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Moving from New York to New Jersey, step by step
Lease notice timing, the New Jersey license and car registration transfer, utilities and the commute, with a timeline and a checklist.
- Leasing
- Perth Amboy
From the blog
Train, bus, ferry and car times from 585 Sayre Avenue, what the Perth Amboy Station rebuild changes, and which commute fits where you work.
Published 8 min read
Perth Amboy sits about 29 miles from Midtown by the New Jersey Turnpike, on a rail line that runs straight into New York Penn Station. For most commuters, that means about an hour on one train, with no transfer.
This guide covers each way into the city from a renter's point of view: where you board, how long it takes, what the station rebuild changes, and which option fits where you work. Distances are from Five85West at 585 Sayre Avenue; the full list is on our Perth Amboy location page.
Perth Amboy to NYC at a Glance
| Option | Where you board | Arrives in Manhattan at | Typical trip | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NJ Transit train (North Jersey Coast Line) | Where you boardPerth Amboy Station, 0.9 miles from 585 Sayre Avenue | Arrives in Manhattan atNew York Penn Station | Typical tripAbout 1 hour; peak expresses under 55 minutes | Best forDaily commuting to Midtown |
| NJ Transit 116 bus | Where you boardAbout a block from 585 Sayre Avenue | Arrives in Manhattan atPort Authority Bus Terminal | Typical tripRoughly 70 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic | Best forTimes Square and Midtown West, no walk to the station |
| NY Waterway ferry | Where you boardSouth Amboy Ferry Terminal, about 2.8 miles away | Arrives in Manhattan atMidtown (West 39th Street) or Downtown (Brookfield Place, Pier 11/Wall Street) | Typical tripWeekday commuter service; check the current schedule | Best forLower Manhattan and the Financial District |
| Car | Where you boardYour parking space at the building | Arrives in Manhattan atMidtown, about 29 miles via the Turnpike | Typical tripAbout 50 minutes outside rush hour | Best forOff-peak trips, Staten Island, changing schedules |
How Long Is the Train From Perth Amboy to New York Penn Station?
About an hour. Perth Amboy Station is on NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line, and direct trains run to New York Penn Station, stopping at the Newark Airport rail station on the way. Peak-hour expresses make the trip in under 55 minutes.
Where Is the Perth Amboy Train Station?
The station sits below street level on Elm Street, between Smith and Market Streets, 0.9 miles from 585 Sayre Avenue. Its historic station buildings are listed on the state and National Registers of Historic Places.
How Often Do Trains Run From Perth Amboy?
Perth Amboy has 64 weekday trains. Exact departure times change with the season and with construction, so check NJ Transit's timetable or DepartureVision before you travel.
Do You Need to Change Trains to Reach Manhattan?
No. On direct trains you stay in your seat all the way to New York Penn Station.
Getting to Perth Amboy Station From Five85West
The station is 0.9 miles away. You can walk, drive, or take one of the local NJ Transit buses (routes 48, 813, 815 and 817) that connect downtown, the station and the neighboring towns. Part of the station's commuter lot next to Market Street is temporarily closed during construction, so allow time to find a space if you drive.
What the Perth Amboy Station Rebuild Changes for Commuters
NJ Transit is rebuilding Perth Amboy Station to make it fully accessible. Ground was broken in April 2022 on a $45.5 million construction contract, part of a project NJ Transit estimated in 2021 at about $63 million in total.
| What the project includes | What it means for a commuter |
|---|---|
| Two new high-level platforms | What it means for a commuterLevel boarding, with no steps up into the train; easier with luggage or a stroller |
| Four new elevators, plus new ramps and stairs | What it means for a commuterStep-free access to both platforms |
| Full ADA compliance | What it means for a commuterThe station becomes accessible to riders with disabilities |
| Renovated restrooms and upgraded security cameras | What it means for a commuterA more comfortable, better-monitored wait |
| Repairs to both station buildings and the pedestrian bridge | What it means for a commuterThe historic buildings are repaired and their design preserved |
Is Perth Amboy Station Open During Construction?
Yes. Trains keep stopping while the work continues in stages. The first high-level platform sections opened in 2024, and NJ Transit's current station advisory lists the east end of the Track 1 platform (trains toward Long Branch and Bay Head) as open for high-level boarding while the rest of the work goes on.
Taking the NJ Transit 116 Bus From Perth Amboy to Port Authority
NJ Transit's 116 bus runs between Perth Amboy and the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan. It boards about a block from Five85West, so there is no walk to the station.
