The easiest way to reach the US Open tennis tournament is usually public transportation. The 7 subway train and the Long Island Rail Road both stop at Mets-Willets Point, a short walk from the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Driving is possible, but parking locations change when the New York Mets are playing at nearby Citi Field. For the 2026 US Open, official parking was listed at $40 for a passenger vehicle and $80 for a bus, subject to change. Visitors should recheck the current tournament transportation page, Mets schedule and MTA service status before traveling.
US Open Transportation Options Compared
| Option | Best for | Main consideration |
|---|---|---|
| 7 subway train | Most visitors staying in New York City | Crowded after major sessions, but simple and economical |
| Long Island Rail Road | Faster trips from Midtown or the Port Washington Branch | Mets-Willets Point LIRR station is not accessible |
| Driving and official parking | Families, groups and visitors carrying more items | Traffic, parking fees and Mets conflict dates |
| Rideshare or black car | Door-to-door travel without parking | Designated pickup area and possible post-session surge pricing |
| Q90 bus | Local Queens trips | Travel time depends heavily on traffic |
If this is your first visit, the complete US Open tennis guide explains the grounds, stadiums, sessions and tournament format.
Taking the 7 Train to the US Open
Take a Flushing-bound 7 train to Mets-Willets Point and follow the event signs toward the National Tennis Center. Both local and express trains serve the station when their normal patterns are operating, but the exact service can change by time of day and because of planned work.
The 7 line begins at 34 St-Hudson Yards and crosses Manhattan through Times Sq-42 St, 5 Av and Grand Central-42 St before entering Queens. That makes it the most straightforward route for many visitors staying near Midtown.
The local 7 train operates at all times. Express patterns vary by direction and hour, so check the MTA app or service-status page on the day of your session.
Subway Tips for a Smoother Trip
- Allow extra time for the walk from the platform, security screening and the route to your assigned stadium.
- Use OMNY or have your fare ready before joining the event crowd.
- Check planned service changes before leaving your hotel or home.
- Save enough phone battery to check service changes after a late match.
Match times are never completely predictable. Reviewing how the US Open order of play is made can help you estimate when your featured matches may begin, but delays and long contests can move the entire schedule.
Taking the LIRR to Mets-Willets Point
The Long Island Rail Road serves Mets-Willets Point on the Port Washington Branch. Direct event service is available from Penn Station, Grand Central, Woodside and stations along the Port Washington Branch. Travelers using other LIRR branches can transfer at Woodside.
The station is slightly closer to the tennis center, and the trip from Midtown can be faster than the 7 train. For 2026, the MTA advertised CityTicket fares between Manhattan and Mets-Willets Point from $5. Confirm current fare rules in the TrainTime app.
Buy your ticket before traveling when possible and keep it after leaving the train. Tickets may be checked before passengers exit Mets-Willets Point.
After a large night session, the LIRR may hold trains long enough to board the crowd, but connections at Woodside or Penn Station may not wait. Check your full route, not only the departure from the venue.
Is Mets-Willets Point Accessible?
The Mets-Willets Point LIRR station is not accessible, so the MTA advises riders who need a step-free route to use the subway instead.
For major events, an accessible exit from the Flushing-bound 7 platform is opened. Riders should exit on the right side of the train and use the ramp.
The Manhattan-bound side does not offer the same direct accessible route. The MTA’s event guidance instructs riders to use the ramp to the Flushing-bound platform, travel to Flushing-Main St and remain on the train as it reverses direction toward Manhattan. Confirm the arrangement with station staff because event operations can change.
All MTA buses are accessible. For 2026 parking operations, accessible shuttles were also available from Lot 4 in the Orange Zone to the Champions’ Entry. Visitors who need specific assistance should verify the current accessible-services plan before arriving.
Driving to the US Open
Enter “USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center” into navigation rather than relying on a street address for a specific gate. The event traffic plan can change normal approaches, and NYPD officers or parking staff may redirect cars as lots fill.
Common approaches include Grand Central Parkway Exit 9E, Whitestone Expressway Exit 13D and Long Island Expressway Exit 22B toward College Point Boulevard. The best route depends on traffic, construction and your assigned parking area.
