Walk down 32nd Street and you'll see it: a nondescript entrance tucked away near Greeley Square. It doesn't look like much. Honestly, compared to the grandiosity of the new Moynihan Train Hall just a few blocks west, the PATH train 33rd St station feels a bit like a basement secret. But for the thousands of commuters pouring in from Jersey City, Hoboken, and Newark every morning, this is the heartbeat of their Manhattan experience. It’s loud. It’s crowded. It’s undeniably New York.
People get confused here. Often.
The layout is vertical and a bit cramped because, well, it was built over a century ago. Specifically, this terminal opened its doors back in 1910. Back then, it was part of the Hudson & Manhattan Railroad. You can still see those ghosts of the past if you look closely at the tiling and the narrowness of the stairwells. It wasn't designed for the 2026 level of foot traffic, yet here we are, shuffling through the turnstiles alongside a sea of AirPods and puffer jackets.
The Logistics: Where Exactly Am I?
Location matters. The PATH train 33rd St station is technically situated at the intersection of 32nd Street and 6th Avenue (Avenue of the Americas). Don't let the "33rd Street" name fool you into thinking it's the only way in. Most people enter through the glass-and-steel pavilions on 32nd, but there are underground connections that link you directly to the 34th St-Herald Square subway complex.
You’ve got the B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, and W trains right there. It’s a massive transit knot.
If you’re coming from New Jersey, this is the end of the line. The bumper blocks are right there at the north end of the platforms. This is a terminal station, which means the trains come in, the conductor switches ends, and they head right back out toward Hoboken or Journal Square. It sounds simple, but during the evening rush, the platform dance is intense. One train arrives, a thousand people surge out, and another thousand try to push in before the doors hiss shut. It’s a ritual.
Fare Play and Smart Cards
Let’s talk money. You can’t use your standard OMNY tap-to-pay here yet—at least not in the way you do on the MTA subways. The PATH system uses its own tech. For years, the SmartLink card was king. Now, the Port Authority has rolled out TAPP (Total Access PATH Payment). It’s basically the PATH’s version of OMNY. You just tap your contactless credit card or phone at the turnstile.
It’s about time. Honestly, watching tourists fumbling with the blue MetroCards (which PATH still accepts for now) while a line of fifty angry commuters forms behind them was a staple of the New York experience I’m glad to see fading.
The fare is currently $2.75. If you're a regular, the SmartLink still offers some bulk-buy discounts, but for the casual traveler or the "I forgot my wallet" crowd, TAPP is a lifesaver. Just make sure your phone is charged. There’s nothing worse than getting to the gate and realizing your digital wallet is dead.
Why This Station Is a Mess (and How to Beat It)
Structure-wise, the PATH train 33rd St station is a multi-level subterranean labyrinth. You enter at street level, go down one flight to the mezzanine where the turnstiles are, and then down another flight to the platforms.
The platforms are narrow. Extremely narrow.
👉 See also: Why All Inclusive Resorts Maldives Adults Only Are Actually Worth the Hype (And Which Ones to Skip)
Because of the way the tracks are laid out, there are several "islands." If you’re heading to Hoboken, you might be on a different platform than the train heading to Journal Square via Christopher Street. Check the overhead signs. They aren't fancy 4K displays; they’re often those flickering LED boards that have been there since the Clinton administration. But they are accurate.
- Platform 1 & 2: Usually handles the 33rd St–Journal Square line.
- Platform 3: Often used for the 33rd St–Hoboken direct service.
- The "Secret" Exit: If you want to avoid the main crush at 32nd Street, use the northern exits that lead toward 33rd Street. They are narrower and steeper, but they often spit you out closer to the shops at Manhattan Mall (or what's left of it).
Weekend Blues
If you’re traveling on a Saturday or Sunday, throw your schedule out the window. The Port Authority loves a good weekend maintenance project. Often, the Journal Square and Hoboken lines are combined into one giant "loop" service. This means your 15-minute trip can suddenly turn into a 30-minute tour of the Hudson River’s underbelly.
Always, and I mean always, check the PATH Twitter (X) account or the RidePATH app before you head out on a weekend. They will tell you if the train is stopping at Christopher Street or skipping it entirely due to signal work.
