If you ask most New York Mets fans how to get to Citi Field, their answer is likely to be along the lines of “don’t drive”. Traffic, parking prices, tolls, etc., you don’t need that noise.

Having both driven myself and rode with others to the Citi Field parking lot, I can testify that that is sound advice. I will cover driving and parking options in a future post, but for now, I’m going to list your options for how to get to Citi Field for a Mets game. Without driving.

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This being NYC, you have numerous transit choices, so I’ve broken them down:

From Inside The City: MTA 7 Train
From Long Island + Manhattan: Long Island Rail Road
From New Jersey: NJ Transit + PATH
From Connecticut and North Suburbs: Metro-North Railroad
By Boat (From NJ + Staten Island): Seastreak Ferries
Also From The City: MTA Q90 Bus
From Other Cities: Amtrak + Megabus
Taxicabs + Rideshares
Bicycles + Bikeshares
Save Money Getting To Citi Field

From this spot, you should be able to find the ballpark.

How To Get To Citi Field, Tip #1)  From Inside The City: MTA 7 Train

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority operates the subways, buses, Metro-North trains and the Long Island Railroad, all of which can be used in some combination for a Mets game. Probably since the Mets came into existence, the ubiquitous 7 train has been how the majority of Mets fans arrive at a game.

The aptly named Mets-Willets Point Station is right there at the ballpark. The train runs all the way to the Port Authority Bus Terminal, with stops at Grand Central Station, Times Square, 42nd Street and Jackson Heights.

The 7 connects with many other NYC subway lines. (Here’s the subway map.) It runs all day and all night, so you don’t have to worry about extra innings. The ride from Grand Central to Citi is just over a half hour on a local train.

The fancy diamond logo even looks faster!

The MTA is kind enough to offer a “Mets Express” train before and after night and weekend games, which skips a bunch of stops and makes the ride about 20 minutes. At night express trains have a lit red diamond around the number, while local trains have a lit green circle.

You may need to go around to the other side of the platform or wait for a couple of trains, but the Express is worth it, since it cuts the time of the trip to Manhattan in half. By the way, if you struggle with mobility, the Express platform is not accessible. The rest of the station is.

NOTE: As I write this, the Mets Express isn’t skipping many stops; you can read about that here. When it’s at normal service, it’s significantly faster.

Remember, all of these people (and many more) will be using the train after the game.

7 trains get very crowded with Mets fans before and especially after games, but MTA runs them pretty frequently, so you can wait out the crowds on the first couple of trains.

The MTA now allows you to use your contactless credit card or smartphone to tap and ride at the turnstile, so you don’t need to stand in line for a ticket after the game. If you’re not comfortable showing your credit card at every turnstile (which I understand), you can order a loaded OMNY card at the station, but do that going to the ballpark, not from it.

Trains do go in two directions, just saying.

You can take the train in the other direction one stop to Flushing-Main Street in Chinatown (maybe grab some excellent and cheap grub). The train will head back in the direction you’re going. Much easier to get a seat that way. Chinatown isn’t a long walk, incidentally, but I wouldn’t do it at night.

Not that there’s anything wrong with being surrounded by Mets fans, of course. Riding the 7 train is definitely an authentic element of the Mets game experience. I can only imagine how much fun it is when the Phillies are in town.

The 7 train is iconic in its own way.

That said, the 7 isn’t the most pleasant of rides. It runs through the heart of Queens, and you’ll see an urban environment at its most urban, with plenty of decorative graffiti for you independent artwork fans. It’s not unsafe enough to worry about, just be wary of your surroundings, and obviously don’t display valuables.

Sound advice: I recommend installing the MTA app on your phone, especially if you’re not familiar with the city. It will plan your trip for you, show you service status, and let you know of any alerts. The NYC subway system is complicated; you can always use the help.

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Thank YOU for building this station for baseball fans!

How To Get To Citi Field, Tip #2) From Long Island + Manhattan: Long Island Rail Road

Part of the construction of Citi Field was the new Long Island Rail Road station, also called Mets-Willets Point to avoid confusion. The station is a few yards further from the ballpark, but still very convenient. You’ll also probably see a few inexpensive T-shirt and drink “vendors” on the way.

