How to ride the Metro-North Train (routes, tickets, etc.)

[@joezegers]

I'm a Metro-North rider myself. In Grand Central, the two-digit track numbers are in the main concourse, while the three-digit track numbers are in the dining concourse.

[@UrbanCaffeine]

Oh that's a good tip! Thanks!

[@hoodiethegamerandthetransp3728]

Fun fact: Southeast is the last stop of electrification on the Harlem Line. If you want to go to Wassaic you have to take a diesel train to it or some trains go to Wassaic skipping stations.

[@hoodiethegamerandthetransp3728]

Thanks for all the likes! Never knew I’d get this much.

[@spuds6423]

When the tracks were first electrified north of North White Plains, Southeast station was first called "Brewster North"!

[@Leonard_Wilson]

I highly recommend riding Metro-North (in particular the Hudson line and the Harlem line) during fall foliage season. Upstate New York is beautiful in the fall. Also, some Metro-North lines have comfortable new trains with outlets (New Haven, New Canaan). Trains that go farther north (Poughkeepsie, Wassaic, Danbury) use diesel trains with older coaches.

[@Someone-ui5uk]

My trip to NYC is in 6 months and I’m already planning my usage of the Metro-North 😂 Thank you Thea !

[@jayjordan0323]

Just found your channel! Very detailed info. As a daily Metro-North rider, one thing to point out is that the electronic boards in front of each gate list all the stops the train will stop at and if the train is peak/off peak, in case people are still unsure

[@Aidan_Au]

Thanks Thea for covering more metro/train lines

[@eltronics]

I've only taken Metro-North once many years ago. I took the New Haven line to Bridgeport, CT to be picked up and taken then to Worchester, MA for a Boston concert. Comfortable ride, but from NYC to the final destination it seemed like a day's worth of travelling. Since this was the 70's, there were no cell phones, so planning a schedule was crucial. Trains are a great way to get around, as long as you can mange the final leg to your destination. As usual Thea, excellent video.

[@UrbanCaffeine]

Yeah, cellphones have helped immensely with commuting. I remember riding the Metra from Chicago to the suburbs then calling from a payphone for someone to pick me up. Lol.

[@eltronics]

@@UrbanCaffeine Thankfully you didn't purchase your first cell phone until we got passed the suitcase, then brick generations. Then again you could have been a bodybuilder carrying them around instead of the yoga enthusiast. 😁😁

[@zoicon5]

Those New Haven line trains can take forever. I used to live not far from Stratford but instead of taking the train from there I'd drive all the way to Southeast on the Harlem line and catch the train there. It was about a wash in terms of the over-all travel time, the train ticket was cheaper and much easier to get parking.

[@bruhbutwhytho]

Worcester*

[@zoicon5]

One thing you might have mentioned is that all of the branch lines of the New Haven line (to Danbury, New Canaan and Waterbury) require you to change trains (at Stamford, South Norwalk and Bridgeport respectively). It's not like (say) the Lexington Ave. subway where you can get on a either 4 or a 5 train at GCT and ride to the end of the line without changing trains. I think that this may be because the branch lines aren't electrified but I'm not sure.

[@Leonard_Wilson]

During peak hours there are direct New Canaan and Danbury trains. During off peak hours, you have to transfer.

[@joerobertson7709]

This is extremely helpful Thank you!

[@rev.mathewskariah9871]

Amazing channel. Incredible presentation. Love all the videos.

[@briantdaniel9280]

Hey Thea, not sure if you are aware but the video is messed up at about 7:45 for a couple seconds. I use the Metro-North Hudson line to go to Cold Spring for hiking often. Hudson Highlights State park trails are beautiful!

[@UrbanCaffeine]

Thanks! I've never been there. Will have to add it to my list of places to see.

[@TransportGuide]

Thank you! I have been waiting for this video for months!

[@UrbanCaffeine]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching 😊

[@bihkat7335]

Thanks ! I am anxiety and I never been on a train or anything. I need this is helpful tying to get to point A to B . I’m a Georgia girl we don’t have all of this !

[@fivebluelakes8948]

Wonderful helpful video, thank you so much for being so concise and easy to listen to and getting right to the point. We are planning to take the train from New Haven to Grand Central and are intimidated- not so much now after watching your video.

[@joelr7208]

Great and helpful video

[@deanchapman1824]

I'm not sure where you're from, you did an excellent job!!!

[@xanthippe_2695]

How do you tell the difference between an express and regular hudson line train? Also, if I live in yonkers and commute to Yankee Stadium for work, and go to grand central regularly, what is the most economical ticket to get on Metro North Hudson Line?

