Important Reminder:The City Guide app will be sunsetting on December 15, 2024, with the web version to follow in early 2025. Please visit our FAQ to learn more or to download our Swarm app.New York Penn Station
Rail Station
Chelsea, New York
The folks at The New Yorker and The Corcoran Group like this place. Would you agree?
"Ridding Amtrak love it!!"(111 Tips)
"The best bagels in the morning are at zaro's near NJ transit"(63 Tips)
"Acela to DC or Boston is awesome."(25 Tips)
"Very efficient (most of the time) in spite of how crowded it gets."(29 Tips)
1,608 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- amtrak
- nj transit
- acela
- trains
- quiet
- (15 more)
Sort:
- Popular
- Recent
Wait in the LIRR Waiting Room, where you can charge your phone, or get a bite at Wasabi or Shake Shack. There are two Starbucks too. The Pennsy food court is also a great option.Upvoted 4 days ago
If you're new here and want an actual seat on your train, please understand that you must prepare to run (or at least walk like hell) at the exact moment that its track number comes up on the board.Upvoted 1 week ago
“Of Penn Station, the renowned architecture writer Vincent Scully wrote something along the lines of, “Where once we strode into the city like emporers, we now scuttle in like rats.”Upvoted 2 weeks ago
PSA: Never buy your ticket at the first kiosk you see, there are other ones with shorter lines. Also, don't walk and text - it's a health hazard to you and others around you.Upvoted 6 days ago
Convenient location and plenty of places to grab a bite before your trip. The station suffers from a ton of track issues, delays and commuting problems, mostly due to the outdated infrastructure.Upvoted 3 weeks ago
After a bad day you can cheer yourself up by yelling "tickets" as you enter each train car on your way to the bathroom. You'll get to see a lot of tickets. And a lot of annoyed people.
Walk don't stop let the locals get to work!! If you are going to any shore points in the summer get there early for your tickets the Lirr is packed starting at 7:30am.Upvoted Sep 13
Did you know that leashed dogs are allowed in the station? You can take Fido on your next trip out East or to the Shore, but he must be in a crate when you board the train.
Use the @amtrak app to monitor the status of the train you are taking. Penn Station is as busy place.
Be sure to download the LIRR app (itun.es/us/l5ufz.i), which has a trip planner (no Internet connection is required), station info, scheduled arrivals, service advisories and a multi-touch map.
take whatever small pleasure you can in your eventual mastery of this trash-hole's labyrinthine passages, derelict shops and moist moist restrooms
Melanie ClarkJuly 4, 2013Red Caps are awesome!!! Get on the train first and they load your bags. Even one full from a month away from home. Great, free service, but please remember to tip!
PRO TIP: Waiting for Amtrak and hoping to get a window seat? Don't stare at the board like a zombie. Make nice with the info booth person. They'll tip you off of the track ahead of time.
The best spot for air condition when waiting for NJT is in the LIRR first concourse next to Don Pepi Express and phone booths
If you didn't get a chance to print your Amtrak ticket, screenshot it before you get in line. Service can get spotty, and it's just one less thing to worry about when a flood of people rushes a gate.
transiTALK Transportation Media GroupJanuary 16, 2012Cross roads of 3 modes of transportation (Subway, Commuter Rail & Bus) and 3 separate transportation entities, NY-Penn is an underground city in itself that is not to be ignored. Check it out!
The food court on ticket level is actually quite nice. Lot's of choices at what New Yorkers call resonable prices...the rest of s call it expensive. Two Deli's here that are the real deal
Hefe HofoMay 14, 2018If you are not from around here, it is hard to find anything in this station. Besides, don't expect to get help from the employees. Rude and pissed off. Better try passenger running by.
I you are on Amtrak 63 or 69 and traveling to Canada, you must check in beforehand and get your ticket stamped. These trains line up on main concourse before boarding.
NJT Tips to save a life: use Departure Vision on your phone to see if your track's announced, use the Amtrak 8th Ave side if it's crazy busy, and if there are delays: PATH it to Hoboken, don't wait.
NYC PrideNovember 29, 2011A proud sponsor of New York City Pride, Amtrak offers comfortable, convenient travel at an affordable price. Plenty of leg room and power outlets in every row. A great way to get where you're going!
Berk KapiciogluApril 21, 2014As one of New York's major train stations, this place needs to be torn down and rebuilt from scratch. It is one ugly train station, but our only public transportation option for commuting to Jersey.
Edward DelfinoOctober 10, 2015I really like this place! There are so many food and drink options and its located near the heart of Manhattan. Public restrooms are pretty clean, all things considered.
Don't put your coat in an overhead bin before other people shove their carry-ons in. You won't recognize it when you get to your destination.
When your Amtrak train is departing, you can avoid the line by sneaking down to the LIRR mezz (use the center stairwells) and going down to your track from there. Viola! No line, choice of seats!- Amtrak? Go down the stairs in the center of the waiting area and there are status screens and a shortcut down to the trains. No need to wait in the mob to have your ticket checked.
