Is it Grand Central Terminal or Grand Central Station?

The two names refer to the same building, but Grand Central Terminal is the correct name. A terminal is where train lines end, and Grand Central is the final stop for Metro-North trains; the name Grand Central Station technically refers to the subway station beneath it and the nearby post office. Most New Yorkers use the names interchangeably.

Is Grand Central Terminal free to visit?

Yes. Grand Central Terminal is free to enter and explore, and it's open daily from 5:30am to 2am. You can walk the Main Concourse, see the celestial ceiling and the famous clock, visit the Whispering Gallery, and browse the shops and food hall without buying anything. Only the guided tours and the restaurants have a cost.

What is the Whispering Gallery at Grand Central?

The Whispering Gallery is a vaulted archway on the lower level of Grand Central, just outside the Oyster Bar. Because of the curved tile ceiling, two people standing in opposite corners facing the wall can hear each other whisper clearly, even with crowds passing through. It's free, unmarked, and one of the terminal's best-loved secrets.

Grand Central Terminal

Landmark

Midtown

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Landmark

Midtown

Manhattan

Free Entry

Grand Central Terminal is far more than a train station — it's one of the most beautiful public buildings in America and a New York City landmark since 1913. Often called Grand Central Station, this Beaux-Arts masterpiece in the heart of Midtown draws over 750,000 people a day beneath its famous celestial ceiling, a turquoise mural of the zodiac painted with 2,500 stars. At the center of the Main Concourse stands the four-faced opal clock, the most famous meeting point in the city. Hidden throughout the terminal are secrets worth seeking out: the Whispering Gallery, where a murmur carries across a vaulted archway; a secret train platform beneath the Waldorf Astoria; and the Grand Central Oyster Bar, serving since 1913. Free to enter and open nearly 24 hours a day, Grand Central is an essential stop on any visit to New York.

Insider Tip

Find the Whispering Gallery on the lower level outside the Oyster Bar — stand in one corner facing the wall while a friend stands in the opposite corner, and whisper. The acoustics carry your voice across perfectly. Then look up at the ceiling in the Main Concourse for the small dark rectangle near the crab constellation: it's a patch of the original grime left uncleaned during the 1990s restoration to show how dirty the ceiling had become.

About

Grand Central Terminal is not just a transportation hub; it’s a New York City icon and a masterpiece of Beaux-Arts architecture.

Located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, this historic train station has been serving commuters since its opening in 1913.

Designed by the architectural firms Reed & Stem and Warren & Wetmore, Grand Central is known for its stunning Main Concourse, which features a soaring ceiling adorned with a celestial mural depicting the constellations.

The terminal's iconic four-faced opal clock, located at the center of the concourse, is one of the most recognizable meeting points in the city.

Grand Central is also home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and bars, making it a destination in its own right.

History & Facts

Size: Grand Central Terminal covers 48 acres and has 44 platforms, more than any other train station in the world.

Passengers: Approximately 750,000 people pass through Grand Central every day, making it one of the busiest transportation hubs in the world.

Ceiling Mural: The Main Concourse ceiling mural, created by French artist Paul César Helleu, depicts the zodiac and constellations in reverse order, a mistake that was discovered after its completion.

Clock: The four-faced clock at the center of the Main Concourse is valued at over $10 million, with each face made of opal.

Whispering Gallery: Located near the Oyster Bar, the Whispering Gallery is a unique acoustic phenomenon where a whisper at one corner of the gallery can be heard clearly at the opposite corner.

Vanderbilt Hall: Originally the main waiting room, Vanderbilt Hall is now used for special events and exhibitions and was named after the Vanderbilt family, who built the terminal.

Hidden Track: Track 61 is a secret platform under the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, used by Franklin D. Roosevelt to discreetly enter the hotel via his private train car.

Restoration: In the 1990s, Grand Central underwent a major restoration to return it to its original splendor, including the removal of decades of grime from the ceiling mural.

When to visit

To fully appreciate Grand Central Terminal, it’s best to visit during different times of the day, depending on your interest.

Early mornings are ideal for those who want to experience the terminal in relative tranquility before the rush of commuters. Arriving around 7:00 AM allows you to take in the beauty of the Main Concourse and its architectural details without the crowds.

Midday, especially during lunchtime, brings a lively atmosphere as people gather at the various eateries and shops.

If you’re interested in photography, late afternoon offers beautiful lighting through the terminal's large windows, casting dramatic shadows across the concourse.

Evening visits provide a different ambiance, with the terminal’s lights casting a warm glow over its marble surfaces.

Grand Central Terminal is open daily from 5:30 AM to 2:00 AM, giving you plenty of time to explore its many facets.

Getting there

Grand Central Terminal is at 89 East 42nd Street at Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, and it is one of the best-connected locations in the city. The 4, 5, 6, 7, and S (shuttle) subway lines all stop directly beneath the terminal at Grand Central–42nd Street.

The Metro-North Railroad terminates here, with trains from Westchester, Connecticut, and the Hudson Valley. The Long Island Rail Road's Grand Central Madison station opened in 2023 beneath the terminal, connecting it directly to Long Island. The Times Square shuttle (S) links it to the West Side in two minutes.

Use our interactive NYC subway guide to plan your exact route from any hotel or neighborhood before you arrive.