Filming and Photography

Filming and Photography Overview

Thank you for your interest in holding a film or photography shoot in Grand Central Terminal!

The MTA and Metro-North Railroad allow external parties to temporarily use Grand Central Terminal for small and self-contained film and photography shoots upon execution of the Grand Central Terminal Still Photography/Film Permit Application (“Permit”). This website provides information about applying for the Permit, contacting us for general inquiries, and an online version of the Permit to file your request.

Looking to hold a larger-scale film or photography production in Grand Central Terminal? Please visit Filming on MTA Property for more information.

Are you a member of the press? Please visit MTA Media Relations for information on news media requests.

Looking to engage in public speaking, advancing a charitable cause, or other non-commercial activities? Please visit Non-Commercial Activities at Grand Central Terminal for more information.

Application Process

Before filing the online Permit, we recommend contacting an MTA Filming & Events representative using the General Inquiry form to discuss the particular details of your request, including the specific location within Grand Central Terminal you wish to use, the nature of your proposed shoot, date and time availability, and intended use of the imagery.

After discussing an overview of your project, you can file the Permit on this website to request the temporary use of the space. The Permit must be filed at least five (5) business days prior to the requested date, but more advance notice is often recommended as Permits are processed on a first-come first-served basis.

Note: the MTA cannot guarantee review of any Permits filed with less than five (5) business days’ advance notice. There is a non-refundable application filing fee (Permit Fee) applied to all Permits—there are no exceptions.

The non-refundable filing fee is separate from any licensing fees for the use of MTA intellectual property in a commercial use, which shall be discussed with an MTA Filming & Events representative.

Permit Fee Structure—

Commercial usage: $450
Non-Commercial usage: $250

Commercial usage includes any filming, photography or audio recording which promotes at least some form of commerce or proposes a commercial transaction. Commercial filming, photography and audio recording includes without limitation all filming, photography and audio recording for motion pictures (including documentaries and docudramas), television, advertisements, commercial promotions, or sponsored social media content, including sponsored social media influencer content.

For larger or more involved commercial usage projects, the MTA requires a location agreement and charges higher fees. All commercial usage projects may also be subject to a separate intellectual property licensing fee, which will be determined once the application is received and the scope of the project is discussed with an MTA Filming & Events representative. If you have questions regarding the location fee or intellectual property licensing fee for commercial usage, please use the General Inquiry form found here and include specific details of your planned media use(s) and duration of such uses (i.e., media flight).

Non-Commercial usage is defined as using the photographs or video taken at Grand Central Terminal for personal use, such as wedding and engagement photos/videos**, student projects, hobbyist photographs, or any other use that does not meet a commercial usage criteria.

**Wedding and Engagement photos/videos will be considered a Commercial usage in instances where the photographer, videographer, or event planner uses the imagery on their website and/or social media to promote their business.

For license inquiries for commercial use, please use the General Inquiry form found here and include specific details of your planned use and duration.

Once the online Permit is filed, the review process will officially begin for your proposed request and you will be contacted by an MTA Filming & Events representative.

FAQ

Who is required to have a location agreement or permit to film or photograph in Grand Central Terminal?

Anyone is free to take pictures or video with a cell phone or handheld consumer camera for non-commercial personal use inside Grand Central Terminal – without a permit or fee. However, if you will be using professional equipment, like a tripod, light, or stabilizer, for your photography or filming (including for non-commercial uses), or if you are engaging in commercial filming or photography, you must obtain a location agreement or permit. Those engaging in commercial filming or photography may also be required to pay an IP license fee in addition to the location agreement or permit fee. See Filming on MTA Property and the MTA Licensing Program page for more information.

What information should I include on my application to film or photograph in Grand Central Terminal?

Be sure to include the specific location within Grand Central Terminal that you wish to use, the nature of your proposed shoot, date and time availability, and intended use of the imagery.

How long does the process typically take?

Once the online application is filed to film or photograph in Grand Central Terminal, the review process will officially begin for your proposed request, and you will be contacted by an MTA Film & Special Events representative. We recommend allowing at least ten (10) business days for the process if you require a permit, and at least three weeks if you require a more involved location agreement. The online application for permits must be filed at least five (5) business days prior to the requested date; we cannot guarantee review of any application filed with less than five (5) business days’ advance notice.

Who reviews the application for filming or photography in Grand Central Terminal? What determines if my request is approved or denied?

