Princeton
Princeton is a small college town in central New Jersey, known for its Ivy League campus and a nearby Revolutionary War battlefield.
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Princeton is a town in Mercer County, central New Jersey, about halfway between New York City and Philadelphia. Princeton University anchors the town. The college was founded in 1746 as the College of New Jersey and moved to Princeton in 1756. Nassau Hall, its oldest building, hosted the Continental Congress in 1783 for several months. Most of the town fits within a short walk.
Campus walks come first, past the stone Gothic buildings and into the Princeton University Art Museum. The Institute for Advanced Study, where Albert Einstein worked, is nearby. Princeton Battlefield State Park marks the Battle of Princeton, fought in January 1777. Downtown, Palmer Square and Nassau Street have shops and cafes. The Dinky shuttle links the town to Princeton Junction station. Spring and fall are the most pleasant seasons for walking. One to two days covers the main sights.
Princeton in five
- Take NJ Transit to Princeton JunctionTrains from New York Penn Station and Philadelphia reach Princeton Junction, where you change to the Dinky shuttle for the short ride into town. Allow extra time for the change.Getting around
- Check the university calendar before you bookCommencement and Reunions weekends in late May and early June bring large crowds, so book hotels early or pick a midweek date.
- Rent a car for trips beyond townThe Dinky and the downtown streets cover campus and Nassau Street, but the Route 1 shopping areas are not on a train line. A car is the practical choice for them.
- Check live times in the NJ Transit appA missed connection at Princeton Junction means a wait for the next shuttle. Check departures in the NJ Transit app before you leave the station.
- Call 911 for an emergencyDial 911 for police, fire or an ambulance. For campus safety questions, Princeton University has its own Department of Public Safety.
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- Visa Waiver Program: ESTA before flying; other passports need a US visa Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- 15 to 20 percent at sit-down restaurants; customary
- Time
- UTC-5 (Eastern), UTC-4 during daylight saving time
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, quiet
- FebruaryCold, quiet
- MarchCool, changeable
- AprilMild, blooming
- MayCommencement crowds
- JuneHot, humid
- JulyHot, humid
- AugustHot, humid
- SeptemberMild, quieter
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberCool, quiet
- DecemberCold, holiday lights
Right now in Princeton
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
19
- Feels like
- 14°
- Humidity
- 30%
- Wind
- 12 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 1%
Princeton
07:03 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today19°3°1%Monday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Tue19°5°3%Tuesday: Fog. High 19°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Wed23°9°1%Wednesday: Fog. High 23°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Thu21°14°52%Thursday: Rain. High 21°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 52%.
- Fri20°13°52%Friday: Drizzle. High 20°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 52%.
- Sat17°8°39%Saturday: Drizzle. High 17°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 39%.
- Sun14°5°10%Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 14°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 10%.
Updated 02:59 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- SepFeast of San GennaroNew York City, a day trip
Day trips by train
- New York Cityabout 1 hour by train from Princeton JunctionThe largest city nearby, reached by the same train line that serves Princeton Junction.
- Philadelphiaunder 1 hour by train from Princeton JunctionHistoric sites from the American Revolution, a short train ride from Princeton Junction.
- Trentonabout 15 minutes by train from Princeton JunctionNew Jersey's state capital, a quick stop on the same line for a half-day visit.
Before you go to Princeton
Rules for Princeton, checked
- Travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries need an approved ESTA before flying to the US. Check eligibility at travel.state.gov.Source
- The drinking age in New Jersey is 21. Carry your passport or driver's license when you go out, since bars and shops may ask for photo ID.
- Declare fresh food, plants and fruit on the US customs form at arrival, since many are restricted. Check the current rules at cbp.gov.Source
Plan around Princeton
The state around Princeton and its main day trips
Read the guideGetting aroundTrains, the Dinky shuttle and car options
Read the guideWhere to stayDowntown, Princeton Junction and Route 1 compared
Read the guideMoney and costsCards, tipping and typical prices
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs ESTA and what to check before flying
Read the guidePrinceton FAQ
How do you get to Princeton from New York?
Take an NJ Transit or Amtrak train from New York Penn Station to Princeton Junction, about 1 hour, then the Dinky shuttle into town. Allow extra time for the change at Princeton Junction.
Is Princeton worth visiting for a day?
Yes if you want the campus, the university art museum and the Battlefield park, which take a few hours. Stay overnight if you want the town after the day visitors have left.
How many days do you need in Princeton?
One day covers the campus, the art museum and the Battlefield. Add a second day for the Institute for Advanced Study or a trip to Trenton or Philadelphia.
When is the best time to visit Princeton?
April to early June and September to October are mild. Summer is hot and humid, and winter is cold and quiet.
Do you need a car in Princeton?
Not for the town, which is walkable from the Dinky station and the campus. A car helps for Route 1 shopping and for trips to other towns in New Jersey.
Is Princeton safe for tourists?
Downtown and campus are busy with students and visitors. Use normal care after dark, lock your car and keep valuables out of sight.