The LIRR’s Port Washington Branch runs from Penn Station in Manhattan to Citi Field in just under 20 minutes, with just one stop on the way. Depending on when you buy a ticket, you may need to transfer at Woodside. (Here’s the LIRR/Metro-North map.)

It costs a few bucks more, obviously, but it’s much quicker, more comfortable, and you probably won’t have to stand on the train. Many fans, myself included, will tell you they’ll never use the 7 again after riding the LIRR.

Because every baseball fan deserves a seat on the train.

You can transfer to the Port Washington Branch from any other LIRR branch at Woodside; it also stops at Grand Central Station for transfers from just about anywhere.

Again, it’s a very good idea to have the MTA’s TrainTime app on your phone. It makes it much easier to buy tickets, see train status, and even see seat availability. Buying tickets on the train is more expensive.

One quick last thing. LIRR trains don’t run as frequently as MTA trains, so you could be on the platform for 10-15 minutes longer than you would be waiting for a 7. Trust me; it’s worth it.

One great thing about New Jersey is that it’s easy to get out of New Jersey.

How To Get To Citi Field, Tip #3) From New Jersey: NJ Transit + PATH

I wish the Yankees made getting to their stadium from my home state as easy as the Mets do, but here we are.

Aside from driving and parking, which I definitely do not recommend from Jersey, the lovely folks at NJ Transit offer two options for getting to the Mets game. Or at least getting you somewhere where you can get a ride.

Again, have the NJ Transit app on your phone; it makes life much easier for buying tickets and seeing real-time alerts.

It almost looks like a superhero train, doesn’t it?

The first route, of course, is their rail system (here’s the map), which covers much of North and Central Jersey. Excepting the Atlantic City Line, every rail line stops at Penn Station. From there you can use the aforementioned LIRR for an easy ride, or use a subway line to the 7 for a cheaper ride.

The 7 doesn’t stop at Penn, but it’s fairly easy to transfer. The easiest way in my opinion is using the E towards Jamaica Center, and transferring at Jackson Heights. Transfers don’t cost extra if you don’t leave the station. There’s lots of steps at Jackson Heights, but there’s an elevator.

Transfer stations are your friend, if you can find them.

Express 7 trains don’t stop at Jackson Heights, BTW. If you want to use the Express, try the N from 34th Street Herald Square (which is close to Penn) and transfer at Queensboro Plaza. Get all that, city slickers?

The last Northeast Corridor train (which I would use) departs Penn Station at 1:22 AM on weeknights. Just saying; check the schedule and remember that it takes some time to get to Penn from the ballpark.

Pay attention, serious tightwad tip coming…

NJ Transit trains aren’t cheap; if you’d like a less expensive alternative, you can take their 320 bus from the North Bergen Park and Ride, located at Exit 16E from the NJ Turnpike (Lincoln Tunnel). Of course, then you pay for the Turnpike, but this is cheaper with multiple people.

You can park for a reasonable fee in the North Bergen lot for the day, and hop on the relatively inexpensive 320 bus through the Lincoln Tunnel to the Port Authority Bus Terminal. From there, take the 7 to Citi. Easy peezy and cheaper.

Again, the 320 doesn’t run all night; the last bus leaves at 2:00 AM on weeknights. I presume you can be back by then, even in the city that never sleeps.

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I’m all about finding you a better path to the ballpark.

Then there’s the PATH system, which, unless you’re coming from Hoboken or Jersey City, isn’t optimal for Mets games. Still, I’m including them because it’s cheaper and easier than driving from their locations.

PATH doesn’t have a connection to the 7, unless you’re willing to walk about ten blocks. From the 33rd Street station, you can use the N to Queensboro and transfer to the 7. Or use the M line from 23rd Street, etc. There’s numerous options, but with any of them it’s more than an hour and two transfers each way. (Not much slower than driving, however.)

If you’re enough of a Mets fan in Hoboken, here you are.

So you might want to find an easier path (get it?). It might work if you’re living or staying close to a station in Jersey City, but otherwise I’d seek another alternative. The Secaucus Junction NJ Transit station is a short drive from both cities, for example.

PATH has a service app, and their trains run 24/7. Don’t panic if the PATH train turns towards Hoboken (I learned this from experience); at certain times of day the Yellow Line covers stations that other lines don’t service. The train will change direction at Hoboken and hit the rest of the stops.