An MTA Film & Special Events representative reviews each application and any accompanying documents to determine availability and feasibility of the request. The primary focus is ensuring the continued safe and orderly operation of Grand Central Terminal—a major transportation hub and tourist destination—during each shoot, as well as verifying that the shoot itself will be conducted in a safe, secure, and code compliant manner.

Are there date or time restrictions for filming or photography in Grand Central Terminal?

Permits are issued for a specific date and time on a first-come-first-served basis. In order to avoid rush hours, on weekdays all productions are limited to a time period between 10 AM and 3 PM or after 8 PM. Weekends have no official rush, so time is more flexible. As this is an active transportation hub, there are black-out dates when no permits will be issued.

What filming or photography shoots in Grand Central Terminal require a location agreement instead of a permit?

We recommend discussing the details of your proposed request with an MTA Film & Special Events representative who will make the final determination. You should start by using the General Inquiry form found here before submitting your Grand Central Terminal Still Photography/Film Application. Generally, permits are offered to small and self-contained film and photography shoots requiring no support; more involved shoots require a location agreement. Location agreements may be issued if you have a recognizable celebrity talent, require electrical power, your shoot has the potential to cause crowding or have another special request.

What are some examples of the difference between a permit and a location agreement?

Location agreements require insurance and costs for all MTA labor to support. Permits are issued when the project is small and self-contained and requires no MTA support.

What if I have a recognizable celebrity participant, require electrical power, or have another special request?

We recommend discussing the details of your proposed request with an MTA Filming & Special Events representative by using the General Inquiry form found here before submitting your Grand Central Terminal Still Photography/Film Permit Application. They will be able to determine if it is appropriate and/or if they can accommodate your request.

How much will this cost?

Each permit for Grand Central Terminal requires a non-refundable filing fee based on whether your end use is Commercial or Non-Commercial in nature. Larger shoots requiring a location agreement will be charged a higher fee based on the project’s scope.

Permit fee structure:
Commercial usage: $450
Non-Commercial usage: $250

a. Commercial usage is defined as any speech which promotes at least some form of commerce or proposes a commercial transaction. It includes without limitation using the photographs taken at Grand Central Terminal to promote a product, brand, business or service via a website, social media, newsletter, or media spot.

b. Non-Commercial usage is defined as using the photographs or video taken at Grand Central Terminal for personal use, such as wedding and engagement photos/videos**, student projects, hobbyist photographs, or any other use that does not meet a Commercial usage criteria.

All Commercial usage projects may also be subject to a separate IP licensing fee, which will be determined once the application is received and the scope of the project is discussed with an MTA Film & Special Events representative.

How do I determine if my use is a commercial use?

Commercial use of Grand Central Terminal imagery requires a fee-based license agreement, as most elements of the interior and exterior are protected by trademark. To determine if your use is commercial and quote the appropriate use fee, we recommend discussing the details of your planned media use and duration with an MTA Filming & Special Events representative by using the General Inquiry form found here.

Can I cancel a Grand Central Terminal Still Photography/Film Permit Application?

Please notify your Film & Special Events representative as soon as possible of a cancellation request so that your scheduled date and time can be freed up for other requests. The required $250/$450 filing fee is non-refundable.

Permit Application

PROJECT TITLE/CLIENT NAME

Requested Date

Requested Time

Requested Start Time

Requested End Time

Commercial or Non-Commercial Usage

Total Headcount

YOUR NAME/TITLE/COMPANY

Website

Phone

Production's On-Site Representative Name/Title/Company

On-Site Representative Website

On-Site Representative Phone

On-Site Representative Email

Photographer Name/Company

Photographer Phone

Photographer Email

Videographer Name/Company

Videographer Phone

Videographer Email

Description of Project, Including Intended Use and Purpose

Full Equipment List

BY SIGNING BELOW, YOU AGREE TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPEARING BELOW.
You hereby assume all risks involved in the use of Grand Central Terminal (“GCT”) under this Permit Application and You shall indemnify and hold harmless Metropolitan Transportation Authority (“MTA”) and Metro-North Railroad (“MNR”), their members, directors, officers, agents and employees from any and all claims and demands of third parties (including agents, servants, employees or contractors of MTA/MNR and/or You) including, but not limited to, those for personal injuries (including death), loss, theft or damage of or to any of Your or a third party’s property, equipment or materials, real property damages, infringement of intellectual property rights, invasion of privacy, right of publicity, defamation, or misappropriation or misuse of image, arising out of or resulting from Your activities under this Permit Application or arising out of or resulting from any acts or omissions hereunder on the part of You, Your officers, employees, agents, contractors, guests, invitees or those doing business with You.
Each application requires a non-refundable application filing fee of $250 for Non-Commercial usage or $450 for Commercial usage. The non-refundable $450 application filing fee is separate from any licensing fees that may be incurred for a commercial usage.