Traffic can build before the gates open, and thousands of spectators may leave together after an Arthur Ashe Stadium night match.
Where to Park for the US Open
Official parking depends on whether the Mets have a home game at Citi Field on the same date.
Non-Conflict Dates
When the Mets are not playing at home, US Open drivers are normally directed to Mets Stadium parking in the Yellow Zone. Follow the event signs and instructions from NYPD and lot staff, since the exact entrance can change with traffic conditions.
Mets Conflict Dates
When a Mets home game overlaps with the tennis tournament, adjacent parking becomes more limited. US Open guests are directed to Blue Zone and Orange Zone lots in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
These conflict dates are the strongest reason to take public transportation. Even if parking remains available, the approach roads serve two major sporting events and the walk or shuttle from the assigned lot can add time.
2026 Parking Price
For 2026, the US Open listed these general rates:
| Vehicle type | Listed price |
|---|---|
| Passenger vehicle | $40 |
| Bus | $80 |
Rates, lot availability and accepted payment methods are subject to change. Check the official tournament information shortly before your visit instead of relying on a price saved months earlier.
Rideshare, Taxi and Black-Car Service
For the 2026 tournament, rideshare providers and black-car services used the parking lot at the New York Hall of Science for both drop-off and pickup. A direct walking path connected that area with the Champions’ Entry, and assistance was available for guests who needed shuttle access.
Do not ask a driver to stop beside the tennis center or on a restricted approach road. Road closures and police controls can prevent an unofficial pickup, even if the location appears closer on a map.
Rideshare departure is less predictable because a night match can finish late and thousands of people may request cars at once. Confirm the pickup location in the US Open app and avoid booking for an exact match-ending time.
The US Open Court of Champions and other displays can give you something worthwhile to explore if you arrive early rather than timing a car trip too tightly.
Taking the Bus
The Q90 bus stops on Seaver Way near the Citi Field and National Tennis Center area. It can be useful for local trips within Queens or as part of an accessible route.
Bus travel is more exposed to event traffic than the subway or LIRR, so allow a wider margin before your session. Check the current Queens bus map and live arrival information because routes and stop locations can change.
Best Options After a Night Session
The 7 train is the most dependable late option for many visitors because local service operates at all times, subject to planned work and disruptions. Event crowds also create a clear walking flow from the grounds back to the station.
The LIRR can be faster, but check the late timetable and any connections before the session begins. If your match runs long, a route that looked convenient in the afternoon may no longer work after midnight.
Rideshare remains available from the designated area, but waits and prices may rise immediately after the last match. Groups should choose a meeting point before entering the grounds so nobody is trying to coordinate among a moving crowd with limited phone battery.
If travel becomes impractical, watching the US Open from your accommodation is a better backup than buying a session ticket without a workable return route.
A Simple US Open Travel Checklist
- Check the tennis session and likely finish time.
- Check whether the Mets are playing at Citi Field that day.
- Review current MTA service changes and the LIRR timetable.
- Confirm the current parking price or rideshare location if traveling by car.
- Allow time for the station walk, security line and stadium entrance.
- Save your return route before entering the grounds.
- Recheck transportation information before leaving, especially after a rain delay.
The National Tennis Center is not only an event venue. Some courts are available for public booking outside tournament operations, as explained in this guide to playing tennis at the US Open venue. During the tournament, however, road closures, parking zones and access routes follow the current event plan rather than normal year-round conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is US Open parking?
Official 2026 parking was listed at $40 for passenger vehicles and $80 for buses. Prices can change each year, so verify the rate before driving.
Where should a rideshare drop me off?
In 2026, the designated drop-off and pickup point was the New York Hall of Science parking lot. Do not assume the same location will be used in a later year without checking the current tournament guidance.
How early should I arrive?
The right margin depends on your route and session, but arriving at the area at least 45 to 60 minutes before you want to be inside is a sensible starting point. Add more time on Mets conflict dates, finals weekend, Labor Day weekend or when service changes are in effect.
Once inside, planning time for the grounds is part of the experience. The tournament’s signature drink, for example, has its own story in this guide to the Honey Deuce cocktail.