Directions from LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Directions from John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport
Directions from Newark Airport
Directions to the conference sites and Weinstein Residence Hall

Before arriving in NYC, it would be a good idea to print out or purchase a map of at least Manhattan, if not the entire city or subway system. Decent maps can be found on the MTA website. The “Streetwise” series also makes a Manhattan map and it’s excellent.

Manhattan streets are on a grid, and it’s easy to get around once you get used to the system. The streets ascend in number as you go north (e.g., 35th Street is north of 34th Street) and the avenues ascend in number as you go west (e.g., 6th Avenue is west of 5th Avenue). 5th Avenue is considered to be the center of the city, and the streets east and west of 5th will be labeled as such (e.g. E. 34th Street). Below 14th Street things get a little more complicated since that part of town is older and involves more named streets. Because NYU is below 14th Street, so you should get a good map to help you navigate the neighborhood its neighborhood on Saturday and Sunday.

From LGA by Taxi

The easiest way to get from Laguardia Airport to CUNY or NYU is by taking a NYC yellow taxi cab. ($25-30). Some but not all cabs take credit cards. You are entitled to a nonsmoking ride. Get a receipt and take down the medallion number and driver’s name if there’s a problem.

1. Follow the signs from baggage claim to “ground transportation”/ “taxis” and wait in line for an official yellow taxi (NOTE: do NOT accept an offer from a roaming “taxi driver,” they are often not legal cabbies and might rip you off; go to the official queue and wait for an official yellow taxi.)
2. The taxi fare will be between $20 and $25 to get to 34th Street and 5th Ave., before a customary 15-20% tip. The customer is responsible for paying tolls, and it’s customary to tip extra if the driver handles your bag ($1-2/bag).
3. If the driver takes the Midtown Tunnel, you’ll also have to pay the $4.00 toll. Tell the driver to take the free Queensborough Bridge to avoid the toll.

From LGA by Public Transportation

Another less expensive way to get from LaGuardia to Manhattan is by taking an MTA bus. ($2.00) Unfortunately, there are no subway stops near LaGuardia airport.

1. You will need a Metrocard to take the bus. The Metrocard can be used on all subways and buses and can be re-filled easily. Each trip on the subway or bus is $2.00 and you can get free transfers between the subways or buses in most cases. You can purchase a Metrocard in the airport.
2. The M60 bus will take you to 125th Street in Northern Manhattan.
3. You can transfer for free with your Metrocard to buses and subways in Manhattan that can take you downtown.
4. SUBWAY Transfer: the M60 bus stops at Lexington Ave., where you can transfer to the 4, 5, or 6 (green) subway DOWTOWN. You’ll eventually need the local 6 train, which stops at 33rd street around the corner from the Graduate Center, at 33rd Street and Park Avenue. (You can catch the local train, #6, at 42nd Street Grand Central Station if you end up take the express trains, the #4 or #5 to that point.) See below for directions to the Graduate Center from the 33rd Street subway stop. Subway maps are free from the subway booth—just ask for one.
5. BUS transfer to the CUNY Graduate Center: the M60 bus stops at 5th Ave, where you transfer to the 1, 2, 3, or 4 buses which travel south down 5th Ave and will take you all the way to 34th Street, right in front of the Graduate Center. The bus is a neat way to see Manhattan, particularly the 5th Ave. bus, but it takes a little longer than the subway. Ask the bus driver if you need help!
BUS transfer to NYU: Take the M60 to 125th Street and get off at St. Nicholas Avenue. Then take the A train to West 4th Street (6th Avenue; also called “Avenue of the Americas”). Walk east to the NYU dorms at 5 University Place or to the NYU conference site at 24 Waverly Place).

Click here for other transportation options from LGA

FROM LGA BY AIRPORT SHUTTLE BUS (“New York Airport Service”):

$12 one way; $21 round trip. (Less of a hassle than public transportation but more expensive; cheaper than a taxi.) Click here to go to the New York Airport Service website.  

After deplaning, look for “Ground transportation.” It should be near baggage claim. Go outside and look for a sign for New York Airport Service. There should be an official dispatcher who will sell you a ticket. For the return trip to the airport, discounted rates are available for Students and Senior Citizens and can be purchased only at the Grand Central Terminal Office, 125 Park Ave. (Bet. 41st and 42nd St.) every day from 9:00am to 5:00 pm.

