isabel

Does anyone know if there is plenty of parking at the metro north station in New Haven? We sometimes drive there (from western Mass) and take the train to Manhattan but we usually get there early and get parking in the main garage. Last week at 7:30 we got one of the last spaces and next week when we want to do this again we don't need to go anywhere near that early but am worried that showing up there at 10 a.m. the garage might be totally full. I know there is 'overflow' parking but is there enough and where is it? Thanks

Bowsprit

We prefer to park in the outside fenced in parking lot adjacent to the garage. If both areas are full, follow the signs to the lots located facing the rear of the police station which is directly across the street from the outside parking log.

There are times during the week when parking is a problem; there's usually plenty of parking on the weekends. You can also get an Amtrak train out of Hartford or Berlin that will take you to New Haven for the switch to Metro North or Amtrak trains that will take you into Penn Station directly from Hartford. Parking is less of a problem in Hartford; less NYC commuters from Hartford.

Bowsprit

outside parking lot, not log!

barbfam

You need to come extra early if you show up at 10am on a weekday. If the garage and on-site lots are full, you will need to go to the overflow lot, which means taking a SHUTTLE bus to the train station. Since one never knows how often the shuttle will be actually showing up in the overflow lot, you need to allow a good amount of extra time. The overflow lot is a bit too far to walk. And though there is sometimes street parking a few blocks away from the train station, keep in mind that the neighborhood is not all that safe. Though the police station is rather close, so are some gang-riddled housing projects.

Bowsprit

barbfam: Where does one pick up the shuttle? Do you call for pick up? This is the first I've heard of the shuttle.

We often park in one of the overflow lots; it's just a few minutes walk from there to Union Station so I wonder if we're talking about the same place!

isabel

Thanks for the info. Are there signs to the overflow lots. About how much time would you allow (from arriving to the time of the train) to get to an overflow lot and then walk or take the shuttle back to the station?

barbfam

There are signs to overflow lots. Overflow lot over near ninth square is a bit of a walk and not a particularly safe one at that. Fine if it is just you and a briefcase or backpack. And you can run quickly. Incrementally worse if baby/stroller, large amount of luggage, etc. The shuttle is a fee van that picks people up at the satellite lot and takes them to front door of train station. Easy, except if you are running just on time to catch a specific train, the time needed to drive to satellite lot, find parking, unload stuff, and then either walk to train or catch shuttle could make you miss a train. I would allow an extra 10-15 minutes, though if you catch the shuttle timing right, might only be 5-8 minutes extra. But that is enough for me to miss the train.