Travel information
The Columbia University campus on Morningside Heights is located at Broadway and 116th Street in Manhattan and is accessible by public transportation from the all the NY-NJ airports (LGA, JFK & EWR). The best way to get around the city is to use NewYork subways and buses.
Columbia University Campus Map
Hopstop (gives directions to get around New York)
Transportation to campus
Coming by Subway
If you're coming by subway from downtown or midtown Manhattan, take the #1 or #9 train uptown and get off at the 116th Street Station (Columbia University Station). The fare is flat $2.00. Tokens and more conveniently a MetroCard can be bought in any subway station).
Enter the Columbia University Campus through the big iron gates (with two big statues) that are visible as soon as you come out of the subway station. Proceed along the College Walk, take the first right turn and the Leaner Hall (the conference venue) and Carman Hall (the dormitory style housing for the conference) are within 50 yards.
Coming by Air
NYC is conveniently served by three airports, JFK, La Guardia, and Newark.
From Kennedy Airport (JFK)
Taxis: Taxis are available at Kennedy airport. Tell the cab driver that the most direct route to Columbia and the Upper West Side is the Triborough Bridge, not the Queens Midtown Tunnel or Bridge. The taxi fare to anywhere in Manhattan is flat at $45, plus toll ($4.00) for the bridge and tips.
Air Train and Subway: The Air Train and subway service provides the least expensive ride from JFK. The air train runs from different terminals in the airport to the subway station, and the ride costs $5. First take the Air Train to Station A (known as Howard Beach station). Then take #A train (subway) to Time Square Station, and within the station transfer to #1 or #9 train uptown, get off at the 116th Street Station (Columbia University Station). The total traveling time is about 2 hours. When you turn to the JFK airport, take the #A train to “Howard Beach (JFK)” not the #A train to “Ozone Park-Lefferts Boulevard Branch.”
New York Airport Service: Buses run every 20 to 30 minutes between 7:00am and 9:30pm, stopping outside each terminal in turn. The fare is $15 each way. This bus service stops in Manhattan at Penn Station (34th Street) , Grand Central (42nd Street) and the Port Authority Bus Terminal (42nd Street). The easiest one is to get off at Penn Station, and then either take a taxi or the subway (#1 or #9) uptown to Columbia University.
More Information:
¨ Comprehensive JFK Airport information
From La Guardia Airport (LGA)
Taxis: Taxis are available from LaGuardia airport to Columbia. Tell the driver that the most direct route to Columbia and the Upper West Side is the Triborough Bridge. Taxi fare should be approximately $25, plus toll ($4.00) for the bridge and tips.
MTA Bus: This is the cheapest way to travel to Columbia from La Guardia. Take the M60 from any terminal and get off at 116th Street and Broadway. The ride is about 35 minutes (three times that during rush hours) and the bus runs every 20 minutes. The fare is $2.00, in exact change (coins, no bills) or pass.
More Information:
¨ Comprehensive LGA Airport information
From Newark Liberty Airport (NWA)
By Train: First take Air Train (free) to the station where trains leave for New York Penn Station at 34th Street (not the Newark Penn Station) and the price is around $11.50 one way. The ride takes about 30 minutes. Then within the Penn Station take the #1 or #9 subway (uptown) and get off at the 116th street to Columbia, which takes about 25 minutes.
Car Service: All terminals have a ground transportation desk which will be able to provide you with a list of Car Service companies. A good and reasonably priced option is Carmel (Tel. 1-800-9-CARMEL, or 666-6666 when in Manhattan). Their prices are $43 plus round trip tolls (around $12) and tips before 8:00pm, and quite a few dollars more afterwards. Do not take a yellow cab which could run your wallet further down.
Airport Shuttle: There is shuttle service between Newark Airport and New York City (midtown) every 15 minutes. The fare is $12 for one adult. The shuttle stops at Penn Station (34th Street) and Grand Central (42nd Street). Then you can either take taxi or subway (#1 or #9 train uptown) to Columbia University.
More Information:
¨ Comprehensive EWR Airport information
Coming by Car
Columbia is best reached by taking the 95/96th Street exit of the Henry Hudson Parkway (West Side Highway). Use the 95th Street off-ramp and turn left onto Riverside Drive. Proceed north to 116th Street. A right turn at 116th Street leads you to the campus gate.
To reach the Henry Hudson Parkway:
From the North: (1) Take the New York Thruway (route 87) to the Cross Bronx Expressway in the direction of the George Washington Bridge. Bear right as you approach the bridge and take the exit for the Henry Hudson Parkway south. (2) The New England Thruway (I-95) becomes the Cross Bronx Expressway. Proceed as above. (3) Take the Saw Mill Parkway south or the Cross Country Parkway west to the Henry Hudson Parkway south.
From the East: Take the Grand Central Parkway or Long Island Expressway west to the Cross Island Parkway north. Cross over the Throgs Neck Bridge to the Cross Bronx Expressway in the direction of the George Washington Bridge. Proceed as above.
From the South and West: Take the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) north or the I-80 east to the George Washington Bridge. As you cross the Bridge, be careful to exit onto the Henry Hudson Parkway south.
Parking: Parking is available at nearby garages:
(1) Riverside Church Garage, West 120th Street (between Claremont Ave and Riverside Dr), $25/day+taxes, tel. 212-870-6736.
(2) 114th Street Parking lot (between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave), $25-29/day+taxes.