GETTING AROUND
To get started, here is the St. John's University travel page with a link to the campus map as well as other basic information.
On the HOPE Wiki you can find an annotated map indicating where the campus entries, buildings, and parking are located.
Below you can find many more details about getting to campus.
In the past two years, there have been significant improvements in mass transit to make it easier and cheaper to get around!
The OMNY card is New York City’s new transit card that works on all buses and subways. You can get an OMNY card in vending machines located in subway stops or convenience stores. Or you can just use your smartphone or contactless credit/debit cards at the turnstiles. Simply tap the screen when entering the bus or subway (not when exiting).
But here’s the best part. After 12 paid rides, all remaining rides for the rest of the week are free! You can start on any day of the week and get the full seven days. Just be sure to use the same card or device so all your rides are counted. This means the most you could possibly spend on buses or subways while visiting HOPE and New York City is $34.80. (While you can use your OMNY card for multiple people, you can’t use them to count towards your fare cap, nor get free rides for them after you reach your fare cap.)
You can get updated information on bus and subway service with the MYmta app for Android or iOS.
The CityTicket is another improved option for those who want a faster trip to HOPE at a reduced cost. With the CityTicket, you pay a significantly reduced rate ($5 off-peak, $7 peak) to get from any commuter train station in New York City to any other station in the entire metropolitan area. This special fare is now in effect 24/7. You can get the CityTicket at any commuter train station or on the TrainTime app for Android or iOS on the day of travel.
The addition of Grand Central Madison to the train network doubles the options for quickly getting to Queens from Manhattan. This project has been in the works for decades and it’s finally finished!
All means of transport operate around the clock. All buses are wheelchair accessible. More info on reduced-fare programs and a whole lot more can be found at mta.info.
If you prefer not to use mass transit, there are always rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft, plus regular taxis that don’t ever have surge pricing using the Curb app for Android or iOS.
GETTING TO HOPE
By Plane
From JFK Airport
A taxi or rideshare will typically take around 20 minutes.
You can use the JFK Airtrain which will get you to Jamaica Center for $8.25. From there, catch the Q30 or Q31 bus on the corner of Sutphin Boulevard & Archer Avenue (adjacent to the Long Island Railroad building). Get off at Utopia Parkway & Union Turnpike (around 20 minutes). Cross Utopia Parkway and walk to Gate 4 on Union Turnpike.
From LaGuardia Airport
The easiest and quickest way to get to HOPE from LaGuardia is to take a taxi or rideshare to the campus (less than 15 minutes usually).
If you really want, you can get to HOPE for a single bus/subway fare by taking the free Q70 bus to the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue subway stop. From there, take the E or F train to Kew Gardens/Union Turnpike. Catch the Q46 bus on Queens Boulevard outside the Pickman building. Get off at Union Turnpike & 175th Street (around 15 minutes). You will be at Gate 4 (the pedestrian entrance to HOPE).
Other Airports
If you’re flying into Newark Liberty or Long Island MacArthur Airport, your trip will be a little longer, but not complicated. From Newark, take the Newark Airport Airtrain to Penn Station in Manhattan and, from there, take the Long Island Railroad to Jamaica. From Long Island MacArthur, simply get to the adjacent Ronkonkoma train station and take the Long Island Railroad to Jamaica. Head downstairs to street level and catch the Q30 or Q31 bus on the corner of Sutphin Boulevard & Archer Avenue (adjacent to the Long Island Railroad building). Get off at Utopia Parkway & Union Turnpike (around 20 minutes). Cross Utopia Parkway and walk to Gate 4 on Union Turnpike.
By Train
From Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Long Island by Train
Take the Long Island Railroad to Jamaica (around 20 minutes from Grand Central Madison or Penn Station in Manhattan, or Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn). Head downstairs to street level and catch the Q30 or Q31 bus on the corner of Sutphin Boulevard & Archer Avenue (adjacent to the Long Island Railroad building). Get off at Utopia Parkway & Union Turnpike (around 20 minutes). Cross Utopia Parkway and walk to Gate 4 on Union Turnpike.
Via Subway/Bus
There are nearly an infinite number of ways of getting from one place to another in the subway system. All subway lines run frequently around the clock. Here is how to get to HOPE from three of the closest subway stations.
169th Street - F Train
Catch the Q30 or Q31 bus at the intersection of Hillside Avenue & Homelawn Street. Get off at Utopia Parkway & Union Turnpike (around 10 minutes). Cross Utopia Parkway and walk to Gate 4 on Union Turnpike.
Kew Gardens/Union Turnpike (E or F Train) (wheelchair accessible)
Catch the Q46 bus on Queens Boulevard outside the Pickman building. Get off at Union Turnpike & 175th Street (around 15 minutes). You will be at Gate 4 (the pedestrian entrance to HOPE).
Jamaica Center (E, J, or Z Train) (wheelchair accessible)
Catch the Q30 or Q31 bus on the corner of Sutphin Boulevard & Archer Avenue (adjacent to the Long Island Railroad building). Get off at Utopia Parkway & Union Turnpike (around 20 minutes). Cross Utopia Parkway and walk to Gate 4 on Union Turnpike.
