Transportation
Transportation
The British International School of New York is located on the banks of the East River at 23rd Street in Manhattan. The School can be easily accessed from either 23rd St or 34th St and there are a number of options for our families when considering transportation to and from the school, including a school bus service as well as options for free-parking for drop-off and pick-up.
Taxis, Driving and Parking at Waterside
By Car and approaching from south of 23rd Street:
FDR Drive to the 20th-23rd Street exit, then onto the FDR Drive Service Road (along the East River) to 25th Street. When you enter Waterside, turn right after the bus stop and second STOP sign, past the barrier, following signs to Building 20 – the main entrance to the school is on the river level, next to Building 20.
For families wishing to drive to school, we are happy to be able to offer 30 mins free parking at the ProPark carpark of the Waterside complex. For any questions relating to how to organize this, please contact the school directly.
By Car and approaching from north of 23rd Street
FDR Drive to the 23rd Street Exit; make a left at the 23rd Street traffic light and go underneath the FDR Drive; make a second left (bearing to the right) at the next traffic light onto the FDR Drive Service Road (along the East River) to 25th Street. When you enter Waterside, turn right after the bus stop and second STOP sign, past the barrier, following signs to Building 20.
For families wishing to drive to school, we are happy to be able to offer 30 mins free parking at the ProPark carpark of the Waterside complex. To get there, when you enter Waterside Plaza, keep going straight until you reach the ProPark Car-Park (about half way down on the right). For any questions relating to how to organize this, please contact the school directly.
By Taxi
If coming by taxi, ask the driver to take you to “Waterside Plaza”, when he pulls in, ask him to turn right at the second stop sign on the right and drive past the barrier to the cul-de-sac/turning circle. The school is at the bottom of this on the right hand side as you exit the cab right next to Building 20.
Public Transportation
By subway: Trains 1, 6, E, F, Q, 63 St/6 Ave Shuttle, or W to the 23rd Street station; then take the 23rd Street crosstown bus east (M23) to FDR Drive. Walk under the FDR drive, turn left at the Marina, and walk north two blocks along the East River. Turn right at the second stop sign on the right and walk through the barrier to the cul-de-sac/ turning circle. The school is at the bottom of the cul-de-sac/ turning circle on the right hand side as you turn your back to the water.
By bus: Bus routes include the M23 (across town 23rd Street), M15 (downtown via 2nd Avenue, uptown 1st Avenue), M34 or M34A Select (across town at 34th St).
By ferry: The East River Ferry runs regularly from Williamsburg / Greenpoint / Long Island City and drops off at the 34th Street Ferry Terminal, a 5 minute north along the river to the School.
Department of Education Free School Bus
This is a free service for students in Year 1 to Year 7 (K- Grade 6) living in Manhattan (excluding Roosevelt Island). Please note, although this is called a ‘public’ bus, it is only for students from our school.
Per the eligibility chart below, this is offered free to families who:
- Live further than 0.5 miles from school
- Are aged between K and 6th Grade (Year 1-7)
- Note students from 7th -12th Grade are eligible for a free Omny Travel Card.
Please note:
- Stops are provided by the City and are mapped to be within 0.25 miles of each other.
- Unfortunately the school cannot determine the length of route or the pick-up or drop off times. These are set by the city.
Department of Education Student Omny Travel Card
This option allows children from Year 1 (K) upwards to access the New York public transportation system for free as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. This Omny Travel Card covers up to 4 free rides per day and can be used 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Please note, you may apply for the free public yellow bus or an Omny Travel Card, but cannot apply for both.
Please follow this link for transportation eligibility requirements for the free public yellow school bus and Omny Travel Card.
Kid Car Private Hire Car Service
*Not affiliated with BIS-NY*
Another option for regular trips during school hours (6:45-8:30am/ 2:30-4:15pm), is to use Kid CarPool service where 3-6 kids share a single vehicle (parents are responsible for creating their own carpool).
Kid Car will send the same trained and vetted driver each day to pick up children. More information about our service, including a form to get a price estimate for 2 or more families, can be found on their site. (A sedan can hold up to 3 kids (1 car seat) and a minivan can hold up to 6 kids (3 car seats). Children <8yo require car seats.)
If you would prefer your children to ride alone, please refer to the Price Estimate on their homepage.