That moment when you wonder if you can jump far enough to get on the train.

How To Get To Citi Field From Connecticut and North Suburbs: Metro-North Railroad

If you’re one of those ballpark nerds (like me), who wants to do a game at Yankee Stadium and Citi Field on the same day, the Metro-North to Grand Central and then the LIRR to Citi is the move.

Seriously, that aside, you can use any Metro-North train from Connecticut and the northern suburbs of NYC to Grand Central, and then take an LIRR or 7 train to Citi. Simple enough and far easier than driving.

Like the LIRR, Metro-North trains are more expensive than subway trains, but are light years better to ride, with larger and cushioned seats, fewer riders, and fewer stops. Coming from Yankee Stadium using the Metro-North and LIRR, it’s just four stops. Using the subway it’s 23.

“Official airline of the New York…YANKEES??? Give me that map!”

Since I brought it up, if you’re planning that double (both teams are home at the same time on rare occasions), it’s easier to do the day game at Yankee Stadium. Transferring from Metro-North to LIRR at Grand Central is much easier than going in the other direction.

The MTA Train Time app is for both the LIRR and Metro-North services; using it makes the trip much easier.

The real Mets Express!

How To Get To Citi Field By Boat: Seastreak Ferries

We’re lucky in my home state of New Jersey. Entities are always coming up with great ways to get to New York, even with boats. The folks at Seastreak even have their own ferry service to Citi Field. The ferry leaves from the Highlands Marina in New Jersey, and also stops at Staten Island.

Seastreak drops you off a short walk from the outfield entrances at World’s Fair Marina, and it’s free to park at their Highlands dock. There’s a full service bar on board (score!).

From NJ, the trip takes about 90 minutes, from Staten Island it’s about 45. The boat leaves 45 minutes after the last out of the game (I’m not sure what they do after post-game concerts). Could make for a nice date night with your Mets fan honey.

One of the highlights of the World’s Fair was new transportation options to Mets games.

The ride itself is not cheap, so bringing a family could add up (although depending on where you’re coming from in NJ, gas, tolls and parking will too). Traffic is, you know, bad, and public transit from Staten Island to Citi isn’t the most pleasant of picnics either. So it’s an alternative that might be worth trying.

Seastreak offers packages that include a ticket to the game, but the seats at the ballpark aren’t great. If you’ve got the kind of cash to shell out on a boat, I’d skip the package and order better seats. Here’s some help with that.

When they change the sign I’ll update this…

How To Get To Citi Field From La Guardia Airport: MTA Q90 Bus

Citi Field is not far from La Guardia Airport (and you’ll know you’re near an airport at the game). If you’re staying at LGA and decide to go to a Mets game, the Q90 bus is nice and convenient. It drops you off right at the ballpark, at the corner of Roosevelt and 126th.

The Q90 replaced the slower Q48 in 2025; the idea was a more direct service with fewer stops from the airport to Citi Field. I expect this is with the coming casino in mind. Anyway, it works. Nice and cheap, let someone else drive and save on parking.

The Q90 ends at Main Street in Flushing, so you can use it from there if you have a reason. Or go there first for pre-game dumplings or shrimp toast.

Well, let’s not get carried away, but yes, Amtrak trains are nice.

How To Get To Citi Field From Other Cities: Amtrak + Megabus

If I were coming to a Mets game from Boston, Baltimore or D.C. (and possibly Philly), and if I had the means (which I sometimes do), I would consider Amtrak as an option.

As long as there aren’t delays the Northeast Regional can get you there pretty quickly, especially in an Acela. It’s easier than driving, and you can find some cheaper fares if you’re willing to leave at an off-peak time.

The Northeast Regional stops at Penn Station; from there you can follow the E-7 or LIRR directions above. Numerous other Amtrak lines stop there as well, so it’s an option from places like Pittsburgh or Cincinnati. Plan ahead though; I would arrive as early as possible.

See the connection?

If you’re coming from one of these cities and want a cheaper way to let someone else drive, numerous bus lines stop at the Port Authority Bus Terminal. From there take the 7, for a ride that’s much easier on the wallet.

