If you’re panicking about how to get in and out of NYC this weekend because of the NJ Transit strike, take a deep breath. The good news is, there are options that don’t involve swimming across the Hudson River or rowing a boat. The bad news? Even with alternative services stepping up their game, NJ Transit still thinks it won’t be enough for its usual 350,000 daily rail riders. So, they’re suggesting you work from home if possible. The strike isn’t likely to end until Sunday at the earliest, so let’s explore some (relatively) easy ways to travel to and from the mainland this weekend.
All aboard the PATH train! If you can make your way to Newark, Harrison, Jersey City, or Hoboken, you can hop on the PATH train to either the World Trade Center or Midtown via the 33rd Street line for just $3. Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with the PATH routes – we’ve got all the schedules for you. Just a quick tip before you start planning your trip: the World Trade Center station is like a hub for transportation with access to two PATH lines to New Jersey, 17 ferry routes, 30 MTA bus routes, bike lanes, and a whopping 12 subway lines. It’s basically a one-stop-shop to get you anywhere you need to go in four out of the five boroughs (Sorry, Staten Island, you’re practically in New Jersey anyway).
Now, if you’re looking to head to the 33rd Street line, you can catch the train from Journal Square, Grove Street, or Newport in Jersey City. You can also jump on from Hoboken. Once you cross into Manhattan, the train stops at various locations along Sixth Avenue like Christopher, 9th, 14th, 23rd, and 33rd streets. Bonus tip for Knicks fans: this train will get you to MSG and Penn Station on Friday night. Just ride it all the way to the final stop and take a quick walk crosstown to Seventh Avenue. But be prepared to factor in some extra time because, let’s face it, PATH trains are a little unpredictable on weekends. And for some reason, the two 33rd Street lines are combined into one during weekends, which means you might have to deal with a longer commute.
