NEW YORK – The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York takes place on Fridays, and public transport is one of the best ways to get there to enjoy it.
For those taking part in the parade and those looking to see it, the MTA offers various options. Grand Central Terminalwhich now serves both Metro North Railroad such as LIRR, drops off customers a few minutes from the parade. Line Lexington Avenue The New York City Subway runs the entire parade route, with stations within walking distance on Fifth Avenue.
See below for more information on the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York:
Alcohol ban on trains and the Staten Island Railroad
Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad and Staten Island Railway implement a prohibition of bebidas alcohólicas from el viernes 17 de marzo a las 5:00 am hasta el sábado 18 de marzo a las 12:00 pm en all los trenes y en las seasons. Customers found in violation could receive a citation and be removed from the system.
The consumption of alcohol and open containers of alcoholic beverages is always prohibited throughout the underground network.
LIRR add additional trains before and after the parade
Grand Central Madison brings LIRR customers closer to the parade than ever before, with the new East Side LIRR hub just steps from the parade starting point. The LIRR will have ushers in the terminal who will direct 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 ahead of the parade, two on the Babylon branch and two on the Ronkonkoma branch.
Transfers to trains to Grand Central in Jamaica are available for the four added trains, bringing customers closer to the parade.
- An 8:59 a.m. 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 at Central Islip, Brentwood, Deer Park, Wyandanch, Farmingdale, Bethpage, Hicksville, Mineola, Jamaica and Penn Station.
- A 9:27 a.m. train from Babylon, which will make stops at Wantagh, Bellmore, Merrick, Freeport, Baldwin, Rockville Centre, Jamaica and Penn Station.
- A 9:30 a.m. train from Freeport, which will make stops at Baldwin, Rockville Centre, Lynbrook, Jamaica and Penn Station.
- To help bring parade-goers back 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 at 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 up to 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 parade route, 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 leading to the 5 Avenue/59 St station at the southeast corner of Fifth Ave. and 60th St. will be closed during the parade. During this same period, the 77 St subway station will be in and out only.
the 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 buses express.
Customers can check new.mta.info throughout the parade to follow their route.
Metro-North Railroad with standard weekday hours
Metro-North Railroad will operate its normal Monday through Friday schedule for service east of Hudson. Metro-North has additional trains strategically located on the Hudson, Harlem, and New Haven lines as needed to accommodate potential additional morning and afternoon customers.
The railway’s West-of-Hudson service will also run its normal weekday hours and has an additional train on the Port Jervis line. The additional Port Jervis train will depart Port Jervis at 07:00 and make all stops at Suffern and then Ramsey-Route 17 before operating express to Secaucus Junction.
Customers are advised to plan ahead and check MYmta or TrainTime before travelling.