Megabus is my favorite; if you can book well ahead of time you might score a $1 fare for the ride. I went from NYC to Boston and back once for $2.50 doing this. It might be a bit more with the booking fee now, but that’s quite the steal over gas and tolls.

He may have a creepy grin and no feet, but he gets you to NYC cheap.

You can sign up on Megabus and receive emails when tickets go on sale and have a chance to score the ride for a buck. If you miss it, you can still book the ride for cheaper than Amtrak trains.

Greyhound, Peter Pan, and many other bus lines also stop at the Port Authority terminal. This is probably the best way to go cheap if you’re flying solo; shop around using Busbud or Wanderu. (And be sure you can get a ride back.)

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This is about the fastest a cab moves in Queens.

How To Get To Citi Field – Taxicabs + Rideshares (Not Good)

I won’t tell you not to use a taxi, Uber or Lyft to get to and from Citi Field. I’m all for people knowing all of their options. That said, I generally advise against taking a cab or rideshare to ballparks, especially this one, for a couple of reasons.

First, after the game you’ll be in a crowd of people all waiting for rides to arrive after the game. Second, it can be way costlier than it’s worth, possibly triple digits if you’re going far enough, which is ridiculous even for NYC.

Most services charge extra for post-game ride zones, and you’ll also be in traffic with the meter running. Coming from LaGuardia, the Q90 bus is perfectly convenient and much cheaper.

I didn’t bend the sign to show the Citi scoreboard, I promise (snicker).

The Mets have set aside rideshare pickup spots on Shea Road, on the northern side of Lot A, which is somewhat out of the way. (More about that here.) You’ll walk a small bit, which hopefully clears some traffic out.

Some forum dwellers suggest using the 7 one stop in either direction and then calling on a rideshare from there. I don’t know if this would be quicker, but it would certainly save you a few bucks. Seems like a lot of hassle to me, but whatever works if that’s your thing.

Again, nothing against rideshares, but you have better options.

“Come on, hustle! It’s Mr. Met Cycling Shorts Night!”

How To Get To Citi Field – Bicycles and Bikeshares

New York City’s Department of Transportation actually has advice for riding in the city on a bicycle, which at times can be faster than NYC traffic (I’m only slightly sarcastic). They even have a downloadable PDF bicycle map, which you can use to plan your route. (You can order one here.)

For kicks, I requested a route on Google Maps from Grand Central Station to Citi Field by bike. It returned an 8.2 mile route and estimated the travel time at 48 minutes.

If you’re confident enough in your cycling skills, there isn’t any gas, tolls or fares to pay for, and you get some exercise. All that said, bicycling in NYC isn’t for the faint of heart. I get nervous enough driving.

Hurry before they fill up…

Citi Field has ten racks around the park to lock a bicycle. Better yet, Citibike offers a bicycle valet service for most games, so they can look after your bicycle if you like. 34th Avenue features a bicycle lane, and the Mets say it’s an easy ride from Jackson Heights and Astoria.

Bikes are allowed on MTA and LIRR trains, but it’s doubtful that you’ll be able to get a bicycle on a 7 train after the game (at least with the first half dozen trains), so make sure you have a route back.

Race you to the ballpark!

Good news, Mets and bicycle sharing fans, there’s now two Citibike stations at Citi Field (and several more nearby). Citibike, as you probably know, is the bicycle sharing system in New York City. For a small monthly fee you get unlimited 45-minute rides all month. That might not be enough, but there’s plenty of stations where you can take a break and switch.

Citibike features over 25,000 bicycles, including some e-bikes, at over 1,500 stations, even extending into Hoboken and Jersey City. There’s your alternative to PATH! I kid, but obviously Citibike has a wide reach if you’re a bikeshare fan.

Start here.

Remember that Yankee Stadium to Citi Field thing I suggested? You can do that via Citibike now; there are several stations near Yankee Stadium too.

Google clocks the ride by bicycle as being just over an hour; if you ever try this email me so I can talk about your coolness to my readers. (From what I’ve read, Citibikes aren’t the best for long rides.)

Here’s the Citibike app download page if you want to sign up for some urban cycling.

That might be up for debate, but it’s usually the cheapest.

How To Save Money Getting To Citi Field

So as you can see, there’s a plethora of ways to avoid paying for gas and tolls. And there’s still some ways to save a few bucks for a Pat LaFrieda steak sandwich.