By Bus
Jamaica LIRR Station
Head downstairs to street level and catch the Q30 or Q31 bus on the corner of Sutphin Boulevard & Archer Avenue (adjacent to the Long Island Railroad building). Get off at Utopia Parkway & Union Turnpike (around 20 minutes). Cross Utopia Parkway and walk to Gate 4 on Union Turnpike.
169th Street Subway Station (F Train)
Catch the Q30 or Q31 bus at the intersection of Hillside Avenue & Homelawn Street. Get off at Utopia Parkway & Union Turnpike (around 10 minutes). Cross Utopia Parkway and walk to Gate 4 on Union Turnpike.
Kew Gardens/Union Turnpike Subway Station (E or F Train)
Catch the Q46 bus on Queens Boulevard outside the Pickman building. Get off at Union Turnpike & 175th Street (around 15 minutes). You will be at Gate 4 (the pedestrian entrance to HOPE).
Jamaica Center Subway Station (E, J, or Z Train)
Catch the Q30 or Q31 bus on the corner of Sutphin Boulevard & Archer Avenue (adjacent to the Long Island Railroad building). Get off at Utopia Parkway & Union Turnpike (around 20 minutes). Cross Utopia Parkway and walk to Gate 4 on Union Turnpike.
Via Express Bus
The QM5 and QM6 express bus provides a one-seat ride from numerous stops in midtown Manhattan to Union Turnpike & Utopia Parkway for $7 (coins, OMNY card, or MetroCard only).
By Car
HOPE is very easy to get to by car. And parking is free! (We make no promises about traffic, though.)
Directions From Manhattan
Take the Queens Midtown Tunnel to the Long Island Expressway. Take Exit 25 (Utopia Parkway). Stay on the service road to Utopia Parkway and turn right. Follow Utopia Parkway and cross Union Turnpike; turn right at Gate 3 for free parking. (If you want to avoid the tunnel toll, use one of the four free bridges and make your way to the Long Island Expressway. This could add significant time, however, depending on traffic and time of day.)
Directions From Brooklyn
Option One
Take the Belt Parkway (east). Take Exit 19 (Van Wyck Expressway or I-678 north). Take Exit 8 (Main Street/Union Turnpike). Make a right onto the Grand Central Parkway service road. Turn left at Homelawn Street which will become Utopia Parkway. The campus will be on your left. Turn left at Gate 3 (just before Union Turnpike) for free parking.
Option Two
Take the Jackie Robinson Parkway (east) to Exit 8E (Grand Central Parkway east), exit at Utopia Parkway (Exit 18) onto the service road. Turn left at Homelawn Street which will become Utopia Parkway. The campus will be on your left. Turn left at Gate 3 (just before Union Turnpike) for free parking.
Directions From the Bronx
Option One
Take the Throgs Neck Bridge to the Clearview Expressway. Take Exit 2 and make a right onto Union Turnpike. Make a left onto Utopia Parkway and an immediate right at Gate 3 for free parking.
Option Two
Take the Triboro (RFK) Bridge to the Grand Central Parkway. Exit at Utopia Parkway (Exit 18) onto the service road. Turn left at Homelawn Street which will become Utopia Parkway. The campus will be on your left. Turn left at Gate 3 (just before Union Turnpike) for free parking.
Directions From Long Island (North)
Option One
Take the Northern State Parkway to the Grand Central Parkway. Take Exit 19 (188th Street). Turn left and make an immediate right onto the service road. Follow the service road to Utopia Parkway. Bear right onto Utopia Parkway. Turn left at Gate 3 (just before Union Turnpike) for free parking.
Option Two
Take the Long Island Expressway. Take Exit 25 (Utopia Parkway). Stay on the service road to Utopia Parkway and turn right. Follow Utopia Parkway and cross Union Turnpike; turn right at Gate 3 for free parking.
Directions From Long Island (South)
Take the Southern State Parkway to the Cross Island Parkway. Proceed to the Grand Central Parkway (west). Take Exit 19 (188th Street). Turn left and make an immediate right onto the service road. Follow the service road to Utopia Parkway. Bear right onto Utopia Parkway. Turn left at Gate 3 (just before Union Turnpike) for free parking.
Directions From Connecticut
Follow I-95 south to the Bruckner Expressway toward the Throgs Neck Bridge. Cross the bridge to the Clearview Expressway. Take Exit 2 and make a right onto Union Turnpike. Make a left onto Utopia Parkway. Turn right at Gate 3 for free parking.
Directions From New Jersey
Take I-95 north or I-80 east to the George Washington Bridge. Cross the bridge and take the Cross Bronx Expressway. Take Exit 6B (I-295 south) to the Throgs Neck Bridge to the Clearview Expressway. Take Exit 2 and make a right onto Union Turnpike. Make a left onto Utopia Parkway. Turn right at Gate 3 for free parking.
IMPORTANT: If you are driving a commercial vehicle, be sure to check which highways you are allowed to drive on.