Trip planners put the ride at roughly 70 to 90 minutes, and traffic decides which end of that range you get. The bus suits riders headed to Times Square and Midtown West, the neighborhoods closest to Port Authority.
Is There a Ferry From Perth Amboy to NYC?
No ferry runs from Perth Amboy itself. The nearest is NY Waterway's service from the South Amboy Ferry Terminal, about 2.8 miles from 585 Sayre Avenue by way of Route 35.
- Where it goes: Downtown (Brookfield Place and Pier 11/Wall Street) and Midtown (West 39th Street).
- When it runs: weekday morning and evening commuter service.
- Parking: NY Waterway lists free parking at the terminal.
- Connections: free multi-route shuttles in Midtown, and free transfers at Brookfield Place to the Weehawken, Hoboken and Jersey City ferries.
Check NY Waterway for the current schedule and fares before your first trip.
Driving From Perth Amboy to Manhattan
Midtown is about 29 miles by the New Jersey Turnpike, roughly 50 minutes outside rush hour. The route has tolls, and peak traffic adds time.
| Road or destination | Distance from 585 Sayre Avenue |
|---|---|
| Outerbridge Crossing (to Staten Island) | Distance from 585 Sayre Avenue2.2 miles |
| Garden State Parkway | Distance from 585 Sayre Avenue4.4 miles |
| NJ Turnpike, Exit 10 | Distance from 585 Sayre Avenue4.5 miles |
| Newark Liberty International Airport | Distance from 585 Sayre Avenue15 miles |
| Midtown Manhattan | Distance from 585 Sayre AvenueAbout 29 miles |
Route 35 passes the corner and connects to Route 440 in minutes, with Route 9 and I-287 close by. At Five85West, one parking space is included with every home, additional spaces are available for a monthly fee, and EV charging stations are on site. Details are on the amenities page and in the parking answers in our FAQ.
Getting From Perth Amboy to Newark Airport
By rail, the Newark Airport station is about 30 minutes north on the same line as the trains to New York. By car, Newark Liberty International Airport is 15 miles from 585 Sayre Avenue.
Which Commute Fits Where You Work?
| If you work near | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Penn Station, Herald Square or Hudson Yards | Start withTrain to New York Penn Station | WhyOne seat, about an hour, expresses under 55 minutes at peak |
| Times Square or the Theater District | Start withTrain, or the 116 bus | WhyThe train is usually quicker; the bus ends at Port Authority on 42nd Street |
| Wall Street, Battery Park City or the Financial District | Start withFerry from South Amboy | WhyWeekday boats to Brookfield Place and Pier 11/Wall Street |
| Staten Island | Start withCar | WhyThe Outerbridge Crossing is 2.2 miles away |
| Newark Liberty Airport | Start withTrain | WhyAbout 30 minutes on the same line |
| Different places on different days | Start withCar, with the train as backup | WhyAbout 50 minutes to Midtown off-peak, with a parking space included at home |
Test Your Commute Before You Sign a Lease
- Ride the route at the hour you would commute, on a weekday.
- Time the last leg too: from Penn Station, Port Authority or the ferry landing to your office door.
- Check NJ Transit's station advisories for Perth Amboy, since construction can change where you board.
- If you plan to drive, try it in rush hour and price parking at the other end.
- If you plan to take the ferry, confirm the weekday schedule fits your hours.
- Tour Five85West the same day, then ride or drive the route home.
Frequently Asked Questions
About an hour to New York Penn Station on NJ Transit's North Jersey Coast Line, with peak expresses under 55 minutes.
Yes. Perth Amboy Station is on Elm Street between Smith and Market Streets and is served by the North Jersey Coast Line. It is 0.9 miles from Five85West.
Yes. Direct North Jersey Coast Line trains run to New York Penn Station without a change.
Yes. Trains keep stopping while NJ Transit rebuilds the platforms in stages. Some doors may not open at the station, so listen for crew announcements.
Not from Perth Amboy itself. NY Waterway runs weekday ferries from South Amboy, about 2.8 miles away, to Midtown and Downtown Manhattan.
NJ Transit's 116, which boards about a block from Five85West.
About 29 miles to Midtown by the New Jersey Turnpike, roughly 50 minutes by car outside rush hour.
See the Commute for Yourself
Tour Five85West, then ride or drive the route you would take to work. Compare the 12 layouts before you come, and book a private tour Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, or call (732) 324-0300.
Filed under: Perth Amboy
Compare the 12 layouts, then book a private tour Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, or call (732) 324-0300.