How to Get to Hammerstein Ballroom
One block from Penn Station and Moynihan Train Hall, with A/C/E subway steps from the door — Hammerstein is one of the easier Manhattan concert venues to reach. Here is how to plan it properly from wherever you are starting.
Hammerstein Ballroom sits in one of Manhattan’s most transit-connected blocks. The official venue FAQ puts it simply: Manhattan Center is one block from Penn Station, accessible via the 1, 2, 3, A, C, or E trains to 34th Street–Penn Station. For most visitors — whether they’re arriving by subway from another part of the city, stepping off NJ Transit, or walking up from a Moynihan Train Hall Amtrak arrival — the trip to the venue is unusually frictionless.
What trips people up is not the route itself but the details: which Penn Station exit to take, the difference between Moynihan and Penn for different rail carriers, how to think about rideshare on a busy 34th Street show night, and whether driving is ever a sensible call. This page works through all of it, organized around where you are coming from and what kind of night you are planning.
Moynihan Train Hall and the 34th Street–Penn Station entrance, one of the easiest arrival points for Hammerstein Ballroom.
Quick Answers — Getting to Hammerstein Ballroom
The A/C/E station at 34th Street and 8th Avenue is directly adjacent to Manhattan Center. Exit onto 8th Avenue, turn right (north) to 34th Street, and the venue entrance is immediately on your left. Two minutes on foot, no navigation required.
NJ Transit trains use Penn Station (east of 8th Avenue). Follow signs toward 8th Avenue, exit onto the street, walk north one block to 34th Street. Hammerstein is on the north side of 34th between 8th and 9th. The walk from the platform is about 5 minutes total.
Moynihan Train Hall (421 8th Ave, between 31st and 33rd Streets) is one block south of 34th Street on 8th Avenue. Exit any street-level Moynihan door facing 8th Avenue and walk north. The entire walk is about 3–4 minutes.
The official venue FAQ lists PATH to 33rd Street/Avenue of the Americas as the NJ PATH option. From the 33rd Street PATH exit at 6th Avenue, it is about a 10-minute walk west to Hammerstein, or one stop on the A/C/E from 34th Street–Herald Square. The A/C/E option is faster on a busy night.
The official venue FAQ recommends this exact route for Metro-North and Grand Central arrivals: take the Times Square Shuttle from Grand Central, transfer to the downtown 1, 2, or 3 train at Times Square–42nd Street, and ride two stops to 34th Street–Penn Station. About 10–15 minutes door to door from the GCT platform.
Meyer’s Parking Garage at 323–331 West 34th Street is right next to Manhattan Center. If you drive, prebook a spot. Event-night rates are higher and 34th Street gets congested near showtime. See the full driving section below for the honest tradeoffs.
Where Hammerstein Ballroom Actually Is
Hammerstein Ballroom is on the first floor of Manhattan Center, a historic building at 311 West 34th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues. The Manhattan Center sits on the north side of 34th Street, roughly midblock between those two avenues. The New Yorker hotel — an Art Deco landmark at 481 8th Avenue — is the directly adjacent building to the east, sharing a property line with Manhattan Center.
On street level, the practical landmarks to orient around: AMC Theater is directly across 34th Street to the south. Penn Station is one block south and one block east, accessible in about five minutes on foot. Moynihan Train Hall occupies the same block as the west side of 8th Avenue between 31st and 33rd Streets — it is the modern skylit train hall inside the former Farley Post Office building. The 34th Street–Penn Station subway complex sits below 8th Avenue (A/C/E) and 7th Avenue (1/2/3), both within easy walking distance of the venue entrance.
The main public entrance to Manhattan Center and Hammerstein Ballroom faces West 34th Street. On concert nights, doors typically open one hour before showtime. Arrive via 34th Street from either 8th or 9th Avenue — both approaches are clear and well-lit. For bag check and show-night logistics, see the Hammerstein Ballroom seating guide.
