NJ Transit 166 to Manhattan 2026: Tickets & Timetable

If you're staying at an Airbnb or hotel in New Jersey—perhaps in the vibrant Palisades Park area—and planning to commute into New York City, mastering the NJ Transit bus system is your golden ticket. Think of NJ Transit as the ultimate commuter lifeline connecting the Garden State to the Big Apple.

In this comprehensive 2026 guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know: how to buy tickets, find your bus stop, and check the timetable like a local!

📌 Before You Start:

• Download the NJ Transit App and create an account.
• Ask your accommodation host for the exact location of your nearest bus stop (this determines your fare "Zone").

1. The Route 166 Bus to Manhattan

To travel from the Palisades Park/Fort Lee area to Manhattan, the 166 Bus is your go-to route.

• Route 166 (Local): Takes about 40 minutes.
• Route 166T (Express): Takes only 20 minutes.

Pro Tip: Always aim for the express (166T) to save time!

Your final destination in Manhattan will be the Port Authority Bus Terminal (PABT). You'll both arrive here and depart from here when heading back to NJ.

PABT is incredibly convenient, located just a stone's throw from Times Square. (Keep reading for some insider tips on navigating the terminal and finding the best restrooms!)

2. How to Buy NJ Transit Tickets

📌 Purchasing Your Bus Ticket

A one-way ticket for this route costs $5.30. You have three ways to pay:

1. Pay $5.30 in exact cash when boarding.
2. Purchase via the NJ Transit App.
3. Buy from a ticket vending machine at the terminal.

Because the app can sometimes experience payment glitches with international cards, I highly recommend using the physical ticket machines at the terminal.

Inside the Port Authority Bus Terminal, you'll spot these bright orange ticket vending machines located right in front of the boarding gates on the 2nd through 4th floors.

1) Select English.
2) Tap Buy Tickets.

3) Choose either One Way Adult or 10 Trip Discount.

A One Way ticket is valid for a single ride, while the 10 Trip Discount gives you a bundle of 10 tickets at a 10% discount.

If you're traveling with a partner or staying for several days, the 10-trip bundle is a no-brainer! (Note: Discounted tickets expire in 20 days, while standard one-way tickets expire in 30 days).

4) Enter 166 for the Bus Route.
5) Enter 3 for the Zone.

(If you're unsure about your zone, ask your accommodation host or check the NJ Transit website. For the Broad Ave area in Palisades Park, it's Zone 3.)

6) You can pay with cash, credit cards, or travel debit cards.

Once printed, simply hand one of these paper tickets to the driver when you board the bus.

3. Where to Catch the Bus

For those staying near the heart of Palisades Park, a common bus stop is right in front of Orange Coffee on Broad Ave. (When returning from NYC, you'll be dropped off across the street near the church).

When heading back to New Jersey from Manhattan, you'll board at the Port Authority Bus Terminal. It's a massive transit hub, so paying attention to your gate number is crucial!

📌 Boarding Gates for the 166T Express Bus:

• Weekdays 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Gate 420
• Weekdays 10:00 PM – 1:00 AM: Gate 324
• Weekends: Gate 324

The departure gates change depending on the time of day and whether it's a weekend. Always double-check the gate number on the NJ Transit app when looking up the schedule!

Gate 324 is located on the 3rd floor, while Gate 420 is on the 4th floor. You can easily navigate between floors using the escalators or stairs.

❗ Restroom Tip: There are public restrooms on every floor, but the ones on the 2nd floor are the largest and most frequented. For safety reasons, it's best to avoid the 3rd and 4th-floor restrooms late at night.

4. Checking the Bus Schedule

📌 How to Use the NJ Transit App for Timetables:

1) Open the app and tap Bus.
2) Enter your route number: 166.

3) Select your direction of travel:
Heading to Manhattan? Choose New York.
Heading back to New Jersey? Choose Cresskill.

4) Enter your specific bus stop name or 5-digit ID number to see the schedule.

For the Broad Ave area, the stop is Broad Ave At W Edsall Blvd (Stop #12935).
For Port Authority Bus Terminal, the stop number is 26229.

Tip: "Favorite" your most-used stops in the app for quick access during your trip!

5) Once you select your stop, you'll see the upcoming departure times for both the 166 and 166T buses, along with estimated arrival times and even live crowd levels.

When departing from Port Authority, the app will also display your assigned Gate Number right next to the time.

You can also tap on a specific time to view the full route map. This is incredibly helpful for tracking your journey and knowing exactly when to press the "Stop" button on the bus as you approach your New Jersey destination!

5. Final Tips for a Smooth Commute

Always check the digital display on the front of the bus before boarding to ensure it says 166T (Express) rather than just 166 (Local).

These commuter buses are surprisingly long and spacious. Even if the line at Port Authority looks daunting, almost everyone usually gets a seat!

🧳 Traveling with luggage? No problem! Let the driver know before you board, and you can store your suitcases in the undercarriage compartments.

While navigating a new transit system might seem intimidating at first, you'll feel like a seasoned New Yorker after just one ride. Safe travels, and enjoy your NYC adventure!