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    Princeton Junction - NJ Transit

    3.4 (32 reviews)

    Princeton Junction - NJ Transit Transportation Photos

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    David N.

    I can't believe this is the first review of "The Dinky Train!' Two cars long, The Dinky takes you from Princeton Junction to Princeton (University). Just one stop. Takes all of 5 minutes! The fare is $2.25, if you buy a ticket from the machine, $7,25 on board. Not knowing this, I get on The Dinky with $6 and a $100 bill. The really sweet conductor told me to buy a $2.25 ticket from the machine when we arrived and bring it back! What a nice older gentleman. SF Muni drivers, please take note!

    The platform outside of the "Dinky" shuttle. (12/17/2017)
    Jeffrey D.

    Overall this station provides a bit more than the essentials, and then some when it comes to riding the train. After all, this train station is called Princeton Junction, even having the same name as the neighborhood it's in (technically a part of West Windsor). Whether it's arriving or departing, it's best to be informed while planning to be her. This station offers two lines if you're using New Jersey Transit: Northeast Corridor (from New York Penn Station to Trenton), or Princeton Shuttle/Branch, aka "the Dinky", faithfully bringing people from this station to Princeton, at the southern edge of the prestigious university. Amtrak also runs here, having 3 lines stop here: Keystone Service (NYC-Harrisburg, PA), Palmetto (NYC-Savannah, GA), and Northeast Regional (NYC/Boston-Washington DC), while their other lines, especially Acela, speed past here. It's rather infrequent for them to stop, especially for weekends, where maybe 2 Amtrak trains stop here a day. In terms of pricing, as of this review, it's: 5$ for an all day parking at the station's permissible daily parking lots, 5$ (10$ round trip) for a Trenton-Princeton Junction ticket, or 16$ (32$ round trip) for a New York City-Princeton Junction ticket, and if going into Princeton via the "Dinky", it's 3$ (it's a separate ticket/ride, so keep it handy!). In terms of amenities, there's two train shelters/waiting rooms on both side of the tracks: a smaller one with a basic interior, and a larger one on the other side, fitted with a convenience store, Amtrak TVM/booth, and a NJ Transit TVM, plus a waiting room. The con is that they're generally open during "business" or peak hours, in other words, when ridership is at a high, it's no good for Sat-Sun, when it's closed past 3PM. There's a tunnel right underneath the tracks, helping move people from one side to the other. Plus, there's a dedicated bus stop which can take you either to Princeton, Lawrence, or Trenton, among other locations, and taxis, mostly from Princeton. Timing, it can range from an hour to 70 minutes (60-70) to ride to/from this station to/from NY Penn, 15 minutes to/from Trenton, and 5 minutes to Princeton. Fortunately the "Dinky" arrives in sync most of the time when the (NJT) trains roll in, giving you 2-5 minutes to react and head out, same can be said for the opposite. Now for my cons, it's something most of us share. The parking dilemma for starters, there's more than thousands of parking spots spread across 8 different lots, which can be sorted out either as permit holders (naturally, people who actually live in Princeton Junction/West Village gets a higher priority), or daily drivers. It's a cheap, affordable 5$ a day (you can park here as long as you want for 2 weeks max, assuming you pay), a magnet for everyone far and wide, and the occasions I've arrived on M-F, it's a nightmare! Also, it's next to laughable for the wait time when it comes to getting a permit, some can be nearly 3 months, while others can range to 10 years of a wait period! Lot can happen in that time, but of course, if you've wanted a break from driving your car to go to NYC/elsewhere, this is for you. Plus, in those rare occasions where the train cannot stop on the platform, it's an annoyance to unload/load at the wooden platforms, especially so if you have to run for the Dinky. It's a great station for what it's worth, and it's the next to last peg whenever I'm going to Princeton, wish it would improve, but it will in time. PS, careful for quick barreling Amtrak trains! There's plenty of warnings informing people that those trains won't stop for anyone or anything (unless if they have to here), so have a grip on your personal things. Until next time!

