Fulton Street

Fulton Street station is the gateway to the World Trade Center area in Lower Manhattan, serving eight subway lines across a modern transit complex that was rebuilt and expanded after September 11, 2001. The rebuilt Fulton Center (opened 2014) is an architectural landmark in its own right - a luminous drum of glass and steel with a skylight at its core, integrating eight subway lines and thousands of daily commuters into a single fluid space. It sits at the edge of one of the most historically significant square miles in America.

The station puts you within easy walking distance of the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, One World Trade Center, the Oculus transportation hub and the Financial District's dense web of historic streets. This part of Lower Manhattan rewards slow exploration - the layers of colonial, 19th-century and contemporary architecture are unlike anything else in New York.

Station Overview

Fulton Street sits in Zone 1 and first opened in 1905. Eight lines serve the station: the 2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, J and Z. The station is fully accessible with step-free routes throughout the Fulton Center complex. Facilities include toilets, ATMs, Wi-Fi, retail shops and staffed information points.

Lines and Connectivity

The 2 and 3 trains run uptown to Times Square and Harlem; the 4 and 5 express trains reach Grand Central in about six minutes and continue to the Upper East Side and the Bronx. The A and C trains connect to Brooklyn, the Far Rockaways and Midtown's West Side. The J and Z trains cross the Williamsburg Bridge to Bushwick and Jamaica in Queens - less-used by tourists but useful for exploring outer boroughs. Transfers between lines inside the Fulton Center are seamless and largely weather-protected.

Station Layout and Facilities

The Fulton Center complex connects to the Oculus - Santiago Calatrava's soaring white marble and steel transportation hub - via an underground concourse. This passage also gives access to the World Trade Center site, Brookfield Place and the Hudson River waterfront without stepping outside. Throughout the complex you will find ATMs, a range of retail and food concessions, free Wi-Fi and clean toilets. The architecture of the Fulton Center itself makes it worth navigating slowly rather than rushing through.

Travel Tips

• The 9/11 Memorial pools (the footprints of the Twin Towers) are free to visit any time. The museum requires a timed ticket, which should be booked online well in advance as it frequently sells out.
• One World Observatory (floors 100 to 102 of One World Trade Center) gives 360-degree views of New York and beyond. Book tickets online to skip the queue at the desk.
• Walk through the Oculus even if you are not shopping - the interior is extraordinary, and free to enter.
• The 4 and 5 express trains from Fulton Street reach Grand Central in about six minutes - useful for a fast Midtown connection.

Nearby Attractions

9/11 Memorial and Museum - 5 minutes on foot. The two reflecting pools mark the footprints of the Twin Towers. The museum below tells the story of the attacks and their aftermath with great care. Memorial is free; museum requires a ticket.

One World Observatory - 7 minutes on foot. The top floors of One World Trade Center offer the highest views in the Western Hemisphere and an extraordinary perspective on the New York metro area.

The Oculus - connected underground. Calatrava's white steel structure houses a high-end shopping centre and connects multiple transit systems. The interior is one of the most dramatic public spaces in the city.

Brooklyn Bridge - 15 minutes on foot east. The pedestrian walkway across the bridge is one of the best free experiences in New York, with views of the Manhattan and Brooklyn skylines.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

All eight lines operate 24 hours a day. The station area is busiest on weekday mornings with Financial District commuters. The 9/11 Memorial site and surrounding area are relatively calm on early weekday mornings (before 9am) - worth considering if you want to visit the memorial pools without large crowds. The Oculus and Westfield shopping are open during standard retail hours.