You’ve just stepped off an Amtrak or a NJ Transit train into the chaotic, subterranean belly of Manhattan. It’s loud. It’s crowded. Honestly, if you don’t have a plan, the subway from Penn Station can feel like a labyrinth designed by someone who really, really didn't want you to get where you're going. New York Penn Station is the busiest transit hub in North America, and it shows in every frantic commute and confusing signpost. But once you strip away the noise, the system is actually pretty logical. You just need to know which color goes where and why you should almost always ignore the "helpful" stranger who seems a little too eager to carry your luggage.
Which Train Is Which? The Great Divide
Penn Station isn't just one big room; it's a sprawling complex that sits underneath Madison Square Garden and the James A. Farley Building. Depending on where you arrived—LIRR, Amtrak, or NJ Transit—you might be closer to one set of tracks than the other. This is the first mistake most people make. They see a "Subway" sign and follow it blindly, only to realize they've walked ten minutes in the wrong direction.
Basically, you have two main clusters of trains served directly by the station. On the Seventh Avenue side (the east side of the complex), you’ve got the 1, 2, and 3 trains. These are the red lines. They run up and down the West Side. If you’re heading to Times Square, Lincoln Center, or down toward Chelsea and the Financial District, these are your best friends.
Then you have the Eighth Avenue side (the west side). This is where you find the A, C, and E trains. These are the blue lines. They are generally better for reaching the far West Side, the Port Authority Bus Terminal, or catching a connection to JFK Airport. If you find yourself staring at a red sign when you need a blue train, you've got a long, sweaty walk ahead of you through the underground concourse. It's doable, but it sucks.
Decoding the Red Lines (1, 2, 3)
The 1 is the local. It stops everywhere. Literally everywhere. If you need 18th Street or 28th Street, the 1 is the only way to go. The 2 and 3 are express. They skip huge chunks of Manhattan. If you’re trying to get to 72nd Street or 96th Street quickly, take the 2 or 3. Just be careful: once those trains hit the tip of Manhattan, they split. The 2 and 3 head to Brooklyn, while the 1 terminates at South Ferry. Don't end up in Brooklyn if you were looking for the Statue of Liberty ferry.
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The Blue Line Strategy (A, C, E)
The E train is a bit of an outlier. While the A and C head way up to Harlem and Washington Heights, the E peels off and goes toward Queens. It’s the one you want if you’re heading to the Museum of Modern Art or taking the "cheap" way to the airport via the AirTrain at Jamaica Station. The A train is the legendary express—it makes massive jumps. The C is its local shadow.
How to Pay Without Looking Like a Tourist
Forget the MetroCard. Seriously. Unless you have a very specific reason to want a yellow piece of plastic as a souvenir, just don't do it. The MTA has spent years and millions of dollars rolling out OMNY. It’s a "tap-and-go" system. You use your phone, your smartwatch, or a contactless credit card. You tap it on the little glowing screen at the turnstile, it chirps, and you walk through.
The best part? Fare capping. If you use the same device or card for the subway from Penn Station and throughout the rest of your trip, the system automatically stops charging you once you hit a certain amount in a seven-day period. It’s currently $34. Once you spend that, the rest of your rides for the week are free. No more standing at a kiosks that smells like old coffee while a line of angry commuters huffs behind you because you can't figure out how to insert your credit card.
Finding the Platforms (The "Moynihan" Factor)
Everything changed when the Moynihan Train Hall opened across the street. It’s gorgeous. It has high ceilings and actual sunlight. However, it also adds a layer of complexity to finding the subway from Penn Station. If you are in Moynihan, you are directly above the Eighth Avenue subway (A, C, E). There is an entrance right there.
If you are in the "old" Penn Station (the dungeon-like part under Madison Square Garden), you are closer to the Seventh Avenue lines (1, 2, 3).
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Look for the floor markings. The city actually did something right here; there are colored strips on the floor in certain sections of the station. Follow the red line for the 1, 2, 3 and the blue line for the A, C, E. It sounds like something out of a kindergarten classroom, but when you're being jostled by three thousand people trying to make the 5:15 to Rahway, you’ll be grateful for it.
Safety, Crowds, and Common Sense
Look, New York is New York. Penn Station is safe, but it's high-energy and can be overwhelming. Keep your bag zipped. Keep your phone in your pocket while you're walking through the heavy crowds.
If a subway car is completely empty during rush hour and every other car is packed, do not get in the empty car. There is a reason it is empty. Usually, it's a broken air conditioner in the summer or a "smell" that you do not want to experience. Trust the crowd on this one. Join the masses in the slightly crowded car. It's better for your soul.
Also, the "Showtime" dancers. You'll likely see them if you're heading uptown. They’re talented, sure, but the subway is a tight space. If you see kids swinging around poles, just look at your feet or your phone. Don't be the person who gets kicked in the face because you were trying to film it for TikTok.
Connecting to the Rest of the City
Sometimes the train you need isn't at Penn. The B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, and W trains are over at Herald Square (34th St and 6th Ave). That is exactly one long block east of Penn Station. Don't bother taking a subway to get there. Just walk. Exit Penn onto 32nd or 33rd Street, walk past the massive Manhattan Mall building, and you’re there.
It’s often faster to walk that one block than to navigate the transfers underground. New York's secret is that walking is usually the most efficient way to travel between "midtown" hubs.
The Night Owl Reality
The subway runs 24/7. That is the glory of New York. But "runs" is a relative term at 3:00 AM. If you’re taking the subway from Penn Station late at night, check the MTA website or the "TrainTime" app. This is when the construction happens. Suddenly, the 2 train is running on the 5 line, and the A train is nowhere to be found.
Waiting on a platform at night can be a drag. Stand near the "Off-Peak Waiting Area" signs. These are usually in the middle of the platform and are better lit. It's also where the conductor's car usually stops.
Actionable Steps for a Seamless Ride
To master the subway from Penn Station, follow these specific steps the moment you hop off your regional train:
- Identify your exit: Look for signs for "7th Ave" if you need the 1, 2, 3 or "8th Ave" for the A, C, E. Crossing the station internally is a nightmare during peak hours.
- Check the status: Use the MYmta app or Citymapper. Google Maps is okay, but Citymapper is often more precise with which subway entrance is actually open.
- Prep your payment: Have your phone's digital wallet open or your contactless card in your hand before you reach the turnstile. Do not be the person digging through a backpack while a crowd forms behind you.
- Locate the "Upstairs" or "Downstairs": At Penn, some platforms are split level. Make sure you check the "Uptown" or "Downtown" signs before you go down the stairs. If you go to the wrong one, you often have to exit and pay again to switch sides.
- Walk to the ends: Most people crowd the stairs. If the platform looks packed, walk all the way to the far ends. The subway cars at the very front or very back of the train are almost always less crowded.
- Ignore the maps on the wall: They are often outdated or covered in stickers. Use the digital displays on the platform to see when the next train is actually arriving. "2 minutes" in NYC subway time usually means three, but it’s better than guessing.
The subway is the lifeblood of the city. It’s gritty, it’s loud, and it smells like a mix of ozone and roasted peanuts. But it's the most "New York" experience you can have. Once you navigate out of Penn Station and onto that first train, you aren't a tourist anymore. You’re just another person trying to get somewhere. And in this city, that’s exactly who you want to be.