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

Signature

Signature Date

Terms and Conditions
1. You agree that the film and/or photography performed hereunder shall be used solely for the purpose identified herein and for no other purpose whatsoever without the prior written consent of the MTA/ MNR.
2. This Permit Application is subject to the condition that all photography or filming shall be conducted only at such times and under such conditions as may be approved by the MTA Filming & Events representative or designee to ensure that the same can be conducted without interfering with the safety and security of MTA/MNR and/or its members, directors, officers, agents and employees or other activities and operations at GCT.
3. You agree that: (a) Your use of the Location is on a non-exclusive basis contemporaneously with use thereof by the general public or other lessees or permittees of MTA/MNR or contractors or stakeholders at the GCT;
(b) You shall have no right to indicate any sponsorship, endorsement, partnership, connection, or affiliation between You and MTA/MNR or between You and GCT without MTA/MNR’s prior written consent; (c) You shall have no right to exploit the image or likeness of GCT; (d) You shall have no right to use or exploit any MTA/MNR or third party trademarks without such trademark owner’s consent; and (e) You shall not, and shall not purport to authorize others to, affix, produce, display, publish, distribute or sell Your filming or photography made under the Permit Application in connection with any goods, services or materials for commercial or non-commercial purposes.
4. You acknowledge that MTA/MNR shall have no obligation to keep the Location, or any portion thereof, guarded, attended or patrolled and You further acknowledge that MTA/MNR will have no liability of any kind whatsoever for loss, theft or damage of or to any of Your property, equipment or materials or for which You are responsible for.
5. You shall (and shall compel Your officers, employees, agents, contractors, guests, invitees and those doing business with You hereunder to) observe and comply with (a) any and all applicable present and future governmental laws, rules, regulations, requirements, orders and directions which may pertain or apply to Your activities hereunder; (b) the GCT Rules and Regulations; (c) security procedures; and (d) any applicable MTA/ MNR insurance requirements.
6. This Permit Application may be terminated by MTA/MNR without cause upon one (1) days’ notice; however, MTA/MNR may immediately terminate this Permit Application if You fail to observe or are not in compliance with any of the terms and conditions of this Permit Application. Termination shall not relieve You of any obligations which have accrued on or prior to termination.
7. You shall not assign this Permit Application or any of Your rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of MTA/MNR. This Permit Application shall be binding upon, and/or inure to the benefit of, all Your partners, partnerships, subsidiaries, parent corporations and affiliates, and all of their respective predecessors, successors, assigns, heirs, legal representatives, officers, directors, shareholders, agents and employees.
8. Neither MTA/MNR nor any officer, agent, or employee thereof, shall be charged personally by You with any liability, or held personally liable to You under any term or provision of this Permit Application, or because of its execution or attempted execution, or because of any breach, or attempted breach, thereof.
9. This Permit Application shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. You agree that any action at law or equity arising out of this Permit Application, including to enforce of the terms of this Permit Application or to seek a remedy for breach thereof, shall be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction located in the County of New York of the State of New York.
10. You represent and warrant that you or the individual executing this Permit Application on your behalf has full and complete legal authority and capacity to bind You to its terms and conditions.
11. In connection with Your use of the photos and/ or video taken hereunder on social media, You agree to the following:
Tag GCT social media handles in all posts on social media:
GCT Instagram: @grandcentralnyc
GCT Twitter: @GrandCentralNYC
GCT Facebook: @GrandCentralTerminal
Use the Location Tag "Grand Central Terminal" and Hashtag #ShareGCT in all Instagram posts.

Custom Captcha

General Inquiry for Film and/or Photography

To discuss your project or licensing before applying for a permit, or for general information, please fill out this form.

Filming and Photography Overview

The MTA allows external parties to temporarily use Grand Central Madison for small and self-contained film and photo shoots upon execution of the GC Madision Filming and Photographyn Still Photography/Film Permit Application (“Permit”).

Please visit the GC Madison Filming and Photography page to learn more about applying for the Permit, contact us for general inquiries, and find an online version of the Permit to submit your request.