The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) concourse at Penn Station in New York City is a key transit hub, serving thousands of daily commuters traveling between Long Island and Manhattan. Operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the LIRR runs around the clock across 11 branches and over 700 miles of track. LIRR Penn Station is one of its busiest terminals, handling more than 200,000 passengers each day.
A major renovation, finished in 2022, significantly enhanced the LIRR concourse. The renovations practically doubled the width of the corridor to 57 feet and increased the ceilings to 18 feet, eliminating the formerly tight, low-clearance spaces. Improvements also involved brighter lighting, improved air flow, and clearer signage. The East End Gateway, completed in 2020, introduced a new 33rd Street and Seventh Avenue entrance, facilitating the transfer of passengers among the LIRR, Amtrak, and subway systems. All of these are part of larger initiatives aimed at modernizing and streamlining Penn Station.
LIRR Penn Station
The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) operates from Penn Station in New York City, a major transportation hub for commuters traveling from Long Island to Manhattan. Penn Station, located beneath Madison Square Garden, is one of the busiest railway stations in the U.S. The LIRR provides frequent and convenient service, connecting commuters to various destinations on Long Island, including key areas like Queens, Brooklyn, and Nassau and Suffolk counties. The station is a critical link for those heading to work, as well as for tourists and visitors traveling to Manhattan.
Penn Station LIRR – West 34th Street New York, NY
Penn Station is a major transportation hub in New York City. It is located in Midtown Manhattan at 7th and 8th Avenues between 31st and 33rd Streets and is served by Amtrak, the Long Island Rail Road, New Jersey Transit and by the New York City Subway. It contains crucial rail links between Manhattan and Long Island and is used by thousands of people every day to commute.
Key Features
- Operating Times: LIRR trains from Penn Station operate 7 days a week during morning rush hours, midday and evenings with different frequencies from different destinations and hours of day.
- Access: The station is accessible for the disabled with facilities such as elevators, ramps, etc.
- Transfer Points: Penn Station NY offers direct connections to other transportation options including Amtrak, NJ Transit, NY City Subway lines, and PATH trains.
- Facilities Passengers: Those who are in the station can utilise toilets, shops, eat-outs, benches and waiting halls for their comfort and ease.
LIRR Penn Station New York
The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) concourse at New York City’s Penn Station is a network hub within the MTA system, accommodating the daily commuting needs of more than 600,000 riders. One of the nation’s busiest rail terminals, it is an important connection for Long Island commuters to Manhattan and other areas of the region.
In 2023, the LIRR concourse received a large-scale $414 million overhaul led by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The renovations targeted creating a larger and more accessible space. Main highlights involved increasing the concourse width, elevating the ceiling height to 18 feet, upgrading lighting and digital signage, and adding new ADA-compliant elevators and escalators for passenger flow improvements.
An interesting aspect of the project is the East End Gateway, an attractive new entry point at Seventh Avenue and 33rd Street. It was opened in 2020, with direct links to LIRR platforms and subway services, helping ease congestion and streamline commuter journeys.
Penn Station LIRR Schedule
The LIRR Penn Station schedule offers departure times for key branches, including peak and off-peak hours, helping commuters plan their travel efficiently.
Weekday Schedule (Monday–Friday)
Destination First Train Last Train Typical Departures
Babylon 5:00 AM 11:00 PM Every 30 minutes
Huntington 5:18 AM 11:18 PM Every 30 minutes
Ronkonkoma 5:15 AM 10:15 PM Every 30 minutes
Port Washington 5:16 AM 10:16 PM Every 30 minutes
Long Beach 5:17 AM 10:17 PM Every 30 minutes
Oyster Bay 5:24 AM 10:24 PM Every 60 minutes
Montauk 5:09 AM 10:09 PM Every 2 hours
Note: Peak hours typically occur from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with trains running more frequently during these times.
Weekend Schedule (Saturday & Sunday)
Destination First Train Last Train Typical Departures
Babylon 5:30 AM 11:00 PM Every 60 minutes
Huntington 5:48 AM 11:48 PM Every 60 minutes
Ronkonkoma 5:45 AM 10:45 PM Every 60 minutes
Port Washington 5:46 AM 10:46 PM Every 60 minutes
Long Beach 5:47 AM 10:47 PM Every 60 minutes
Oyster Bay 5:54 AM 10:54 PM Every 90 minutes
Montauk 6:00 AM 10:00 PM Every 2 hours
Note: Weekend schedules may have adjusted frequencies and times. It’s advisable to check the MTA LIRR website for any changes.
