What to know about the Port Authority Bus Terminal
The Port Authority is a New York City transportation hub, and if you’re visiting the city you may end up going through it for one reason or another. Maybe you’re storing your luggage at the Port Authority Bus Terminal as you explore the city after coming in from the airport, or perhaps you’re going to arrive there on your quest to get to Times Square from elsewhere in the city.
The Basics
The Port Authority Bus Terminal is described as “the busiest bus terminal in the world.”
It’s located in Midtown Manhattan, just one block west of iconic Times Square, and takes up the blocks between 8th and 9th Avenues and 40th and 42nd Streets.
The Port Authority serves interstate buses that come into Manhattan, with about 8,000 buses coming on an average day. The Port Authority serves around 200,000 riders each day.
The primary carriers include Greyhound, New Jersey Transit, and Trailways.
The bus terminal operates 24-hours a day, but from 1 to 5 a.m., only ticketed passengers are allowed in the terminal.
The Port Authority opened in 1950, and before that, there were eight different terminals throughout Midtown.
There are entrances from different points on 40th St., 42nd St., 8th Ave. and 9th Ave.
To take the subway to the Port Authority Bus Terminal, you could use the A/C/E to 42th St./Port Authority or N/R/Q, & and 1/2/3 to 42nd St. Times Square.
One reason travelers might need to go through the Port Authority Terminal is that there are airport busses servicing Kennedy Airport and LaGuardia. You can also take an Olympia Trails bus to Newark.
Port Authority Bus Terminal New York
Nearby attractions
The Port Authority Bus Terminal offers easy access to some of New York’s major tourist attractions, namely Times Square and Broadway. Madame Tussaud’s wax museum is just a block away as well.
All of the Times Square hotels are near the Bus Terminal, including the Hilton Times Square and the Marriott Marquis.
Secrets of the Terminal
While the Port Authority definitely isn’t a Grand Central Terminal in terms of style and beauty, there are some hidden secrets you might check out if you’re here.
One is the Port Authority Gallery of the People.
There’s a bowling alley inside the terminal as well, and it’s played host to celebrities like Jay-z and Beyonce. There’s a performing arts center in the Port Authority too.
Where to eat
You can easily grab a cup of coffee in the Port Authority, but as far as other dining options, they are somewhat limited.
There is an onsite branch of the Heartland Brewery, so that’s an option.
Another nearby option is Schnipper’s, with a menu of simple fare like tacos, burgers, and shakes. Schnipper’s is not in the Port Authority itself. It’s located at 41st and 8th. Also nearby is Ollie’s Noodle Shop and Esca.
A renovation is coming
The Port Authority is one of the more hated places in New York City. It’s congested, and the design and architecture leave a lot to be desired. John Oliver once called it the single worst place on Planet Earth, and it’s also often described as a pit of despair.
The plans to renovate it have been in the works for a while, but there have been setbacks along the way with the budget and timeline.
The Port Authority has three plans being considered to replace the terminal, with costs of up to $10 billion each.
One of the plans would relocate intercity buses to a new terminal on the Javits Center, which is on the far West Side. That would then open up space at the Port Authority for primarily commuter buses.
A second plan would make the lower level of the Javits center a terminal for intercity and commuter buses, and then the existing Port Authority site could be used for commercial development.
A third option would involve a renovation of the current terminal, but none of the currently offered plans accommodate services such as Megabus, which use sidewalks to do pick-ups and drop-offs.
Other things to know
A few other things to know about the Port Authority is that while it can be an intimidating place, there are a lot of officials around to help you if you need it, including members of the National Guard.
There’s an information booth at the main level, and there’s also one at the subway level, and each bus service has its own ticketing county.
If you have to use the bathroom, you may be better off choosing another option—any other option. The bathrooms are notoriously dirty and generally unpleasant places.
