Penn Station: New York’s busiest train station
Penn Station, officially Pennsylvania Station, is New York's busiest train station. A bustling hub connecting you to major East Coast cities and beyond.
What You Need to Know About Penn Station
- When people think of New York’s train stations, Grand Central Terminal usually comes to mind first—the magnificent central station in Midtown. But that iconic building is actually just a commuter rail hub. The real main station is Penn Station, located far west in Midtown.
- Penn Station, officially Pennsylvania Station, stretches from 7th to 9th Avenue between 31st and 33rd Street—a massive footprint in the heart of New York. Most of the station sits underground. Above part of Penn Station stands the legendary Madison Square Garden, home to the NBA’s New York Knicks and the NHL’s New York Rangers.
- Penn Station handles more passengers than any other station in New York. More than 13 million passengers passed through in 2025, according to statistics from Amtrak, the national rail operator. The station serves all major cities along the US East Coast, including Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C.
- Add to that New Jersey Transit commuter trains heading to New Jersey and Long Island Rail Road trains to Long Island, plus 6 subway lines. A 2019 study estimated that more than 600,000 people pass through Pennsylvania Station daily—a record for North America.
What to See at Penn Station
- Penn Station lacks the architectural grandeur of Grand Central. The original station was built in 1910 by architects McKim, Mead & White, but it was completely demolished in 1963. It was replaced by a functional, modern building with little charm. Pennsylvania Station isn’t a major tourist destination unless you love trains and the energy of a busy transit hub.
- One exception: check out the Moynihan Train Hall, between 8th and 9th Avenue. This new hall opened to the public on January 1, 2021, inside the James A. Farley Building, a Beaux-Arts structure that once housed New York’s main post office. A futuristic extension topped with an impressive glass ceiling and escalators that look like they belong in a sci-fi film. Bonus: the Moynihan Train Hall connects directly to the High Line, New York’s elevated park.
- You may also use the station as a passenger if you decide to take a train trip to Washington or Philadelphia. You’ll also depart from Pennsylvania Station if you’ve booked a nighttime helicopter tour in New York heading to Linden, New Jersey.
Practical Information
- Address: Between 7th and 9th Avenue and between 31st and 33rd Street in New York.
- Subway: 34 St-Penn Station (lines 1, 2, 3, A, B, and C).
- Hours: The station has no closing time—it’s a subway hub open 24/7. However, ticket windows operate from 6 am to 11 pm on weekdays and from 7 am on weekends. The Moynihan Train Hall is open from 5 am to 1 am.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Penn Station?
Penn Station is hard to miss. The station stretches from 7th to 9th Avenue and from 31st to 33rd Street with multiple entrances for easy access. Penn Station is just steps away from the Empire State Building.
Which subway lines serve Penn Station?
Penn Station is served by subway lines 1, 2, and 3, as well as lines A, B, and C on the New York subway. The station is a major transfer hub with a constant flow of passengers. Expect crowds during rush hours.
Photos of Penn Station
