How To Get To Citi Field (Transit Guide) | New York Mets

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.

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, 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 will take 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 many stations, 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 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), 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 too. 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, and second, it can be way costlier than it’s worth, possibly triple digits, 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.

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.

Although bikes are allowed on MTA and LIRR, 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 (you can switch to another station on the way from Grand Central).

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 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 other 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!