How to Commute from Hoboken to NYC
By Alex Mikoulianitch on March 06, 2023
Hoboken may be lauded for its mesmerizing Manhattan skyline views, but the waterfront city offers much more than a pleasant panorama of the Hudson River.
Hoboken’s efficient transportation hub is one of its most magnetic perks, easily topping lists of reasons to move here. The city’s public transit system makes the notorious New York City commute much more manageable. But getting familiar with available options and how they work is vital to maximize this benefit.
Below, our team from Prevu Real Estate helps break down everything you need to know about commuting from Hoboken to NYC.
Commuting from Hoboken to NYC
- PATH Train
- Buses
- Ferry
- Car
PATH Train
The Port Authority Trans-Hudson, or PATH for short, is the MTA of New Jersey. It runs on a 24/7 schedule and will be your go-to for essential commuting.
You’ll need to get familiar with the Blue and Green lines, as these two trains will connect you to Lower Manhattan’s PATH stations. Luckily, both lines depart from Hoboken’s PATH station, so you won’t have to travel to separate stops if you need a different line.
The Blue line includes five Manhattan stations: Christopher St., 9 St., 14 St., 23 St., and 33 St. The Green line is a one-way trip from the Hoboken station to the World Trade Center stop.
Even though the PATH is limited to Lower Manhattan, most NYC stations have convenient connections to express and local trains that will quickly link you to almost every other part of the city.
Regardless of your chosen line, the longest commute should take at most 15 minutes, depending on planned work or delays.
The PATH train service fare is $2.75 per ride, which can add up if you commute daily. Luckily, PATH offers a variety of passes that can help you save, with the monthly SmartLink pass going for $110.25 and lasting 30 days.
Buses
No need to memorize complicated schedules and backup options here; NJ Transit’s 126 bus is the only one you need to worry about.
The bus stop is located at Hoboken Terminal, nearby the PATH station, so if the bus is ever delayed, you can change your mind and take the PATH train instead.
The 126 stops at the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT) in Midtown Manhattan, which makes it the perfect commute option if you want the best connections to the rest of the city. PABT is just a few blocks from the Times Square subway station, where most of the MTA’s subway lines converge.
If you’re planning on commuting daily via bus, you’ll want to consider a monthly pass. For example, a one-way trip to PABT is $3.50, while the $107 monthly pass allows unlimited rides and saves you $33 a month.
NJ Transit bus service runs seven days a week, and the 126 line typically runs every ten minutes. You can use the bus if you plan a night out in the city, but remember that the last bus departs PABT at 2 a.m. Miss that one, and you’ll have to wait until 5:35 a.m. to take the next one.
PREVU SMART TIP
Did you know you can get a rebate from your broker in New Jersey? Buying with Prevu you’ll pocket a buyer's rebate up to 1% of your home's purchase price. On a $1,250,000 property in Hoboken, you’d receive up to $12,500 back.
Learn how you can save!Ferry
Though the priciest option, the ferry commute is among the most popular and efficient since you don’t have to worry bout traffic.
The ferry that links Hoboken and Manhattan is operated by NY Waterway and costs $9 per one-way trip. The standard monthly pass has a hefty $272 price tag, but the trade-off is a seamless commute.
The ferries offer plenty of indoor seating with climate-controlled cabins and breathtaking views of NYC and the Statue of Liberty if you decide to ride outside. If there is a downside - besides the pricier fare - it’s that the views will be short-lived; the ferry typically takes 10 minutes to get from Hoboken’s 14th St. Pier to the 39th St. stop at Lincoln Harbor.
NY Waterway operates the ferries seven days a week, but the last ferry departs NYC at 9:30 p.m., so you’ll have to commute via train, bus, or car if you plan on staying late.
Car
You would think being so close to NYC would mean a quick and easy drive. Though the distance makes it seem so, the notorious tri-state area traffic makes this one of the least popular commuting options, especially during rush hour.
In theory, car travel from Hoboken to Midtown should only take 20 minutes via the Lincoln Tunnel, and on lucky days or holidays, that tends to be true. But the sea of cars that make their way into the city from New Jersey can stretch this commute to 45 minutes or an hour.
The trip isn’t free either, as the Lincoln Tunnel costs $17.00 for all eastbound traffic.
Still, if public transportation is something you want to avoid at all costs, driving into the city is possible as long as you give yourself (a lot) of extra time.