    High school kids shooting a video
    Niya R.

    It's a nice small station but a busy busy one. The parking lots are huge but takes few years to get a parking permit. The convenience store hours are weird and it's hard to get coffee when you need it the most. The rush hours are pretty jam packed as most of the express trains stop here.

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    Easy and convenient way to catch the the train into NYC. Tons of parking. Download the ParkMobile app beforehand.

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    Ask the Community - Princeton Junction - NJ Transit

    Any parking spot from 8-8:30am during the weekday commute?

    Yes. If you park in the permit parking lot YOU MUST HAVE A PERMIT.

    Can you get coffee and/or food at Princeton Junction Station?

    There is a small food stall open in the morning.

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    Review Highlights - Princeton Junction - NJ Transit

    It has a frequent trains NorthEast corridor and Amtrak regional/express lines.

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    Princeton Station - View of the waiting room, it's comfy to be here in winter, but I prefer outdoors in warmer temperatures. Open long enough. (4/1/2018)

    Princeton Station

    3.0(3 reviews)
    2.5 mi

    Good station to get back to NYC from Jersey. Plenty of trains and parking. The parking is s little…read moreconfusing on what is daily parking or subscription parking. The big issue is the train station is not always open, so it's pretty cold on the platform if you are waiting for a train.

    One of the main means to commute to the heart of Princeton, located at the southern edge of the…read moreuniversity, whereas long ago, it was located close to the entrance of Princeton (near current day Blair Hall of Princeton U), and then relocated to another stop meters south until 2013, which became The Dinky Bar & Kitchen almost a year ago, making this the third iteration, being a part of the current modernization of the university (bigger buildings, more parking). Nowadays, there's plenty of features that can make this station worthwhile to depart and leave from, including a nearby bus/shuttle/taxi stop, Wawa (which to be short, is as shiny as a diamond, even for Princeton U), bike racks, and most of Princeton U to explore, or attend. If commuting by rail, this station is the only way in/out of Princeton, offering a brief 5 minute ride on the historic "Dinky" route, shuttling passengers in/out of Princeton to Princeton Junction (or West Windsor) in a 5 minute ride, from then, you can connect with other routes on the NEC (as south as Trenton, or as north as Newark/New York), and Amtrak's routes. Ticket prices, it's 3$ to go to/from this station to/from Princeton Junction, and to the bewilderment of first timers, it's a separate trip, where the conductors are mostly lenient on making them buy a ticket on the train (3+5$ = 8$), and hypothetically, it'll be: 6.75$ for a Princeton-Trenton ride, 17.75$ for Princeton-New York Penn, or 19$ from Princeton-Newark Liberty Int'l Airport, all one way, but two tickets. In terms of amenities, there's a train shelter/waiting rooms almost immediately near the tracks that are pleasant in winter, open air seating/tables outside, great for summer, 4 NJ Transit TVMs, a Wawa, which in my opinion is leagues better vs the store in Princeton Junction's station, and a bathroom in Wawa. Fortunately, the rooms are open as long as the station is, in contrast to PCJ. The buses outside will offer connections to the rest of Princeton, and nearby communities, such as Montgomery, Lawrence, and more, as well as inside the university, and there's rarely taxis outside. Timing, it can range from an hour, 10 minutes to 90 minutes (70-90) to ride to/from this station to/from NY Penn, 25 minutes to/from Trenton, and 5 minutes to Princeton. Fortunately the "Dinky" arrives in sync most of the time when the (NJT) trains roll in, giving you 2-5 minutes to react and head out, same can be said for the opposite, while giving you ample time to park, purchase tickets, and more. Now for my cons, it's a bit upsetting to have to walk all the way from one end of the university to Nassau Hall to get into Princeton proper, but it's a good way to see the sights and be at peace! In cases of severe storms and/or snow, the line may be disrupted, giving commuters the option of switching to buses. It's an annoyance since the trip may take longer and may not be in tune with PCJ's timing, but at least they honor bus/rail tickets. It's a good station, and with plenty of conveniences, ample time to explore Princeton U, good restaurants/Wawa, and the chance to bike, you're in good hands here. Almost never felt like I was "unsafe here", but I'm sure Princeton U's police give a fair inspection every time. Until next time!

