Moynihan Train Hall brings modernity to NYC's Penn Station with skylights galore
The next time you travel through New York’s Penn Station will be like never before. On Jan. 1, the long-awaited Moynihan Train Hall officially opened to travelers following a $1.6 billion renovation and expansion project.
The stunning new hall, once home to a mail-sorting facility, now welcomes arriving and departing Amtrak and Long Island Rail Road riders. It's an addition to the existing Penn Station complex, which will continue to serve New Jersey Transit commuters, as well as overnight Amtrak travelers when the Moynihan Train Hall is closed.
The basics
Moynihan Train Hall, named after New York Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan -- a fierce advocate of the expansion project -- is located inside the former James A. Farley Post Office building, between 31st and 33rd Street directly across 8th Avenue from the existing Penn Station structure. The building, designed by the same architects as the original Pennsylvania Station, mimics the original Penn's Beaux-Arts style, though that structure was demolished in the 1960s.
Related: What it's like to take Amtrak during the pandemic
As previously mentioned, Moynihan is not replacing the old Penn Station underneath Madison Square Garden. While Amtrak and Long Island Railroad passengers will be able to board at the new train hall, New Jersey Transit passengers will continue to use the old concourses, as will subway riders. Additionally, Moynihan is only open from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m., so anyone traveling overnight will need to use the old facilities.
You can walk between the two facilities via a passageway or by exiting onto 8th Avenue and crossing the street.
Related: TPG’s guide to Penn Station in New York City
Upon entering the Moynihan Train Hall, you're immediately greeted by natural light pouring in from gigantic skylights above the main concourse. The jaw-dropping 92-foot-high ceilings are a welcome addition for anyone who’s traveled through the underground Penn Station.
All in all, the new 255,000 square-foot facility is larger than Grand Central Terminal’s main concourse and expands Penn Station's concourse space by 50 percent. It also provides 40 additional escalators and stairs to platforms.
Although most riders now buy their tickets online, there still are manned ticket counters, as well as self-service kiosks.
Related: The best credit cards for train travel
Around the corner is a baggage claim area with a luggage retrieval carousel, similar to what you'll find in an airport.
Although the new train hall relieves passenger congestion and eases boarding, it doesn't actually expand Penn Station's rail capacity. The new hall still uses the same tracks and platforms as before.
Amenities
As you might have noticed, there's virtually no seating in the main concourse area. Instead, ticketed passengers are invited to sit in dedicated waiting areas. Much like the original Penn Station, these areas feature wooden benches, albeit much more modern with built-in power outlets and USB ports. There are also private restrooms here.
There are also several counters in the main concourse area with built-in outlets for those looking for a quick charge. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi everywhere and a lounge for nursing moms.
Amtrak's new Metropolitan Lounge
Perhaps the most exciting amenity of the Moynihan Train Hall is Amtrak's new flagship Metropolitan Lounge.
Access is available to passengers traveling in first-class or sleeper cars. Additionally, Amtrak Guest Rewards Select Plus and Select Executive elites get unlimited access, while Select members get two single-visit passes each year.
Related: The complete guide to Amtrak Guest Rewards
The light-filled space features an elegant, contemporary design similar to what you'd expect from a premium international airline lounge.
Related: Which airline lounges in the U.S. are currently open?
There are plenty of seating options, all offering easy access to power outlets and USB ports. There's also seating on a balcony overlooking the main hall, as well as a dedicated family waiting area.
Services of the new lounge include improved food and beverage offerings and priority boarding.
Food and beverage
The only food-and-beverage outlet currently open in the new train hall is a Starbucks. However, there's a food hall and other retail spaces slated to open on a rolling basis over the next 12 months. Expect names like Blue Bottle Coffee, Magnolia Bakery, H&H Bagels and others.
Bottom line
Despite the massive aesthetic upgrade, the work at Penn Station isn't done yet. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced plans to expand the depot's capacity by 40% through acquiring an entire city block to the south to build eight new tracks.
For now, though, the Moynihan Train Hall is a stark contrast to the old Penn Station, which Cuomo referred to as a “national laughingstock” in 2016. The massive revamp addresses much of the criticism about the old station, such as lack of space and lighting, while paying homage to its original design. Once all of the retail spaces open, it will truly offer a vastly improved travel experience.
All photos by Benji Stawski/The Points Guy unless otherwise noted.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.