Parking at Metro Park or Princeton Station

[Anonymous]

I am going for a college tour to Princeton during spring break and we want to visit NY for a couple days before returning to DC> Do not want to drive into the city so thinking of parking either at MetroPark or at Princeton Station. What is your experience with these?

[Anonymous]

Metro Park is perfect for this. It's a well known station for overnight trips and has a covered garage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Metro Park is perfect for this. It's a well known station for overnight trips and has a covered garage.

This also gives you Acela access (though limited)

[Anonymous]

Thanks! Is it possible to book a spot beforehand there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks! Is it possible to book a spot beforehand there?

No.

https://www.nexusparkingsystems.com/metro-payment.html

Metropark is a good option. We have also driven to Journal Square in Jersey City and parked there to take the PATH. It's a lot close to NYC and the PATH runs more often than NJTransit, so it is more flexible. From Journal Square you can catch either PATH train- the one to lower Manhattan or the one to midtown. It's also cheaper- $2.75/person each way. Parking cost is around the same, we have used Spothero to reserve/pay for a spot ahead of time. A bit more traffic risk going all the way to Jersey City, but usually we go on weekends when the NJ Turnpike traffic between central Jersey and Jersey City isn't too bad.

[Anonymous]

I’m not sure you’re allowed to park overnight at Princeton Junction. We usually park at Hamilton station—it is great. Or drive further and take the PATH.

[Anonymous]

Metro Park or Hamilton are your best bets. Can’t book ahead but you likely won’t have a problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Metro Park or Hamilton are your best bets. Can’t book ahead but you likely won’t have a problem.

Agree!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Metro Park or Hamilton are your best bets. Can’t book ahead but you likely won’t have a problem.

Yes, but because Princeton is in between the two, you would be going backwards to drive/park at Hamilton if going to NYC. No reason to do that, so Metropark is the best NJTransit option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Metro Park or Hamilton are your best bets. Can’t book ahead but you likely won’t have a problem.

Yes, but because Princeton is in between the two, you would be going backwards to drive/park at Hamilton if going to NYC. No reason to do that, so Metropark is the best NJTransit option.

But on the way back it’s less driving, and Hamilton is easy on/off the highway.

[Anonymous]

OP again: Thanks all! Would it be just simpler to drive into NY, I worry because i have never done that drive and it will be rush hour around 5 PM. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Go to Hamilton station. It’s very easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again: Thanks all! Would it be just simpler to drive into NY, I worry because i have never done that drive and it will be rush hour around 5 PM. Thoughts?

If it's that time of day I would absolutely not drive into New York. We do drive into the city sometimes, but never on a weekday except from maybe 11-2, or after 9 PM.