Go to Grand Central Station, where the bus will let you off on Park Avenue between 41 and 42 Streets.

Getting to the Graduate Center from Park and 42nd St.: you can either walk to 33rd Street and 5th Avenue, OR cross 42nd Street and take the no. 6 one stop to 33rd Street, OR take a cab for $5 to 7. From the 33rd Street stop on the 6 train to the CUNY Graduate Center: walk one block north on Park Ave. to 34th Street (if you walk to 32nd street you’ve gone the wrong way). At 34th Street, make a left and walk two blocks to Fifth Ave. Make a right and enter the Graduate Center, which is between 34th and 35th Streets on Fifth Ave.

Getting to NYU from Park and 42nd St.: You can take the downtown no. 6 five stops to Astor Place or take a cab at this point. From Astor Place, consult a map to get to the conference site (24 Waverly Place) or the dorms (5 University Place).

Click here to download instructions from LGA as a pdf

JFK is pretty far from Manhattan, so taxi cabs and public transportation are equally viable options. A taxi is more expensive but is hassle-free, whereas public transportation involves several train and subway transfers, some of which might be slightly confusing. Don’t be intimidated. Most New Yorkers are very helpful and friendly, despite what you may have heard. Avoid asking directions from people who are clutching guidebooks or maps and who look confused.

From JFK by Taxi

The easiest way to get from JFK Airport to CUNY or NYU is by taking a NYC yellow taxi cab. ($45 + tip). Some but not all cabs take credit cards. You are entitled to a nonsmoking ride. Get a receipt and take down the medallion number and driver’s name if there’s a problem.

1.  Follow the signs from baggage claim to “ground transportation”/ “taxis” and wait in line for an official yellow taxi (NOTE: do not accept an offer from a roaming “taxi driver,” they are often not legal cabbies and might rip you off; go to the official queue and wait for an official yellow taxi.
2.  The taxi fare from JFK is a regulated “flat” fare of $45, not including tip or tolls. It is customary to give a 15-20% tip to taxi drivers.
3.  If the driver takes one of the tunnels to Manhattan, you’ll also have to pay the $4.00 toll. Tell the driver to take one of the free bridges to avoid the toll. Note: the bridges may take a little longer if there is traffic.

From JFK by Public Transportation

There is no subway at JFK. The easiest way and cheapest way is to take the AirTrain from any terminal. You pay for the ride after you get off the train. ($7 total: $5 for the AirTrain; $2.00 for the subway)

1.  Make sure you get on an AirTrain that is leaving the airport; some of the trains just circle the terminal. You need to get on a train that goes to Jamaica Station (The subway at the Howard Beach Station takes forever to get to the city!)
2.  When you get to Jamiaca Station, you can buy a Metrocard at one of the machines before the exit turnstiles. You’ll need at least a $7.00 Metrocard to get to Manhattan.
3.  Upon exiting the turnstiles, follow the signs for the E train (Don’t take the J/Z trains!!!) Subway maps are free from the subway booth—just ask for one.
4.  TO CUNY GRADUATE CENTER: Take the E train towards Manhattan.
5.  Get off at Lexington Ave./53rd Street, the first stop in Manhattan.
6.  Transfer to the downtown 6 train. Look for signs pointing to the #6. Make sure you’re on the side that goes DOWNTOWN, *not* uptown.
7.  Take the 6 train two stops to 33rd Street.
Directions from the 33rd Street stop on the 6 train: walk one block north on Park Ave. to 34th Street (if you walk to 32nd street you’ve gone the wrong way). At 34th Street, make a left and walk two blocks to Fifth Ave. Make a right and enter the Graduate Center, which is between 34th and 35th Streets on Fifth Ave.
8.  TO NYU: Take the E train to West 4th Street. Walk east to the NYU dorms at 5 University Place or to the NYU conference site at 24 Waverly Place).
Click here for more information on taking the Airtrain to Jamaica Station, or click here for more transportation options from JFK.

FROM JFK BY AIRPORT SHUTTLE BUS (“New York Airport Service):

$15 one way; $27 round trip. (Less of a hassle than public transportation but more expensive; cheaper than a taxi.) Click here to go to the New York Airport Service website.  

