You just stepped off an Amtrak or an NJ Transit train. The air is thick with that specific subterranean New York scent—a mix of wet concrete, Auntie Anne’s pretzels, and ozone. You’re at Penn Station. It’s chaotic. Thousands of people are moving with a purpose that feels slightly aggressive if you aren’t used to it. Your goal? Getting from Penn Station to Times Square. It’s arguably the most common transit leg in the city, but if you take the wrong exit, you’ll end up walking three blocks in the wrong direction before you even realize you’ve messed up.
Honestly, it’s only about seven-tenths of a mile. You could walk it in ten minutes. You could take the subway in two. You could even sit in a yellow cab for twenty minutes if the cross-town traffic is particularly vengeful that day. Don't miss our recent post on this related article.
Most people overcomplicate this. They stare at the colored lines on the floor or get sucked into the vortex of the Moynihan Train Hall—which is beautiful, by the way, but can be a bit of a detour if you’re actually trying to get to 42nd Street quickly. Let’s break down how you actually do this like a local who has ten minutes to catch a Broadway curtain call.
The Walk: Why 7th Avenue is Your Best Friend
If the weather isn't miserable, just walk. Seriously. By the time you navigate the turnstiles and wait for a train, you could have already passed Macy’s. To read more about the history here, AFAR provides an informative breakdown.
When you arrive at Penn Station, you need to find the exit for 7th Avenue. If you find yourself on 8th Avenue (near the Madison Square Garden entrance), you’re one block too far west. It’s not a tragedy, but 7th Avenue is the direct artery. Once you hit the sidewalk, turn left. You’ll be walking "uptown," which means the street numbers are getting higher. You’re at 32nd or 33rd Street. Times Square officially starts around 42nd Street.
It’s a straight shot. You’ll pass the massive 1-2-3 subway entrance, a bunch of questionable pizza spots, and the Fashion Institute of Technology area. The neon starts getting brighter around 38th Street. By 40th, you’re basically there. The beauty of the walk is that you avoid the subterranean heat of the platforms. Plus, you get to see the transition from the grit of the Garment District to the sensory overload of the Theater District.
Taking the Subway: The 1, 2, or 3?
Sometimes walking isn't an option. Maybe it's pouring rain, or maybe you’re hauling a suitcase that feels like it’s filled with bricks. In that case, the subway from Penn Station to Times Square is your move.
Look for the Red Line. In NYC transit speak, that’s the 1, 2, or 3 trains.
Here is the nuance most tourists miss: The 1 train is a "Local" train. The 2 and 3 are "Express" trains. However, between Penn Station (34th St) and Times Square (42nd St), it literally does not matter. They all stop at 42nd Street. It is exactly one stop away.
- Pro tip: Don’t bother sitting down. You’ll be on the train for approximately 90 seconds.
- Payment: Don’t stand in line at the MetroCard vending machines. That’s a rookie move. Use OMNY. Just tap your credit card, debit card, or smartphone (Apple Pay/Google Pay) directly on the yellow screen at the turnstile. It’s $2.90. It’s instant.
If you accidentally follow signs for the A, C, or E (the Blue Line), don't panic. These trains run along 8th Avenue. They also have a 42nd Street station (Port Authority). If you take the A, C, or E from Penn to 42nd, you’ll just end up on the western edge of the Times Square complex. There is a long, underground tunnel connecting the 8th Avenue side to the 7th Avenue side. It’s a bit of a trek, but you’ll get there.
Cabs, Ubers, and the Traffic Trap
I’m going to be blunt: taking a car from Penn Station to Times Square is usually a bad idea.
Midtown traffic is a living, breathing monster. Between the delivery trucks double-parked on 7th Avenue and the sheer volume of pedestrians, a car can easily take 15 to 20 minutes to travel those ten blocks. You will watch people on the sidewalk outpace your $20 Uber.
However, if you have five bags or mobility issues, head to the official taxi stand. Do not—I repeat, do not—accept a ride from someone lingering inside the station whispering "Taxi? Uber?" Those are unlicensed "gypsy cabs" and they will overcharge you. Use the official line outside.
The "Secret" Indoor Route (For Bad Weather)
New Yorkers hate the rain, but we've figured out ways to avoid it. If you’re at Penn and it’s a monsoon, you can actually stay underground for a significant portion of your journey if you're willing to be a bit creative.
You can take the 1-2-3 subway as mentioned, but did you know there’s an underground passage that connects 34th street stations? It’s not the most scenic route, and it’s a bit of a maze, but it exists. Honestly, though, for the Penn Station to Times Square leg, the subway is your "indoor" savior. The 42nd Street station is massive and spans several blocks underground, so once you’re on that train, you’re effectively shielded until you choose your exit right in the heart of the neon.
Common Misconceptions
A lot of people think Penn Station and Grand Central are the same thing. They aren't. If you’re at Grand Central, you’re on the East Side. Penn Station is on the West Side. If you're trying to get to Times Square from Grand Central, you take the S shuttle or the 7 train. But from Penn? It's the 1-2-3. Keep your "West Side" hat on and you won't get lost.
Another thing: Google Maps might tell you to take a bus. The M7 or the M20. Unless you have a specific desire to see the city through a blurry, slow-moving window while sitting in traffic, avoid the bus for this specific short hop. It’s just not efficient.
Safety and Spatial Awareness
Penn Station is safer than it was in the 80s, but it's still a high-intensity environment. Keep your bag zipped. Don't stop in the middle of a hallway to check your phone; pull over to a wall.
When you emerge at Times Square, the sheer scale of the digital billboards can be disorienting. You’ll likely come out near 42nd and 7th. If you’re looking for a specific Broadway theater, most are located between 44th and 54th streets, mostly west of Broadway.
Practical Next Steps
- Check your exit: Before you leave the train platform at Penn, look for signs saying "7th Ave & 34th St." This puts you in the best position for either the walk or the Red Line subway.
- Ready your tech: Have your contactless payment (phone or card) out before you hit the subway turnstile to keep the flow moving.
- Look Up: Once you're on 7th Avenue, the Empire State Building is behind you (south) and the bright lights are ahead of you (north).
- Download Citymapper: While Google Maps is fine, Citymapper tends to handle the complexities of NYC subway exits much better, telling you exactly which staircase to use to end up on the correct corner.
You’re now ready to navigate one of the busiest corridors in the world. Walk fast, stay to the right, and don't forget to look up—just maybe not while you're walking.
