Port Authority Bus Terminal - Personal Safety

[Chava61]

I don't think you should have a problem. There are plenty of people at the Port Authority. You just need to use caution like you would do at any other public place.

[Lital_The_Best]

Whoever says its unsafe is an idiot. That place is always under police surveillance and nothing stupid ever happens. However, NYCananalyst is dead on. The buses from Chinatown in NYC to Chinatown in Boston are much cheaper. It'll only run you about 15-20 dollars one way and 30-40 dollars round trip. You can't go wrong. Once you get to the Boston Chinatown, you can always take the train, cab, bus to where ever you must go from there and save a boat load of cash.

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by ibking

Hi,

I will be visiting the US for the first time next week from Australia.
I will be landing in New York in the night, and then plan to head to Boston.

I wanted to ask if the Port Authority Bus Terminal is generally safe?
I will be arriving there at about 8pm on a Monday night (maybe a bit later if there is a flight delay). I am also conscious of the fact that i will definitely look like a tourist and will be wheeling 2 bags.
I plan on taking the 9pm or 10pm Greyhound service to Boston.

(Maybe it would be better to stay in a hotel for the night and catch the greyhound service earlier in the day rather than at night?)

Thanks for any comments from Down Under (Australia)!

It is far safer than it once was; as a matter of fact, you can say that for the neighborhood it sits in. Any public transportation terminal will attract some characters, and there will be more of them at night than during rush hours, but there will be other travelers like you. The Port Authority's own police force has a command right in the terminal so if you need help, the cops are close by.

You won't look weird or touristy wheeling bags through because you won't be the only one doing that because it IS a public transportation terminal with buses coming and going from all over. Stay in the more public areas until it's time to catch your bus. My 18-year-old daughter and her boyfriend have caught the bus to go back home to New Jersey from there late at night. They always notice a few shady characters but kept to the well-lighted main areas and were fine. Have a great trip.

Port Authority Bus Terminal - The Port Authority of NY & NJ

[macpat55]

Originally Posted by Lital_The_Best

Whoever says its unsafe is an idiot. That place is always under police surveillance and nothing stupid ever happens. However, NYCananalyst is dead on. The buses from Chinatown in NYC to Chinatown in Boston are much cheaper. It'll only run you about 15-20 dollars one way and 30-40 dollars round trip. You can't go wrong. Once you get to the Boston Chinatown, you can always take the train, cab, bus to where ever you must go from there and save a boat load of cash.

Also Check out Boltbus and Mega Bus to Boston. They leave around Penn Station and have mostly young people on these busses and usually have Wi-FI on them

[tooldude]

Originally Posted by Lital_The_Best

Whoever says its unsafe is an idiot. That place is always under police surveillance and nothing stupid ever happens. However, NYCananalyst is dead on. The buses from Chinatown in NYC to Chinatown in Boston are much cheaper. It'll only run you about 15-20 dollars one way and 30-40 dollars round trip. You can't go wrong. Once you get to the Boston Chinatown, you can always take the train, cab, bus to where ever you must go from there and save a boat load of cash.

Where or How do I purchase the tickets from NYC to Boston with the Fung Wah Bus company at like 10 or 11pm? The ticket booth seems to close earlier than that.

[Infamous92]

Originally Posted by Moth

Avoid the dark corners, nooks and crannies of Port Authority. And do not use the bathrooms if you can avoid it.

You should be fine.

The Port Authority Bus Terminal always seems 100% safe to me (unless you're standing where the buses speed at).

[Design7]

The Port Authority is a very busy center at all times and you use the same degree of common sense you would travelling in any big city. It has plenty of places to eat, good restrooms and a visible police presence. Everyone looks either like a tourist or commuter there. I would also recomend Megabus of Boltbus if you can arrange a trip on their line. I took the Megabus from Phila to New York for only $5.00 and was delighted. Beautiful new buses that have wi-fi and even small tables for you laptop.

[rlrl]

it was June of 1978 when i as a teen used to use the PABT to visit the city. I read in the paper and heard on the radio that a vagrant grabbed a policeman's gun and started shooting at innocent people. One victim was a policeman, another policeman shot the vagrant, I don't remember what happened to him. the following year a gang down in the old penny arcade in the 8 Av and 42 street station started robbing and beating innocent pedestrians.

my point is that you may see characters in the PABT, but you will never encounter today in the PABT what I described above

[mayorofnyc]

I take buses from there to Baltimore/D.C. all the time. Port Authority is very safe...tons of Port Authority police officers (who are armed -- some with M-16s yikes!) everywhere. Take note though that the Bus Terminal is known for its large squatter/homeless population...most of whom will probably ask you for money -- they're not aggressive at all -- so a quick "I don't have anything sorry" will suffice. On another note...you say that you might leave PABT for Boston at around 9-10pm via. Chinatown bus...well the Chinatown bus doesn't embark from Port Authority but in Chinatown which is further downtown...at any rate just keep in mind that the bus ride will be 4-5 hours meaning that you'll arrive in Boston at around 3-4 am -- unless your hotel is within walking distance -- you should leave for Boston no earlier than 9 am (to beat traffic queues).

**EDIT** Didn't realize the OP started the thread over 2 years ago...but this advice is still good for peeps who have questions a/b PABT.

[Irish Eyes]

Most people will be wheeling suitcases so you won't stick out as much as you think. And at 8 or 9pm you might be surprised at how many people are still going home from work (commuter buses to PA and NJ leave from there). Keep your eyes open. I always pay close attention if I have to use the bathroom there to make sure no one follows me in. There are usually cops down by the gates to make sure there's no bums hanging around (you can't be down there unless you have a ticket so it makes it easy to throw the transients out). Don't give anyone money. And enjoy your trip!