Directions to Columbia

Columbia's location on the Upper West Side combines a residential campus setting with a wealth of opportunities available in New York City. While visiting Columbia, we encourage you to go to a Broadway play, see a special exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, attend a concert at Carnegie Hall, eat in Chinatown or simply walk around Greenwich Village.

Our campus is located at 116th Street and Broadway in Morningside Heights. Below you will find directions to campus.

By New York City Public Transit

New York City Subway

The #1/#9 subway lines are accessible from Penn Station and Times Square. The subway stop for campus is Columbia University/116th Street. Please note, if you are taking the #2 or #3 express train, be certain to transfer at 96th Street to the #1 or #9 local. The express trains do not stop at the Columbia University/116th Street subway station.

Subway and bus maps are available from the MTA Web site.

New York City Buses

Five bus lines (M4, M5, M11, M60, M104) and one subway line (the #1/#9 local) serve the Columbia neighborhood. The M60 bus is a direct link between campus and LaGuardia Airport.

Subway and bus maps are available from the MTA Web site.

By Intercity Train or Bus

Train service to New York arrives at Grand Central Station or Penn Station; bus service arrives at the Port Authority Bus Terminal. From any of these locations, public transportation or taxi service is available to campus.

By Air

Three airports service the New York City area: LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Newark Liberty Airport (EWR) and John F Kennedy (JFK). Coach service is available to the Port Authority Bus Terminal adjacent to Penn Station from all three of these airports.

In addition, LaGuardia Airport is the closest to campus; a cab ride costs approximately about $20, and the M60 city bus runs from LaGuardia to campus every half hour. Airtrain monorails connect Newark International Airport to Newark Penn Station where travelers can take Amtrak or New Jersey Transit commuter rail directly to Manhattan's Penn Station for under $20. Taxis from Kennedy Airport to New York City offer a flat rate of approximately $35; prices should be clearly posted inside the cab.

By Car

Please note that parking is not easily accessible in New York City; the use of public transportation is strongly encouraged.

From the North

Take the New York Thruway (I-87) or the New England Thruway (I-95) south to the Cross Bronx Expressway (I-95) in the direction of the George Washington Bridge. Take the exit for the Henry Hudson Parkway south (the last exit before the bridge). Exit the Parkway at West 95th Street and Riverside Drive and follow the directions from Riverside Dr. and 95th Street.

From South or West

Take the New Jersey Turnpike north or I-80 east to the George Washington Bridge. As you cross the bridge, take the exit for the Henry Hudson Parkway south. Exit the Parkway at West 95th Street and Riverside Drive and follow the directions from Riverside Dr. and 95th Street.

From Long Island

Take the Long Island Expressway or the Grand Central Parkway west to the Cross Island Parkway north. Cross the Throgs Neck Bridge onto the Cross Bronx Expressway (I-95 south).

From the Airport

LaGuardia Airport

Take the Grand Central Parkway east to the Whitestone Parkway (I-678). Follow it across the Whitestone Bridge and onto I-95 south. Follow "By Car from the North."

John F. Kennedy Airport

Take the Van Wyck Expressway (I-678) to the Whitestone Bridge and across. Get onto I-95 south and follow the directions above under "By Car from the North."

Newark Airport

Follow directions under "By Car from the South or West."

From Riverside Drive and West 95th Street

Go north on Riverside Drive to 116th Street. Turn right and go two blocks to Broadway and the University's main gate. Please note that the main gate is not open to traffic.

Parking

Street parking is very limited in New York City and near the Columbia campus; the use of public transportation is strongly encouraged.

A limited number of metered parking spaces on the streets surround the Columbia University campus. You may also park in the local parking garages for a fee. The 512-520 Garage is located at the corner of 112th Street and Amsterdam; the Riverside Church Parking Garage is located on 120th Street between Claremont Avenue and Riverside Drive.

Access and Disability

Individuals requiring special assistance are asked to contact the Visitors Center at least one week prior to arrival on campus.

For more information on wheelchair accessibility, please call the Office of Disability Services in 802 Alfred Lerner Hall at 212-854-2388 (voice) and (212) 854-2378 (TDD).

For more information

Maps of Campus

For more information, please contact the Visitors Center at (212) 854-4900 for more information regarding campus tours, information sessions or directions to Columbia University.