Best NYC Hotels on the 1, 2, and 3 Subway Line: Upper West Side to Tribeca

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Best NYC Hotels on the 1, 2, and 3 Subway Line: Upper West Side to Tribeca

Hotels on the red 1, 2 and 3 subway lines, from the Upper West Side and Times Square to Tribeca, with 2026 rates and transit tips.

By Matthew S Crawford Β· Published October 23, 2026

Quick answer

The red 1, 2 and 3 lines run the length of Manhattan’s West Side, linking the Upper West Side, Lincoln Center, Times Square, Penn Station, Chelsea and Tribeca. The 1 is a local train that stops everywhere, while the 2 and 3 are express trains that skip many stops.

Overview: Best NYC Hotels on the 1, 2, and 3 Subway Line

The red 1, 2 and 3 lines run the length of Manhattan’s West Side, linking the Upper West Side, Lincoln Center, Times Square, Penn Station, Chelsea and Tribeca. The 1 is a local train that stops everywhere, while the 2 and 3 are express trains that skip many stops. This guide covers hotels within a.

MTA New York City Subway train arriving at a Manhattan underground station platform β€” Best NYC Hotels on the 1, 2, and 3 Subway Line
MTA New York City Subway train arriving at a Manhattan underground station platform, a key landmark for Understanding the Red Lines.

Understanding the Red Lines

The 1 train stops at every station from 242nd Street to South Ferry. The 2 and 3 share express stops at 96th Street, 72nd Street, 42nd Street–Times Square, 34th Street–Penn Station, 14th Street and Chambers Street. Use the 1 if your hotel is at a local stop, and use the 2 or 3 to travel.

Upper West Side: Hotel Beacon

The Beacon Hotel at 2130 Broadway, at 75th Street, sits near the 1, 2 and 3 at 72nd Street. It has spacious rooms, many with kitchenettes, and mid-range prices of about $195 to $295 on typical weeks. It suits families and long stays, and it is close to Central Park, the American Museum of Natural.

Upper West Side: The Lucerne

The Lucerne at 201 West 79th Street, at Amsterdam Avenue, is a landmark hotel with a quiet, residential feel. It is about a five-minute walk to the 1 at 79th Street and the B and C at 81st Street. Rates often fall between $195 and $295. It suits travelers who prefer a calm neighborhood, with.

The Art Deco New Yorker Hotel tower and iconic red rooftop sign at Eighth Avenue and 34th Street by Penn Station β€” Best NYC Hotels on the 1, 2, and 3 Subway Line
The Art Deco New Yorker Hotel tower and iconic red rooftop sign at Eighth Avenue and 34th Street by Penn Station, a key landmark for Upper West Side: The Lucerne.

Columbus Circle: Mandarin Oriental

The Mandarin Oriental at 80 Columbus Circle sits above the 1 train, along with the A, B, C and D. It offers park views, a spa and a luxury setting, with rates usually above $650. It suits couples and special occasions, and it is one of the best luxury hotels on the red line for.

Times Square: New York Marriott Marquis

The New York Marriott Marquis at 1535 Broadway, between 45th and 46th Streets, sits steps from the 1, 2 and 3 at Times Square–42nd Street. It is a large hotel with many room types and rates often between $320 and $480. It suits families, groups and conference travelers who want a central base and easy.

The American Museum of Natural History on Central Park West at West 79th Street on the Upper West Side β€” Best NYC Hotels on the 1, 2, and 3 Subway Line
The American Museum of Natural History on Central Park West at West 79th Street on the Upper West Side, a key landmark for Times Square: New York Marriott Marquis.

Chelsea and Penn Station: The New Yorker

The New Yorker Hotel at 481 Eighth Avenue, at 34th Street, is close to the 1, 2 and 3 at 34th Street–Penn Station. It has historic public spaces, compact rooms and rates often between $195 and $295. It suits travelers who plan to use Penn Station, Madison Square Garden or the Javits Center, and who.

Tribeca: Smyth Tribeca

Smyth Tribeca at 85 West Broadway, at Chambers Street, sits right by the 1, 2 and 3 at Chambers Street. It is a stylish boutique hotel with rates usually between $320 and $480 or higher. It suits travelers who want a downtown base near the World Trade Center, the Oculus and Hudson River Park, with.

Tribeca: The Roxy Hotel

The Roxy Hotel at 2 Avenue of the Americas, at White Street, is a short walk to the 1 at Franklin Street and the 1, 2 and 3 at Chambers Street. It has a cinema, a bar and cinematic design, with rates often between $320 and $480. It suits couples and creative travelers who like.

Rates and Booking Tips

Plan on $195 to $295 for budget stays, $320 to $480 for mid-range and $650 or more for luxury. Midweek is cheaper than weekends, and January and February bring the lowest rates. Compare final prices after taxes and.

Questions Travelers Ask

Travelers often ask whether to choose the 1 or the 2 and 3. The 1 is slower but reaches every local stop, which suits the Upper West Side and Tribeca. The 2 and 3 skip.

Seasons and Timing

The Upper West Side is at its best in spring and fall, when Central Park and Riverside Park are in bloom or color. December brings holiday crowds to Times Square, and summer brings heat and.

Mistakes to Avoid

Do not assume every red-line train stops at your station, because the 2 and 3 skip many stops. Do not book a hotel more than a ten-minute walk from your station if you plan to.

Which One Should You Book?

Choose the Beacon or the Lucerne for the Upper West Side, the Mandarin Oriental for luxury at Columbus Circle, the Marriott Marquis for Times Square, The New Yorker for Penn Station, and Smyth or The.

Common questions

What should visitors know about Understanding the Red Lines?

The 1 train stops at every station from 242nd Street to South Ferry. The 2 and 3 share express stops at 96th Street, 72nd Street, 42nd Street–Times Square, 34th Street–Penn Station, 14th Street and Chambers Street.

What should visitors know about Upper West Side?

The Lucerne at 201 West 79th Street, at Amsterdam Avenue, is a landmark hotel with a quiet, residential feel. It is about a five-minute walk to the 1 at 79th Street and the B and C at 81st Street.

What should visitors know about Times Square?

The New York Marriott Marquis at 1535 Broadway, between 45th and 46th Streets, sits steps from the 1, 2 and 3 at Times Square–42nd Street. It is a large hotel with many room types and rates often between $320 and $480.

What taxes, fees and transit tips apply when booking for Best NYC Hotels on the 1, 2, and 3 Subway Line?

New York City hotel stays carry a 14.75% combined occupancy and sales tax plus $3.50 per room per night in statutory fees, and many Manhattan and Brooklyn properties add a $25 to $55 nightly destination fee. Use OMNY contactless tap-to-pay ($2.90 per ride) on nearby MTA subways and buses to compare door-to-door travel times before locking in a non-refundable rate.

Keep reading

Where to Stay in Lower Manhattan & the Financial District Β· Luxury Hotels in NYC: Where to Stay for Five-Star Service Β· Upper East Side vs Upper West Side Where to Stay? Honest 2026 NYC Hotel Guide Β· Upper West Side Bagel & Appetizing Walk Along Broadway & Amsterdam Ave Β· Hotels in the Upper West Side, NYC: A Calm Base Between Two Parks Β· Upper West Side Hotels in NYC: Where to Stay Near Central Park

About the author. Matthew S Crawford grew up on Long Island, in Massapequa and then Deer Park. He runs NYCHotelss, an independent NYC hotel guide. Details change. Check rates, hours and policies before you book.
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