[@stephenjones5282]

Thinking of going out of NYC while I am staying and Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow could be good.

[@PomegranatesWeather]

Harlem line was my train daliy after the A train from ENY BK every day from 2009-2016 to Bedford Hills

[@dawnlow4036]

If I am traveling with a teen, can I purchase both of our tickets on my phone or do I need to set up the TrainTime app on her phone as well? Thank you for clearly explaining how to use the MetroNorth RR. It eases some of my travel anxiety to know what to expect in advance.

[@UrbanCaffeine]

I'd like to say yes to having both your tickets on one phone, but I'm not 100% sure. If you will be riding from Grand Central, there's and info kiosk with an attendant at the middle of the station.

[@bigeyejim]

This is a great video. I was just looking for ways to get up to Play airlines at Stewart? This will work and it’s not a bus!! I love in the Midwest. Lol. Cheers!

[@welcometotheteam9405]

Super helpful !!

[@snaht1]

well explained thank you !!!

[@kratospaualeo5591]

Thank you! At first it looks very confusing, just like the many riding systems on one map in Berlin.

[@SanguinaryStrife]

Thank you for this!!!!

[@JinahLey]

I’m traveling to New Haven but have big luggage, are there space for luggage’s on the the Metro-North? T/y

[@adrianahinojosa4380]

Did you already travel? Was there room for luggage? I was wondering the same thing. Looks like there are overhead space buy can't decipher from video the capacity of it.

[@Bassotronics]

Metro East = LIRR 😁

[@TheJoj04]

globbitty gloop? gobbledy goop? lol. agree 100%😅

[@osagiee.guobadia-secondytc4624]

I think you explained this video about riding the Metro-North train including the routes and tickets, Miss Urban Caffeine. Luckily, I take the MTA bus for my safety. Thank you! : )

[@yasminlily]

The link to this video was on a page specifically for jhandicap accessibility. I will be using a wheelchair. Practical info is not here. E.g. getting the wheelchair onto the train. Are slots for putting a wheelchair in place provided? Or does the wheelchair need to be folded and I transfer to a regular seat?

[@johnslyfield5096]

Don’t know if this holds for metro north or not but restrooms are in every odd numbered car. They come in pairs so if your car is even then go to the next one.

[@rehmannafees3850]

Thanks a lot

[@eresendizmx]

Good morning Thea. I have a question. Non USA foreign tourist seniors qualify for the senior discount?

[@UrbanCaffeine]

That's a very good question. Maybe someone on here has the answer. It's possible to ask the attendant at Grand Central if they know (they are in the middle of the station where the clock is). Next time I ride the MetroNorth or LIRR, I'll try to remember to ask the conductor.

[@eresendizmx]

@@UrbanCaffeine Thank you so much. I think that many of your frequent viewers will thank you again

[@aptadpamu]

I have no experience with Metro-North trains, but on the LIRR, I've never been asked to show proof of age with a senior ticket whether I buy at the machine or use the app. I'm guessing my gray hair might be validation when the conductor comes by. On the LIRR, the senior discount is only valid at non-peak hours. The NJ Transit senior discount only applies to residents of NJ and NY.

[@eresendizmx]

@@aptadpamu thank you so much!

[@Richardofdanbury]

Question: can you use cash at Grand Central / Penn Station and outlying ticket machines. This was not covered in the video.

[@MrSuperpiff4]

GCT has tellers who can still exchange cash and some machines take bills and coins.

[@ravindermisri2080]

Hi I need to go to scarsdale how to go.

[@broyofroyo1207]

And I was just on their today for the first time(except for going to port jervis)

[@fernandocortez1600]

Is it okay to travel on the train with a pram for the baby?

[@ahmedelsakka9548]

I am a tourist and i will land on wednesday , i want to buy weekly ticket starting from wednesday Can the weekly ticket starts from wednesday to tuesday ?

[@rottenboy7352]

what about when it says intermediate for ticket name

[@irissmith2935]

Hi Thea! Thanks so much for the video & great explanation. I’ll be traveling to NY for the first time this coming week. I’ve never been to GCT (or on a train before) & was advised to take Hudson line to Croton (Yorktown Heights) at ~8a during weekday. I’d like to purchase round trip tickets. Should I use app, ticket counter, or automated machine? Also, Would this be considered peak hours & can I return at any time in afternoon (~3p)?

