The Complete PATH Train Guide
Your Ticket to Manhattan (and Beyond)

When you stay in Jersey City instead of Manhattan, one decision changes everything: learning how to use the PATH train. For $2.75 per ride, this automated transit system connects Jersey City directly to six different stations in Manhattan, making it the single best value in the entire metro area.

But the PATH can be confusing on your first ride. The routes overlap, the stations have unfamiliar names, and if you're not paying attention, you can end up heading in the wrong direction. This guide walks you through everything you need to know: which trains go where, how to pay, what to expect, and how to get from your Jersey City home to anywhere in Manhattan in under 30 minutes.

What is the PATH Train?

PATH stands for Port Authority Trans-Hudson. Think of it as New Jersey's answer to the NYC subway — but smaller, faster, cleaner, and far less crowded. The PATH is an automated rapid transit system (no driver in the cab) that runs 24/7, connecting Jersey City and Hoboken directly to six different stations in Manhattan.

For a visitor staying in Jersey City, the PATH is essentially your private express train to Manhattan. No surface traffic, no delays, no sitting in gridlock on the Holland Tunnel. Just a smooth, clean, air-conditioned ride underground that deposits you in the heart of Manhattan in 15–20 minutes.

The Basic Facts

Cost: $2.75 per ride (or $59.50 for unlimited rides for 7 days)
Travel time: 15–30 minutes to Manhattan depending on your destination
Frequency: Trains every 3–15 minutes depending on time of day
Hours: 24/7 operation (PATH never closes)
Jersey City stations: 3 main hubs (Journal Square, Grove Street, Hoboken Terminal)
Manhattan stations: 6 destinations (33rd St, 14th St, 9th St, plus Newark and Hoboken)

Jersey City's Three PATH Stations

Jersey City has three main PATH stations, and which one serves you depends on which neighborhood you're staying in. Here's what you need to know about each.

Journal Square Station

Location: Downtown Jersey City, at PATH headquarters
Serves: All 4 PATH lines
Best for: Staying in Journal Square (Bocation, StoneHaus, SunSuite)

Journal Square is the epicenter of PATH in Jersey City. All four lines pass through this station, making it the most important transit hub in the city. The station itself is a major commercial space with restaurants, shops, and services — so if you have 20 minutes between trains, you won't be bored.

If you're staying in Journal Square (or nearby in Downtown), you're steps from this station. From Journal Square, you can access any PATH destination in Manhattan, with journey times ranging from 12–20 minutes depending on where you're headed.

Grove Street Station

Location: Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood
Serves: Two lines (33rd Street line, 14th Street line)
Best for: Bergen-Lafayette properties (ArchHaus, Bergen Standard)

Grove Street is a 10-minute walk from most Bergen-Lafayette properties and serves as the convenient access point for that neighborhood. The station is smaller and quieter than Journal Square — less chaos, easier to navigate for first-timers.

Two of the four PATH lines stop here, which means you have good coverage of Manhattan, but you're missing the 9th Street and Newark options. This is usually fine unless you're specifically heading downtown.

Hoboken Terminal

Location: Hoboken waterfront (technically not Jersey City, but nearby)
Serves: Two lines
Best for: Hoboken dining and entertainment scene

Hoboken Terminal is a combined PATH and NJ Transit station with excellent waterfront restaurants and bars nearby. It's a great option if you're exploring Hoboken, but most Jersey City properties are closer to Journal Square or Grove Street.

The Four PATH Lines: Which Train Goes Where?

The PATH has four lines, each color-coded and serving different destinations. Here's what each one does:

33rd Street Line (Red)

Route: Newark → Journal Square → Grove Street → Hoboken → 14th Street → 33rd Street
Travel time from Journal Square: 12 minutes to 33rd Street
Best for: Midtown Manhattan, Herald Square shopping, Times Square area, Empire State Building

This is the line most visitors use because 33rd Street is the most central Manhattan stop. From 33rd Street, you're 3 blocks from the Empire State Building, a short walk to Macy's, and about 15 minutes on foot to Times Square.

14th Street Line (Green)

Route: Newark → Journal Square → Grove Street → Hoboken → 14th Street
Travel time from Journal Square: 18 minutes
Best for: Chelsea, West Village, nightlife, restaurants, bars, the High Line park

If you're heading to Chelsea restaurants, West Village bars, or exploring downtown Manhattan's restaurant scene, this is your line. 14th Street is the gateway to one of Manhattan's most walkable, livable neighborhoods.

Hoboken–9th Street Line (Blue)

Route: Newark → Journal Square → Hoboken → 9th Street
Travel time from Journal Square: 20 minutes
Best for: Financial District, World Trade Center, 9/11 Memorial, Lower Manhattan

If you're visiting the 9/11 Memorial, exploring the Financial District, or catching a ferry to the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island (the ferry terminal is 10 minutes walk from 9th Street), this is your line.

Hoboken–33rd Street Line (Yellow)

Route: Hoboken → 33rd Street
Travel time: Express run (no intermediate stops)
Best for: Quick trips if you're already in Hoboken

This line is less useful for Jersey City visitors, but good to know about if you end up in Hoboken.

How to Pay for the PATH

There are several ways to pay for your PATH ride. Here's the breakdown:

Single Ride Ticket: $2.75

Buy a ticket at a machine in the station using cash or card. You'll get a plastic card that you tap to enter the gate. Simple, no commitment — good if you're only taking the train once or twice.

10-Ride Ticket: $27.50

Saves you $0.25 per ride ($27.50 vs $27.50 if bought individually). Minimal savings, but it adds up if you're taking several trips.

