Subway from Times Square to Battery Park: Your Route Options

From Times Square–42 St to Battery Park / South Ferry (southern tip of Manhattan), you have three main subway routes. All require careful transfers—read signs.

🟢 Option 1: The Direct 1 Train (Easiest)

1. Board Downtown 1 (Red Line) at Times Sq–42 St (lower level).
2. Ride 12 stops (~20 min) to South Ferry (terminal loop).
3. Exit → Battery Park entrance across the street.

✅ Simplest, no transfer. ⚠️ South Ferry loop: only first 5 cars open; watch gap.

🔵 Option 2: A/C/E to Fulton St + Walk (Fastest)

1. Board Downtown A, C, or E (Blue Line) at Times Sq–42 St / Port Authority (upper level).
2. Ride 6 stops (~12 min) to Fulton St.
3. Exit Broadway & Fulton → Walk 5 min (0.2 mi) south on Broadway/Whitehall St to Battery Park.

✅ Often fastest total time. ⚠️ Fulton St is a complex; follow "Broadway / South Ferry" signs.

🟡 Option 3: N/Q/R/W to Whitehall St (Scenic)

1. Board Downtown N, Q, R, or W (Yellow Line) at Times Sq–42 St (lower level, same as 1/2/3).
2. Ride 9 stops (~18 min) to Whitehall St–South Ferry.
3. Exit → Battery Park (2 min walk).

✅ Good if you're near Yellow Line platform. ⚠️ Whitehall St is deep; long escalators.

🚫 Avoid: The Convoluted Transfer Described in Old Guides

Some outdated directions suggest: A/C/E → Fulton → walk to South Ferry → 1 → R → Cortlandt. Don't do this. It adds 15+ minutes and confusion.

💳 Fare & Tips

• OMNY (tap phone/card) or MetroCard: $2.90/ride.
• Weekend/late night: Check MTA.info for service changes (1 often runs local; A/C/E/N/Q/R/W schedules vary).
• Accessibility: Fulton St (A/C/E/J/Z/2/3/4/5) and South Ferry (1) are ADA-accessible.

Recommendation: Option 1 (1 train) for simplicity. Option 2 (A/C/E + walk) if you want speed and don't mind a short walk.