Best route to Bronx Zoo from Long Island (Ronkonkoma, Port Washington: live, cost)

[mitsguy2001]

I live on Long Island, and plan to go to the Bronx Zoo in a few weeks on a Saturday. Even though many people suggest that we drive, we plan to go to Manhattan after we leave the zoo, so it seems it would make the most sense to use public transportation. I know of at least 3 routes to get there. What would you recommend:

1. LIRR to Penn Station, then take the 2 Train from Penn Station to East Tremont Ave / West Farms Square. That seems like the most obvious and most direct route, but people tell me that the subway ride is very long and slow (surprising, since the 2 runs express through most of Manhattan).

2. LIRR to Penn Station. Walk (or take M34 bus) to 34th St and Madison Ave. Then take the BxM11 Express Bus to the Zoo. I don't know if the express bus is better or not than the subway. But the negative is that it only runs every half hour, and Madison Ave is a bit of a walk from Penn Station (and waiting for the M34 is probably slower than walking), so I don't know if it would really save any time.

3. LIRR to Jamaica, then take the Q44 bus to the Zoo. This would be a shorter train ride, but I have a feeling that the Q44 bus is probably really slow.

Which of these 3 routes would you recommend? Or is there a different route that you recommend? Thank you.

[bluedog2]

The 2 train from Penn Station to West Farms Sq is about 35 minutes.The Q 44 bus from Jamaica to the Zoo is about an hour and 10 minutes.Even if if you add the time to get from Jamaica to Penn Station to the train option time it is probably still a little faster.

The express bus is nice and peaceful but it only runs hourly on weekends.If your timing isn't just right you wait an hour.......it is also more expensive if that matters.

I think I'd go with the 2 train from Penn Station all things considered.A 35 minute subway ride isn't that bad and they run very frequently.I use the BxM11 only when going to someplace right on or just off 5th Avenue.

If you enter the Zoo at the Southern end, near West Farms, and don't want to backtrack after you make it to the northern end,you can leave through either the Bronx Park East gate or the Fordham Road/Pelham Parkway Gate and walk about 2 blocks to the Pelham Parkway stop of the 2 train to get the train back downtown.Or you could do the reverse and take the 2 train a few more stops to Pelham Parkway,enter the Zoo at the northern end and exit at the Southern gate and get the subway back down from West Farms.The zoo can be very crowded on Saturdays and you might be faced with either a very long walk or a long wait for a tram and then a long tram ride if you enter and exit at the same gate.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...iHbFkapArsezrQ

[bellakin123]

Originally Posted by mitsguy2001

I live on Long Island, and plan to go to the Bronx Zoo in a few weeks on a Saturday. Even though many people suggest that we drive, we plan to go to Manhattan after we leave the zoo, so it seems it would make the most sense to use public transportation. I know of at least 3 routes to get there. What would you recommend:

1. LIRR to Penn Station, then take the 2 Train from Penn Station to East Tremont Ave / West Farms Square. That seems like the most obvious and most direct route, but people tell me that the subway ride is very long and slow (surprising, since the 2 runs express through most of Manhattan).

2. LIRR to Penn Station. Walk (or take M34 bus) to 34th St and Madison Ave. Then take the BxM11 Express Bus to the Zoo. I don't know if the express bus is better or not than the subway. But the negative is that it only runs every half hour, and Madison Ave is a bit of a walk from Penn Station (and waiting for the M34 is probably slower than walking), so I don't know if it would really save any time.

3. LIRR to Jamaica, then take the Q44 bus to the Zoo. This would be a shorter train ride, but I have a feeling that the Q44 bus is probably really slow.

Which of these 3 routes would you recommend? Or is there a different route that you recommend? Thank you.

You can take the LIRR to Main Street and catch the Q44 from there. Going to Jamaica is out of the way. From Main St. the ride is quicker. After you leave the zoo, you can take the bus back to Main St and catch the 7 train or the LIRR again.

[bellakin123]

Originally Posted by bluedog2

The 2 train from Penn Station to West Farms Sq is about 35 minutes.The Q 44 bus from Jamaica to the Zoo is about an hour and 10 minutes.Even if if you add the time to get from Jamaica to Penn Station to the train option time it is probably still a little faster.

The express bus is nice and peaceful but it only runs hourly on weekends.If your timing isn't just right you wait an hour.......it is also more expensive if that matters.

I think I'd go with the 2 train from Penn Station all things considered.A 35 minute subway ride isn't that bad and they run very frequently.I use the BxM11 only when going to someplace right on or just off 5th Avenue.

If you enter the Zoo at the Southern end, near West Farms, and don't want to backtrack after you make it to the northern end,you can leave through either the Bronx Park East gate or the Fordham Road Gate and walk about 2 blocks to the Pelham Parkway stop of the 2 train to get the train back downtown.Or you could do the reverse and take the 2 train a few more stops to Pelham Parkway,enter the Zoo at the northern end and exit at the Southern gate and get the subway back down from West Farms.The zoo can be very crowded on Saturdays and you might be faced with either a very long walk or a long wait for a tram and then a long tram ride if you enter and exit at the same gate.

The Q44 from Flushing to the zoo should be only about 30-40 minutes. Main St is pretty much the half way point.

[mitsguy2001]

Originally Posted by bellakin123

You can take the LIRR to Main Street and catch the Q44 from there. Going to Jamaica is out of the way. From Main St. the ride is quicker. After you leave the zoo, you can take the bus back to Main St and catch the 7 train or the LIRR again.

I live on the Ronkonkoma line, which does not go to Main Street (I think only the Port Washington Line goes there), so that's not an option. What other options would you recommend?

[AmericanaManhasset]

For Ronkonkoma Line people, I'd suggest the LIRR -> (2) and perhaps a bus ride if you have anyone else in your party not willing to walk couple blocks to the Zoo. Or if you would like to ignore the loud and noisy Subway, and want a direct ride, I'd suggest the BxM11 Express, however always time it correctly.

[mitsguy2001]

Is the consensus that the subway is the best option?

One question if I decide to take the express bus. I have never used an express bus before (only subways and local buses). Do I have to first go to a subway station to put the express bus fare on my metrocard in order to use the express bus? If so, then it might not be the best option, since the time spent walking to a subway station, waiting in line, and adding money to the card, only to have to leave the station and then walk to Madison Ave could potentially cost us an hour if we happen to just miss the bus. Or is there another way of paying for it?

[mitsguy2001]

Just posting again since I still haven't gotten an answer. Which of my 3 options is the best? How can you suggest taking the LIRR to Main Street if my line doesn't even go there? And, how exactly do I pay for the express bus? Thanks.

[bluedog2]

Still think your best option,all factors considered,is the train to Penn Station and then the 2 train to either
West Farms Sq or Pelham Parkway depending on whether you want to enter the Zoo on the North or South side.
The express busses can be paid for either with a metro card or exact change( $5.50) in cash,no bills or pennies.

[mitsguy2001]

Originally Posted by bluedog2

Still think your best option,all factors considered,is the train to Penn Station and then the 2 train to either
West Farms Sq or Pelham Parkway depending on whether you want to enter the Zoo on the North or South side.
The express busses can be paid for either with a metro card or exact change( $5.50) in cash,no bills or pennies.

Thanks. Do people seriously pay express bus fares with 22 quarters?