Weekly Pass: $59.50 ⭐ BEST VALUE

This is the best value if you're staying multiple nights. A weekly pass gives you unlimited PATH rides for 7 days. If you're taking more than 22 rides (just over 3 round trips per day), this pays for itself.

For a typical 4-night stay with 2–3 round trips to Manhattan daily, you'll spend about $22–33 on single tickets. A weekly pass is $59.50, so buy it if you plan to explore multiple Manhattan neighborhoods.

Monthly Pass: $218

For longer stays or frequent trips, a monthly pass is cheaper than daily single tickets.

Mobile Payment

You can use Apple Pay, Google Pay, or a physical RFID card. Tap your phone or card at the turnstile and you're through. You'll be charged the single-ride price ($2.75) unless you have a pass loaded.

Where to Buy

Use the ticket machines in any PATH station (clearly labeled "Tickets"). They accept cash and cards. You can also download the PORT Authority app and buy tickets there.

Schedules: When Trains Run

Weekday Service (Monday–Friday)

• Peak hours (6:30–10 AM, 4–8 PM): Trains every 3–5 minutes
• Midday (10 AM–4 PM): Trains every 8–12 minutes
• Evening (after 8 PM): Trains every 10–15 minutes

Weekend Service (Saturday & Sunday)

• All day: Trains every 6–15 minutes
• Peak tourist hours (10 AM–10 PM): More frequent service

Late Night / Early Morning (after midnight)

• All night: Trains every 15–30 minutes (PATH runs 24/7)
• Perfect for: Late flights, night out in Manhattan, early morning commutes

Check the official PATH website or app for real-time updates. Occasionally there are service changes or delays (usually announced in advance), but the PATH is generally very reliable.

Inside a PATH Train

Expect: Clean, air-conditioned cars with plenty of seats. No overcrowding like the subway. Usually half-full even during peak hours. The ride is smooth and quiet. You'll barely feel you're moving except for the brief announcement at each stop.

Where the PATH Takes You in Manhattan

The PATH connects to six stations in Manhattan. Here's what you'll find at each one:

33rd Street Station — Midtown Manhattan

Best for: Empire State Building (3 blocks), Macy's Herald Square, shopping, Midtown hotels and attractions
Travel time from Journal Square: 12 minutes
Walkability: Times Square is 15 minutes walk, Fifth Avenue shopping is 10 minutes walk

14th Street Station — Chelsea & West Village

Best for: Restaurants, bars, nightlife, art galleries, Chelsea Market, the High Line park
Travel time from Journal Square: 18 minutes
Walkability: This is one of Manhattan's best neighborhoods for walking and exploring

9th Street Station — Financial District & Lower Manhattan

Best for: 9/11 Memorial & Museum, World Trade Center, Battery Park, Statue of Liberty ferry (10 min walk)
Travel time from Journal Square: 20 minutes
Walkability: Battery Park is 10 minutes walk, Ellis Island ferry is 12 minutes walk

Pro tip for statue lovers: From 9th Street, you can walk to Battery Park in 10 minutes and take the ferry to the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island. This is the best-value way to visit — no expensive city tour, just you and the ferry.

Newark Station — New Jersey Transit Hub

Best for: Connections to NJ Transit buses, Newark Airport connections, not a Manhattan destination
Travel time from Journal Square: 5 minutes

Hoboken Terminal — Hoboken Waterfront

Best for: Waterfront restaurants and bars, views of Manhattan skyline, NJ Transit ferry connections
Travel time from Journal Square: 15 minutes

PATH vs Other Transportation Options

Why take the PATH instead of Uber, taxi, or bus? Here's the math:

The PATH wins on value every single time. It's cheaper than everything except the bus, and it's 2–3x faster than surface transportation.

Your First PATH Ride: Step by Step

Step 1: Get to the Station

Find your nearest PATH station (Journal Square, Grove Street, or Hoboken Terminal). Most Jersey City properties are a 5–15 minute walk. Check Google Maps for directions if you're unsure.

Step 2: Buy a Ticket

Find the ticket machine (clearly labeled "Tickets") in the station. It has a simple touchscreen. Select your destination, pay with cash or card, and take your plastic card. If you're staying multiple nights, buy a weekly pass ($59.50) instead.

Step 3: Find the Right Platform

Look at the large digital signs above each platform showing which line stops there. For example: "33rd Street Line → 33rd St, 14th St, Hoboken." Make sure you're on the right platform for your destination.

Step 4: Tap and Go

Walk to the turnstile with the reader. Tap your plastic card on the reader and push through. The gate opens automatically.

Step 5: Wait for Your Train

A digital sign tells you how many minutes until the next train. Trains rarely take longer than 15 minutes. Find a seat or lean against a pole. The platform is usually not crowded — unlike the subway.

Step 6: Board

When your train arrives, step in. Doors close automatically after about 10 seconds. Look for a seat or grab a pole.

Step 7: Listen for Your Stop

An automated voice announces each station: "Next stop, 33rd Street." When you hear your destination, prepare to exit. Doors open automatically.

Step 8: Exit and Navigate

You're in Manhattan now. Pull out your phone, check Google Maps for your next destination, and start exploring. You've just saved $15–20 compared to an Uber and gotten there faster.

The Bottom Line

The PATH train is the secret that makes Jersey City work as a place to stay. It's not just transportation — it's the difference between a $300/night Manhattan hotel room and a $150/night Jersey City home with twice the space.

In 20 minutes on the PATH, you're at the Empire State Building, walking the High Line, exploring the Financial District, or catching a Broadway show. You do everything Manhattan visitors do. You just sleep somewhere better and cheaper.

Master the PATH on your first day, and you've unlocked the entire metro area.

Browse Jersey City homes with PATH access →