Rutgers University: Nyc Student Transportation Options

Rutgers University offers a variety of transportation options for students travelling to and from New York City (NYC). The university is located just off Route 18, less than two miles from Route 1 and Exit 9 of the New Jersey Turnpike, and is easily accessible by car, bus, train, or taxi. The New Brunswick train station, served by New Jersey Transit and Amtrak, is located downtown and offers direct service to NYC's Penn Station. Additionally, Suburban Transit offers a direct bus service between Port Authority Bus Terminal in NYC and Rutgers University. Rutgers University also provides a complimentary campus bus service, allowing students to travel downtown or to other points on the New Brunswick/Piscataway campuses. For those interested in sustainable transportation, the university offers a bicycle rental program at a central location on the New Brunswick Campus.

Rutgers University to Manhattan: direct bus and train options

Rutgers University is located in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and is approximately 61 kilometres from Manhattan. There are four ways to travel from Rutgers University to Manhattan: by bus, train, taxi, or car.

By Bus

The Suburban Transit bus company provides a direct bus service from Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan to Albany St & Spring St in New Brunswick, which takes about 50 minutes. The journey costs $19–23, and buses depart hourly.

By Train

There is no direct train from Manhattan to Rutgers University. To travel by train, you must take a train from New York Penn Station to New Brunswick, with a transfer at New York Penn Station. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes, and trains depart every 30 minutes. A one-way ticket costs $12–20.

By Taxi

Taking a taxi from Manhattan to Rutgers University is the fastest option, at approximately 42 minutes, but it is also the most expensive, costing $330–390.

By Car

The drive from Manhattan to Rutgers University is about 63 kilometres, and it takes around 42 minutes. This is the cheapest option, costing only $11–17.

New York to Rutgers University: travel by train, bus, taxi or car

There are four ways to get from New York to Rutgers University: by bus, train, taxi or car.

The best way to get from New York to Rutgers University without a car is to take the bus, which takes 56 minutes and costs $6-$35. The bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal to Albany St & Spring St takes 50 minutes including transfers and departs hourly.

The train from New York Penn Station to New Brunswick costs $8-$13 and the journey takes 1 hour 1 minute. This train departs every 30 minutes.

The taxi from New York to Rutgers University takes 40 minutes and costs $190-$230.

The car is the cheapest way to get from New York to Rutgers University, costing $6-$10 and taking 40 minutes. The driving distance is 35.8 miles.

Rutgers University does not explicitly provide transportation for students into New York City. However, there are several public transportation options available for students commuting to campus, including discounted NJ Transit tickets for full-time undergraduate and graduate students.

Rutgers University parking: registering your vehicle

Rutgers University students can purchase parking permits in mid-August, allowing them to park in their assigned lots on one of the five campuses. Permits can be purchased online, and multiple cars can be registered to a single permit. However, only one vehicle per permit can be parked on campus at a time. Students must park in their assigned lot, as parking in a lot that is not assigned to them may result in a ticket. Students can check which lots are assigned to their permit online.

Rutgers University uses license plate recognition (LPR) and does not provide physical permit passes, hang tags, or stickers. Students must ensure that their license plate is entered correctly, as a single error in the license plate number or letter will result in a virtual ticket. Students must also ensure that their license plate is facing the driving aisle at all times. If their state does not require a front plate, they cannot back into a parking stall.

Students with temporary tags must register their temporary license plate number, not their VIN number. Once permanent plates are received, students must update their license plate information on their parking portal account.

Students living off-campus can purchase a limited number of Off-Campus Living permits, which allow for 24-hour parking in specific resident lots.

Daily parking permits are also available for commuter students.

Rutgers University Campus Bus: complimentary for all riders

Rutgers University provides complimentary campus bus services to all riders, including students, staff, and guests. The university bus system offers transportation to downtown New Brunswick and other points on the New Brunswick/Piscataway campuses.

To access the Rutgers Campus Bus, guests can head to the closest bus stop, located at Gibbons Hall on Ryders Lane, a short walk from the Rutgers University Inn and Conference Center. From there, guests can take the EE or F route to the College Ave Campus or transfer at College Hall for the Livingston or Busch Campuses. On weekends and during holidays and summer, the Weekend 1, Weekend 2, and All Campus routes will stop at all campuses.

For students and staff at Rutgers University–Newark, the university encourages the use of mass transit, as the campus is only a few blocks from Newark Penn Station. Students can also commute to campus via bus and light rail. The Student Commuter Rewards Program promotes the use of mass transportation by offering up to $50 in gift card rewards monthly for those who submit their transit receipts.

Additionally, Rutgers University offers a bicycle rental program available to all students on all five campuses. Scooters are also available for students on the New Brunswick campus.

Student Commuter Reward Program: up to $50 in gift cards for using mass transportation

Rutgers University encourages the use of mass transit, especially since the Rutgers University–Newark campus is only a few blocks from Newark Penn Station. Students can commute to campus via bus and light rail.

The Student Commuter Reward Program is a green initiative that promotes Rutgers University–Newark and Camden students to use mass transportation to get to and from classes. By submitting monthly transit receipts, students can receive up to $50 in gift card rewards monthly at kite+key, Rutgers Tech Store or Barnes & Noble (Newark only). The program is an alternative solution to the limited amount of parking available on the Rutgers–Camden and Newark campuses.

Students can benefit from a 25% discount on monthly rail, bus, or light rail passes from NJ Transit. Full-time and part-time students can download the NJ Transit Mobile App to access this service.

Additionally, Rutgers University offers a bicycle rental program available at central locations throughout the New Brunswick Campus. Bicycles can be rented for $10 per month or $25 per semester. Scooters are also available for students on the New Brunswick campus.

Frequently asked questions