The Connection Conundrum
One of the biggest perks of the PATH train 33rd St station is its proximity to everything else. You are steps away from Macy’s Herald Square. You are a five-minute walk from Penn Station. If you need to catch an Amtrak or an NJ Transit train to the Jersey Shore, you don't even need to go above ground if it's raining—though the underground tunnel between the PATH and Penn Station is... well, it’s an experience for the senses.
It’s often grimy. It’s definitely loud. But it’s functional.
👉 See also: Why the Prado Museum in Madrid Is Actually Overwhelming (and How to See It Anyway)
The 34th St-Herald Square subway connection is the real MVP here. You can hop off the PATH and be on an uptown Q train in under four minutes if you time the lights right. Just follow the signs. The Port Authority and the MTA don't always play nice in terms of unified signage, so look for the "Subway" arrows with the colored circles (B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, W).
The Human Element: Staying Safe and Sane
Is it safe? Yeah, generally.
But it’s a major transit hub in New York City. Keep your wits about you. The PAPD (Port Authority Police Department) has a heavy presence here, especially near the turnstiles. If you lose something—a wallet, a phone, your dignity—the Lost and Found is actually located at the Journal Square station in Jersey City, not here at 33rd. Keep that in mind before you start scouring the mezzanine.
The station can get incredibly hot in the summer. We’re talking "sauna with the scent of ozone" hot. The trains themselves are wonderfully air-conditioned, but the platform wait can be grueling. In the winter, it’s the opposite. The wind tunnels from the street level can make it feel like an icebox. Dress in layers. It’s the only way to survive a New York commute.
Accessibility Realities
If you’re using a wheelchair or a stroller, the PATH train 33rd St station is "accessible," but it's a bit of a workout. There is an elevator located on the south side of 32nd Street, near 6th Avenue. It takes you down to the mezzanine. From there, you have to find the specific elevator that goes down to the platforms.
The problem? These elevators are notorious for being out of service.
👉 See also: Lion Safari Fort Lauderdale: What Most People Get Wrong
If the elevator is down, your next best bet is actually the World Trade Center station (if you're heading to Jersey) because it's much newer and the infrastructure is more reliable. It’s a pain to have to reroute, but it beats being stuck at the bottom of a staircase with a heavy suitcase.
Practical Steps for Your Next Trip
To navigate this place like a pro, you need a strategy. Don't just wander in and hope for the best.
- Download the RidePATH App: It gives real-time arrivals. The countdown clocks on the platform are sometimes "aspirational," but the app is usually dead-on because it uses GPS data from the cars.
- Position Yourself: If you’re getting off at 33rd and want to reach the subway quickly, sit in the middle of the train. If you want to get to the 32nd Street street exit fast, head to the front of the train (the north end).
- TAPP is Your Friend: Don't wait in the line for the blue vending machines. If you have a smartphone with Apple Pay or Google Pay, just walk up to a yellow-shrouded turnstile and tap. It works 99% of the time.
- Avoid the "Empty" Car: This is a golden rule for all NYC transit. If a train pulls in and one car is suspiciously empty while the others are packed, do not enter it. There is a reason it's empty. Usually, it’s a broken HVAC system or a "smell" that you don't want to encounter.
- Check the "Hoboken Loop": On late nights (after midnight), the train doesn't go straight to Journal Square. It stops at Hoboken first. This adds about 10 minutes to the trip. Plan your late-night Uber or pickup accordingly.
The PATH train 33rd St station isn't going to win any beauty awards. It’s a workhorse. It’s the subterranean link that keeps the New York and New Jersey economies fused together. It’s gritty, it’s fast, and if you know how to navigate the stairwells and the TAPP readers, it’s the most efficient way to cross the Hudson. Just keep moving, keep your eyes on the signs, and never stop in the middle of the stairs to check your phone. That’s how you get a "New York Hello" from a grumpy commuter.
Get your fare ready before you reach the gate. Keep to the right on the stairs. Follow these simple rules, and the 33rd St terminal becomes just another seamless part of your day rather than a source of stress. The trains run 24/7, 365 days a year. No matter when you show up, the PATH is waiting to take you home.