PrincetonUniversityA Guide for International Students, 2004-2005
How to Get Here from There
For the latest travel information, please consult Princeton's Web site at www.princeton.edu under Travel & Weather.
Princeton University is located in Princeton Borough, Mercer County, New Jersey, approximately 50 miles southwest of New York City; 35 miles southwest of Newark, New Jersey; and 45 miles northeast of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ideally, students should arrive at either Newark International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, or JFK International Airport on Long Island, New York. (Getting to Princeton from Philadelphia Airport is complicated.) One way to get to Princeton from Newark or JFK is by taking the Princeton Airporter, a shuttle van (see next page). The ideal way from Newark is via the AirTrain shuttle, which connects Newark Airport to the New Jersey Transit Northeast Corridor Line that serves Princeton. See page 10 for more information about this service. Note: The schedules and prices described are subject to change and should be verified prior to booking.
Arrival in the United States
General Travel Assistance: Students seeking public transportation to Princeton Borough, New Jersey, from New York or Philadelphia area airports should ask to be directed to the Airport Ground Transportation counter near the Baggage Claim area. Students requiring additional travel assistance may ask to be directed to an airport customer service representative at any of the three airports. Travelers with serious emergencies should seek airport security or the nearest Travelers Aid Society representative during business hours. The Travelers Aid Society telephone numbers are: Newark Airport: 973-623-5052; JFK Airport: 718-656-4870; Philadelphia Airport: 215-523-7580.
Currency: Students are encouraged to arrive with travelers checks or a credit card and a small quantity (about $200) of low-denomination U.S. bills and coins for telephone calls, bus and train service, etc. The alternative is to change currency at an airport currency exchange booth on arrival or to cash travelers checks at an airport branch bank (assuming arrival occurs during banking hours). Travelers checks can be cashed at most banks by presenting identification, that is, a passport. It is unwise to permit unauthorized people to change money. Once students reach Princeton, there are several banks on Nassau Street within walking distance of the University where students can cash travelers checks as well as open a checking or a savings account during weekday banking hours.
Security: While traveling, students should keep money, passports, travel and visa documents, jewelry, and other valuables on their person at all times. Students are advised not to leave luggage unattended nor items of value and importance in luggage, locked automobiles, or airport or train station storage lockers. Travelers are advised to monitor their belongings at all times.
Airporter Shuttle Service
The Princeton Airporter maintains a daily shuttle service (shared ride) between Newark and JFK airports and downtown Princeton. Reservations are necessary and should be made in advance or at the Airport Ground Transportation counter at either Newark or JFK airport. For information on the Airporter for either airport, check their Web site at www.goairporter.com/princeton_univ.html, call 609-587-6600 or 800-385-4000, or check the Princeton Web site for travel directions. The fare from JFK to Princeton is $32 each way; from Newark to Princeton it is $19 each way. Daily shuttles depart Newark from 6:15 a.m. to 10:15 p.m.; shuttles depart JFK from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Call for weekend and holiday schedules. The trip from Newark takes 1.5 to 2 hours; the trip from JFK takes 3.5 hours. Please exit on campus at the Nassau Street security booth, not at Dillon Gymnasium. Note: There is no shuttle service between Philadelphia Airport and Princeton.
Trains from Newark Airport
New Jersey Transit, Northeast Corridor Line: www.njtransit.com; 973-762-5100, 800-626-7433, or 800-772-2222. The AirTrain shuttle goes from each airport terminal to the Northeast Corridor train line to Princeton; take the shuttle to the train terminal and purchase tickets (either from an automated ticketing machine or from a New Jersey Transit counter) to Princeton Borough. If you arrive at JFK, purchase tickets at the New York Penn Station New Jersey Transit counter. Make sure the train you board stops in Princeton (most but not all of the trains on the Northeast Corridor line do). Buy tickets straight through to Princeton Borough. Verify that you have purchased not only a ticket to Princeton Junction, but also one for the ''Dinky'' (a small commuter train) to reach Princeton Borough.
Trains depart Penn Station and Newark Airport for Princeton Junction from 4:49 a.m. to 1:40 a.m. Travel time is approximately one hour, and the fare is $12 to $13. Exit at the Princeton Junction train station, and take the Dinky to Princeton Borough. You also can take a taxi from Princeton Junction to the campus (ask to be let off at the Nassau Street guard booth). Note: New Jersey Transit usually coordinates train arrival times with Dinky departures. The Dinky provides shuttle service between Princeton Junction and Princeton Borough for AMTRAK and New Jersey Transit riders.
If your train ticket ends at Princeton Junction, you can still purchase a ticket at the Princeton Junction ticket counter or from a platform ticket machine for the Dinky to travel to Princeton Borough. Tickets purchased beforehand cost $1.80 one way. If you buy the ticket on the Dinky there is a $5 surcharge. Caution: The last Dinky departs Princeton Junction train station at 12:47 a.m. It's a 5-to-10 minute ride to the Princeton Borough train station, which borders the University (see map).
Other than the Dinky, there is no public transportation between the Princeton Junction train station and downtown Princeton Borough. Travelers who miss the 12:47 a.m. Dinky or who have a lot of luggage can take a taxi. Taxis are usually available at the station, but students can use a pay phone to call A-1 AAA Princeton Taxi (800-481-8294 or 609-921-1177) or the Princeton Taxi Stand (609-924-1222) to get to the University. Cost: between $10 and $15 plus tip. Verify the fare and pickup locations with the taxi dispatcher when you call; there are two sides to the tracks (northbound and southbound), each with separate taxi stations.
Philadelphia Airport to Princeton Borough
Avoid flying into Philadelphia. Unlike JFK and Newark airports, there is no shuttle service from the Philadelphia Airport to Princeton Borough. Taxis and rental cars are expensive. The train is the only public transportation, and it takes four trains to get to Princeton Borough. Travelers must first take the airport shuttle to 30th Street Station, the second from 30th Street Station to Trenton (NOT West Trenton, from which there is no transportation), the third from Trenton to Princeton Junction, and, finally, the Dinky or a taxi from Princeton Junction to Princeton Borough.
Click here to access a map of undergraduate housing on the Princeton University campus.
Please consult the Princeton University Web site for detailed information at www.princeton.edu.
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