Grand Central

The Main Concourse is open 24 hours a day, but trains do not run continuously — Metro-North service typically pauses between approximately 1:30 AM and 5:30 AM (the last Metro-North train departs around 1:25 AM, with service resuming around 5:30 AM). The concourse itself remains accessible overnight, though it's much quieter. Dining and retail are closed during overnight hours. Some side entrances (including the North Entrance via the 47–48 Street passage) operate with restricted hours.

The Grand Central North End Cross Passage (the 47–48 Street tunnel connecting Madison Avenue / Park Avenue entrances to the Main Concourse) operates weekdays only, approximately 6:30 AM to 9:30 PM — closed on weekends and holidays. The Main Concourse and 42nd Street entrances remain open with broader hours including overnight. For the current hours, check the official MTA Grand Central page.

89 E 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017. The main entrance faces south onto 42nd Street between Vanderbilt Avenue and Park Avenue. The terminal occupies the full block between 42nd–45th Streets and Vanderbilt–Lexington Avenues.

Five subway services stop at Grand Central–42nd Street: the 4 and 5 (Lexington Avenue Express, north to the Bronx, south to Brooklyn), the 6 (Lexington Avenue Local), the 7 (Flushing Line — west to Hudson Yards/Times Square, east to Queens/Flushing-Main St), and the S shuttle (42nd Street Shuttle to Times Square, a 2-minute ride). Access from the Subway Mezzanine below the Main Concourse. NYC Subway guide →

Metro-North Railroad operates from the Upper Level of Grand Central — the Main Concourse with the famous astronomical ceiling. Ticket windows are on the Main Concourse; track entrances line the north and east sides. The Lower Level has additional Metro-North tracks and the Dining Concourse. Track assignments post on the departure boards 10–15 minutes before each train. Full Metro-North guide →

Grand Central serves two rail systems. Metro-North Railroad (Upper Level) runs the Hudson, Harlem, and New Haven lines into Westchester, Connecticut, and the Hudson Valley. The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) serves Grand Central via Grand Central Madison, the underground terminal that opened January 2023 — seven levels below street level, directly connected to the main concourse. There is no NJ Transit or Amtrak service from Grand Central. For New Jersey or Amtrak trains, head to Penn Station.

Best transit option: take the LIRR from Grand Central Madison (seven levels below the Main Concourse) directly to Jamaica, then the AirTrain to your terminal — about 45–60 minutes total and roughly $14–$17 in fares. Alternatively, take the 7 subway from Grand Central to Jamaica, then AirTrain — slightly slower but cheaper. A rideshare from Midtown East to JFK runs $45–$75 depending on traffic. All JFK from NYC options →

The fastest way is the 42nd Street Shuttle (S train) from Grand Central to Times Square, then transfer to the 1, 2, or 3 train down to 34th Street–Penn Station. Total time: about 10–12 minutes. Alternatively, walk west on 42nd St — it's about a 20-minute walk. A taxi or Uber is ~5–10 minutes if traffic cooperates. Penn Station guide →

Grand Central Terminal removed its coin-operated lockers years ago and does not offer on-site luggage storage. The best options are Bounce (flat $6/bag/day) and LuggageHero (from $1.99/hour, charged when you collect your bags), which partner with nearby hotels and shops typically within a 2–5 minute walk of the terminal. Book ahead during peak times — spots fill up fast. Compare luggage storage options →

Three main dining areas: the Dining Concourse (lower level) has 40+ food court vendors including Shake Shack, Junior's, Magnolia Bakery, Doughnut Plant, Tartinery, and Joe Coffee. The Grand Central Oyster Bar (lower level, opened 1913) is the iconic sit-down spot. Grand Central Market (main level) is a high-end specialty food market with cheese, bakery, and prepared foods. Full Grand Central food guide →

Grand Central sits in the heart of Midtown East. Nearby highlights include the Chrysler Building (1 block east), Bryant Park (5-minute walk west), Times Square (10 minutes on foot or 2 minutes via the S shuttle), the New York Public Library, Fifth Avenue shopping, and the United Nations (10 minutes east on 42nd St). The area is packed with hotels, restaurants, and office towers.