When it comes to getting to a Mets game as cheaply as possible, the 7 train is your friend. Use it. It’s just a few bucks each way, and you should be able to transfer for free from just about anywhere in the city.

If you’re coming from outside the city, the Port Authority Bus Terminal is also your friend, for NJ Transit and coach buses that are much cheaper than train rides.

Parking on the sidewalk is frowned upon everywhere, but especially in Flushing.

For inexpensive parking near an MTA station using the 7, good luck with that, but you can certainly try using my friends at SpotHero and book a spot beforehand. You can probably find plenty of cheap options along the 7 route.

NJ Transit, LIRR and Metro-North offer multiple discounts. Kids 11 and under ride NJ Transit for free on weekends and holidays (a not insignificant savings); NJT also offers reduced fares for military, seniors and students. (See NJ Transit discounts here.)

They don’t actually stop selling tickets at off peak times, but I’d use the app.

You can save a few bucks on LIRR and Metro-North by buying off-peak tickets, before 4:00 PM on weeknights. (I don’t mind getting to a ballpark early.) Weekends are always off-peak. Both railroads offer discounts for seniors, disabled, children, and military. (See their discounts here.)

If you’re really trying that rideshare route after all, at least go before the game rate starts. I know there’s not much to do surrounding Citi Field if you don’t need a muffler, but it will save you mucho dinero.

I’ll cover Citi Field parking in depth more in a future post, but if you were looking at this post for free parking options, you can find a bit about that here. (Scroll down to the parking bit.)

You’re here? Great! Looks like my work here is done.

There you go folks, the complete primer on the many ways to get to the beautiful Flushing ballpark. There’s plenty more helpful Citi Field tips on this site: check out this detailed guide for choosing a seat, the amazin’ selection of food at Citi, and this helpful guide for everything else. And I’ve got plenty of knowledge here about that other ballpark in New York City.

More coming soon, be sure to sign up for the newsletter and Follow Ballpark E-Guides on Facebook for essential ballgame knowledge.

Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you at the Yard!

If you don’t enjoy navigating ballgame traffic and shelling out extra cash for parking at a Cardinals game, I get it. So do many St. Louis establishments, who offer shuttles to Busch Stadium as part of their fun times.

As your Certified Ballpark Advisor, I have put together this extremely helpful guide for parking at St. Louis Cardinals baseball games. But you can also park for free, enjoy a drink and a meal at a local establishment, and let them take you to the ballpark. It’s a great way to avoid traffic and save a bundle on parking, food, and drinks, which are always pricey at the ballpark.

I have here, in alphabetical order, your list of shuttles to Busch Stadium, for Cards games and other events. I’ve also created a useful map with all of their locations at the end of this guide (or you can click here to see it).

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List of Busch Stadium Shuttles For St. Louis Cardinals Games

1860’s Saloon
Big Daddy’s
Draft Kings Casino Queen
Duke’s Sports Bar
The Great Grizzly Bear
Maggie O’Brien’s
Missouri Athletic Club
Molly’s in Soulard
Over/Under Bar & Grill
Ray’s Sports House
Syberg’s Market
A Few Shuttle Tips
Busch Stadium Shuttles Map

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Because during the Civil War, we needed hardshell food and a ride to the Cardinals game.

The 1860’s Saloon (1860 S. 9th Street). The 1860’s Saloon proudly advertises that they’re three bars in one…the 1860s Saloon includes live music with no cover charge, the Game Room offers foosball, pool tables, video games, shuffleboard, etc. The Hard Shell Café features actual restaurant seating.

The menu is the same at all three; it features some great local favorites like St. Louis-style pizza, toasted ravioli, a creole crab cake BLT, and Cajun options like chicken pasta, gumbo, and crawfish etouffee. And when you think Cardinals baseball, you think crawfish etouffee.

Park for free in the lot across the street or on a side street. Their shuttle is also free (they encourage tips). They start transporting fans somewhere around 60-90 minutes before gametime. When you order a drink, the server will give you a shuttle ticket.

The 1860’s Saloon has nice Happy Hours on weeknights, with appetizer and drinks specials.

Take a ride on the Mean Machine!

