General Notes
General information about traveling to and visiting Princeton University can be found on the "visiting campus" webpages.
Please send any questions about travel to Princeton to diffprog2023-loc@iris-hep.org.
Travel by Air
The closest and most convenient airport to come to Princeton is Newark Liberty International (EWR). Most participants will find that the best solution for domestic flights within the US. This is the recommended airport unless the cost is significantly higher than other alternatives. From there it is convenient to take the NJ Transit train to Princeton as described below.
Another option is flying into John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) or LaGuardia International Airport (LGA) at the cost of additional travel time. From JFK, the easiest transfer is probably to the Airtrain to Jamaica Station and then take the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to New York Penn Station. Alternatively there is the subway or a bus (NYC Airporter with service from JFK to NYC Penn Station. From NYC Penn Station, you can take the train to Princeton as described below.
From a small number of locations it may also be possible to fly to Trenton-Mercer Airport. Getting from there to the Princeton campus is easiest by taxi/Uber/Lyft. Alternatively, a bus and/or catching NJ Transit trains at the Trenton train station.
In general we suggest to avoid long distance taxis due to cost. Uber and Lyft should be available on and around the Princeton campus (including to/from the Princeton Junction train station) at a modest price.
Travel by Train
From Newark Liberty International (EWR) airport and from many other locations along the east coast (e.g. Boston, NYC, Washington DC and Baltimore), it is possible to travel to Princeton by train. Note that there are two train stations you will need to know:
- The major train station closest to Princeton is "Princeton Junction Station" (PJC). This is served by New Jersey Transit on the "Northeast Corridor Line" from stations include NY Penn Station, Newark airport and Trenton station. PJC has a limited direct service by Amtrak, however the NJ Transit service is the easiest way to arrive at PJC from any of the stations above.
- The campus train station is "Princeton Station". This is served only by a small commuter train (the "Dinky") which goes along a spur line from Princeton Junction Station to campus. It is operated by New Jersey Transit.
If you are coming from EWR, Trenton or NYC Penn Station, you should buy a New Jersey Transit ticket through to Princeton Station. You will then need to take a train to Princeton Junction train station (check that your particular train stops there!), get off at Princeton Junction train station and take the "Dinky" from Princeton Junction train station to Princeton train station.
From EWR terminals, take the air train (eg, the shuttle service between terminals) to the Amtrak/NJ transit train station Trains arrive at the furthest of the two platforms (follow signs for Trenton/Philadelphia and not New York City). For Monday May 30th, trains to Princeton Junction leave the EWR train station at 6:38, 7:37, 8:37, 9:37, 10:37, 11:37, 12:37, 13:37, 14:21, 14:37, 15:21, 15:38, 16:17, 16:41, 17:37, 18:17, 18:37, 19:26, 19:38, 20:26, 20:37, 21:22, 21:37, 22:37, 23:18, 23:37, 00:37 , and 01:45 (Schedule here, there also are other trains that connect via Newark Penn station, however these tend not to have a short connection to the Dinky to Princeton campus). Trains take about 50 minutes and cost $21.50 (Buy ticket to Princeton Station at the station before getting on the train).
If you are coming on Amtrak, most trains do not stop at Princeton Junction (with only a few exceptions, see the Amtrak website). You will need to take Amtrak to Newark or Trenton and then switch to New Jersey Transit, as above, to arrive to Princeton Station on campus.
Once you get to Princeton Junction, the train to Princeton station (the "Dinky") is on a neighboring track (See here - go under the train tracks if you arrive from NYC/Newark/EWR). It tends to leave just a after the train from EWR arrives (so be efficient transferring..)
Taxis/ubers/etc can be time-effective if not cost effective for groups of more than 1 person. Be sure to check the traffic..
