NEW YORK — The New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place on Friday, and public transportation is one of the best ways to get there to enjoy it.
For those who participate in the parade and those looking to see it, the MTA offers different options. Grand Central Terminalwhich now serves both Metro-North Railroad such as LIRR, drops patrons minutes away from the parade. The line Lexington Avenue The New York City Subway runs the entire parade route, with stations within walking distance on Fifth Avenue.
See below for information on the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade:
Ban on alcohol on trains and the Staten Island Railroad
The Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad and Staten Island Railway will implement a ban on alcoholic beverages from Friday, March 17 at 5:00 a.m. to Saturday, March 18 at 12:00 p.m. on all trains and at seasons. Customers found to be in violation could receive a citation and be removed from the system.
The consumption of alcohol and open containers of alcoholic beverages are always prohibited throughout the underground system.
LIRR add additional trains before and after the parade
Grand Central Madison puts LIRR patrons closer to the parade than ever before, with the new East Side LIRR hub just a short walk from the parade departure point. The LIRR will have ushers in the terminal directing customers to the many street exits leading to Madison Ave between E. 42nd St and E. 48th St.
For more travel options to get to the parade, the LIRR will add four additional westbound trains to Penn Station prior to the parade, two on the Babylon Branch and two on the Ronkonkoma Branch.
Transfers to trains bound for Grand Central in Jamaica are available for all four added trains, bringing customers closer to the parade.
- An 8:59 am train from Farmingdale, which will make stops at Bethpage, Hicksville, Westbury, Carle Place, Mineola, Merillon Avenue, New Hyde Park, Jamaica and Penn Station.
- A 9:10 am train from Ronkonkoma, which will make stops in Central Islip, Brentwood, Deer Park, Wyandanch, Farmingdale, Bethpage, Hicksville, Mineola, Jamaica, and Penn Station.
- A 9:27 am train from Babylon, which will make stops at Wantagh, Bellmore, Merrick, Freeport, Baldwin, Rockville Centre, Jamaica and Penn Station.
- A 9:30 am train from Freeport, which will make stops at Baldwin, Rockville Centre, Lynbrook, Jamaica and Penn Station.
- To help return parade goers to Long Island, the LIRR is adding six eastbound trains to its schedule that depart from both Penn Station and Grand Central Madison.
Grand Central Madison
- At 2:04 p.m. Babylon Branch Train, which will make stops in Jamaica, Lynbrook, Rockville Center and all stops to Babylon.
- At 2:54 p.m. Babylon Branch Train, which will make stops in Jamaica, Lynbrook, Rockville Center and all stops to Babylon.
- At 3:07 p.m. The Port Washington Branch train, which will make stops at Woodside, Flushing Main Street and all stops in Great Neck.
Penn Station
- At 2:38 p.m. The Babylon Branch train from Penn Station, which will make stops at Jamaica, Rockville Center and all stops to Babylon.
- At 3:26 p.m. The Port Washington Branch train from Penn Station, which will make stops at Woodside, Flushing Main Street and all stops as far as Great Neck.
- At 3:45 p.m. The Babylon Branch train from Penn Station, which will make stops in Jamaica, Rockville Centre, all stops in Wantagh and Massapequa.
In the subway
The best way to get to the parade by subway is Lexington Avenue, which covers the entire route of the parade, and the stations are within walking distance of Fifth Avenue. However, if customers wish to take the direct train to Fifth Avenue, they can take the subway to the 5 Avenue/53 St station.
Customers should note that the stairs to the 5 Avenue/59 St station at the southeast corner of Fifth Ave. and 60th St. will be closed during the parade. During that same time, the 77 St subway station will be in/out only.
buses
Due to the parade route, some New York City bus routes will be affected.
Customers should expect route changes on the following bus routes: M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M31, M50, M55, M57, M66, M72, M79 SBS, Q32 and most express buses.
Customers can check new.mta.info throughout the duration of the parade to monitor their route.
Metro-North Railroad with normal weekday hours
Metro-North Railroad will operate its normal Monday through Friday schedule for its East-of-Hudson service. Metro-North has additional trains strategically located on the Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines if needed to accommodate potential additional customers in the morning and afternoon.
The railroad’s West-of-Hudson service will also run its normal weekday schedules and has an additional train on the Port Jervis line. The additional Port Jervis train will depart Port Jervis at 7:00 am and make all stops to Suffern and then Ramsey-Route 17 before operating express to Secaucus Junction.
Customers are advised to plan ahead and check MYmta or TrainTime before traveling.