Big Daddy’s Soulard (1000 Sidney Street). Big Daddy’s bills itself as the “Best Patio in STL”;. The patio is heated with fire pits, a definite plus on those cooler April days. It’s partially covered for rain and shade, and it features a corn hole area. You can rent it (and their shuttle) for private parties. They also have a DJ on weekend nights.

The menu offers sandwiches, homemade pizza (including a “cheeseburger” pizza), apps like macho pub nachos, salads, wraps, and specialty burgers cooked to order, like the “Angry Daddy” burger with jalapenos, buffalo sauce and pepper jack cheese.

The Big Daddy’s shuttle starts between 45 minutes to an hour before game time, and they keep going until everyone gets there. Parking on Sidney or S. 10th Street is free and generally easy enough.

Big Daddy’s generally draws a younger crowd; they have affordable Happy Hours and food and drink specials.

Parking, gambling, dining, and transportation to Cardinals baseball. Everyone wins.

Draft Kings Casino Queen (200 S. Front Street, East St Louis, IL). The Casino Queen across the river is a popular spot for people not just for their free parking and sports shuttle, but also obviously for being a food, dining and entertainment destination in its own right.

To use the shuttle, you have to be a hotel guest or a CQ Rewards member (both of which conceivably might cost more than parking at Busch).

But obviously there’s perks to all of that, especially if you’re a gaming type to begin with. There’s five eateries here, each with their own cuisine offerings. Enjoy a ribeye steak at Bridgeway, a specialty burger at Sportsbook, or some burnt ends at Eastside BBQ. The eateries are usually offering specials of some kind. Obviously there’s several bars as well.

Remember your membership card!

The Casino Queen shuttle is free, starts about 90 minutes before game time, and runs about every 15 minutes. They’ll pick you up from the ballpark for an hour afterwards. There is a Metrolink station here; if you miss the shuttle you can take a train back to the East Riverfront station.

Small note; the hotel itself does not get good reviews, although I have read that they have upgraded the place recently. It does offer a sweet view of the St. Louis skyline.

Bunting, get it?

Duke’s Sports Bar (2001 Menard Street). Duke’s website proudly asserts itself as being “Voted St. Louis’s Best Bar & Best Sports Bar”. By whom? The customers, of course. One of their selling points is DJ dance parties on weekend nights.

But they indeed have food too. The Duke’s menu is extensive and includes crab cakes, gumbo, smash burgers and St. Louis style pizza, with weekend brunch options like crab cake Benedict and breakfast pizza. There’s a main bar, and upstairs bar, and a patio, all with local and craft beers and lots of TVs.

Duke’s shuttle service is free with a purchase of food or a drink; it starts an hour before every Cardinals game and runs until the end of the third inning. Needless to say they’ll come get you after the game. Duke’s has a lit parking lot, which is nice.

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Because Great Grizzlies need to relax too.

Great Grizzly Bear (1027 Geyer Avenue). The Great Grizzly Bear is over 40 years old, which is impressive for a Soulard establishment. It’s a tavern and eatery with a shaded outdoor patio; a not particularly large place but always draws a nice crowd. Prices are very reasonable, especially during their Happy Hour specials, and they have live music on occasion.

Their menu is bar-style food like smash burgers, pizzas, sandwiches, and salads. Their Grizzly Burger is a double burger with cheddar, a jalapeño-stuffed thick-cut onion ring, covered in BBQ sauce. Or try the Grizzly Pizza, with pepperoni, sausage, hot honey bacon, cherry peppers, and hot honey drizzle.

They don’t say much about their shuttle on their website, but they should. It runs starting about two hours before Cards games, which is earlier than most. They also offer a to-go menu with their shuttle service. They don’t have their own lot, but there’s ample free street parking nearby.

See what they did there with the Arch?

Maggie O’Brien’s (2000 Market Street). Maggie O’Brien’s, as the name would suggest, is an Irish-style pub with both Irish pub offerings and St. Louis favorites on their menu. It’s also geared for sports fans, with large screen TVs and an outdoor deck for a tailgate party.

The extensive menu includes the Big Mag’s Burger – a two pounder with American cheese, lettuce, pickles, and Mag’s sauce on a muffuletta bun. It’s not cheap, but if you eat the whole thing with the fries in less than 30 minutes, it’s free and you win a T-shirt. You’ll be ready for some Cardinals baseball after that, I’m certain.

