New York City is one of the most exciting and luxurious places in the world. Many of the portals which allow human life to enter and exit this thrilling metropolis, however, are significantly less so. (We're looking at you, Penn Station.) 

Located in Times Square (which is already sufficiently grotesque in its own right), Port Authority Bus Terminal is one of these unfortunate portals; perhaps even the most unfortunate.

They might as well just change the name to "The Most Unfortunate Bus Terminal," so at the very least, people know what they're getting themselves into. 

Read on to discover for yourself just why Port Authority Bus Terminal is the worst place New York City has to offer. 

Then, you know, don't go there. You've been warned.

1. So many (unwanted) smells

Imagine a place where mass amounts of unwashed people exist together in a poorly ventilated area, in an already generally poorly ventilated city. Imagine how such a place might smell. 

You see where we're going with this, right? Yes, this place is fact real, and it's called Port Authority.

[anad]

Expect to be assaulted by a myriad of unpleasant, unidentifiable smells at any given moment.

2. Buses...need we say more?

Aside from that pedi cab you and your friends thought was a great idea that one time in Central Park, buses are the least glamorous way to travel.

You're clearly not expecting a first class experience here, but a little leg room and perhaps even an outlet for your phone charger would be nice.

3. It's an eyesore

The fact that Grand Central Station is a breathtaking, aesthetically and architecturally revered structure while Penn Station and Port Authority resemble post-apocalyptic shopping malls straight out of your nightmares is a source of constant puzzlement for New Yorkers.

You certainly won't find any Instagram-worthy corners of either of these hubs. However, if you are a Ph.D candidate researching your dissertation entitled, "Aesthetics and Brain Function: The Psychological Consequences of Florescent Lighting", you're in luck.

4. Location, location, location

As previously mentioned, Port Authority exists in the hellhole often referred to as Times Square. 

So, as if traveling by bus isn't bad enough, you have to do so by first making your way through the most tourist-heavy, anger-inducing place in New York City.

How convenient.

5. Severe lack of food selection

As if traveling through Port Authority isn't depressing enough, you're pretty much SOL should you find yourself stuck there for any length of time and in need of something to eat, or even a decent cup of coffee.

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At least in Penn Station you can drown your sorrows in Haagen Daz while you wait for your (probably delayed) train.

6. It's confusing

The seemingly unnecessary amount of entrances, long lines, and often uninformed staff do not make it easy to navigate this already unpleasant place.

At some point you may become frustrated enough to consider taking a train out of Penn instead, the lesser of the two evils. But then you remember that you are poor and Amtrak is running on delays, so you might as well stick it out. Sigh.

Check out 10 Phases of a Boozy Brunch. 

[Feature Image Courtesy of TheWriteSideof50]