How to Get to the 9/11 Memorial in NYC
The 9/11 Memorial & Museum sits at 180 Greenwich St in Lower Manhattan, on the World Trade Center site. The easiest way to arrive is by subway to the WTC Cortlandt (1 train), Chambers St, Fulton St, or Cortlandt St (R/W) stations, or via the World Trade Center PATH station under the Oculus. Ferries and buses also serve the area, and parking nearby is limited.
The World Trade Center site sits at the southern end of Manhattan, close to Battery Park, the Financial District, and the harbor. Because it’s a major transit hub as well as a memorial, there are several straightforward ways to reach it, whether you’re coming from elsewhere in the city, from New Jersey, or from out of town.
This guide covers the subway lines and stations, the PATH train, ferry service, buses, walking routes from nearby neighborhoods, and what to expect if you’re driving.
By Subway
Several subway lines stop within a short walk of the Memorial. The WTC Cortlandt station (1 train) is the closest, sitting directly beneath the plaza. Chambers St (1, 2, 3, A, C) and Fulton St (2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, J, Z) are both about a five-to-ten-minute walk, and Cortlandt St (R, W) is close on the east side.
The subway is generally the most reliable way to reach the site. The WTC Cortlandt station, served by the 1 train, reopened directly beneath the Memorial plaza and is the closest stop. The Chambers St station, served by the 1, 2, 3, A, and C trains, is a few blocks north. The Fulton St station, a large transit hub served by the 2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, J, and Z trains, sits a short walk to the east and connects easily to Lower Manhattan’s other sights. The Cortlandt St station on the R and W lines is also close by, on the east side of the site. Whichever station you use, follow signs toward Greenwich Street or the Oculus, the distinctive white transit hub that marks the site from a distance.
Via the Oculus and PATH Trains
The World Trade Center PATH station, reached through the Oculus transit hub, connects directly to New Jersey, including Newark, Jersey City, and Hoboken. The Oculus is the large white-ribbed building at the site and is itself a useful landmark for orientation. From inside, signs lead directly to the Memorial plaza.
Visitors coming from New Jersey typically use the PATH train to the World Trade Center station, which arrives inside the Oculus, the striking white structure that has become a landmark of the rebuilt site. PATH trains run from Newark, Harrison, Jersey City, and Hoboken. Once inside the Oculus, follow the signs toward the Memorial plaza and Greenwich Street; the walk from the platform to the outdoor Memorial takes only a few minutes. The Oculus also connects to the Westfield World Trade Center shopping concourse, which can be a useful shelter from weather before or after a visit.
By Ferry
Ferries serving Battery Park City and Brookfield Place bring passengers within a short walk of the Memorial. NY Waterway and other ferry operators run routes from New Jersey and other parts of the harbor to terminals just west and south of the site.
Several ferry routes stop close to the World Trade Center site, landing at terminals near Battery Park City and Brookfield Place, both a short walk from the Memorial along the Hudson River waterfront. This option suits visitors coming from New Jersey waterfront towns or from other parts of the harbor who prefer to arrive by water rather than by subway. Check current ferry schedules and terminals in advance, since routes and stops can be adjusted seasonally.
By Bus
Several New York City bus routes serve Lower Manhattan and stop within walking distance of the site, including local routes along Church Street, Broadway, and the West Side Highway corridor. Buses are a reasonable option if you’re already staying nearby, though the subway or PATH is usually faster for visitors coming from farther away.
Walking from Nearby Areas
The Memorial is easy to reach on foot from much of Lower Manhattan. It’s roughly a 10–15 minute walk from Battery Park and the Staten Island Ferry terminal, a similar distance from City Hall Park, and about 15–20 minutes from South Street Seaport. The Financial District, Tribeca, and the Battery Park City waterfront are all within comfortable walking range, and the walk itself passes through some of the oldest parts of the city.
Driving and Parking
Driving is not the most practical way to reach the site. Public parking directly at the World Trade Center is limited, streets nearby are often restricted, and Lower Manhattan traffic can be heavy. Visitors who drive typically use a commercial parking garage in the surrounding blocks and walk the rest of the way.
Parking at the World Trade Center site itself is limited, and street parking in Lower Manhattan is scarce and tightly regulated. Visitors arriving by car generally use one of the commercial parking garages in the surrounding Financial District blocks, and should expect the closest options to fill up, especially on weekends and around the September 11 anniversary. Given the density of subway, PATH, and ferry options, public transit is the more practical way to arrive for most visitors. Our guide to 9/11 Memorial & Museum tickets and prices covers what to arrange before you set out.
Getting to the Memorial vs. the Museum
The outdoor Memorial plaza and the underground Museum share the same address and entrance area, so the directions above apply to both. Once you arrive at the plaza, museum entry is at a separate, clearly marked entrance. If you’re unsure which part of the site you plan to visit, our guide to the Memorial versus the Museum explains the difference before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the closest subway station to the 9/11 Memorial?
The WTC Cortlandt station, served by the 1 train, is the closest, sitting directly beneath the Memorial plaza. Chambers St (1, 2, 3, A, C), Fulton St (2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, J, Z), and Cortlandt St (R, W) are all within a short walk as well. Any of these stations puts you within about five to ten minutes of the site on foot.
How do I get to the 9/11 Memorial from New Jersey?
The PATH train is the most direct route from New Jersey, with service from Newark, Harrison, Jersey City, and Hoboken to the World Trade Center station inside the Oculus. From there, signs lead directly to the Memorial plaza, only a few minutes’ walk away. Ferries from some New Jersey waterfront towns to Battery Park City or Brookfield Place are another option.
What is the Oculus, and do I need to go through it?
The Oculus is the large white-ribbed transit hub at the World Trade Center site, housing the PATH station and a shopping concourse. You don’t have to pass through it to reach the Memorial, but it’s a useful landmark for orientation and the natural route if you’re arriving by PATH train. It connects directly to the plaza on foot.
Can I take a ferry to the 9/11 Memorial?
Yes. Ferries serving Battery Park City and Brookfield Place stop within a short walk of the site, making this a practical option for visitors coming from New Jersey’s waterfront or other parts of the harbor. Check current schedules and terminal locations before you travel, as routes can change seasonally.
Is it easy to walk to the 9/11 Memorial from other Lower Manhattan sights?
Yes. The Memorial is about 10–15 minutes on foot from Battery Park and the Staten Island Ferry terminal, a similar distance from City Hall Park, and 15–20 minutes from South Street Seaport. Much of the walk passes through the Financial District and Tribeca.
Should I drive to the 9/11 Memorial?
Driving is generally not recommended. Parking directly at the site is limited, street parking nearby is scarce and restricted, and traffic in Lower Manhattan can be heavy, particularly around the September 11 anniversary. Visitors who do drive typically use a commercial garage in the surrounding blocks and walk the remaining distance.
Which buses stop near the 9/11 Memorial?
Several local New York City bus routes serve Lower Manhattan and stop within walking distance of the site, including routes along Church Street, Broadway, and the West Side Highway corridor. The subway or PATH train is usually faster for visitors coming from outside the immediate area.
Do the directions differ for the outdoor Memorial and the Museum?
No. Both the outdoor Memorial and the underground Museum are reached the same way, since they share the same World Trade Center site and entrance area. Once there, museum entry is at a separate, clearly marked entrance from the plaza. Our guide to Memorial & Museum hours explains what to expect once you arrive.
