How to Get to Times Square from World Trade Center (WTC) [2026 Guide]
Traveling from the World Trade Center (WTC) to Times Square covers 3.5 miles through Manhattan. The fastest transit mode is the direct New York City subway, taking 12 to 18 minutes for a fixed $3.00 fare using contactless OMNY tap-to-pay.
Passengers board the northbound 1, 2, or 3 train at WTC Cortlandt or Fulton Street directly to Times Square–42nd Street, or take the E train from World Trade Center station to 42nd St–Port Authority. Alternatively, hailing a yellow cab or ride-share requires 20 to 45 minutes ($22–$45+), while city buses take 45 to 60 minutes ($3.00).
🗺️ Summary of Travel Options
Navigating from Lower Manhattan up to Midtown is straightforward thanks to multiple direct transit corridors. Subway lines run 24/7 and bypass Manhattan street congestion entirely, making rail the superior choice for speed, predictable timing, and budget travel. Driving or hailing ride-shares offers door-to-door comfort but faces dense crosstown traffic and Midtown congestion pricing.
| Travel Mode & Routing Leg | Transit Time & Grounded Rates |
|---|---|
| Subway (Direct 1, 2, 3 lines from WTC Cortlandt / Fulton St to Times Sq–42 St) | 12–16 minutes | $3.00 per ride (OMNY) |
| Subway (Direct E train from World Trade Center to 42 St–Port Authority) | 14–18 minutes | $3.00 per ride (OMNY) |
| Taxi / Ride-Share (Yellow Cab, Uber, Lyft via West St / 8th Ave) | 20–45 minutes | $22–$45+ (traffic dependent) |
| MTA Bus (M20 or M55 northbound via 7th / 6th Avenues) | 45–60 minutes | $3.00 per ride (OMNY) |
| Walking + Subway Combo (Scenic stroll through SoHo + 1/2/3 Train) | 35–45 minutes total | $3.00 transit cost |
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🚇 By Subway: The Fastest and Most Direct Option
The subway provides the fastest and most efficient connection between the World Trade Center and Times Square. Travelers have three direct underground routes departing directly from the World Trade Center campus and the Oculus transportation hub:
The red line (1, 2, and 3 trains) provides the most direct access into the core of Times Square. Riders can enter the WTC Cortlandt station right under the Oculus to board the uptown local 1 train, reaching Times Square–42nd Street in roughly 15 minutes. Alternatively, walk through the underground Oculus concourse to the Fulton Street complex to catch the express 2 or 3 train, reaching 42nd Street in just three stops (about 12 minutes).
Another seamless option is boarding the uptown blue line (E train) directly at the World Trade Center terminal station, taking you to 42nd St–Port Authority Bus Terminal in approximately 15 minutes, with an in-station underground walkway connecting straight to Times Square. Fares are $3.00 per ride, payable simply by tapping your contactless credit card, smartphone wallet, or OMNY card at any turnstile.
🚌 By Bus: A Slower Alternative
Local MTA buses offer an above-ground city view, though they take significantly longer due to frequent stops and dense Midtown traffic. The primary bus option is the northbound M20 route, which picks up along Battery Park City / West Broadway and travels up 7th Avenue and 8th Avenue toward Lincoln Center, stopping at 42nd Street right near Times Square.
Total transfer time ranges from 45 to 60 minutes, and the fare is $3.00 via OMNY contactless payment. Bus travel is generally recommended only for travelers who wish to see street-level sights without navigating subway stairs, or those carrying bulky strollers.
🚖 By Taxi or Ride-Share (Uber/Lyft)
Yellow medallion taxicabs and ride-share vehicles (Uber and Lyft) provide point-to-point service between the WTC complex and Times Square. Cabs can be hailed directly along Church Street, Broadway, or outside surrounding hotels like the Millennium Downtown and the Four Seasons Downtown.
Travel time heavily depends on the time of day: off-peak rides take 20 to 25 minutes, while weekday rush hours or rainy evenings easily exceed 45 minutes. Expect meter fares between $22 and $35 in a yellow taxi, or $28 to $48+ for Uber/Lyft depending on surge pricing, congestion surcharges, and gratuity.
🚶 On Foot + Subway Combo
Walking the entire 3.5-mile distance from the WTC up Broadway or 7th Avenue to 42nd Street takes roughly 70 to 80 minutes. For a rewarding hybrid experience, combine a pleasant walk through historic Lower Manhattan neighborhoods with a quick subway hop.
A popular itinerary involves walking north through Tribeca and shopping through the cast-iron historic district of SoHo (approximately 20 to 25 minutes on foot). Once you reach the Houston Street or Canal Street stations, tap into the uptown 1, 2, or N/Q/R subway lines for a quick 10-minute ride straight into Times Square, giving you the best of downtown sightseeing and rapid transit for a single $3.00 fare.
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FAQs About How to Get to Times Square from World Trade Center (WTC) [2026 Guide]
Which subway line is best from the World Trade Center to Times Square?
The 1, 2, and 3 trains (red line) are the best choices because they drop you off directly beneath Times Square–42nd Street. Catch the local 1 train from WTC Cortlandt inside the Oculus, or take the express 2 or 3 trains from the connected Fulton Street station for a faster 12-minute commute.
How do I pay for the subway from the World Trade Center?
You can pay using OMNY by simply tapping your contactless credit/debit card, Apple Pay, Google Wallet, or OMNY card directly at any turnstile reader. The standard one-way fare is $3.00, and no paper tickets or advance reservations are required.
Is it cheaper to take a taxi or the subway between WTC and Times Square?
The subway is vastly cheaper at $3.00 per person compared to $22 to $45+ for a taxi or ride-share vehicle. In addition to cost savings, the subway is usually twice as fast during morning and evening rush hours because it avoids Manhattan vehicular gridlock.
Can you walk underground from the Oculus to the subway?
Yes. The World Trade Center Oculus concourse connects underground to both the WTC Cortlandt (1 train) station, the World Trade Center (E train) station, and the Fulton Street Transit Center (2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, J, Z trains), allowing you to board the subway completely sheltered from the weather.