Niantic has shared some important travel information for those headed to Pokémon GO Fest 2024: New York City this weekend.
Pokémon GO Fest: New York City is held on Randall’s Island, which is accessible by public transportation, pedestrian bridges, and third-party operated dedicated ferries only. There is no parking for personal vehicles, and there are no designated rideshare drop-off or pick-up locations on Randall’s Island.
Read on for more information on the best ways to get to Randall’s Island for the event!
A popular option is to take the ferry to Randall’s Island! It offers some lovely views and was widely praised as an option in 2023.
Ferries depart from and return to the East 35th Street Ferry Landing located at the intersection of East 35th Street and FDR Drive. They will travel to and from Randall’s Island all weekend long, running from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily. Tickets are first-come, first-served, and must be purchased prior to boarding.
Click here to learn more and purchase ferry tickets.
MTA is the Metropolitan Transportation Authority who provide public transportation in New York City.
There are several bus routes that can get you to Randall’s Island.
X80 Express Bus
The X80 bus route only operates during special events on Randall’s Island. It stops at 125th Street and Lexington Avenue (immediately outside the 125th Street and Lexington Avenue subway station for the 4/5/6 trains).
The route runs approximately every 10 minutes during event hours, with service beginning at 8:00 a.m. and concluding at 8:00 p.m.
It costs $7 to take to the island but is FREE leaving the island.
There are two stops on Randall’s Island: Randall’s Island North on Bronx Shore Drive near the North Festival Entrance and Randall’s Island South at Icahn Stadium near the soccer field. The north bus stop is new for 2024. The north stop is recommended for anyone who is ready to leave Randall’s Island.
- Take the 4, 5, or 6 subway train to the 125th Street/Lexington Avenue station;
$5.80 roundtrip ($1.00 new-card fee not included). - Take the X80 Express Bus from the 125th Street/Lexington Avenue station to Randall’s Island Park; $7.00 roundtrip ($4.10 if coming from subway using MetroCard or OMNY Contactless option).
M35 Local Bus
The M35 route buses are a standard MTA service that takes passengers from Harlem E 125th St. / Lexington Ave with a stop at Icahn Stadium near the soccer field. Unlike the X80, this bus route isn’t an express service and will make several stops.
Click here to see the route schedule.
There are dedicated rideshare drop-off and pick-up areas with access to pedestrian bridges and public transportation to Randall’s Island at the following locations in Manhattan:
- East 125th and Lexington (closest to the X80 and MTA Bus Stop to Randall’s Island)
- East 124th before the entrance to the RFK Bridge pedestrian walkway
- East 105th ahead of entrance to the Wards Island Bridge pedestrian walkway
- East 102nd ahead of entrance to the Wards Island Bridge pedestrian walkway
If you are walking to Randall’s Island there are two ADA accessible options headed from Manhattan, and a further option coming from the Bronx that is not stated to be ADA accessible.
From Manhattan
- East 103rd St. (approximately 20–25 minutes). A walkway along Wards Island Bridge on East 103rd St. in Manhattan onto Wards Island Park. The ramp on this walkway is ADA accessible.
- East 125th St. Bridge (approximately 10–12 minutes). A walkway along the RFK Bridge between 125th Street and 2nd Avenue onto the northwestern section of Randall’s Island Park. The ramp on this walkway is ADA accessible.
From the Bronx
East 132nd St. & Willow Ave (approximately 15 minutes). The Randall’s Island Connector provides at-grade access to pedestrians and cyclists. It runs under the arches of the Hell Gate Bridge railroad trestle between 132nd Street at Willow/Walnut Avenues in the Bronx onto the northern shore of Randall’s Island Park.
