Jeffrey D.
Yelp
Overall this station provides a bit more than the essentials, and then some when it comes to riding the train. After all, this train station is called Princeton Junction, even having the same name as the neighborhood it's in (technically a part of West Windsor). Whether it's arriving or departing, it's best to be informed while planning to be her. This station offers two lines if you're using New Jersey Transit: Northeast Corridor (from New York Penn Station to Trenton), or Princeton Shuttle/Branch, aka "the Dinky", faithfully bringing people from this station to Princeton, at the southern edge of the prestigious university. Amtrak also runs here, having 3 lines stop here: Keystone Service (NYC-Harrisburg, PA), Palmetto (NYC-Savannah, GA), and Northeast Regional (NYC/Boston-Washington DC), while their other lines, especially Acela, speed past here. It's rather infrequent for them to stop, especially for weekends, where maybe 2 Amtrak trains stop here a day. In terms of pricing, as of this review, it's: 5$ for an all day parking at the station's permissible daily parking lots, 5$ (10$ round trip) for a Trenton-Princeton Junction ticket, or 16$ (32$ round trip) for a New York City-Princeton Junction ticket, and if going into Princeton via the "Dinky", it's 3$ (it's a separate ticket/ride, so keep it handy!).
In terms of amenities, there's two train shelters/waiting rooms on both side of the tracks: a smaller one with a basic interior, and a larger one on the other side, fitted with a convenience store, Amtrak TVM/booth, and a NJ Transit TVM, plus a waiting room. The con is that they're generally open during "business" or peak hours, in other words, when ridership is at a high, it's no good for Sat-Sun, when it's closed past 3PM. There's a tunnel right underneath the tracks, helping move people from one side to the other. Plus, there's a dedicated bus stop which can take you either to Princeton, Lawrence, or Trenton, among other locations, and taxis, mostly from Princeton.
Timing, it can range from an hour to 70 minutes (60-70) to ride to/from this station to/from NY Penn, 15 minutes to/from Trenton, and 5 minutes to Princeton. Fortunately the "Dinky" arrives in sync most of the time when the (NJT) trains roll in, giving you 2-5 minutes to react and head out, same can be said for the opposite.
Now for my cons, it's something most of us share. The parking dilemma for starters, there's more than thousands of parking spots spread across 8 different lots, which can be sorted out either as permit holders (naturally, people who actually live in Princeton Junction/West Village gets a higher priority), or daily drivers. It's a cheap, affordable 5$ a day (you can park here as long as you want for 2 weeks max, assuming you pay), a magnet for everyone far and wide, and the occasions I've arrived on M-F, it's a nightmare! Also, it's next to laughable for the wait time when it comes to getting a permit, some can be nearly 3 months, while others can range to 10 years of a wait period! Lot can happen in that time, but of course, if you've wanted a break from driving your car to go to NYC/elsewhere, this is for you. Plus, in those rare occasions where the train cannot stop on the platform, it's an annoyance to unload/load at the wooden platforms, especially so if you have to run for the Dinky.
It's a great station for what it's worth, and it's the next to last peg whenever I'm going to Princeton, wish it would improve, but it will in time. PS, careful for quick barreling Amtrak trains! There's plenty of warnings informing people that those trains won't stop for anyone or anything (unless if they have to here), so have a grip on your personal things. Until next time!