Your Ultimate Guide to Conquering Public Transportation at Columbia University
So, you’re headed to Columbia University. AMAZING. Whether you’re a new student, a visiting professor, or just a curious tourist, one of the first things you’ll need to figure out is how to navigate the concrete jungle to get to the beautiful Morningside Heights campus. Honestly, getting around New York City can feel like a whole separate course of study, but I’m here to give you the inside scoop. Think of me as your friendly upperclassman who has already made all the transit mistakes so you don’t have to.
We're going to break it all down: the subways, the buses, the shuttles, & even how to get to campus from the airports without breaking the bank. By the end of this, you'll be navigating the city like a seasoned New Yorker.
The Heart of the System: The NYC Subway
Let's start with the absolute workhorse of New York City transportation: the subway. For most Columbians, this is the cheapest & most efficient way to get around. The main artery for the university is the 1 train, which has a stop conveniently located right at the campus gates at 116th Street & Broadway. You literally can't miss it.
Here's the thing about the 1 train: it's a local train. This means it makes every single stop, which is great for getting to specific locations but can feel a bit slow if you're traveling a long distance. If you're coming from further downtown, you might find yourself on the 2 or 3 trains, which are express. These trains run on the same line as the 1 train for a good portion of Manhattan. If you're on a 2 or 3, you'll need to get off at 96th Street & just cross the platform to hop on the 1 train for the last few stops to 116th Street. It's a super easy transfer, & you'll see tons of other Columbia folks doing the same thing.
A few other subway lines are a bit of a walk from campus, but still useful to know about. The A, B, & C trains have a stop at 116th Street & Frederick Douglass Boulevard, which is about a 10-15 minute walk from the main campus. This can be a good option if you're coming from or going to the west side of Harlem or the Upper West Side.
The current fare for a single subway ride is $2.90. You can pay with a MetroCard, which you can buy at any station, or by using OMNY, which is the MTA's tap-to-pay system. With OMNY, you just tap your contactless credit card, debit card, or smartphone on the reader at the turnstile & you're good to go. It’s pretty convenient, & transfers between subways & buses are free.
A Quick Word on Accessibility
Now, for a bit of real talk. While the subway is fantastic, it's not always the most accessible system. The 116th Street-Columbia University station, believe it or not, is NOT fully ADA accessible. There are stairs, & no elevators. This is a HUGE issue for students & community members with disabilities, & there's been a lot of back-&-forth between Columbia & the MTA about who should pay for accessibility upgrades.
The nearest accessible station on the 1 line is actually at 96th Street. From there, someone in a wheelchair would have a considerable journey to get to campus. Similarly, the 125th Street station, near Columbia's Manhattanville campus, has escalators but no elevators, making it a challenge for many. This is a serious point of contention in the neighborhood, & something to be aware of if you or someone you're traveling with requires an elevator.
Riding the Bus: Your Above-Ground Alternative
Don't sleep on the city buses! They can be a great way to see the city & often get you closer to your final destination than the subway. There are several bus lines that serve the Columbia campus directly. The most notable ones are:
- M4: Runs along Broadway, right past the main gates.
- M5: A great option for getting to the Upper East Side or down to the Village.
- M11: Travels up & down Amsterdam Avenue.
- M104: Also runs on Broadway.
- M60-SBS: This is your golden ticket to LaGuardia Airport. We'll talk more about that in a bit.
The fare for the bus is the same as the subway, $2.90, & you can use your MetroCard or OMNY. Buses are generally more accessible than the subway, with ramps for wheelchairs & strollers. They can be slower than the subway due to traffic, but for shorter trips or for getting to areas not well-served by the subway, they're a fantastic option.
Columbia's Own Fleet: The University Shuttles
Here's a major perk of being affiliated with Columbia: the university runs a whole system of FREE shuttles. These are a lifesaver for getting between campuses, to nearby transit hubs, & even just getting around the neighborhood safely at night. You'll need your Columbia ID to board, so make sure you have it on you.
You can track all the shuttles in real-time using the Passio GO! app, which is an absolute must-download. The shuttle websites have schedules, but the app will give you the most accurate arrival times.
Here's a quick rundown of some of the key shuttle routes:
- Intercampus Shuttle: This is the main shuttle route, connecting the Morningside campus with the Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) in Washington Heights, the Manhattanville campus, & even Harlem Hospital. It runs frequently on weekdays.
- Manhattanville Loop: This shuttle provides service between the Morningside & Manhattanville campuses & also stops near the 125th Street Metro-North station.
- George Washington Bridge/Fort Lee Shuttle: A fantastic option for students & staff commuting from New Jersey. It connects the CUIMC campus to Fort Lee, just over the George Washington Bridge.
- On-Demand Evening Shuttle: This is a truly awesome service. As an alternative to walking alone at night, Columbia has partnered with Via to offer a free, on-demand, ride-share service within a designated area around campus. It runs seven nights a week until 4 a.m., offering peace of mind & a safe ride home.
