Getting Here
By Car to Blue Cliff
Blue Cliff is located about two hours from New York City, two hours from Hartford, three hours from Philadelphia, and four hours from Boston. If using GPS, please note that “Mindfulness Road” is often listed as “Hotel Road.”
By Train to Blue Cliff
Blue Cliff can easily be reached from the Middletown, NY train station (served by New Jersey Transit: 973-275-5555). A 30-minute taxi ride brings you to the monastery. See below for taxi information. From Penn Station in New York City, locate the New Jersey Transit terminal (not Amtrak) and take the Port Jervis Line. The train will stop at Secaucus Junction (SEC) where you must transfer to the train traveling to Middletown, NY. At Secaucus Junction, be prepared to use your ticket again to enter the station. This is a large station and you will travel a distance to the track for your second train.
From Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Blue Cliff:
1. Download NJ Transit App to check for train schedules from EWR to Middletown, NY. Note: not Middletown, NJ. The train runs about every 2-3 hours. It is best to have the NJ Transit app installed because you can view and see the schedule and delays.
2. Look for AirTrain signs (you might have to go out to take a Blue Bus to get to the AirTrain)
3. Get on AirTrain to Newark Airport Station (last stop)
4. Purchase one-way ticket (around $25) at the vending machine (or online app) . Select destination from Newark Airport Station to Middletown, NY. Keep your ticket! This one ticket is used for the AirTrain as well as other trains on your route.
5. Get on the next available train to NY-Penn Station. Don't go all the way to the NY-Penn Station
6. Don’t get too comfortable. Get off the train at the 2nd stop, Secaucus Junction.
7. At Secaucus Junction, transfer to the Main/Bergen/Port Jervis Line to Middletown, NY. (note: Port Jervis is the last stop on the route to Middletown, NY)
8. Get on the train to Port Jervis. Now you can get comfortable. After about 7 stops (1.5 hrs), get off at Middletown, NY.
9. From Middletown, NY train station, it is about a 30 minute taxi or Uber ride to Blue Cliff Monastery, 3 Mindfulness Road, Pine Bush, NY. Cost: around $35-40. See taxis listed below.
Note: train may get delayed or get canceled. Please make sure to arrange the train about 4 hours in advance of your flight schedule if you take a train from Blue Cliff back to EWR.
By Train to Blue Cliff (Alternative Route)
Suggested by one of our retreatants. Easy - 2 hour ride to Blue Cliff by Metro-North Railroad
http://web.mta.info/mnr/html/mnrmap.htm (see green line-- HUDSON LINE)
Take the Hudson Line (green line) from Grand Central or Harlem 125th street stations and exit at Beacon Station. Take a Taxi/Uber/Lyft from the station to Blue Cliff.
The train cost is exactly the same, and a taxi can be shared with other individuals. Uber or Lyft is recommended.
By Bus to Blue Cliff
Blue Cliff can easily be reached from the Middletown, NY bus station (served by Short Line Bus Company). A 25-minute taxi ride brings you to the monastery. See below for taxi information.
By Plane to Blue Cliff
All NYC-area airports are within a two hour drive of the Monastery. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) has an easy connection to New Jersey Transit train service. (See "By Train" above.) Stewart International (SWF) in Newburgh, NY is the closest airport to Blue Cliff (about 40 minutes by car). Please use the website of your arrival airport to get the most up-to-date and accurate information about ground transportation.
Nearby Taxi Services
Taxi fare to Blue Cliff from the train or bus station in Middletown is approximately $40; from Stewart Airport in Newburgh is approximately $75. You may want to call the cab one day ahead of time.
G&C Taxi: (845) 283-6747
B&D Taxi: 845-778-7143
Middletown Taxi: 845-343-5555
Syndicate Taxi: 845-343-1181
In case the taxi service or Uber needs help with directions:
It is 22 min (15.0 miles) from the Middletown train station to Blue Cliff.
In general, take NY-17 W and Roosa Gap Rd
Get on NY-17 W from N Galleria Dr NY-211 W ——-5 min (1.0 mi)
Follow NY-17 W to Roosa Gap Rd in Mamakating. Take exit 115 from NY-17 W———7 min (7.8 mi)
Take left onto Roosa Gap Rd. Drive to Pleasant Valley Rd, after small church on right, take right onto Pleasant Valley Rd———-11 min (6.2 mi)
Look for blue building on left.
3 Mindfulness Rd
Pine Bush, NY 12566
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