If you’re not up to that, they have Irish whiskey burgers, corned beef pizza (!), and multiple salads, along with local favorites like toasted ravioli and St. Louis style slab ribs. The drinks selection includes an impressive list of beers on tap.

Parking is free in the Maggie’s lot. Their shuttle costs $2, still a bargain over parking at Busch. Check their event calendar to see if it’s running on game day. If for whatever reason you miss the shuttle, you can take the Metrolink back to Union and it’s a short walk.

So bring a hefty appetite, and get a big free meal, a T-shirt, and a ride to the game!

You can also blend in with the building background!

Missouri Athletic Club (405 Washington Avenue). The Missouri Athletic Club is a high end members only club, hotel and fitness center. If you’re on the fence about joining or staying there, maybe their shuttle service to Cardinals games can sway you. This is luxury stuff, so it’s not a money-saver…it’s more of a “going to the game in style” deal.

If you have the means to stay here, it’s worthwhile; the hotel includes two on-site restaurants, and their amenities (probably not free, but convenient) include shoe shining, dry cleaning, a hair and nail salon, etc. If you’re here for a reception or something, it’s a fine destination, and then let them take you to the game afterward. Nightly parking is fairly reasonable.

The Athletic Club is just a five minute walk from the Laclede’s Landing Metrolink station, in case you want to see how the other half lives after the game.

Thankfully it’s the big bus there, not that little cart next to it.

Molly’s in Soulard (816 Geyer Avenue). Molly’s is something of a staple in Soulard; they boast the “biggest and best year-round patio in St. Louis”. They also call themselves family-friendly, at least until 9:00, after which there’s no one under 21 allowed in.

Molly’s definitely gears itself for partying Cardinals fans. They offer game day specials like $5 Cardinals cherry bomb shots, $15 game day beer buckets, and cheaper Happy Hour drinks. Molly’s welcomes fans for weekend brunch and Bloody Marys too.

There’s a nice lunch and dinner menu; they feature some unusual food items like alligator rangoons, Cajun fried deviled eggs, and bacon pimento cheeseburgers. Plenty of specialty drinks too. If you like adventurous food and drinks, Molly’s is for you. It’s also a good spot for vegetarian and gluten-free choices.

The Molly’s shuttle is free with any food and drink purchase; it starts an hour before the game. There’s a small free parking lot there, and extra street parking nearby.

I’m sure by the time you visit they’ll have the hubcap back.

Over/Under Bar & Grill (911 Washington Avenue). The Over/Under is not in Soulard like most shuttle taverns; it’s close to the Convention Center in the Lammert Building.

This is the place for lots of TVs; they have 37 of them including a 150” projector on the outdoor patio. That patio features live music if the weather permits, along with a solid amount of wine and cocktail selections. They have lengthy Happy Hours with drink and appetizer specials.

The Over/Under menu features serious bar food, like jumbo chicken wings in multiple flavors, mac and cheese (the best in St. Louis!), Philly cheesesteak egg rolls, and their “OU Super Deluxe” burger. For dessert get a gooey butter cake, which is a thing in St. Louis. There’s more healthy options here than you’d probably find in most bars, like veggie burgers, vegetable medleys, etc.

The OU shuttle to Cards games at Busch is free for customers, but you might have some difficulty finding parking. They have free parking there, but the lot is small. I would arrive early; there is metered street parking nearby if you can’t find anything.

Love that gooey butter cake? Get a package of it and other St. Louis food favorites delivered to your home from my friends at Goldbelly!

Be sure to know where Ray’s is before the tree branch grows in front of the name!

Ray’s Sports House (1732 S 9th Street). Ray’s appears to live by the credo that good restaurants don’t need websites. I kid; but in fact they only have a Facebook and Instagram page, and they do just fine. Ray’s features a bar with two garage doors, which presumably allows for partying in any weather.

Ray’s claims to have the best wings and smash burgers in St. Louis, but they also have other fun stuff like chicken Caesar salads, falafel naan wraps and toasted beef ravioli. Lots of entertainment too, like trivia nights, open mic nights and the occasional drink specials.