Though most of the time it's quite busy, overall a easy way to commute to different places all over, which is a good thing. Most trains (LIRR) are on time and plenty of cops and national guard 2 help.
Gunnar AasenMarch 1, 2015Taking Amtrak? The old TV screens on the lower floor next to the track entrances show the departure gates slightly earlier than the big board upstairs.- Lee SNovember 2, 2011Primo Cappuccino has tasty bagels with lox and flavored coffees you can mix together to create your own chocolate-hazelnut-raspberry combination.
For a quiet Information board, go all the way to the West End Concourse.
To avoid the crowds, wait on the lower level for Amtrak and New Jersey transit. Plenty of monitors to see which track to head to.
That cool, calm, slightly husky woman's voice you hear announcing destinations belongs to Sheila Herriott, and she's been doing that since 1983: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/11/nyregion/11amtrak
Metropolis magazineApril 10, 2012Designed by McKim, Mead, and White in 1910. The original Penn Station was an outstanding masterpiece of the Beaux-Arts style and one of the architectural jewels of NYC.
It's a big station, there's too many of us here and we're all in a hurry, stop looking so shocked or scared that I brushed past you! Oh and please stay on your right in the stairs. Thanks
It can be hard to navigate when you have roller luggage, but for the amount of people this station handles on a daily basis it’s pretty impressive!
If you're really polite and the employee is cool, you might get a heads up at the LIRR info window of your train's track assignment before it goes on the big board. Beat the crowd and snag a good seat
If you're traveling on NJ Transit, have a debit/credit card, and don't want the hassle of standing in line: Purchase tickets via the MyTix app. You can buy in advance!
Luna Park Coney IslandMay 11, 2012Historic Coney Island is less than an hour away by subway! Visit Luna Park and the Scream Zone, ride the world-famous Cyclone or grab something at the cafe while you watch the kids play.
It's the only place I've been verbally assaulted multiple times for being in an interracial relationship. They throw salt in the wound by displaying pictures of the old, beautiful Penn Station.
Theodore KimSeptember 23, 2014The easiest way to navigate this crazy, boiling place is to remember the following: The 1,2,3 trains are close to 7th Avenue; the lettered trains (A,C,E) are on 8th.
A depressing dungeon that should be an example of all the ways not to design a train station!
Rosie VallakiaApril 26, 2015First time riding on Amtrak and I actually am looking forward to go on it again! Gonna get a roomette or a super liner next time! Comfy seats and plenty of leg room!
emiliano calosJanuary 13, 2015They offer FREE wifi ! , if you are taking Amtrak thill will be your hub. They have fast food, pharmacies and security 24/7. Be aware some shady characters do hang around the lobby at night.
Jim PenfoldJuly 7, 2019One of the two largest transit hubs in the Tri-state area (Grand Central is the other). Amtrak, NJ Transit, LIRR, MTA A, C, E, 1, 2, 3. Is an extremely busy place, slow down and follow the signs.
Marie La RueApril 7, 2019Deficient signage. Very hard to get around when you do not know the station very well. Thankfully other commuters are nice & helpful with directions.
Get anywhere in the area from here. If you are confused or nervous, the information desks are helpful and they will guide you.
If traveling via Amtrak, leave the waiting area 20 minutes before your scheduled departure and wait with the crowds in view of the large board. There will be a mad dash to the gate when announced!
Craige MooreMarch 30, 2010Nowhere else in the world (except maybe Popcorn Land?) can you find so many different popcorn vendors to choose from. The best ones are lower level, the long, white bags (not Zarro's and not the movie
If you are waiting for Amtrak train by the T.G.I Fridays, look for the overhead AC vent. AC is awesome.
For elevated dining options go to Moynihan, just built and connected to the station. Very fancy, non-train stationy options!
10,916 Photos
Foursquare © 2024 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
New York Penn Station
1 Penn Plz (btwn W 31st & W 33rd St)
New York, NY 10001
United States
New York, NY 10001
United States
Penn Station is the major intercity train station and a major commuter rail hub in New York City. Serving 300,000 passengers a day at a rate of up to a thousand every 90 seconds, it is the busiest passenger transportation facility in the United States and by far the busiest train station in North America.
Open (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- 24 Hours
(212) 630-6401
Features
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Wi-Fi
Yes
TouchTunes Jukebox
Yes
See More
Places inside New York Penn Station
- 5.0
"For a cheap yet good bagel or snack try seattle's best coffee located next to perfumania"
Sally Hassan 
"McDonalds in Penn is typically one of the fastests around. Beats all other Fast food times."
Wesley Mason- 9.1
"beautiful and pristine at the cost of public seating… feels like a palliative"
Seamus Holland
Appears on 1,320 lists
Created by The New York Daily News
34 items • 601 followers
Created by ParisianGeek
199 items • 598 followers