Port Authority Bus Terminal to Met (Fifth Avenue) by subway and bus
Quick answer: Take an uptown C train from 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal to 86 St, then take the M86 Select Bus Service bus from W 86 St/Central Park West to E 84 St/5 Av. The trip takes about 33 minutes door to door on a weekday (29 to 36 depending on the connection). The C train comes about every 9 minutes during the day. The C train doesn't run from 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal to 86 St between about 1 and 5 am; then the trip uses another line.
Port Authority Bus Terminal to Met (Fifth Avenue)
- C
- M86 SBS
- C C trainFrom 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal, uptown5 stops, about 10 min
- Change at 86 StWalk about 3 min
- M86 SBS M86 Select Bus Service busFrom W 86 St/Central Park West2 stops, about 5 min
- Get off at E 84 St/5 Av
- Met (Fifth Avenue)Walk about 5 min
Weekdays, fall 2026 MTA schedule · First and last trips
Step by step
- Take an uptown C train from 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal to 86 St. It's 5 stops, about 10 minutes.
- At 86 St, walk about 3 minutes to W 86 St/Central Park West for the M86 Select Bus Service bus.
- Take the M86 Select Bus Service bus from W 86 St/Central Park West to E 84 St/5 Av. It's 2 stops, about 5 minutes.
- From E 84 St/5 Av, walk about 5 minutes to the Met (Fifth Avenue).
Other ways to go
- Take an uptown A train from 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal to 59 St-Columbus Circle, then take an uptown B train from 59 St-Columbus Circle to 86 St, then take the M86 Select Bus Service bus from W 86 St/Central Park West to E 84 St/5 Av: about 35 minutes.
- Take an uptown C train from 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal to 81 St-Museum of Natural History, then take the M79 Select Bus Service bus from W 81 St/Columbus Av to E 79 St/5 Av: about 34 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) | 34 min | About every 9 minutes | |
| Saturday | Around the clock (another line late at night) | 31 min | About every 12 minutes | |
| Sunday | Around the clock (another line late at night) | 32 min | About every 12 minutes | |
Late at night
This trip works around the clock. Between about 1 and 5 am the trip takes about 36 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
- Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street, on the edge of Central Park. (source, checked 2026-11-04)
Step-free access
For the subway part of this trip: Times Sq-42 St/Port Authority Bus Terminal (C platform) is on the MTA's list of accessible stations; 86 St (C platform) is not 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.
Port Authority Bus Terminal to Met (Fifth Avenue): common questions
How do I get from Port Authority Bus Terminal to Met (Fifth Avenue) by public transit?
Take an uptown C train from 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal to 86 St, then take the M86 Select Bus Service bus from W 86 St/Central Park West to E 84 St/5 Av.
How long does it take?
About 33 minutes door to door on a weekday, 29 to 36 depending on the connection. On weekends it's about 31 minutes.
Do I have to change along the way?
Yes, once: at 86 St.
Does it run all night?
This trip works around the clock. Between about 1 and 5 am the trip takes about 36 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
- Port Authority Bus Terminal to Empire State Building
- Port Authority Bus Terminal to 9/11 Memorial & Museum
- Port Authority Bus Terminal to Statue of Liberty ferry at Battery Park
- JFK Airport to Met (Fifth Avenue)
- LaGuardia Airport to Met (Fifth Avenue)
- Penn Station to Met (Fifth Avenue)
- 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)
- Met (Fifth Avenue): 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.