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I am coming on my own to NYC to visit my daughter who lives on West 13th Street. I will be arriving by train to Penn Station but have NO IDEA what subway to take and I would like to be daring and use the subway rather than taxi. Last time I took the train to Penn Station I arrived on a Friday around 5 pm and almost had a heart attack -- it was so crowded and I could not even figure out how to get upstairs for a taxi -- it was pretty riduculous. Also -- how do I buy a subway card or tokens?? I am a little terrified of the system but willing to give it a try. Thank you kind New Yorkers for any advice. Oh yes -- I will be arriving on Friday around 1 pm.
Yeah, 5pm on a Friday in Penn Station is a bit intimidating.
If you're coming in via Amtrak, then from the waiting area where you come out, face the higher-numbered tracks and exit via the stairs down on the left side, past the escalators up which are marked 34th street. This puts you in a long hallway with stores. Turn left, and you're facing the A/C/E subway. On your right will be a ramp down; this is where you want to go. At the bottom of the ramp, there are three Metrocard machines which only take credit cards.
If you need to pay cash, then instead of taking the ramp, take the stairs up at the end of the hallway, and turn left. Lots of metrocard machines there, but that's the uptown platform. Get your metrocard and head back down the ramp. Pass through the gates, take the stairs up to the middle platform, and wait for a downtown A train (on your left initially). Take that one stop to 14th street.
You can also get a downtown C or E and take them two stops, but it's a bit harder to explain how to get to the platforms. They come more frequently, however.
If you're coming in via LIRR or NJTransit, you might start in a different spot. Just follow the signs for the "A C E", and you should end up at the spot where the stairs and the ramp are.
Frankly, it might be less daunting to make your way to the street, and take the bus along 7th Avenue (I forget the number). The bus driver will assist you and you are FAR less likely to get lost! The bus sytem is far more direct and easier to manage!
To be honest, just take a taxi! Simpler and the cost is minimal.
Go subway exploring later with your daughter, who I imagine is more familiar. Also, why the heck doesn't she meet your train? Just wondering....
I am coming on my own to NYC to visit my daughter who lives on West 13th Street. I will be arriving by train to Penn Station but have NO IDEA what subway to take and I would like to be daring and use the subway rather than taxi. Last time I took the train to Penn Station I arrived on a Friday around 5 pm and almost had a heart attack -- it was so crowded and I could not even figure out how to get upstairs for a taxi -- it was pretty riduculous. Also -- how do I buy a subway card or tokens?? I am a little terrified of the system but willing to give it a try. Thank you kind New Yorkers for any advice. Oh yes -- I will be arriving on Friday around 1 pm.
Friday at 1pm is not bad. The trains will be empty. Take a downtown A, C, or E train to 14 st. These trains will leave you on 14 st 8th Avenue. You will have to walk to your daughter's place or take a quick cab ride to her spot.
Just for the sake of reference since it was mentioned in the original post, the MTA stopped selling tokens almost a decade ago.
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