The busiest bus terminal in the world — NJ Transit commuters, Megabus and FlixBus to other cities, and the Newark Airport Express, all in one Midtown building.
The Port Authority Bus Terminal — known to New Yorkers as "Port Authority" or PABT — is at 625 8th Avenue, between 40th and 42nd Streets in Midtown Manhattan. Operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, it's the largest bus terminal in the United States, handling over 250,000 passenger trips on a typical weekday.
The terminal is split into two wings — the North Wing (newer, used mostly for NJ Transit commuter buses) and the South Wing (used for intercity and airport buses). Together they have 200+ gates across multiple levels.
Major reconstruction underway. The Port Authority is replacing the entire terminal in a multi-year, multi-phase project running into the 2030s. Expect changes to gate locations, entrances, and traffic patterns. Always verify your gate from the departure board on arrival.
By far the biggest user of PABT. Hundreds of daily commuter routes to suburban New Jersey — Hoboken, Jersey City, Bergen County, Morris County, and beyond. Most buses depart from the North Wing. Tickets via the NJ Transit app or vending machines.
Low-cost intercity service to Boston, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and beyond. Departs from the South Wing's lower level. Buy tickets in advance at megabus.com — fares from $1 if booked far ahead.
FlixBus acquired Greyhound in 2021 — both now operate as one network. Service to dozens of US cities, including major routes to Philadelphia, DC, Boston, and the Carolinas. Tickets at flixbus.com or greyhound.com.
Direct service from PABT to all three EWR terminals. Departs every 15–30 minutes, ~30–45 minutes to airport. About $19 one-way. Buy at the Coach USA counter inside the terminal or online.
Northeast service to Boston, Hartford, Springfield, Albany, and Washington DC. Often runs joint service with Greyhound on shared routes.
Upstate New York service — Albany, Saratoga, Lake George, Lake Placid, Syracuse, and Plattsburgh. Adirondack Trailways serves the Catskills and the Adirondack Mountains.
Suburban NJ commuter service from Essex County (Montclair, Caldwell, Verona, Cedar Grove). Smaller than NJ Transit but well-established.
NJ Shore commuter service to Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Also runs charter service.
Service to Rockland and Orange Counties (NY), the Hudson Valley, and parts of NJ. Operates Newark Airport Express plus regional commuter routes.
PABT's two wings are connected by a passageway on the main level. Each wing has multiple floors with separate gate ranges. Always check the departure board for your specific gate before heading down the stairs or escalators.
Newer wing, most NJ Transit commuter buses. Gate numbers in the 200s. Entrance: 42nd St & 8th Ave. Has a food court and main retail concourse.
Original wing, intercity carriers and airport buses. Gates 1–95. Entrance: 41st St & 8th Ave. Megabus, FlixBus/Greyhound, Newark Airport Express here.
Ground floor — ticket counters, food, bathrooms, and access to subway. Both wings connect via the main concourse on the 8th Avenue side.
South Wing lower level houses Megabus and several intercity carriers. Multiple gates with separate boarding lanes — follow signs to your operator.
Public bathrooms. Free public restrooms are on the main concourse and in each wing. Recently renovated as part of the modernization program. Open 24/7 with security.
Food & shops. The concourse has a small food court (chain quick-service options), convenience stores, and pharmacies. Selection is limited compared to Penn Station or Grand Central — for better food, walk one block to Times Square or Hell's Kitchen.
42nd Street-Port Authority (A, C, E trains). Direct underground connection — exit the subway, follow signs to "Port Authority Bus Terminal." Two-minute walk through underground passageways. The most common subway access.
Times Square-42nd Street (1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W, S trains). One block east of PABT. Underground passageway connects Times Square to PABT — a 5-minute walk through the corridor. Useful from Lexington Ave or Broadway lines.
Bryant Park / 42nd St (B, D, F, M, 7). Two blocks east of PABT. Walk west on 42nd Street. About 5–7 minutes above ground.
Don't confuse PABT with Times Square. Tourists often emerge from the Times Square subway looking for "Port Authority" and end up wandering. PABT is the brick building at 8th Ave & 41st — one block west of Times Square. Follow the underground signs.
The Newark Airport Express bus is one of the cheapest and most reliable ways to get from Midtown Manhattan to EWR — no Hudson tunnel transfers, just a direct express bus.
Operator: Coach USA — runs the Newark Airport Express (route 320).
Fare: ~$19 one-way / $33 round-trip. Buy at the Coach USA counter on the main concourse, online at coachusa.com, or sometimes onboard.
Frequency: Every 15–30 minutes during peak times, every 30–60 minutes off-peak. Service starts ~4 AM and runs until ~1 AM.
Trip time: 30–45 minutes depending on traffic. Lincoln Tunnel can back up significantly during rush hour — build in a buffer.
Arrive early for intercity buses. 30 minutes before departure for Megabus, FlixBus, Greyhound, and Peter Pan. Gate assignments aren't always announced until 15–20 minutes before departure, and lines for popular routes (NYC-DC, NYC-Boston) form fast.
Bring printed or screenshot tickets. Cell signal inside PABT is spotty in some areas — especially in the lower-level Megabus boarding area. Don't rely on real-time email or app loading.
NJ Transit commuters know this trick: at peak hours, the express bus lanes at PABT board with both an "express" and "regular" lane. Know which line you're in — express skips local stops.
Megabus boards from the curb sometimes. During heavy traffic or terminal disruptions, Megabus has been known to board from a designated curb spot on 11th Avenue between 31st and 33rd Streets. Always check your latest Megabus email for the current boarding location.
Late-night safety. PABT is patrolled 24/7 but fewer passengers are around between midnight and 5 AM. Stick to the main concourse and avoid empty stairwells at night.
Better food a block away. The PABT food court is mediocre. Walk one block north to Times Square or one block south to Hell's Kitchen for vastly better dining options. If you have 30+ minutes, it's worth the walk.
Luggage storage. No public lockers at PABT. Use Bounce or Stasher near Times Square — see the luggage storage guide for nearby spots.
Something outdated or incorrect? Report an error →