Getting to Hammerstein Ballroom by Subway and Rail
The A, C, and E trains — the closest possible option
The A, C, and E trains stop at 34th Street–Penn Station, with exits directly onto 8th Avenue. From the 8th Avenue subway exit, the Manhattan Center entrance is visible — turn right (north) a few steps to 34th Street and the venue is immediately on your left on the north side of the block. There is no easier transit arrival for any Manhattan concert venue.
The A train runs the full length of Manhattan and connects to multiple Brooklyn and Queens lines. The E train connects to Midtown East, Queens, and the Jamaica hub (for JFK connections via AirTrain). The C train provides local service along 8th Avenue.
The 1, 2, and 3 trains — one block east, easy walk
The 1/2/3 trains stop at 34th Street–Penn Station on the 7th Avenue side — the entrance to the same station complex, but on the opposite end. Exit onto 7th Avenue, turn right (west) on 34th Street, and walk one block to 9th Avenue. The Manhattan Center entrance will be on your right (north side) before you reach 9th Avenue. This is the exit most people coming from the Upper West Side, the Bronx, or the West Side subway trunk will use.
The 2 and 3 are express trains — they serve Times Square–42nd Street and skip some local stops between Midtown and downtown, making them faster from northern Manhattan and the Bronx.
Penn Station — NJ Transit arrivals
NJ Transit trains arrive at and depart from Penn Station proper, on the east side of 8th Avenue. After arriving on the platform, follow signs for the 8th Avenue exit — this puts you on street level at the corner of 8th Avenue and 31st, 32nd, or 33rd Street depending on which exit you use. Walk north on 8th Avenue to 34th Street (two to three blocks), then turn left (west). Hammerstein’s entrance is on the north side of 34th, just past 8th Avenue.
Alternatively, use the subway connection: from the Penn Station platform level, take the A, C, or E one stop north to 42nd Street–Port Authority, then back south is unnecessary — the venue is walking distance. Simply exit to street level and walk north; it is faster than any transit transfer.
Moynihan Train Hall — Amtrak and LIRR arrivals
Moynihan Train Hall opened in 2021 inside the historic James A. Farley Post Office building, directly across 8th Avenue from Penn Station. Amtrak Northeast Corridor trains, Acela, and most long-distance Amtrak services use Moynihan. LIRR also uses the Moynihan side of the complex. The building’s main street entrances are midblock on 31st Street and 33rd Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues, plus the 9th Avenue entrance.
For Hammerstein visitors, the walk from Moynihan is the shortest possible from any regional rail terminus in New York. Exit any 8th Avenue–facing door or the 33rd Street midblock entrance, turn north on 8th Avenue, walk one block to 34th Street, and the venue is directly ahead on the left. The entire walk is about three to four minutes at a comfortable pace.
PATH from New Jersey — 33rd Street terminus
The Manhattan Center’s official FAQ lists PATH to 33rd Street/Avenue of the Americas as the route for New Jersey PATH visitors. The 33rd Street PATH terminus is at 6th Avenue and 32nd Street — at Herald Square, one block north of the B/D/F/M/N/Q/R/W subway complex and four blocks east of Manhattan Center.
From the 33rd Street PATH exit, you have two practical options: walk west on 34th Street (about 10 minutes across the block), or transfer to the A, C, or E at the nearby 34th Street–Herald Square subway station and ride one stop west to 34th Street–Penn Station. On a normal night the walk is fine; on a wet or cold night the subway hop takes about the same time and keeps you underground longer.
Getting to Hammerstein from Different Parts of New York City
From Grand Central and the East Side
Grand Central Terminal has no direct subway connection to Penn Station, but the route is simple: take the S Shuttle from Grand Central–42nd Street to Times Square–42nd Street, then board a downtown 1, 2, or 3 train for two stops to 34th Street–Penn Station. The S Shuttle runs frequently and takes about two minutes; the 1/2/3 ride adds another few minutes. Total underground time from Grand Central platform to 34th Street is roughly 10–15 minutes, then a three-minute walk west on 34th Street to the venue. Metro-North riders arriving at Grand Central use this same route — the official venue FAQ cites it specifically.