The shuttle is free with a drink or meal purchase (bring your receipt), and there’s free street parking nearby. They start running the shuttle 90 minutes before game time, and approximately every 20 minutes.

Judging from reviews, the smash burgers are popular, although multiple people complain about the price of extra pickles. Still, not bad for a place with a diminished web presence.

Eating, drinking, and a ride to the baseball game? Now that’s American, my friend.
(photo courtesy of Syberg’s)

Syberg’s Market (2211 Market Street). Syberg’s downtown location is west of Union Station, part of the Drury’s Pear Tree Inn there. It is a newly remodeled restaurant with a spacious dining room and lounge, and a brand new patio with a sweet view of the St. Louis skyline. If you’re visiting, it’s a great reason to stay at the Pear Tree (I’m a Drury’s fan for sure).

There’s lots going on at Syberg’s, their events calendar features live music, karaoke nights, and game watch parties. They have a few interesting cocktail options like the Blueberry Smash and the Phormsicle, and nightly drink specials.

The Syberg’s menu offers a burger bar with a build your own toppings option, multiple St. Louis style pizzas, wings with nine different sauce flavors, salads, sandwiches and wraps. If you love the wings, you can buy the wing sauce in the shop.

You can park for free at their lot, and the Syberg’s shuttle costs $2 each way. The bus runs an hour before game time. Syberg’s is popular among game goers for this shuttle and draws a crowd, so I would try to arrive early.

You’re technically sharing a ride on the shuttle, so it counts.

A Few Busch Stadium Shuttle Tips. Taking advantage of a tavern with the shuttle service is a great way to save money on parking, avoid traffic, and enjoy great food and libations. I recommend it highly for all of these things. Just be mindful of a few notes.

The Cardinals have a designated shuttle dropoff point at Gate 1. This is in the right field corner, so that you know where to leave the ballpark after the game. Most shuttles will drop you off there or at Ballpark Village.

Just in case you get hungry later.

As I’ve shared in my super comprehensive Busch Stadium parking guide, you can get cheap dogs, snacks and drinks at T-Dawg’s cart across the street from Gate 1, and take them into the ballpark. (I’m all about saving that cash at the ballpark!)

Each establishment has a different schedule for their shuttle, and some places don’t run theirs for every game. It’s a good idea to check with the place beforehand before you go, and ask when and where they’ll be back for you after the game.

Most shuttles are free or very cheap, but you should bring a few bucks cash to tip the driver. I’d probably drop him or her a ten, but that’s me.

And may we add, it’s too long a walk to the Cardinals ballpark.

I wouldn’t say it happens very often, but people have complained about some places not picking them up after the game. Mistakes happen. It’s good to have the phone number of the place within easy reach, as well as maybe numbers for cab companies and rideshare apps.

Most of these taverns are located in the Soulard section of St. Louis, which currently lacks a Metrolink presence. Soulard is a pretty long walk from the ballpark and I wouldn’t do it at night. Have a backup plan just in case.

Sure, hop on, Big Daddy!

The Soulard joints especially are geared towards a younger crowd, with live music, DJs, and dance parties, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t welcome an older guy like me. Still, with a family, I might consider Syberg’s, Maggie O’Brien’s or the Over/Under before a Soulard establishment. Again, be sure you have a backup plan to get back.

Finally, If you’re using a shuttle service, definitely make a day of your Cardinals baseball. Plan well ahead and get there early, so you can enjoy your grub and adult beverages without having to rush to get on the shuttle. A Cardinals game at Busch is a celebration; share it with great baseball fans all day.

You’re here at the game, and you’re a smarter fan now!

Busch Stadium Shuttle Map. As I stated, I’ve included this map below so you have a helpful perspective on where each of these establishments call home.

(You can also click here to bookmark it.)

I hope this primer on Busch Stadium shuttles has been helpful for you; I try to cover all the details to help you make the most of your ballpark experience.

If you need more Busch Stadium help, I’ve got you. Check out my incredibly helpful detailed guide to Busch Stadium seating, this thorough guide to what to eat at the Cardinals game, and my aforementioned Busch Stadium parking guide. More to come; be sure to subscribe to the newsletter and Follow Ballpark E-Guides on Facebook for new stuff.

Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you at the Yard!