Traveling to Princeton

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. For the latest travel information to campus, please consult the Princeton University Web site at www.princeton.edu/main/visiting/travel. If you are a border student and plan to drive, please consult the Web for driving directions.

Arrival in the United States

Via Airplane

Ideally, students should arrive in the U.S. via Newark International Airport in Newark, New Jersey. However, you may choose to arrive via JFK International Airport in Long Island, New York (travel from JFK to Princeton can be time-consuming and expensive), or the Philadelphia International Airport (from which it is complicated to get to Princeton, as well as expensive and time-consuming).

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.

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 more information on rates, pick-up times, and reservation scheduling, please consult the Airporter Web site at www.goairporter.com/princeton_univ.html; call (609) 587-6600 or (800) 385-4000.

The fare from JFK to Princeton is $51 ($43 with Princeton Student ID, for future travel purposes) each way; from Newark to Princeton it is $26 ($19 with Princeton student ID) each way. The trip from Newark takes 1.5 to 2 hours; the trip from JFK takes 3.5 hours. Daily shuttles depart Newark from 11:15 a.m. to 9:15 p.m.; shuttles depart JFK from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call for weekend and holiday schedules. 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 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.

Travel time from Penn Station and Newark Airport is approximately one hour, and the fare is approximately $14. 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.

Princeton Taxis

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 $20 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 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.

Security and Emergencies

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.

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.