Alternatively from the East Side: the E train runs from 53rd Street and Lexington Avenue (51st Street station) down to 34th Street–Penn Station via a connection through the 8th Avenue line. That trip takes about 15 minutes from Midtown East, depositing you at the A/C/E entrance closest to the venue. For visitors coming from the Upper East Side, the 4/5/6 to Grand Central and then the shuttle is usually the fastest approach.
From Times Square and the Theater District
Times Square is about eight blocks north of Hammerstein. The fastest transit option is the 1, 2, or 3 train from Times Square–42nd Street, two stops south to 34th Street–Penn Station. Walking from Times Square down 8th or 9th Avenue is also a reasonable option if you have time — the walk takes about 12–15 minutes at a relaxed pace and keeps you above ground through a stretch of active Midtown street life. If you are coming from the Theater District after a show, the 1/2/3 is faster and spares you the 34th Street pre-concert foot traffic.
From Downtown Manhattan and the Financial District
The A and C trains run directly from the Financial District (Fulton Street, Chambers Street, World Trade Center) to 34th Street–Penn Station on the 8th Avenue line without transfer. The A train is express and significantly faster; the C is local. From Fulton Street, the A train takes about 12–15 minutes to 34th Street. Exit on 8th Avenue and you are at the venue block immediately.
From Brooklyn
Brooklyn has multiple strong connections to the A/C/E line. From Downtown Brooklyn and Jay Street–MetroTech, the A or C train runs directly to 34th Street–Penn Station — about 20 minutes from Jay Street. From Atlantic Avenue–Barclays Center, the 2 or 3 train (or the B or D) can connect via a transfer at Times Square or via the A/C at Hoyt–Schermerhorn. The A train from Howard Beach (JFK area) also runs directly up 8th Avenue to 34th Street, making it a useful option for visitors connecting from JFK.
From Queens
The E train from Jamaica (Queens) and the E/F/M/R corridor connects to the A/C/E at several Midtown points. The most direct Queens connection to Hammerstein is the E train, which runs from Jamaica through Queens to 34th Street–Penn Station on the 8th Avenue line. From Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Avenue, the E train takes about 25–30 minutes to 34th Street.
From the Upper West Side
The 1, 2, or 3 trains from the Upper West Side run directly to 34th Street–Penn Station. From 72nd Street, the 2 or 3 express takes about 10–12 minutes to 34th Street. Exit on 7th Avenue and walk west on 34th Street — about three to four minutes to the Manhattan Center entrance. This is one of the cleanest door-to-venue trips in the city from any residential neighborhood.
If you are on any subway line that connects to either the A/C/E (8th Avenue) or 1/2/3 (7th Avenue) at 34th Street, you have a direct, no-transfer trip to Hammerstein. Before you plan a transfer strategy, check whether your current line already runs to 34th Street–Penn Station — you may be closer than you think.
Getting to Hammerstein from Outside Manhattan
New Jersey — NJ Transit rail
NJ Transit trains from across New Jersey terminate at Penn Station New York. From the platform, follow signs to 8th Avenue, exit onto the street, and walk north to 34th Street and then west to the venue — the whole walk is about five minutes. NJ Transit also runs buses to the Port Authority Bus Terminal at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue, from which a short A/C/E ride or a 10–15 minute walk south gets you to Hammerstein. Rail is almost always faster.
Long Island — LIRR
LIRR trains from across Long Island arrive at Penn Station and Moynihan Train Hall. From Moynihan, the walk to Hammerstein is about three to four minutes north on 8th Avenue. LIRR runs late outbound service after major events; check the schedule for your specific line before the show, as frequencies vary by time of night and branch. Late-night train spacing is something to plan around — there may be a window of an hour or more between departures after a typical show ends around 11pm.
