Central Park to Times Square by subway
Quick answer: Take a downtown C train from 86 St to 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal. The trip takes about 27 minutes door to door on a weekday. The C train comes about every 9 minutes during the day. The C train doesn't run from 86 St to 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal between about 1 and 5 am; then the trip uses another line.
Central Park to Times Square
- C
- Walk 12 minto 86 St
- C C trainFrom 86 St, downtown5 stops, about 9 min
- Get off at 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal
- Times SquareWalk about 6 min
Weekdays, fall 2026 MTA schedule · First and last trips
Step by step
- Walk about 12 minutes from Central Park to 86 St.
- Take a downtown C train from 86 St to 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal. It's 5 stops, about 9 minutes.
- From 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal, walk about 6 minutes to Times Square.
Other ways to go
- Take the M86 Select Bus Service bus from W 86 St/Central Pk West to W 86 St/Broadway, then take a downtown 1 train from 86 St to Times Sq-42 St: about 32 minutes.
Which one is faster depends on when you leave. Cobblehop compares them with live times.
Times and frequency
From the MTA's fall 2026 schedule. Typical trip is the door to door time in the middle of the day.
| Day | First trip | Last trip | Typical trip | C train in the daytime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekdays | Around the clock (another line late at night) | 27 min | About every 9 minutes | |
| Saturday | Around the clock (another line late at night) | 26 min | About every 12 minutes | |
| Sunday | Around the clock (another line late at night) | 26 min | About every 12 minutes | |
Late at night
This trip works around the clock. Between about 1 and 5 am the trip takes about 28 minutes. No C service late nights (about 1 to 5 am): GTFS has no C trips then on weeknights. Cobblehop routes you on another line then.
Tips for this trip
- Know your stop. Get ready after 50 St. The next stop is 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
- The Times Square Alliance area runs from 40th to 53rd Street between 6th and 8th Avenues. (source, checked 2026-11-04)
Step-free access
For the subway part of this trip: 86 St (C platform) is not on the MTA's list of accessible stations; Times Sq-42 St/Port Authority Bus Terminal (C platform) is on the MTA's list of accessible stations. Elevators can be out of service, so check elevator status on mta.info before you go.
What it costs
- Subway and local bus: $3 per ride with OMNY (tap a contactless card or phone) or a MetroCard. One transfer within 2 hours to the subway or a local bus is included.
Fares as of November 2026. Check the official fares page before you ride.
Central Park to Times Square: common questions
How do I get from Central Park to Times Square by public transit?
Take a downtown C train from 86 St to 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal.
How long does it take?
About 27 minutes door to door on a weekday. On weekends it's about 26 minutes.
Do I have to change?
No. The C train goes all the way.
Does it run all night?
This trip works around the clock. Between about 1 and 5 am the trip takes about 28 minutes. No C service late nights (about 1 to 5 am): GTFS has no C trips then on weeknights. Cobblehop routes you on another line then.
How much does it cost?
Subway and local bus: $3 per ride with OMNY (tap a contactless card or phone) or a MetroCard. One transfer within 2 hours to the subway or a local bus is included.
Related routes
- Central Park to Empire State Building
- Central Park to Rockefeller Center
- Central Park to 9/11 Memorial & Museum
- JFK Airport to Times Square
- LaGuardia Airport to Times Square
- Financial District to Times Square
- All New York routes
Sources
Cobblehop is independent. It is not affiliated with the MTA or any transit agency. Schedules on this page come from the MTA's public GTFS data; check these pages for the latest service:
- MTA: developer data (the GTFS schedules used on this page)
- MTA: subway and bus fares
- MTA subway stations, with accessibility (data.ny.gov)
- Times Square: visitor information
Transit data: Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Cobblehop is not affiliated with or endorsed by the MTA.
Published November 7, 2026. Times were computed from the MTA fall 2026 schedules for 2026-11-18 (weekday), 2026-11-21 and 2026-11-22. Planned work and holidays change service, so check Cobblehop for live times before you go.
Leaving now? Cobblehop gives you one clear plan with live times and alerts you before your stop.