LIRR Far Rockaway Branch 🔵 – Station and Route Info
LIRR Far Rockaway Branch – Terminates in Far Rockaway, serving commuters going to and from Manhattan, Queens, and Nassau County. Branching off from Penn Station and running through Jamaica, this line serves nearby communities such as Laurelton, Rosedale, and Valley Stream. The Far Rockaway line is critical, especially for daily commuters in southern Queens, even though its coverage is less extensive than the other branches.
This branch is characterized by providing reliable service and can be easily transferred to major transit hubs for subways, buses, and other LIRR lines. Overall, rush hour service is frequent; however, off-peak trains provide dependable service throughout most of the day. The location is also popular for beachgoers heading in the direction of the Rockaways, thanks to its proximity to the coast. The Far Rockaway Branch remains stalwart in connecting suburban and urban neighborhoods with just the right and convenient mix of access.
LIRR Far Rockaway Branch Station Addresses
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Far Rockaway Station: Nameoke Street & Redfern Avenue, Far Rockaway, NY 11691
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Inwood Station: Bayview Avenue & Doughty Boulevard, Inwood, NY 11096
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Lawrence Station: Lawrence Avenue & Bayview Avenue, Lawrence, NY 11559
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Cedarhurst Station: Cedarhurst Avenue & Chestnut Street, Cedarhurst, NY 11516
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Woodmere Station: Woodmere Boulevard & Broadway, Woodmere, NY 11598
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Hewlett Station: Franklin Avenue & Broadway, Hewlett, NY 11557
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Gibson Station: Gibson Boulevard & Munro Boulevard, Valley Stream, NY 11581
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Valley Stream Station: Sunrise Highway & Rockaway Avenue, Valley Stream, NY 11580
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Lynbrook Station: Sunrise Highway & Peninsula Boulevard, Lynbrook, NY 11563
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Jamaica Station: Sutphin Boulevard & Archer Avenue, Jamaica, Queens, NY 11435
Rockaway Branch Overview
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Part of: Long Island Rail Road (LIRR)
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Line Color: Dark Blue 🔵
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Power: Electric (Third Rail)
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Service Area: Southeastern Queens (Far Rockaway) and Southwestern Nassau County (Five Towns area)
LIRR Far Rockaway Branch Fare & Monthly Pass
- Far Rockaway to Manhattan (Penn Station / Grand Central)
- Approx. $234/month
- Good for unlimited rides between selected stations
- Valid on LIRR trains and includes CityTicket / MetroCard transfer option (if bundled)
- Far Rockaway to Atlantic Terminal (Brooklyn)
- Approx. $234/month (same as Manhattan)
- Far Rockaway to Jamaica
- Approx. $180/month
Ticket Types (One-Way)
- Peak One-Way (Far Rockaway to Manhattan): Approx. $10.75
- Off-Peak One-Way: Approx. $7.75
- Senior/Disabled/Medicare: Around $3.75
- CityTicket (Weekends/Off-Peak within NYC only):
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$5.00 (weekdays off-peak)
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$7.00 (weekends/peak)
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Only valid between NYC stations (e.g., Far Rockaway ↔ Manhattan)
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Far Rockaway Branch Transfers & Connections
- Far Rockaway Station: Transfer to the NYC Subway A Train at Mott Avenue Station (short walk)
- Jamaica Station
- Transfers to NYC Subway E, J, Z trains
- Access to AirTrain JFK (airport connection)
- Atlantic Terminal (Brooklyn): Transfer to Subway Lines 2, 3, 4, 5, B, D, N, Q, R
- Penn Station (Manhattan): Transfer to 1, 2, 3, A, C, E trains and nearby Amtrak/NJ Transit
- Grand Central Madison (Manhattan): Transfer to Subway Lines 4, 5, 6, 7, and Metro-North
LIRR Rockaway Branch Transfers
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Jamaica Station: Transfer to all other LIRR branches (e.g., Port Jefferson, Ronkonkoma, Babylon)
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Valley Stream Station: Transfer to Long Beach Branch and West Hempstead Branch
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Lynbrook Station: Transfer to Long Beach Branch
Far Rockaway Branch Schedule
Far Rockaway Weekday (Monday – Friday AM)
| Time Period | Frequency | Destinations Served |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00–7:00 AM | Every ~30 minutes | Trains toward Jamaica, continuing to Penn Station / Grand Central / Atlantic Terminal |
| 7:00–8:00 AM | Every ~20–25 minutes | Multiple inbound options; some express via Jamaica to Manhattan |
| 8:00–10:00 AM | Every ~25–30 minutes | Local service at all stops from Far Rockaway to Jamaica and beyond |
Far Rockaway Weekday (Monday – Friday PM)
| Time Period | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4:00–6:00 PM | ~every 30 minutes | Regular service to Far Rockaway, stops at all branch stations |
| 6:00–8:00 PM | ~every 30 – 60 min | Service tapers; fewer direct trains, some require transfer at Jamaica |
Weekend Schedule Far Rockaway (Saturday – Sunday AM)
| Time Period | Approx. Frequency | Overview |
|---|---|---|
| First Departure | Around 6:48 AM | Service begins around 6:48 AM on both weekend days |
| Morning Window | Once per hour, every 59–74 minutes | Regular outbound and inbound service between Far Rockaway, Jamaica, and NYC terminals |
| Midday Pre‑Noon | Similar hourly spacing | Consistent, all‑stops local trains |
Weekend Schedule Far Rockaway (Saturday – Sunday PM)
| Time Period | Approx. Frequency | Overview |
|---|---|---|
| 5:00–8:00 PM | Every ~60–74 minutes | Regular outbound/inbound service; mostly all-stops |
| 8:00–10:00 PM | Similar hourly spacing | Consistent local service connecting to city terminals |
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FAQs
Q1: Where does the LIRR Far Rockaway Branch terminate in Queens?
A1: The Far Rockaway Branch ends at the Far Rockaway station in Queens at the borderline with Nassau County.
Q2: Does the LIRR Far Rockaway Branch connect with the NYC subway system?
A2: Yes, at the station at Far Rockaway, they can take the A train of the NYC Subway servicing local transits in Queens and Brooklyn.
Q3: How many stations are on the LIRR Far Rockaway Branch?
A3: Several stations on the Far Rockaway Branch run between the terminal at Far Rockaway and a connection with the main line at Valley Stream, a total of approximately 10.
Q4: Is weekend service available on the LIRR Far Rockaway Branch?
A4: Yes, it does. The Far Rockaway Branch on weekends ensures regular service is available, although there are possibly fewer trains per hour than during the weekdays.