[@UrbanCaffeine]

Hi there. Any option for buying is fine. But maybe at a ticket counter, you can ask question. Peak and off-peak is tricky. Here's more info on fare: new.mta.info/fares/lirr-metro-north

[@lowtzu-sinn5486]

Any luggage space in the train?

[@MrSuperpiff4]

Yes for small bags and some trains have room for you to have large luggage unsecurely. MNR serves no major airports so I guess they don't order cars with racks (unlike some LIRR trains). I wouldn't rely on it and be prepared to stand or sit next to your bag.

[@frambuesas_]

for the family ticket say you have 1 child and ur an adult. you buy the family ticket for only the kid or do you need to get a family ticket & a normal ticket for the adult ? (ex; 2 family tickets OR 1 family ticket & 1 off peak ticket) im just so confused :’)

[@_kikaso]

How do I know which train car I’m on? At some stations, only the first four car doors will open.

[@PatrickLienCT]

Once you get on board, there’s no indication of which car in the train you are on. I use my fingers to keep track of how many cars I’ve passed before getting on the train at GCT. A little simple and silly, but it prevents me from forgetting and then having to look back and squint to see how many cars I’ve passed. From the the lower concourse at GCT, remember that the bottom of most staircases deposits you at the 3rd car (from the rear) of the train. Otherwise, you can always ask the conductor when they check your ticket: e.g. “Is this car good for [Station Name]?…” If you’re getting on at a station other than GCT, remember to count the number of cars that pass you as it pulls in, if you’re not traveling to GCT.

[@InLoveWithCities]

I don't understand the necessity of those ticket check cards. Why not just validate the tickets?

[@kylepinder6.7]

I don’t understand does round trip have to be used at a specific time to come back or can I just use it at any time. If I’m looking to get on the New Haven train to grand central at 12:00pm and I want a round trip, can I use the round trip the same day and come back?

[@UrbanCaffeine]

With round trip, you just get 2 tickets. If you buy off peak tickets, make sure you use them during off peak times.

[@PatrickLienCT]

When you buy a Round Trip, you're really buying two One Way tickets, either both Peak or both Off-Peak. Therefore, you have 60 days to use both tickets. There's no additional discount buying Round Trip vs. two One Way. Sometimes, I wait to buy my return ticket when I don't know whether I'll be taking a Peak or Off-peak train on the return trip. Also, there's no directionality implied in a ticket; it's good for travel in either direction between the two stations on the ticket.

[@dddaddy]

'Operated by NJ Transit' - and that's why it confuses me. Why even have those under the Metro-North umbrella? It would make so much more sense to simply refer to all of those as NJ Transit services. Edit: this is not a criticism of the video, but the system.

[@kothaireddiar3154]

I’ve never went on the the Metro North Before I wanna go to University Heights the Green line

[@Cxm1113]

The green line is the Hudson line.

[@thebull3206]

Globbity gloop being, of course, old-school railroad talk in the NYC area.

[@damnimloomin]

It would be cool if you show where the “city ticket” line actually ends even if it’s on the next LIRR video I hope you cover metro north too! :)

[@fredashay]

Wait! What's a "train?"

[@dx42]

"El eye double-R".

[@dx42]

The subway goes in Manhattan and parts of the outer boroughs. I find that a peculiar way to phrase it.

[@MrSuperpiff4]

That was strange I agree

[@John_DaMan]

suck a great and useful guide..tanks caffeine

[@xr6lad]

How old fashioned to have peak and off peak tickets on a commuter rail line. Not happening in my city. By the way love your videos.

[@MrSuperpiff4]

Not sure where you live but from what I understand peak pricing is a thing in London and cities in Australia

[@micwell2247]

What train to use that by-passes NYC

[@Nvv1123]

I have a car box 214!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Alvaro-Yovani-Ibarra]

Dios les bendiga,mi nombre es Alvaro Ibarra vivo en Guatemala, yo trabajo como vendedor autonomo de tiendas de barrio, en las colonias por donde yo vivo vendo diferentes productos con lo cual llevo un plato de comida a mis hijos, yo no tengo un sueldo fijo y las ventas estan muy bajas en estos dias, quisiera poner un pequeño negocio de vender pizzas en la calle con un pequeño horno, o tortas mexicanas con una plancha a gas pero con lo que gano no me alcanza para juntar y poner alguno de estos pequeños negocios y tener un ingreso mas estable para mis hijos ,por eso suplico si alguna persona bondadosa me brindara una pequeña ayuda con lo minimo para juntar para la plancha se los agradeceria de todo corazon.