How should I commute from Hoboken to NYC?

Question

My company is moving offices from beautiful Union Square to corporate life in mid town, E 44th street and 3rd ave.

I live in Hoboken (on 14th street) and I was wondering if it is worth it to use the ferry or cont. to use the PATH?

Answer 1

Continue to use PATH as it will get you closer to your destination.

The ferry won't get close at all.  When you get off you'd still be on the extreme west side of Manhattan.

Stay on PATH until the last stop (33rd St).  From there take an uptown N, Q, R or W train to Times Square.  Then take the 42nd St Shuttle to Grand Central.  Walk through Grand Central Terminal to Lexington Av.  The exit is at 44th St.  Then walk over one avenue to 3rd Avenue.

Having once worked in the area, I confer my condolences.  At least at Union Square everyone was "going in the same direction" for the most part when you got off the train (either subway or PATH).  At Grand Central you'll have to contend with the Westchester commuters trying to get on the subway.

One other bit of advice - If you use SmartLink or QuickCard on PATH - continue to do so.  Don't get sucked into the fact that PATH accepts the Metrocard.  You'll lose money if you use it on PATH (and even more if you use the same MetroCard on the subway and PATH).   If you are going to use MetroCard (Pay-per-ride) on PATH use a separate one for PATH and a separate on for the subway.

Unlimited ride MetroCards will not work on PATH and there are no transfers between PATH and the NYC subway using any MetroCard.

Edit:  Having used PATH quite a bit in the past 6 years I know that recently there have been problems that really s***w things up especially during the rush hour.  Here is an alternate route:

Take the HOB-WTC train to the WTC station.  When you exit to the street walk up Vesey St for 2 blocks to Broadway.  Go right on Broadway for one block to Fulton Street.  Cross over to the other side of Broadway and take the #4 or 5 train uptown to 42nd St-Grand Central.  [The entrance to the subway is on Fulton Street in the building just past the Chase bank branch]

At Grand Central go upstairs and exit to the street - that will be Lexington Av.  Walk 2 blocks to 44th St and one block to 3rd Av.

Answer 2

PATH train is much better.

Ferries Weekdays only 14th St-Hoboken or 38th St Ferry Terminal.

It cost you $7.75 to Pier 79, $9.25 to WTC.

Also, NY Waterway does not operate from NJ Transit terminal to Pier 79.