Westchester and Connecticut — Metro-North
Metro-North trains arrive at Grand Central Terminal. From Grand Central, take the S Shuttle to Times Square, then the downtown 1, 2, or 3 train two stops to 34th Street–Penn Station. The full transfer takes about 10–15 minutes. This is the route the official venue FAQ recommends for Metro-North riders. After the show, reverse the route — note that late-night Metro-North service is less frequent, so knowing your targeted departure time before the show is worth the few minutes it takes.
From JFK Airport
The most reliable JFK route to Hammerstein: JFK AirTrain to Jamaica Station, then LIRR to Penn Station/Moynihan, or the E subway from Jamaica to 34th Street–Penn Station. The LIRR is faster (about 30–35 minutes from Jamaica to Penn); the E train is cheaper and avoids any LIRR surcharge, running about 45 minutes from Jamaica Center–Parsons/Archer to 34th Street. Total travel time from JFK terminal to Hammerstein is roughly 60–75 minutes depending on AirTrain wait and train timing. Allow at least 90 minutes to be comfortable.
From LaGuardia Airport
LaGuardia has no AirTrain connection. Taxi and rideshare are the most practical options from LGA, typically running 30–50 minutes to Midtown depending on traffic — longer during peak periods or show nights. Bus options exist (Q70 bus to Jackson Heights, then E train) but add complexity and time. Rideshare directly to Hammerstein is feasible; ask the driver to drop you on 9th Avenue at 34th Street rather than on 34th Street itself, which congests before shows. Allow at least 60–75 minutes from LGA on a show night.
From Newark Airport
NJ Transit trains run from Newark Liberty Airport (EWR) station to Penn Station New York in about 30–40 minutes, with service on both the Northeast Corridor and AirTrain connection. From Penn Station, walk north on 8th Avenue to 34th Street and west to the venue. Total time from EWR to Hammerstein is typically 45–55 minutes once you include the AirTrain and platform wait. This is one of the cleaner airport-to-concert trips in the region.
Should You Drive to Hammerstein Ballroom?
The honest answer: driving to Hammerstein is manageable if you plan around it, but most visitors who can take transit should. The venue is in the middle of Midtown Manhattan on 34th Street — one of the busiest surface crosstown routes in the city — and show nights compound the normal congestion with concert-crowd foot traffic and rideshare backups on the block.
If you do drive, the right call is clear: Meyer’s Parking Garage at 323–331 West 34th Street is literally next door to Manhattan Center. Prebook a spot before the show — event-night rates are higher and availability is not guaranteed if you arrive without a reservation. The garage is the simplest possible parking solution for this venue and removes the stress of circling in Midtown.
What to know about driving in
34th Street runs one-way westbound between Madison Avenue and 9th Avenue. If you are coming from the east, approach on 34th Street directly. From the west (Lincoln Tunnel), bear right after exiting and proceed east on 34th Street — Manhattan Center is on the left/north side between 8th and 9th. 35th Street is one-way eastbound if you need to loop around. Allow significantly more time than you expect for show nights: 34th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues will be active with arriving concertgoers from about an hour before doors.
Rideshare drop-off
For rideshare, request a drop-off on 9th Avenue at 34th Street rather than asking for the 34th Street address directly. Rideshare vehicles stopping on 34th Street pre-show create congestion that backs up quickly. The 9th Avenue approach keeps you one short turn from the venue entrance and away from the main bottleneck. Post-show pickup: arrange for 9th Avenue or the side-street approach rather than requesting 34th Street — the same congestion argument applies after the show, when the entire crowd is exiting simultaneously.
For full details on Meyer’s Garage, nearby parking options, event-night rates, and how to prebook, see the parking near Hammerstein Ballroom guide.
Best Arrival Game Plans by Type of Night
How Early Should You Arrive at Hammerstein Ballroom?
Manhattan Center’s official FAQ notes that doors open one hour before showtime for most events. For GA floor shows — which is most Hammerstein concerts — your position on the floor depends entirely on when you arrive relative to door open. If you want to be close to the stage, plan to be in line before doors. If you have reserved balcony seats, arriving 20–30 minutes after doors open is generally comfortable.
