You can reach MetLife Stadium from NYC by bus, train, or car; the most common options are NJ Transit buses from Port Authority or special-event trains via Secaucus Junction for big games and concerts.

From Manhattan / NYC by bus (most common)

  • Go to Port Authority Bus Terminal (8th Ave & 40–42nd St).
  • For most games and major events, NJ Transit runs direct “MetLife Stadium” buses from Port Authority to the stadium complex; they usually use a dedicated special-event route and drop you right by the stadium gates.
  • On non-event days, a typical pattern is:
    • Take an NJ Transit bus from Port Authority to Paterson Plank Rd at Gotham Parkway (Bus 144 or similar Meadowlands route).
* From there, walk through the Meadowlands area over to MetLife Stadium (about 10–20 minutes depending on exact drop-off).
  • Buses to the Meadowlands area generally run every 15–20 minutes at peak times, but event-day specials are often timed to crowd surges before and after games.

Forum users who’ve done both bus and train often prefer the direct bus from Port Authority, because it’s one seat and drops you in the parking lots by the stadium, with long lines of buses staged after the show to get you back to NYC.

By train (Penn Station NYC to MetLife)

For big NFL games and major concerts, there’s usually a special-event rail service combining NJ Transit and the Meadowlands Rail Line.

Typical pattern:

  1. Take an NJ Transit train from New York Penn Station to Secaucus Junction (Frank R. Lautenberg Station).
  1. Transfer at Secaucus to the Meadowlands Rail Line (Secaucus to “Meadowlands Sports Complex” / “Meadowlands Station”), which drops you next to the stadium.
  • Total time is usually a bit over an hour including transfer, depending on crowds and timing.
  • This service typically runs only on game days and certain big events; always check the MetLife Stadium “Public Transportation” page and NJ Transit’s event-day schedules before you go.

Quick options: taxi / rideshare / driving

  • Taxi or rideshare from Manhattan to MetLife takes around 17–20 minutes in light traffic, covering roughly 16–17 km (10–11 miles).
  • Costs are usually much higher than transit, but it’s the fastest door-to-door if traffic cooperates.
  • If you drive yourself , expect about 18 minutes in good traffic from central Manhattan, plus time to park and walk in.

Event days can mean heavy congestion around the Meadowlands, so even though driving is technically the “cheapest” on paper (just tolls and gas), it may not be the most time-efficient, especially at peak arrival and departure times.

Simple step-by-step choices

If you’re near Times Square / Midtown:

  1. Walk to Port Authority.
  2. Take NJ Transit’s direct MetLife Stadium bus on event days.

If you’re near Penn Station:

  1. Take NJ Transit from NY Penn → Secaucus Junction.
  1. Transfer to the Meadowlands Rail Line to the stadium.

If you want maximum comfort and don’t mind cost:

  • Book a taxi or rideshare directly from your NYC location to “MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ.”

Extra tips and timing

  • Check the MetLife Stadium “Public Transportation” page and NJ Transit’s event advisories for the specific game or concert; they list which buses and trains are running for that event and when they start and stop.
  • Leave earlier than you think —even though distance is short, crowds, transfers, and security can add a lot of time, especially for night games or sold-out concerts.
  • On the way back, consider leaving a few minutes before the very last song or final whistle if you want to beat the longest lines for buses or trains. Forum regulars say this can save you a long wait.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.