How to easily reach Summit One Vanderbilt in New York City

Located right next to Grand Central Terminal, Summit One Vanderbilt is one of New York City's top observation decks, offering stunning skyline views. From its soaring 1,401-foot height, Summit One Vanderbilt offers unparalleled, 360-degree views of the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, the Hudson River, Central Park, and beyond. Its immersive mirrored spaces and sky-high glass ledges provide an unforgettable experience.

Where is Summit One Vanderbilt located?

Summit One Vanderbilt is situated in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, directly next to Grand Central Terminal. This prime location makes it incredibly easy to reach, whether you're arriving by subway, bus, or on foot.

Address: One Vanderbilt Ave, New York, NY 10017
Landmark: Adjacent to Grand Central Terminal

Summit One Vanderbilt is surrounded by some of New York City's most famous attractions, including Bryant Park (just a 5-minute walk away), the New York Public Library, the Chrysler Building, and Times Square, making it a great stop on any NYC itinerary.

For the fastest and most convenient way to get here, public transport is your best bet. Here’s how you can reach Summit One Vanderbilt effortlessly:

Reaching Summit One Vanderbilt by public transport

🚇 By metro

• Take the 4, 5, 6, 7, or S subway lines to Grand Central-42nd Street Station.
• From the station, follow the signs to Grand Central Terminal’s Main Concourse, where you can access Summit One Vanderbilt directly.
• If exiting onto 42nd Street, it’s just a 1-minute walk to the 45 East 42nd Street entrance.

🚌 By bus

• Several MTA bus routes stop near Grand Central Terminal:
  • M1, M2, M3, M4 – Stop on Madison Ave & 42nd St
  • M42 – Crosstown service stopping at 42nd St & Vanderbilt Ave
  • M101, M102, M103 – Stop at Lexington Ave & 42nd St
• Walking distance from the nearest bus stop: 2-5 minutes.

🚋 By tram (Roosevelt Island Tramway)

• If coming from Roosevelt Island, take the Roosevelt Island Tramway to 59th St & 2nd Ave.
• From there, transfer to the 6 train (subway) at Lexington Ave/59th St and take it downtown to Grand Central-42nd St.
• Walk 2 minutes to Summit One Vanderbilt.

Getting to Summit One Vanderbilt by car or taxi

🚖 By Taxi or ride-share

• Popular ride-hailing apps like Uber, Lyft, and local taxis operate throughout NYC.
• Estimated fare from:
  • Times Square: $10-$15 (10-minute ride)
  • JFK Airport: $55-$70 (45-minute ride)
  • LaGuardia Airport: $35-$50 (30-minute ride)

🚗 Driving directions

• If driving from Midtown Manhattan, take 5th Ave or Madison Ave towards 42nd St.
• If coming from Downtown Manhattan, use FDR Drive North, exit at 42nd St, and drive west toward Vanderbilt Ave.

🚦 Traffic tip: NYC traffic is heaviest during rush hours (8am-10am & 4pm-7pm). Expect delays if driving during these times.

🅿️ Parking near Summit One Vanderbilt

There is no on-site parking, but these garages are nearby:

• SP+ Parking – 52 E 41st St (2-minute walk) – $20-$40 per hour
• Grand Central Terminal Parking – 335 Madison Ave (3-minute walk) – $15-$50 per hour
• Icon Parking – 110 E 42nd St (5-minute walk) – $18-$55 per hour
• Street Parking: Limited and metered, best for short visits.

♿ Accessible parking: Available at Grand Central Terminal Parking Garage.

Getting to Summit One Vanderbilt with Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tours

Many Hop-on Hop-off bus tours stop near Grand Central Terminal, making it easy to reach Summit One Vanderbilt.

• Big Bus NYC: Stop at Bryant Park / 42nd St, a 5-minute walk from the attraction.
• TopView NYC: Stops near Grand Central Terminal, 2 minutes away on foot.

Walking or biking to Summit One Vanderbilt

🚶 On Foot

• If you're near Times Square, it's a 10-minute walk via 42nd St.
• Walking from Bryant Park takes just 5 minutes.

🏛️ Attractions along the way:

• Chrysler Building
• New York Public Library
• Bryant Park

🚴 By Bike

• Citi Bike stations nearby:
  • East 42nd St & Vanderbilt Ave
  • Madison Ave & 41st St
• Bike Parking: Limited near Grand Central, but available in nearby garages.

Coming from major transport hubs

✈️ From JFK Airport

• Fastest option: Take the AirTrain to Jamaica Station, then transfer to the E train to Lexington Ave/53rd St. Walk 10 minutes to Summit One Vanderbilt.
• By taxi: 45-60 minutes, costs $55-$70.

✈️ From LaGuardia airport

• Fastest option: Take the M60-SBS bus to 125th St, then transfer to the 4, 5, or 6 subway to Grand Central-42nd St.
• By taxi: 30-40 minutes, costs $35-$50.

🚆 From Penn station

• Take the 1, 2, or 3 subway to Times Square-42nd St, then transfer to the 7 train to Grand Central-42nd St.
• Walking distance: 2 minutes.

🚆 From Grand Central Terminal

• If arriving via Metro-North trains, Summit One Vanderbilt is accessible directly from the Main Concourse.

Things to do near Summit One Vanderbilt

• Grand Central Terminal (0 min walk) – Iconic train station with stunning architecture.
• Chrysler Building (3 min walk) – A masterpiece of Art Deco design.
• Bryant Park (5 min walk) – A relaxing green space with cafes and events.
• New York Public Library (6 min walk) – Home to historic reading rooms and exhibits.
• Times Square (10 min walk) – NYC’s most famous entertainment hub.
• Empire State Building (15 min walk) – Another must-visit NYC landmark.
• Fifth Avenue Shopping (10 min walk) – Luxury and flagship stores.

Recommended tickets to Summit One Vanderbilt

Frequently asked questions