A practical framework: for a typical 8pm show, doors open at 7pm. From the A/C/E subway at 34th Street, you can be inside the venue in under five minutes once you exit the train. That means boarding the subway by 6:45pm gives you a comfortable pre-show window even accounting for small delays. For NJ Transit or LIRR visitors, targeting a train that gets you to Penn Station by 6:30–6:45pm for a GA floor show is a reasonable target, leaving time to walk up and get your position before the floor fills.
Manhattan Center’s official materials state that all persons and bags are subject to search and that oversize bags are prohibited. The venue provides a bag-check area. Travelling light speeds entry significantly on busy show nights — a smaller bag or no bag means a faster security line and more time on the floor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — it is one of the more accessible Manhattan concert venues specifically because of its position one block from Penn Station. The A, C, and E subway trains stop at 34th Street–Penn Station on 8th Avenue, directly adjacent to the venue. For visitors arriving by NJ Transit, LIRR, or Amtrak via Penn Station or Moynihan Train Hall, the walk to Hammerstein is about three to five minutes on foot.
34th Street–Penn Station on the A, C, and E trains (8th Avenue exit) is the closest subway stop. It is directly adjacent to Manhattan Center. The 34th Street–Penn Station stop on the 1, 2, and 3 trains (7th Avenue) is one block east — also very close, with a three-to-four-minute walk west on 34th Street to the venue.
Walk from Penn Station — there is no faster option. Depending on which Penn Station exit you use, the walk to Hammerstein takes three to five minutes. Any subway transfer from Penn Station to get closer would take longer. Exit onto 8th Avenue and walk north to 34th Street.
Take the S Shuttle from Grand Central–42nd Street to Times Square–42nd Street, then board a downtown 1, 2, or 3 train two stops south to 34th Street–Penn Station. Walk west on 34th Street three to four minutes to the venue. This is the exact route the official venue FAQ recommends for Metro-North and Grand Central arrivals.
Very — NJ Transit trains terminate at Penn Station, one block from the venue, and the walk north on 8th Avenue to Hammerstein takes about five minutes. PATH from New Jersey terminates at 33rd Street and 6th Avenue (a 10-minute walk or one A/C/E stop west). For most NJ visitors, the NJ Transit rail option is faster and more direct than PATH.
Meyer’s Parking Garage at 323–331 West 34th Street is directly next door to Manhattan Center. Prebook a spot before show night — event rates are higher and availability is not guaranteed for walk-up parking. For full parking details, see the parking near Hammerstein Ballroom guide.
For most visitors, the subway is faster and more predictable on show nights. 34th Street congests with rideshare and concert traffic in the hour before doors open, and rideshare arrival times become unreliable. If you do use rideshare, ask for drop-off on 9th Avenue at 34th Street rather than the 34th Street address itself — it avoids the worst of the pre-show backup. Post-show pickup should also target 9th Avenue or a side street, not 34th Street.
Plan for about 60–75 minutes from JFK terminal to Hammerstein. The most reliable route: JFK AirTrain to Jamaica Station, then either LIRR to Penn Station/Moynihan (about 30–35 minutes) or E train to 34th Street–Penn Station (about 45 minutes from Jamaica). Allow 90 minutes to be comfortable on a show night.
Getting to Hammerstein Is the Easy Part
Of all the transit questions that come with a Manhattan concert night, Hammerstein Ballroom is one of the easier ones. The A/C/E on the venue’s doorstep and Penn Station one block south mean that whether you are coming from another part of the city, arriving from New Jersey or Long Island by train, or stepping off an Amtrak at Moynihan, the last leg of the journey is a short walk rather than a transfer or a gamble on Midtown traffic.
The variables worth planning around are smaller: which Penn Station exit to follow, whether to prebook Meyer’s Garage if you are driving, what time to target for your return train if you have a connection, and how early to arrive for GA floor position. Once those are resolved, the rest takes care of itself.
For everything else that goes into a Hammerstein night — where to sit, where to eat, and where to stay — the full cluster of planning guides is below.