How to get from Times Square to Penn Station (New York)

Times Square to Penn Station (New York) is a short Midtown trip, so most travelers can walk or take a quick subway ride, while buses and taxis/rideshares are useful if you have heavy luggage, mobility needs, or bad weather.

At A Glance (Times Square to Penn Station (New York))

Which Option or Route Should You Choose?

• Fastest / most convenient (light luggage): Option #1 — Walk if weather is decent and you’re near 42nd St/7th Ave.
• Fastest in rain/cold or if you’re in a hurry: Option #2 — Subway.
• Cheapest with less underground navigation: Option #3 — Local Bus (same fare as subway, but slower in traffic).
• Most comfortable with bags or mobility needs: Option #4 — Taxi / Rideshare / Private Transfer.

How to Book and Practical Tips

• Penn Station vs Moynihan Train Hall: Amtrak uses Moynihan Train Hall (NYP) across 8th Avenue from the main Penn Station complex, while Penn also serves LIRR/NJ TRANSIT/subway connections.
• Use official station info if you need entrances, hours, or connections: MTA Penn Station page.
• Subway & local bus fare: most riders pay $3, and tap-to-pay is supported (OMNY/contactless) per MTA fare info.
• If you have time before your train, drop bags with Radical Storage near Penn, Times Square, or Midtown and move around more easily.
• Rideshare alternatives: Uber and Lyft are widely available in NYC; for pre-booked chauffeur-style pickups, compare GetTransfer and Welcome Pickups.
• If you need step-free routing, check exact station entrance accessibility and allow extra time in Midtown crowds.

🚶 Option #1 — Walk (Easiest for Most Travelers)

Free Simple Crowd-dependent

• Overview: Times Square and Penn Station are close enough that walking is often the best option. Depending on your exact start point (Broadway/7th Ave around 42nd Street) and your destination entrance (Penn Station vs Moynihan Train Hall), the walk is usually about 12–22 minutes.
• How to book (with price): No booking needed; cost is free. If you need to stash luggage first, use Radical Storage in Midtown.
• Pros: Free, often as fast as transit for short hops, easy street-level navigation. Cons: Sidewalk congestion, weather exposure, awkward with heavy luggage.

Step-by-step: Walking from Times Square to Penn Station

1. Start from your exact Times Square point (many visitors are near 42nd St & 7th Ave or Broadway).
2. Head south toward 34th Street (usually along 7th Avenue, Broadway + cross streets, or 8th Avenue depending on your destination entrance).
3. For Penn Station subway/LIRR/NJ TRANSIT access, aim for entrances around 34th St between 7th and 8th Avenues.
4. For Amtrak / Moynihan Train Hall, continue toward 8th Avenue (west side of Penn complex) and use the Moynihan “Getting Here” page if you want entrance guidance.
5. Add a few extra minutes during peak commuter periods or around theater crowd times.

Getting to the main embarking points (Times Square pedestrian core / Times Sq-42 St area)

• Most common starting point: Around 42nd Street, Broadway, and 7th Avenue in the Times Square pedestrian area.
• If you are inside a hotel/theater: Exit to 7th or 8th Avenue first, then route directly toward 34th Street.
• If carrying large luggage: Consider a short taxi/rideshare instead of navigating crowded sidewalks.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚇 Option #2 — Subway (Fastest in Bad Weather / Time Pressure)

Fast Frequent Stairs/crowds

• Overview: Subway is a quick option if you are already near a Times Square station entrance and want to avoid weather. Depending on platform access, waiting time, and your exact Penn entrance, total time is often 8–18 minutes.
• How to book (with price): No advance booking. Tap and ride with OMNY/contactless or use an OMNY card. Most riders pay $3 for subway/local bus per MTA fares. For service updates and planning, use MTA.
• Pros: Fast, frequent, weather-proof. Cons: Stairs/crowding, station navigation can be slower with large suitcases.

Step-by-step: Subway from Times Square to Penn Station

1. Enter the Times Sq-42 St station complex and follow signs for a southbound train that stops at 34 St-Penn Station (commonly the 1/2/3 line option for the simplest one-stop hop).
2. Tap to pay using OMNY/contactless card/phone at the turnstile.
3. Ride one stop to 34 St-Penn Station.
4. Exit via the stair/elevator/escalator that best matches your target entrance (Penn concourses vs street-level approach to Moynihan).
5. If you need exact station/connection info on arrival, check the official MTA Penn Station page.

