Port Authority Bus Terminal to Empire State Building by bus
Quick answer: Take the M34A Select Bus Service bus from 9 Av/W 42 St to E 34 St/5 Av. The trip takes about 18 minutes door to door on a weekday (15 to 19 depending on the connection). The M34A Select Bus Service bus comes about every 12 minutes during the day. The M34A Select Bus Service bus runs only a few times from 9 Av/W 42 St to E 34 St/5 Av between about 1 and 5 am; then the trip uses another line.
Port Authority Bus Terminal to Empire State Building
- M34A SBS
- Walk 5 minto 9 Av/W 42 St
- M34A SBS M34A Select Bus Service busFrom 9 Av/W 42 St6 stops, about 13 min
- Get off at E 34 St/5 Av
- Empire State BuildingWalk about 2 min
Weekdays, fall 2026 MTA schedule · First and last trips
Step by step
- Walk about 5 minutes from Port Authority Bus Terminal to 9 Av/W 42 St.
- Take the M34A Select Bus Service bus from 9 Av/W 42 St to E 34 St/5 Av. It's 6 stops, about 13 minutes.
- From E 34 St/5 Av, walk about 2 minutes to Empire State Building.
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 | M34A Select Bus Service bus in the daytime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekdays | Around the clock (another line late at night) | 18 min | About every 12 minutes | |
| Saturday | Around the clock (another line late at night) | 19 min | About every 17 minutes | |
| Sunday | Around the clock (another line late at night) | 18 min | About every 20 minutes | |
Late at night
This trip works around the clock. Between about 1 and 5 am the trip takes about 18 minutes. The M34A Select Bus Service bus runs only a few times from 9 Av/W 42 St to E 34 St/5 Av between about 1 and 5 am, so at that hour the trip uses another line.
Tips for this trip
- Know your stop. Get ready after W 34 St/Broadway. The next stop is E 34 St/5 Av. Start a live trip in Cobblehop and it alerts you before your stop.
- Closest subway: 34 St-Herald Square, about a five-minute walk east. (source, checked 2026-11-04)
- Entrances. Observation Deck entrance: 20 West 34th Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues (source).
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.
Port Authority Bus Terminal to Empire State Building: common questions
How do I get from Port Authority Bus Terminal to Empire State Building by public transit?
Take the M34A Select Bus Service bus from 9 Av/W 42 St to E 34 St/5 Av.
How long does it take?
About 18 minutes door to door on a weekday, 15 to 19 depending on the connection. On weekends it's about 19 minutes.
Do I have to change?
No. The M34A Select Bus Service bus 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 18 minutes. The M34A Select Bus Service bus runs only a few times from 9 Av/W 42 St to E 34 St/5 Av between about 1 and 5 am, so at that hour the trip uses another line.
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
- Port Authority Bus Terminal to 9/11 Memorial & Museum
- Port Authority Bus Terminal to Statue of Liberty ferry at Battery Park
- Port Authority Bus Terminal to Central Park
- JFK Airport to Empire State Building
- LaGuardia Airport to Empire State Building
- Financial District to Empire State Building
- 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
- Empire State Building: 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.
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