After deplaning, look for “Ground transportation.” It should be near baggage claim. Go outside and look for a sign for New York Airport Service. There should be an official dispatcher who will sell you a ticket. For the return trip to the airport, discounted rates are available for Students and Senior Citizens and can be purchased only at the Grand Central Terminal Office, 125 Park Ave. (Bet. 41st and 42nd St.) every day from 9:00am to 5:00 pm.

Click here to download instructions from JFK as a pdf

From Newark by Taxi:

$40 to Midtown (CUNY Graduate Center) or the Village (NYU).

Follow the signs from baggage claim to “ground transportation”/ “taxis” and wait in line for an official yellow taxi (NOTE: do NOT accept an offer from a roaming “taxi driver,” they are often not legal cabbies and might rip you off; go to the official queue and wait for an official yellow taxi.)

1.  The taxi fare should be $40 (rate set by the Port Authority of NJ), before a customary 15-20% tip. The customer is responsible for paying tolls, and it’s customary to tip extra if the driver handles your bag ($1-2/bag).
2.  Get a receipt and take down the medallion number and driver’s name if there’s a problem.

From Newark by Public Transportation:

(Approximately $17, possibly slightly higher)

You’ll be taking AirTrain from the airport, then New Jersey Transit to New York Penn Station. Follows signs to AirTrain. Check an NJ TRANSIT train departure monitor in any of the airport terminals (A, B or C) to find the train to NEW YORK PENN STATION, which is 2 blocks west of the CUNY Graduate Center, or five stops on the R or W subway to the 8th Street subway stop (near NYU).

You can purchase a ticket from one of the ticket vending machines at the Newark International Airport Station. TVMs accept credit cards, debit cards or U.S. currency only

Check an NJ TRANSIT train departure monitor (located at AirTrain entrances) to confirm your departure time. Purchase a NJ Transit ticket from a ticket vending machine located at the Newark Liberty International Airport Station.

***After you catch NJ Transit, be sure you depart at “NEW YORK” Penn Station, NOT “NEWARK” Penn Station!!! Newark is in New Jersey, and it’s the stop before New York Penn Station. Ask the conductor if you’re not sure.

To get to the CUNY Graduate Center: Once you get to New York Penn Station, exit onto 7th Avenue and 33rd Street. Walk 2 blocks east, to 5th Avenue, and one block north, to 34th Street.

To get to NYU conference site or NYU dorms: Once you get to New York Penn Station, exit onto 7th Avenue and 33rd Street. You can take a cab to NYU, or more economically, walk one block east, to 6th Avenue and one block north, to 34 Street/Herald Square. Enter the subway. (Subway maps are free from the subway booth—just ask for one if you can find one with a clerk.) Purchase a Metrocard from the machine. If you’ll be riding frequently over the next four days, the 7-day unlimited ride card is the best option; otherwise, rides are $2 each, with free transfers to the bus within 2 hours from the time you swiped the card. Look for the R or W lines going downtown (south), and ride to 8th Street. Go to 24 Waverly Place (near Washington Square East) for the conference, or to 5 University Place for the dorms.

FROM NEWARK VIA SHUTTLE BUS (Newark Liberty Airport Express via Olympia Trails Busline):

$13 one way; $22 round trip; free for kids.  Click here for Newark Airport transportation options.

After deplaning, look for “Ground transportation.” It should be near baggage claim. Go outside and look for a sign for New York Airport Service. Ground Transportation Information is available in the baggage claim/arrival areas of all terminals. All service arrangements can be made at these counters Go to Grand Central Station, where the bus will let you off on 41st Street at Park Avenue.

Getting to the Graduate Center from Park and 42nd St.: you can either walk to 33rd Street and 5th Avenue, OR cross 42nd Street and take the no. 6 one stop to 33rd Street, OR take a cab for $5 to 7.

From the 33rd Street stop on the 6 train to the CUNY Graduate Center: walk one block north on Park Ave. to 34th Street (if you walk to 32nd street you’ve gone the wrong way). At 34th Street, make a left and walk two blocks to Fifth Ave. Make a right and enter the Graduate Center, which is between 34th and 35th Streets on Fifth Ave.

Getting to NYU from Park and 42nd St.: You can take the downtown no. 6 five stops to Astor Place or take a cab at this point. From Astor Place, consult a map to get to the conference site (24 Waverly Place) or the dorms (5 University Place).

Click here to download instructions from EWR as a pdf