Honestly, the shuttle system is a bit complex at first, with different colored routes & varying schedules, but once you get the hang of it, it's an incredible resource.
Arriving from Afar: Getting to Columbia from the Airports
If you're flying into one of the three major NYC-area airports, you have a few options for getting to campus.
From LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
LaGuardia is the closest airport to Columbia, & luckily, there's a direct bus connection. The M60-SBS (Select Bus Service) is your best friend here. You can catch it right outside the terminal, & it will take you directly to 116th Street & Broadway, right at the foot of the campus. The ride can take anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour depending on traffic, but it's by far the most budget-friendly option.
A taxi or Uber/Lyft from LGA will cost you around $30-$40, plus tolls & tip. It's faster, but the M60 is so convenient that it's often the preferred method for students.
From John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Getting from JFK to Columbia is a bit more of a journey, but totally doable with public transit. The most common route is to take the AirTrain JFK from your terminal to the Jamaica Station. The AirTrain costs about $8. From Jamaica, you can transfer to the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to Penn Station, & from there, take the uptown 1 train to 116th Street. This is generally the fastest public transit option.
A slightly cheaper, but longer, alternative is to take the AirTrain to the Howard Beach Station & transfer to an uptown A train. Take the A train to 59th Street-Columbus Circle & then transfer to the uptown 1 train.
A taxi from JFK to Manhattan has a flat fare, which is currently around $70, but that doesn't include tolls or tip, so expect to pay closer to $90-$100.
From Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
If you're flying into Newark, your best bet is to take the AirTrain Newark to the Newark Airport Rail Station. From there, you can catch an NJ Transit train to New York Penn Station. The whole trip to Penn Station costs about $15 & takes around 30 minutes. Once you're at Penn Station, just hop on the uptown 1 train to 116th Street.
A taxi from Newark to Columbia can be quite expensive, often over $100, so the train is a much more economical choice.
Commuting from New Jersey & Beyond
A surprising number of Columbia students & staff commute from New Jersey. If this is you, there are some great resources available.
NJ Transit Student Discount
Columbia has partnered with NJ Transit to offer students a 25% discount on monthly passes for buses, trains, & light rail. This is a HUGE money-saver. To get the discount, you need to sign up through a special portal on the NJ Transit website & verify your status as a Columbia student. The passes are then available to purchase through the NJ Transit mobile app. It’s a pretty straightforward process & well worth it if you’re commuting regularly.
Getting from Penn Station & Port Authority
If you're taking a train or bus into Manhattan from New Jersey or other suburbs, you'll likely end up at either Penn Station (for NJ Transit & LIRR) or the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
From Penn Station, getting to Columbia is super easy. Just follow the signs for the subway & take the uptown 1, 2, or 3 train. As we discussed, if you take the 2 or 3, you'll just need to switch to the 1 at 96th Street.
From the Port Authority Bus Terminal, which is at 42nd Street & 8th Avenue, you can walk one block east to Times Square & catch the uptown 1 train from there.
What About Driving?
Let's be real for a second. Driving to Columbia is... a choice. Parking in Morningside Heights is notoriously difficult & expensive. Street parking is scarce, & the rules are confusing. Garages in the area can charge exorbitant rates.
However, sometimes driving is unavoidable. Maybe you're moving in, or you have to transport a big project, or you're a commuter who just can't rely on public transit. If you find yourself in this situation, you're going to need a solid parking plan. This is where a service like Prked can be a total game-changer. Prked connects you with local homeowners who are renting out their private driveways & garages for parking. You can find a safe, reserved spot near campus for a fraction of the price of a commercial garage. It takes the stress out of circling the block for hours looking for a spot. It's a pretty cool way to make the driving experience a little less painful in the city.
And hey, if you're living near campus & have an empty garage, you could even use Prked to rent it out as a storage space for students who need to store their belongings over the summer. It’s a great way to help out fellow members of the Columbia community & make a little extra cash. Think about it - students are always looking for affordable storage for their stuff between semesters, & renting out a nearby garage, attic, or basement through Prked is way more convenient than trekking to a remote storage unit.
A Few Final Pro-Tips
- Download Citymapper or Google Maps: These apps are indispensable for navigating the city's transit system. They'll give you real-time arrival information, service alerts, & the best routes to your destination.
- The Guaranteed Ride Program: This is a neat perk for people who regularly carpool or vanpool to campus. It’s a program run by the NYS Department of Transportation that provides a free ride home in case of an unexpected emergency.
- Be a "Crown Commuter": Sustainable Columbia has a program that rewards students & staff for choosing sustainable commuting options like public transit, biking, or walking.
I know this is a LOT of information, but hopefully, it makes the prospect of navigating to & around Columbia a little less daunting. The public transportation system is a huge part of life in New York, & once you get the hang of it, you'll be able to explore every corner of this incredible city.
Hope this was helpful, & welcome to the neighborhood! Let me know if you have any questions.
