GuideMarch 12, 20266 min read

How to Get from MetLife Stadium to New York City: A Fan's Transport Guide

Every option for getting from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey back to Manhattan, Brooklyn, or anywhere in New York City after a FIFA 2026 match.

By FIFA26 Fan Community

NJ Transit Train from Meadowlands

The most reliable way to get from MetLife Stadium to New York City is the NJ Transit Meadowlands Rail Line, which runs special event service directly from the Meadowlands station adjacent to the stadium to Secaucus Junction. From Secaucus Junction, you can transfer to virtually any NJ Transit line heading into New York Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan. The train ride from Meadowlands to Secaucus takes about ten minutes, and the connection from Secaucus to Penn Station adds another twelve to fifteen minutes. After major events, NJ Transit typically runs trains every ten to fifteen minutes for about two hours following the final whistle, so you do not need to rush out before the match ends to catch a train. Fares for the Meadowlands service are typically around six to eight dollars one way to Penn Station. Buy your return ticket before the match or use the NJ Transit mobile app to purchase it digitally, because the ticket machines at Meadowlands station will have enormous lines after the match. From Penn Station, you are connected to the entire New York City subway system, the Long Island Rail Road, Amtrak, and PATH trains to New Jersey, making this the single best transit hub for onward connections.

Bus and Shuttle Options

NJ Transit also operates bus service from the Meadowlands Sports Complex. The 160 and 165 bus routes connect the stadium area to the Port Authority Bus Terminal on 42nd Street and Eighth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. The ride takes between thirty and fifty minutes depending on traffic conditions, which can be severe after a match with 80,000 fans leaving simultaneously. Buses run frequently on event nights but expect standing room only and long boarding queues. The fare is approximately five dollars. The Port Authority terminal connects to the Times Square subway station, giving you access to the N, Q, R, W, 1, 2, 3, 7, and S shuttle lines. FIFA and the local organizing committee are also expected to operate dedicated fan shuttle services for the 2026 tournament, connecting MetLife to key locations in Manhattan, though details and pricing have not been finalized at the time of writing. If you are staying in Hoboken or Jersey City, NJ Transit buses from the Meadowlands can also take you to those destinations without needing to go through Manhattan.

Rideshare and Taxi

Uber, Lyft, and traditional taxis all serve MetLife Stadium, but the post-match experience with rideshare can be genuinely painful. The designated rideshare pickup area is in Lot L on the east side of the stadium complex, and after a sellout crowd, you can expect wait times of thirty to sixty minutes as thousands of fans all request rides simultaneously. Surge pricing will be significant, and a ride to Midtown Manhattan that normally costs thirty to forty dollars can easily spike to eighty or one hundred dollars after a major event. If you are committed to using rideshare, the best strategy is to walk away from the stadium toward Route 120 or the surrounding commercial areas where drivers can reach you without entering the gridlocked stadium lots. This can cut your wait time dramatically. Traditional yellow cab service from New Jersey is less common, but car services like local livery cabs can be pre-booked. Several car service companies in East Rutherford and nearby Secaucus offer flat-rate post-event rides to Manhattan for around seventy to ninety dollars, which can be a better deal than surge-priced Uber when split between two or more passengers.

Driving and Parking

If you are driving to MetLife Stadium, parking is available in the massive lots surrounding the complex. General parking typically costs forty to sixty dollars for events of this scale, and you need to purchase a parking pass in advance through the venue or the tournament ticketing platform. The lots open several hours before kickoff to accommodate tailgating, which is a beloved American pregame tradition you should experience at least once. After the match, however, getting out of the parking lots is where your patience will be tested. The stadium is served by Route 3, Route 120, and the New Jersey Turnpike, and all of these roads will be heavily congested. Expect thirty to sixty minutes just to exit the parking lot and reach a main road. From there, the Lincoln Tunnel to Manhattan can add another twenty to forty-five minutes of traffic. The George Washington Bridge is an option if you are heading to Upper Manhattan or the Bronx, but it is farther north and also experiences post-event congestion. A helpful trick is to park in Secaucus at one of the park-and-ride lots, take the Meadowlands train to the stadium, and then take the train back to your car after the match.

Post-Match Crowd Tips

The most important thing to understand about leaving MetLife Stadium is that no matter which option you choose, you are going to be part of a massive crowd of approximately 82,500 people all trying to leave at the same time. Patience is not optional. If you want to beat the worst of the crush, you can leave the stadium five minutes before the final whistle and walk briskly toward your chosen transport. But honestly, most fans prefer to soak in the final moments of a World Cup match and deal with the crowds afterward. The walk from your seat to the Meadowlands train station takes about ten to fifteen minutes at post-match crowd pace. Bring a portable phone charger because your phone battery will be drained from photos, videos, and trying to coordinate with friends in the crowd. Stay hydrated and wear comfortable shoes because you will be on your feet for a while. If you are not in a rush, consider hanging back in the stadium concourse for fifteen to twenty minutes after the final whistle. Let the first wave of fans clear out, grab a final drink or snack, and then make your way to the exits. The second wave of departures is noticeably less chaotic than the first.