Best Route from Penn to Columbia Medical Center

Hi everyone,

I figure I have three options via the subway:

The 1 train from 34th to 168th

The 2 or 3 express to 96th and then the 1 until 168

The A train express from 34th to 168th

Which option do you guys think is the best from your experience in terms of speed and reliability?

Factors like which side of Penn I'm in or that I have to take an elevator at 168 if I use the 1 aren't that important to me, I care more about the rail line itself.

Thanks so much!
Ben