Getting to the Start
Official Transportation Information
Transportation assignments are now available for review. Runners should visit their Profile Page to find out how and when they will be getting to the start of the ING New York City Marathon. Runners who need an assignment, but did not choose a preference, must register at the Expo for official transportation. [Expo]
NYRR strongly recommends that you use our official marathon transportation to ensure on-time arrival at the start. Our official buses are the only vehicles allowed into the race staging area on Staten Island, and there is no additional fee for this transportation. Private vehicles, including charter buses, are not guaranteed for on-time arrival.
Runners who selected a transportation preference, can find their departure time and location on their Profile Page.
IF YOU SELECTED 'NEW YORK' TRANSPORTATION
If you selected NEW YORK, you will either be assigned to the New York Public Library shuttle buses (42nd Street and Fifth Avenue) or the Staten Island Ferry and shuttle bus. Please note that the distance from the St. George Ferry Terminal in Staten Island to the Marathon start is more than 3 miles (5 kilometers). Only runners who have selected “New York” transportation AND have been assigned to the Staten Island Ferry will have access to the shuttle buses from the St. George Ferry Terminal to the marathon start.
NYRR has assigned you to a departure time and location based on your wave start. All assignments are final.
Plan to arrive at your assigned departure location at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time.
New York: Midtown Manhattan Bus
- Departure Times: 5:30-8:15 a.m.
- Location: Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal (1 Whitehall Street at South Street) near Battery Park
- On Staten Island, shuttle buses will transport you from the ferry terminal to the race start.
- Departure Times: 5:00-6:30 a.m.
- Location: New York Public Library, at 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue, between Times Square and Grand Central Terminal
IF YOU SELECTED 'NEW JERSEY' TRANSPORTATION
If you selected NEW JERSEY, you will travel to the race start on the New Jersey bus.
New Jersey: Meadowlands Parking Lot
- Departure Times: 5:00-6:30 a.m.
- Location: To Be Determined
THERE WILL BE NO PARKING AVAILABLE in the Meadowlands lot; only drop-offs will be permitted.
Transportation assignments are now available for review. Runners should visit their profile page to find out how and when they will be getting to the start of the ING New York City Marathon. [Profile Login]
Special buses will be provided for all Athletes With Disabilities (AWDs), leaving from Fifth Avenue between 37th and 39th Streets, between 5:00-6:30 a.m. Instructions regarding these buses will be provided at a later date. NYRR strongly recommends that all AWDs use these buses.
BOARDING PROCEDURES
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
- Please arrive early to ensure that you get to the start with time to spare.
- Parking is not available at any of the bus locations.
- Restrooms will be available at the loading areas but not on the buses.
- Restrooms will be available on the Staten Island Ferry.
- The buses are for official entrants only. To board the bus, you must show your race number, which will include your official transportation information.
- For security reasons, your belongings must be visible inside the clear bag given to you at the expo. Affix your baggage sticker to this bag.
- If you bring additional bags, even within the clear bag, they will be confiscated.
All bags are subject to search.- Wheelchair and handcycle entrants may bring both a racing chair/cycle and an everyday chair.
By ferry from Manhattan: See Staten Island Ferry information above.
By bus from Brooklyn: Take the S53 bus from 86th Street at Fourth Avenue in Bay Ridge to the first stop on Staten Island, at the intersection of Fingerboard Road and the Staten Island Expressway. Follow the signs along School Road and enter Fort Wadsworth at Bay Street. Check www.mta.info for service advisories affecting your plans.
PRIVATE VEHICLES
Directions from Brooklyn: If you travel by private vehicle via Brooklyn, NYRR recommends that you arrive at the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge no later than 5:30 a.m. in order to cross and return by the 7:00 a.m. bridge closure. After crossing the bridge, take the Staten Island Expressway (I-278) to the South Beach exit. Note that the bridge allows vehicular traffic only. WALKING OVER THE BRIDGE IS NOT PERMITTED!
- The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge will close to all traffic promptly at 7:00 a.m.
- Private vehicles, including charter buses, are not guaranteed arrival in time for the race start.
- Private vehicles are allowed for participant drop-offs only. There is no public parking near the start.
- The walk from the drop-off area to the staging area is approximately one half-mile.
- Private vehicles will be directed to Lily Pond Avenue (outside Fort Wadsworth) and may not drive into the staging area or discharge passengers on the bridge plaza.
- If you arrive in a private vehicle, you will have to show your race number and chip in order to be permitted to walk to Fort Wadsworth. Your belongings must be visible inside your clear baggage bag. No other bags will be allowed.
Directions from New Jersey and Staten Island: Take I-278 to the Clove Road exit and follow the service road to Lily Pond Road.
Go to MTA Trip Planner for NYC subway and bus information from your hotel the Staten Island Ferry Whitehall Terminal or the New York Public Library.
