About 42nd Street-Port Authority
42nd Street-Port Authority sits directly beneath the Port Authority Bus Terminal on 8th Avenue, the western edge of the Times Square district where Midtown meets Hell's Kitchen. For millions of commuters this is the point where an interstate bus journey turns into a subway ride, and the station buzzes with people hauling luggage, catching a matinee or hurrying toward the office towers a few blocks east.
The A, C and E trains all stop here on 8th Avenue, giving quick reach to Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens without ever surfacing into the crowds above. An underground passage links the platforms straight into the bus terminal and continues east toward the main Times Square complex, so you can move between subway, buses and the wider theatre district while staying out of the weather.
Station Overview
42nd Street-Port Authority opened in 1932 as part of the Eighth Avenue Line and sits in Zone 1, where NYC Subway fares are flat regardless of distance. The A, C and E trains serve the station around the clock. It is a fully accessible station with lift service, and toilets and staffed information are available within the complex.
Lines and Connectivity
The A train is an express here, running fast up to Washington Heights and Inwood in the north and down through Lower Manhattan into Brooklyn, all the way to Far Rockaway and Ozone Park in Queens. The C is the local companion on the same 8th Avenue tracks, stopping at every station between Washington Heights and Brooklyn. The E heads to Queens, serving Jackson Heights, Forest Hills and Jamaica Center, and dips south to the World Trade Center. Above ground, the connection to Port Authority Bus Terminal opens up coach services to New Jersey, upstate New York and destinations across the region.
Station Layout and Structure
This is an underground station on the 8th Avenue trunk, with express and local platforms arranged so the A and C share tracks and the E terminates or continues nearby. Overhead signs and coloured line markers point you toward uptown or downtown platforms, and long underground corridors link you to the bus terminal and eastward to the 1/2/3 and N/Q/R/W lines under Times Square. First-time visitors should follow the terminal signage carefully, as the passageways span several blocks.
Accessibility
42nd Street-Port Authority is step-free, with lifts connecting the street, the bus terminal concourse and the subway platforms. Accessible fare gates are provided. As lift outages do occur across the system, it is worth checking the MTA accessibility status before you travel if step-free access is essential to your trip.
Travel Tips
- If you are catching an interstate bus, stay underground - the passage links the subway directly to the Port Authority Bus Terminal ticketing levels.
- The A train skips several stops as an express, so double check the platform sign if you want a local stop; take the C instead for stations the A passes.
- The corridor east toward Times Square gets you to nine more lines without going above ground, handy in bad weather.
- This corner is busiest before evening Broadway curtains and when buses arrive, so allow extra time on weekend evenings.
Nearby Attractions
Port Authority Bus Terminal - directly above. The busiest bus terminal in the world, with coaches to New Jersey, the Hamptons and long-distance routes across the east coast.
Times Square - 3 minutes on foot east. The neon crossroads on Broadway is a short walk along 42nd Street from the 8th Avenue exits.
Hell's Kitchen - immediately west. The neighbourhood along 9th Avenue is packed with international restaurants and is one of Manhattan's best areas for casual dining.
Restaurant Row - 2 minutes on foot. West 46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues is lined with pre-theatre restaurants popular before Broadway shows.
Timings and Best Time to Travel
The A, C and E trains run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, one of the real advantages of the New York subway. Overnight the C does not run and the A runs local, so late-night riders should check which service is operating. Weekday rush hours and pre-show weekend evenings are the most crowded times here, while midmorning on weekdays is calm.
Nearest Metro to Port Authority Bus Terminal
If you are heading to Port Authority Bus Terminal, 42nd Street-Port Authority is your closest metro stop on the A Train. It also gives easy access to Times Square and Hell's Kitchen. Use the fare calculator to plan your journey cost before you travel.
Stations on This Line
Traveller Tips
- 1Stay underground to transfer straight to the Port Authority Bus Terminal levels
- 2The A runs express here - take the C for local stops the A skips
- 3An underground corridor links east to Times Square and nine more subway lines
Accessibility
Frequently Asked Questions
Which trains serve 42nd Street-Port Authority?
The A, C and E trains all stop here on 8th Avenue. The A runs express, the C is the local, and the E heads to Queens and the World Trade Center.
Is 42nd Street-Port Authority in a good spot for the Port Authority Bus Terminal?
Yes, it is directly underneath it. An underground passage links the subway platforms to the bus terminal ticketing levels, so you can transfer without going outside.
Is the station wheelchair accessible?
Yes. 42nd Street-Port Authority has step-free lift access between the street, the bus terminal concourse and the subway platforms, along with accessible fare gates. Check the MTA status for lift outages before travelling.
What neighbourhood is the station in?
It sits on the western edge of the Times Square district in Midtown Manhattan, right where the theatre district meets Hell's Kitchen along 8th and 9th Avenues.
Does the station run overnight?
Yes, the subway runs 24/7. Overnight the C train does not operate and the A runs as a local, so check which service is running late at night.
Can I reach Times Square from here without going outside?
Yes. An underground corridor runs east from the platforms to the main Times Square complex, connecting you to the 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W and S lines.