Peak vs. Off-Peak Hours
- Peak Hours: These are generally weekday mornings and evenings when commuter traffic is the heaviest. Trains during peak hours typically run more frequently and fares could be higher.
- Off-Peak Hours: Off-peak hours usually occur during mid-day, late evenings, and weekends. Trains run less frequently during off-peak hours, and fares are lower.
Route Overview of Jamaica to Penn Station
The LIRR offers quick, frequent service between Jamaica and Penn Station, taking just 17-20 minutes. It’s a key route for commuters with easy connections to other branches and subway lines.
Working Hours & Frequency
Trains operate 7 days a week with varying lengths of time during the day. Trains operate every 10–15 minutes during rush hours, and less busy hours operate on 20–30 minute intervals. The earliest train departs Jamaica around 4:00 AM, and the latest departs Penn Station at about 1:00 AM.
Weekdays (Monday to Friday)
| Time Period | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Early Morning | Every 15 minutes | First train departs around 5:00 AM |
| Morning Rush | Every 5–10 minutes | Peak hours: 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM |
| Midday | Every 15–20 minutes | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Afternoon Rush | Every 5–10 minutes | Peak hours: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
| Evening | Every 15–20 minutes | 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Late Night | Every 30 minutes | Last train around 1:00 AM |
Note: Travel time is about 20–25 minutes.
Weekends (Saturday and Sunday)
Time Period Frequency Notes
Morning Every 20 minutes First train departs around 5:30 AM
Midday Every 20–30 minutes 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Evening Every 20 minutes 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Late Night Every 30 minutes Last train around 1:00 AM
Note: Travel time is about 20–25 minutes.
Key Pit Stops Along the Route
- Jamaica Station: Primary transfer point between several LIRR branches.
- Woodside Station: Was an intertransfer point for several LIRR lines.
- Forest Hills–71st Avenue Station: Serviced the E, F, M, and R subway trains.
- Kew Gardens Station: Served near the Kew Gardens community.
- Penn Station: Last stop in Manhattan, with connections to Amtrak, NJ Transit, and the NYC Subway.
LIRR Penn Station Nearby Places
This part of the website emphasizes nearby hotels and restaurants around Penn Station so that commuters and travelers can easily locate accommodations and food before or after their trip.
Hotels Near Penn Station
If you’re searching for a convenient hotel to stay close to Penn Station, there are some hotels within walking distance that provide excellent options for travelers. Here are some of the best options:
Hotel Name Distance from Penn Station Rating Notable Features
The New Yorker, A Wyndham Hotel 0.23 km 8.9 Iconic Art Deco hotel, close to Madison Square Garden and Times Square
Hilton Garden Inn New York Times Square South 0.43 km 8.8 Modern amenities, walking distance to Broadway theaters
Moxy NYC Times Square 0.42 km 8.5 Trendy design, vibrant social spaces, close to Penn Station
Homewood Suites Midtown Manhattan Times Square South 0.42 km 8.4 Spacious suites with kitchenettes, ideal for extended stays
Martinique New York on Broadway, Curio Collection by Hilton 0.55 km 8.1 Historic hotel with elegant interiors, near shopping and dining options
Pestana CR7 Times Square 0.61 km 8.2 Cristiano Ronaldo-themed hotel, modern amenities, close to Times Square
Element Times Square West 0.60 km 8.0 Eco-friendly hotel, complimentary breakfast, near subway stations
Holiday Inn Manhattan 6th Ave - Chelsea 0.59 km 7.9 Comfortable rooms, close to Penn Station and shopping areas
Delta Hotels by Marriott New York Times Square 0.66 km 8.3 Contemporary hotel, rooftop bar with city views
The Herald by LuxUrban 0.57 km 7.8 Boutique hotel, stylish rooms, near Penn Station and local attractions
Note: Ratings are close estimates and subject to change.
Restaurants Near Penn Station
There are plenty of eating spots around Penn Station, ranging from grab-and-go bites to full meals:
- Roberta’s Pizza
This Brooklyn-born pizzeria is famous for its wood-fired pies and imports a big feel to Manhattan with a roomy ambiance and big patio for alfresco dining. - Lupulo
This Portuguese-themed eatery has craft beers on offer and highlights items such as razor-clam salad and salt-cod croquettes. - Alidoro
Commuters shouldn’t miss trying Alidoro, a beloved sandwich counter located in Moynihan Train Hall, serving tasty and speedy eats. - The Dead Rabbit
Award-winning pub with famous craft cocktails and a warm atmosphere ideal for a stress-free post-commute drink. - Zaro’s Bakery
A family-owned bakery with an address within Penn Station, Zaro’s specializes in offering an extensive array of fresh baked treats.
