slow taxis and buses between Lower Manhattan and Midtown. Late-night and weekend work can alter service, so check the MTA app shortly before leaving.

What Is The Fastest Route?

The fastest usual route is the uptown 2 or 3 train from Wall St to Times Sq-42 St. Both trains use the Seventh Avenue line through Manhattan and reach the destination without a transfer.

1. Enter the Wall Street station displaying red 2 and 3 symbols.
2. Follow signs for the uptown or Bronx-bound platform.
3. Board either an uptown 2 or uptown 3 train.
4. Remain aboard through Fulton St, Park Place, Chambers St, 14 St, and 34 St-Penn Station.
5. Leave the train at Times Sq-42 St.

Normal express service covers the station-to-station run in about 13 minutes. Waiting, stairs, long passageways, and finding the right Times Square exit account for most of the remaining time.

Current route comparisons and transfer alternatives are available here:

Picking The Right Wall Street Station

The Wall Street station marked with red 2 and 3 symbols is the right starting point for the direct trip. Lower Manhattan also has a separate Wall Street station for the green 4 and 5 lines, which can send an unfamiliar visitor toward a slower transfer.

• Red 2 and 3 entrance: Direct ride to Times Sq-42 St with no transfer.
• Green 4 and 5 entrance: Ride to Grand Central-42 St, then transfer to the 42 Street Shuttle.
• Rector St 1 entrance: A useful direct alternative when starting west of Broadway, but the 1 makes more local stops.

Check the colored route circles before passing through the turnstile. Walking to the correct entrance is usually easier than trying to correct the mistake after entering the wrong Wall Street station.

From Wall Street To Midtown: Every Option Compared

The direct 2 or 3 train has the strongest mix of speed, price, and simplicity. Other choices make sense for step-free access, heavy bags, bad weather, or travelers who prefer staying above ground.

Traffic causes the widest swings. A taxi may approach subway time on a quiet morning, but weekday congestion can make the same ride considerably slower.

Subway Fare And OMNY

A subway ride costs $3 for most passengers, and no second fare is charged because the direct 2 or 3 route needs no transfer. The MTA subway and bus fare page confirms the current fare and payment rules.

Tap a contactless credit card, debit card, phone, wearable device, or OMNY Card at the turnstile. Use one payment method consistently because OMNY tracks the current $35 seven-day subway and local-bus fare cap by card or device.

MetroCard sales and refills ended on January 1, 2026. Existing value can still be spent before the card expires, or transferred to an OMNY Card at an eligible customer service location.

Payment tip: Tap once when entering the subway. New York City subway riders do not tap again when leaving the station.

Accessibility, Bags, And Late-Night Service

Travelers who need step-free access should start at the accessible Fulton St complex rather than either Wall Street station. Fulton St is a short walk north and provides accessible access to the 2 and 3 trains, while Times Sq-42 St is also accessible.

Elevators can be temporarily unavailable, so check the MTA elevator status before setting out. A taxi may be easier when several suitcases, a stroller, or mobility needs make the added walk to Fulton St impractical.

Late at night, the 2 train may make local stops through Manhattan, increasing the ride time. The 3 train also has reduced overnight patterns, making the 2 the safer line to look for during the smallest hours.

Weekend construction can replace direct service with reroutes or shuttle buses. Allow an extra 15–20 minutes when the MTA lists work on the 1, 2, or 3 lines.

Times Square Arrival And Exit Strategy

Times Sq-42 St is a large station complex, so choosing the correct exit can save several blocks of crowded walking. Follow street signs rather than leaving through the first staircase you see.

• Broadway theaters: Use an exit toward Broadway, Seventh Avenue, or West 42nd Street, then check the theater’s cross street.
• Bryant Park: Head east toward Sixth Avenue; the underground connection toward 42 St-Bryant Park can help in poor weather.
• Port Authority: Follow the passage toward 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal.
• Rockefeller Center: Leave on the north or east side of the complex and walk toward Sixth Avenue.

Times Square crowds are densest around Broadway and Seventh Avenue. Confirm the first avenue and cross street of the destination before reaching the platform so the station signs are easier to follow.

Where To Stay Near The Arrival Area

Times Square suits travelers prioritizing Broadway shows and late-night transportation, while Bryant Park and Hell’s Kitchen offer different surroundings within walking distance. Bryant Park places travelers closer to Fifth Avenue, and Hell’s Kitchen has more neighborhood restaurants west of the busiest blocks.

Compare lodging locations around Times Square, Bryant Park, and nearby Midtown streets on one map:

A room directly on Times Square can reduce nighttime walking after a show, but bright signage and street noise continue late. Moving two or three blocks away often gives a calmer base without losing easy subway access.

How Much Time Should You Allow?

Most travelers should allow 30 minutes from entering the Wall Street subway station to reaching street level at Times Square. Use 45 minutes when traveling during rush hour, carrying luggage, or meeting someone at a fixed time.

• Normal daytime trip: Allow 25–30 minutes.
• Weekday rush hour: Allow 35–45 minutes for platform and exit crowds.
• Late night: Allow 35–50 minutes because waits are longer and trains may run local.
• Weekend construction: Check live service and add at least 15 minutes when changes affect the route.

Broadway ticket holders should build in more time after arriving. Times Sq-42 St can take several minutes to exit, and theater doors may be another 5–15 minutes away on foot.

The Right Choice By Traveler Type

The direct uptown 2 or 3 train is the best choice for speed, budget, and a transfer-free ride. The alternatives become worthwhile only when a specific need outweighs those advantages.

• For the fastest ride: Take the uptown 2 or 3 from the red-line Wall Street station.
• For the lowest cost: Take the subway or M55 bus for $3; walking costs nothing but takes far longer.
• For step-free access: Walk to accessible Fulton St and board the uptown 2 or 3 there.
• For several bags: Choose a taxi or prearranged car and allow for traffic.
• For a west-side starting point: Use the uptown 1 from Rector St for a direct local ride.
• For overnight travel: Look for the uptown 2 and confirm live service before entering.

For a normal daytime trip, follow the red 2 or 3 signs, board an uptown train, and leave at Times Sq-42 St. That route requires one $3 fare, no transfer, and about 20–30 minutes from station entrance to Midtown street level.