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 New York subways and buses.

Columbia University Campus Map

New York Subway website

New York Subway map

If you're coming by subway from downtown or midtown Manhattan, take the #1 train uptown and get off at the 116th Street Station (Columbia University Station). The fare is flat $2.75. MetroCards 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 left turn and the Columbia Mathematics Building (the conference venue) is within 50 yards.

NYC is conveniently served by three airports, JFK, La Guardia, and Newark.

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 JFK taxi info lists current fares from JFK, including information about the current JFK-Manhattan Flat Fare.

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 $7.75. First take the Air Train to Station A (known as Howard Beach station). Then take the #A train (subway) to Time Square Station, and within the station transfer to the #1 trains uptown, get off at the 116th Street Station (Columbia University Station). The total travelling time is about 2 hours. When you return to JFK airport, take the #A train to "Howard Beach (JFK)" not the #A train to "Ozone Park-Lefferts Boulevard Branch."

NYC Express Bus: Buses run every 30 minutes between 11:00am and 7:00pm, stopping outside each terminal in turn. 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 uptown to Columbia University.

More Information:

Comprehensive JFK Airport information

NYC Express Bus

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. The LGA taxi info lists current fares from LGA.

MTA Bus: This is the cheapest way to travel to Columbia from La Guardia. Take the M60 SBS from any terminal and get off at 116th Street and Broadway. The ride is about 35 minutes (longer during rush hours) and the bus runs frequently. The fare is $2.75, paid in advance at one of the ticket machines by the bus stop.

More Information:

Comprehensive LGA Airport information

NY MTA bus information

M60 SBS info

By Train: First take Air Train (free) to the main train station where trains leave for New York Penn Station at 34th Street (not the Newark Penn Station). The ride takes about 30 minutes. Then within the Penn Station take the #1 subway (uptown) and get off at the 116th street to Columbia, which takes about 25 minutes.

Taxi, Car and Van Service: All terminals have a ground transportation desk which will be able to provide you with a list of Car Service companies. The EWR taxi/car/van info lists current fares from EWR and gives an extensive list of providers along with contact details.

More Information:

Comprehensive EWR Airport information

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:

Riverside Church Garage, West 120th Street (between Claremont Ave and Riverside Dr), tel. 212-870-6736.

114th Street Parking lot (between Broadway and Amsterdam Ave).