Getting to the main embarking points (Times Sq-42 St subway entrances)

• Station access: Times Square has multiple entrances around 42nd Street, Broadway, and 7th Avenue; choose the one closest to your hotel/theater.
• Crowd tip: Give extra time after Broadway shows and during rush hour because mezzanines/platforms can be crowded.
• Accessibility tip: Check your specific entrance/route if you need step-free access; station complexes can have different elevator availability.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚌 Option #3 — Local Bus (Surface Route, Good if You Prefer Fewer Stairs)

Same fare as subway Street-level travel Traffic-dependent

• Overview: Local buses can work well if you prefer staying above ground, want fewer stairs, or need an accessible boarding option. Total time is usually 15–35 minutes depending on route, traffic, and waiting time.
• How to book (with price): No booking needed. Pay $3 using OMNY/contactless on local buses (same base fare as subway) per MTA fare info.
• Pros: Street-level travel, easier orientation for some visitors. Cons: Midtown traffic can make this slower than walking or subway.

Step-by-step: Local Bus from Times Square to Penn Station area

1. Identify the nearest southbound or crosstown bus route that will drop you close to 34th Street / Penn Station (routes vary by exact starting point in Times Square).
2. Wait at the marked MTA bus stop and signal/board the correct bus.
3. Tap to pay with OMNY/contactless when boarding.
4. Watch stop announcements and exit near 34 St and your target avenue (7th/8th Ave depending on Penn vs Moynihan entrance).
5. Walk the final block(s) to your train hall/concourse entrance.

Getting to the main embarking points (MTA bus stops around Times Square/42nd St)

• Bus stops vary by route: Start from the nearest stop on 42nd St, 7th Ave, 8th Ave, or nearby avenues depending on your exact hotel/attraction.
• Accessibility: NYC buses are generally easier for travelers avoiding subway stairs/escalators, but curb crowds can still be heavy.
• Timing tip: If traffic looks bad, switch to walking or subway.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚕 Option #4 — Taxi / Rideshare / Private Transfer (Most Comfortable with Luggage)

Door-to-door Luggage-friendly Can be pricey in traffic

• Overview: Yellow taxis, Uber, and Lyft are widely available in Midtown. For a short Times Square → Penn Station hop, this is usually the easiest choice with heavy luggage, mobility concerns, kids, or very bad weather.
• How to book (with price): Hail a yellow cab curbside or book via rideshare apps (Uber/Lyft). Short Midtown rides often land around $10–30+ depending on traffic/surge/tolls. For pre-booked chauffeur-style service, compare GetTransfer in New York or Welcome Pickups.
• Pros: Minimal walking, curb-to-curb, easy with bags. Cons: Midtown congestion can make it no faster than walking/subway and can cost much more.

Step-by-step: Taxi / Rideshare / Private Transfer

1. Choose your destination precisely: Penn Station (7th/8th Ave side entrance) or Moynihan Train Hall (west side of 8th Ave around 31st–33rd St).
2. If using rideshare, move to a legal/safe pickup point away from the densest pedestrian zone when possible to reduce pickup delays.
3. Confirm the drop-off side/entrance before the ride starts, especially if you’re taking Amtrak from Moynihan.
4. Allow buffer time for Midtown traffic, deliveries, and lane closures—especially weekday rush hours and theater let-out times.

Getting to the main embarking points (Curb pickup around Times Square)

• Yellow taxis: You can usually hail one on nearby avenues, but curb space around the pedestrian plazas can be crowded.
• Rideshare pickups: Uber/Lyft pickups may be easier on a side street or avenue just outside the busiest Times Square blocks.
• Private transfer pickups: Pre-booked cars via Welcome Pickups or GetTransfer can help if you want a fixed plan and driver contact ahead of time.
• Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

FAQ (Times Square to Penn Station (New York))

What’s the easiest way to get from Times Square to Penn Station?
For most travelers, walking is easiest because the distance is short and often just a straight Midtown walk.

What’s the fastest option if I’m running late for a train?
Usually the subway (especially if you’re already near a station entrance), but walking can be just as fast in heavy traffic.

How much is the subway or bus fare in NYC?
For most riders, the subway and local bus fare is $3 according to MTA fare information.

Should I go to Penn Station or Moynihan Train Hall?
If you’re taking Amtrak, you’ll often want Moynihan Train Hall (NYP); for LIRR, NJ TRANSIT, and many subway connections, you may use the broader Penn Station complex. Check your ticket and the Amtrak NYP station page if unsure.

Is a taxi/rideshare worth it for this route?
It can be worth it with heavy luggage, small children, mobility needs, or bad weather, but traffic may make it no faster than walking or the subway.

Can I store luggage near Penn Station or Times Square?
Yes. Use station storage options where available or services like Radical Storage in Midtown.

This guide was researched and written by Jacob, and it was last updated on September 14, 2026. 0 people found this post useful.

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