There is ample choice available for both stay and food, the surrounding area of LIRR Penn Station has everything you would need prior to or after traveling.
Penn Station Parking Information
Parking in and around Penn Station, especially the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) concourse, is extremely limited. Commuter parking facilities are not provided by the station. For drivers, it’s highly recommended to use public transport modes like the subway, which offers easy access to Penn Station.
Street Parking
Street parking around Penn Station is limited and governed by strict regulations:
- No Standing Zones: Some streets, like the south side of W 33rd St., ban standing at all times.
- Commercial Vehicle Restrictions: W 33rd St. restricts commercial vehicles until 6 PM weekdays as well.
- Metered Parking: Metered parking does exist farther west on 29th and 30th Streets, but it’s typically occupied.
Mobile application parking services like SpotHero or BestParking could help to find available parking space and real-time price comparison. Since the parking spaces are very limited, use of public transportation or a car-sharing plan is usually the value-for-money and efficient way to arrive and depart Penn Station.
Connecting Services from Penn Station
Penn Station is a major New York City transit hub with gigantic connectivity choices over many transit systems.
NYC Subway Lines
Penn Station provides access to multiple subway lines, which are listed below:
- A, C, E Lines: These lines operate on the West Side of Brooklyn and Manhattan and are located in the station’s lower level.
- 1, 2, 3 Lines: These lines run along the West Side of Manhattan and are accessible via the 34th Street-Penn Station entrance.
- 7 Line: Running to the Far West Side of Manhattan, the line is accessible at the 34th Street-Hudson Yards station.
PATH Train Connections
The Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) trains connect Penn Station to key New Jersey destinations:
- Newark: Direct train to Newark Penn Station.
- Harrison: Service to Harrison Station.
- Jersey City: Access to Journal Square and Exchange Place.
- Hoboken: Service to Hoboken Terminal.
PATH trains run 24/7, providing regular service between New York and New Jersey.
Bus Connections
A number of bus routes serve Penn Station, offering access to different areas of Manhattan:
- M34 and M34A-SBS: Crosstown buses on 34th Street, linking Penn Station with the East Side.
- M4: Runs on Madison Avenue, linking to the Upper East Side.
- M7: Operates on 7th Avenue, connecting to Manhattan neighborhoods.
- M20: Connects 7th and 8th Avenues, leading to the West Side.
- M55: Operates on 5th Avenue, connecting various areas in Manhattan.
- Q32: Operates on 6th Avenue, connecting various areas in Manhattan.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is LIRR Penn Station located?
LIRR Penn Station is located at 34th Street and 7th Avenue, New York, NY 10119 in Midtown Manhattan, providing access to a number of transportation services, including Amtrak, NJ Transit, and the New York City Subway.
2. What are the working hours of Penn Station?
LIRR trains run every day, with morning rush, lunchtime, and evening service. The peak hours consist of trains running every 10-15 minutes, and the off-peak hours run every 20-30 minutes.
3. Where can I see the Penn Station timetable?
You can see the complete LIRR Penn Station timetable on the official MTA website or by going to mtalirrschedule.com.
4. How can I travel from JFK Airport to LIRR Penn Station?
Take the AirTrain JFK to Howard Beach or to Jamaica Station, then make a transfer to an LIRR train at the station to Penn Station. The trip typically takes 40 minutes, depending on connections.
5. How do I go from LIRR Penn Station to Long Beach?
To travel to Long Beach, use the Long Beach Branch of the LIRR from Penn Station. Trains operate every 20-30 minutes, and the trip should take around 55 minutes.
6. How do I reclaim lost items at LIRR Penn Station?
If you lost something at Penn Station, you can reach out to the MTA Lost and Found team or navigate through the official MTA website to obtain guidance on reporting and recovering your lost item.
7. Which platforms do LIRR trains depart from at Penn Station?
LIRR trains depart from tracks 1-21 at Penn Station, each branch allocated to specific tracks. Track allocations appear on the station boards and on the MTA website as well.
8. How do I get to Citi Field from Penn Station?
To get to Citi Field, take the LIRR’s Port Washington Branch from Penn Station. Mets-Willets Point Station is within a short walking distance of the stadium.
9. How can one travel best from LIRR Penn Station to Huntington?
Take the Port Jefferson Branch of the LIRR to get to Huntington from Penn Station. Trains run frequently, and the ride takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
10. Suppose there is a delay at LIRR Penn Station?
When you are delayed, you can try checking real-time information on the MTA website or waiting for station announcements. Alternatively, you can utilize the MTA TrainTime app in monitoring live train statuses and delays.