Alternative Transportation and Directions
By Car or Taxi
Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) is located at West 168th Street and Broadway, immediately southeast of the George Washington Bridge in New York City’s neighborhood of Washington Heights in northern Manhattan. The 168th Street subway station on the A, C, and 1 lines is centered within the campus making it the obvious choice for accessing the campus for most people. The area around CUIMC has very limited parking. Visitors and Columbia affiliates are asked use sustainable alternatives such as transit, biking and carpooling for accessing the campus. Columbia provides the following information and services to encourage sustainable travel to and from its locations.
Parking in Manhattan can be a challenge. Prime spots fill up fast and restrictions like alternate-side parking can make traveling to Columbia University Irving Medical Center difficult. To avoid the stress and cost of parking, select from a variety of environmentally friendly transportation alternatives.
Sustainable Alternatives to Driving
New York City Public Transportation
Take the A (express) or C (local) subway trains to the 168th Street Station. The M2, M3, M4, M5, and M100 buses also serve the medical center. Maps of bus and subway routes are available on the MTA website and through MTA apps. You must purchase a MetroCard to ride the subway. To keep up with your regular routes, sign up for MTA alerts.
Bicycle
Commute by bike to weave necessary exercise into your day as well as avoid traffic congestion and expensive parking.
Columbia has a variety of bike parking options throughout its campuses. See rack locations and capacities for each location. Bike racks on campus are for daily use; long-term storage is prohibited as to maximize parking for active bike users and conserve valuable campus space. More useful bike services and resources:
- FREE bike repair stations are located at the School of Nursing parking garage and the 100 Haven Avenue parking garage.
- More information about biking services offered by Columbia is viewable on the Columbia Transportation website.
- Sign up to receive news and information from Columbia about advances and changes to bike travel that are relevant for bike users in NYC or people who are interested in biking. {LINK}
- Learn about the discount bike lock program via the Public Safety website.
- View a map of New York City bike routes.
Intercampus Shuttles and Commuter Resources Offered by Columbia
Free shuttle buses connect CUIMC with Columbia University's Morningside, Manhattanville and Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory campuses as well as Columbia’s offices in Fort Lee, New Jersey and our affiliate Harlem Hospital. These shuttles run Monday through Friday, excluding University holidays. The shuttles’ primary purpose is to facilitate travel between the campus and act secondary as a commute option for Columbia affiliates. All riders must present a valid University ID upon boarding the shuttle. Columbia has centralized information about these shuttle buses, their schedules and routes, as well as other transportation services for choosing a sustainable commute on the Columbia Transportation website.
Read about Columbia’s transition to electric shuttle buses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our operations.
Train or Interstate Bus
Amtrak trains to New York City arrive at Pennsylvania Station. The Metro-North Railroad also stops at 125th Street in Harlem. Buses stop at the Port Authority Bus Terminal and the George Washington Bridge Bus Station. Visitors arriving at these stations can take public transportation or a taxi to CUIMC. Those arriving at the GW Bridge Bus Station can even walk.
Taxi
Only green or yellow cabs are legally permitted to pick up passengers in New York City.
Wow Commute Stories
Columbia’s Wow Commute Stories introduces you to Columbia folks who have already made the switch and is intended to encourage Columbia folks to experiment with different commute modes.
Parking Options
On-Street Parking
Metered and non-metered parking is available on New York City streets. See parking information and traffic advisories on the New York City Department of Transportation website.
Commercial Parking Garages
Some of these commercial garages near CUIMC may offer discounts to affiliates. Call ahead to confirm rates.
- SPPlus: 3960 Broadway (entrance on Broadway, between W. 165th and 166th Sts.)
- SPPlus: NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital parking. 115 Fort Washington Ave., between 164th and 165th Sts.
- SPPlus: 775 Riverside Dr.
- Metropolitan Parking Group LLC: 4168 Broadway, between W. 176th and 177th Sts.
CUIMC has a limited supply of employee parking. Learn more about eligibility.