World Cup Transit: NJ Transit Sets $150 Train and $80 Bus Fares

New Jersey officials have confirmed that transportation to World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium will cost $150 for a round-trip train ticket and $80 for a shuttle bus, marking a significant increase from regular fares as the state seeks to recoup anticipated costs of hosting the tournament.

The price for a round-trip train ride from New York’s Penn Station to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey – typically $12.90 for the roughly 15-minute, 9-mile journey – will increase nearly twelvefold for World Cup match days. NJ Transit announced the pricing during a Friday briefing, stating that the flat fare will apply to all passengers regardless of age, disability, or status, with no reduced options for children, seniors, or people with disabilities.

Shuttle bus service will also be available for $80 round-trip, with pickup from two locations in New York City and one park-and-ride site in Clifton, New Jersey. The Clifton location is expected to accommodate approximately 2,500 vehicles, requiring spectators to complete their journey via shuttle bus after parking.

NJ Transit officials said it would cost $62 million to transport fans to and from the stadium over the duration of the tournament, with outside grants having defrayed only $14 million of those anticipated expenses. NJ Transit president and CEO Kris Kolluri stated the increase was not price gouging but an effort to literally recoup costs, emphasizing that the agency is facing nearly $50 million in added expenses due to the World Cup.

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill has argued that the upcharge is necessary to prevent state commuters from being left with a long-term financial burden for hosting the World Cup, noting that FIFA has not agreed to cover the transportation costs despite ongoing discussions. Sherrill has suggested that FIFA should pay for the transit expenses, citing the precedent of host nations bearing such costs during previous tournaments.

MetLife Stadium, home to the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets, is set to host eight World Cup matches, including the tournament final on July 19, 2026. Group stage games featuring soccer powerhouses such as Brazil, France, Germany and England are scheduled to begin on June 13, 2026. New Jersey officials anticipate that around 40,000 fans will use mass transit for each match, with a total of 78,000 spectators expected per game through various transportation methods.

Fans will be required to purchase a special NJ Transit World Cup ticket that includes a wristband for return travel. These non-transferrable and non-refundable tickets will only be available starting May 13, 2026, and will be sold exclusively through NJ Transit’s mobile app. Tickets will not be available for purchase at station ticket offices or vending machines on match days, with departures from Penn Station assigned in specific time blocks and multiple security checkpoints implemented along the route.

The pricing announcement comes amid broader concerns about the financial impact of hosting the World Cup in the United States, with transportation costs emerging as a significant point of contention between state officials and FIFA. While on-site parking will not be available for most fans, alternative parking options at nearby facilities are expected to cost as much as $225 for premium spots.