Grand Central Station Visitor Guide 2024: Everything you need to know
Rail stations don’t come much grander or more iconic than New York’s Grand Central Station. The center of arrivals and departures in the city since 1913, Grand Central has been recognized as a historic landmark. But for all its grandeur, the station remains one of the busiest in New York. In fact, it’s the most used station in New York City after Penn Station, and also the second busiest in the entire country.
Arriving at Grand Central can be overwhelming. With 750,000 visitors every day, Grand Central is one of the busiest locations in this notoriously crowded city. Make things easier on yourself by dropping off your bags at a luggage storage near Grand Central Station. The lighter you travel, the easier it will be to find your feet in the Big Apple.
Grand Central Station bag policy
With so many passengers traveling through the station, you’ll see plenty of people weighed down with bags in Grand Central. There are no specific restrictions on the amount of bags you are allowed to bring. But given the high security at the station, make sure you don’t leave your bags unattended or they will be treated with suspicion and potentially destroyed.
The same heightened security means that there are no luggage storage facilities in Grand Central station. Instead, you’ll need to find a suitcase storage near the station. Luckily, you won’t have to look far to find a place to drop off your bags in New York.
Grand Central Station food policy
There are no restrictions on the kind of food you can bring with you to Grand Central Station. The only thing you should be aware of is that open containers of alcohol are not permitted outside of licensed bar areas within the station. Beyond that, you can bring just about any kind of food into the station with you.
However, given that New York is one of the world’s great food cities, you may be more inclined to get something on the way. The station itself contains many places to eat, such as Prova Pizza Bar, Tartinery, Wok Chi Chinese Kitchen, and Grand Central Oyster Bar. All of the restaurants in the station are local New York names. And of course, in the neighborhood around the station, you’ll find virtually limitless food options too.
Grand Central Station camera policy
You are allowed to take photos in the Grand Central Station, which is a good thing given that you may want to capture the stunning architecture for yourself. However, you should note that professional equipment such as tripods and lights are not allowed. Also, given the high security in some parts of the station, it’s important to be aware of what you’re taking photos of. Avoid photographing security personnel or secure areas.
Often, it’s simpler to leave the camera behind. Drop off your unneeded camera gear at a luggage locker near Grand Central Station, and you’ll find it much easier to get around.
Grand Central Station rules
- Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside Grand Central Station.
- Bikes are allowed inside the station, but must be walked and not ridden while in the building.
- Pets are allowed as long as they are on leashes or in a carrier.
- Grand Central Station is open from 515 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. Individual restaurants and stores inside the station may keep different hours.
- Shuttle buses connect Grand Central Station to nearby New York airports such as LaGuardia and JFK.
Grand Central Station lockers
The impressive architecture of Grand Central Station is the perfect introduction to New York, capital of the Empire State. And the crowds you’ll find at the station are an accurate representation of what you can expect to find in New York. New York’s nonstop busyness is part of what makes a trip to the city so exciting. But it doesn’t always make travel easy.
You can make your trip easier on yourself by dropping off your bags at a bag storage near Grand Central Station. Knowing your bags are safely looked after will be a load off your mind as well as off your back while you travel through the city that never sleeps.