    Photos
    Princeton Station - Station

    Station

    Princeton Station - Name of the station, looks sleek and modern, may be smaller vs Princeton Junction, but more appealing. (4/1/2018)

    Name of the station, looks sleek and modern, may be smaller vs Princeton Junction, but more appealing. (4/1/2018)

    Princeton Station - Regular bikes and Zagster bikes parked in their respective docks (6/24/2018)

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    Regular bikes and Zagster bikes parked in their respective docks (6/24/2018)

    Starr Bus Charter & Tours - I'm at Mt Rushmore

    Starr Bus Charter & Tours

    3.2(33 reviews)
    14.4 mi

    Soulless and cowardly would be the two words that come to mind first. Executives sitting on a…read moreperch not to be disturbed. A staff with horrible PR skills. How do you end a call with "try to have a better day" with someone who just lost a love one? A tour director that is taking the easy way out by calling a guest instead of the family directly to have a conversation. My mother booked a bus tour/Norwegian Cruise tour with a group of old friends that was supposed to leave in September. Sadly, my mother recently passed away, but during the fight of her life she "missed" the cancellation day for Starr tours. Under these extenuating circumstances you would think a company would put people over profits. Not Starr tours. They are doubling down. When I called to plead with them a woman named Sandy kept referring to their policy instead of having compassion. She kept passing the buck saying it's not in her "scope" to make those kinds of decisions. When I asked to speak to someone who can make those decisions she decided to shield her bosses and say they aren't available. All she could end the conversation with was "try to have a better day." It was a cold conversation. Try to have a better day? I don't know how these people sleep at night. I hope their money keeps them warm at night. BTW Norwegian has a 30 day cancellation policy, so they have a chance to get money back out of this, but they clearly aren't working hard enough. I decided to take a trip to their company building to plead with them further. Sandy answered the door and reluctantly let me in after realizing who I was. I gave a copy of the death certificate and once again pleaded my case. I was given the same lip service, but that the person who could help me further wouldn't be in for the rest of the week. I patiently waited for a phone call from a Chris and still haven't received a call. If it's the same person this Chris called my mothers friend on the trip instead of me to let her know she would have to pay extra (over $1,300) for single occupancy on the trip OR we would have to find someone to buy my mothers trip (around $1,800). NO phone call to me as of yet. Also how do you do this to a grieving friend? They were friends for almost 60 years! How can these people be so cowardly? Where is the compassion? In the last few weeks I have had to deal with the unexpected loss of my mother and all of the funeral plans. Spending countless hours of time making the calls to various places to make them aware of her death and this company has the guts to do this. In the bio of the company the owner Sandy sounded so relatable. Her and her husband Pete had to fight, scratch and claw to keep their livelihood and company that her father built from the ground up alive during the pandemic. My mother fought so hard to save her life. I'm so sorry she couldn't call your company on time because she was too busy trying to live. In business you can't always point to policy. Beyond policy, how can you treat people like this and think it's ok? I hope the owner reads and fixes this because the staff is only making a terrible tragedy even worse! Don't force a grieving family to have to peddle my mothers trip. Do the RIGHT thing. Truly heartless and painful experience!

    Wonderful driver Walt and tour director Gene! Great hotel, fun trip, will book again soon!…read moreThanks to these wonderful gentlemen.

    Photos
    Starr Bus Charter & Tours - At times we traveled near this famous road, many businesses are abandoned.  The route began in Chicago and across the US to California!

    At times we traveled near this famous road, many businesses are abandoned. The route began in Chicago and across the US to California!

    Starr Bus Charter & Tours
    Starr Bus Charter & Tours

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    Princeton Junction - NJ Transit - publictransport - Updated May 2026

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