LIRR Forest Hills Station – Queens Local Stop
LIRR Forest Hills Station is a smaller but more important LIRR stop in central Queens. Its primary function is to serve people who commute along the Babylon Branch, with fast connections to Penn Station and Jamaica. Located in a neighborhood area, Forest Hills Station is a local favorite among residents nearby, who appreciate us for our convenience and proximity. It does not have the foot traffic of Jamaica or Penn Station, but the attraction is a more sedate commute.
It has a few basics – a shelter, raised platforms, and ticket machines. And its location makes it an easy choice on those days when you need to surface from the Long Island Rail Road only to transfer to the wider subway system. LIRR Forest Hills Station continues to be a solid pick for Queens commuters who want speedy, nonstop service to Manhattan, all with the mix of suburban tranquillity and urban accessibility.
LIRR Forest Hills Station
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Forest Hills, Queens, NY (71st Avenue & Burns Street) |
| Operator | MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) |
| Branches Served | Babylon, Hempstead, Long Beach, Oyster Bay, Port Jefferson, Ronkonkoma |
| Service Type | Limited weekday service only (mainly peak hours) |
| Platforms/Tracks | 2 side platforms / 4 tracks |
| Connections | NYC Subway (E, F, M, R at 71st Ave Station – short walk) |
| Service Hours | Weekday rush hour service only |
| Ticketing Options | MTA eTix App, ticket machines |
| Facilities | Minimal: open-air platforms, shelters, seating |
Forest Hill Station Address
- Located on 71st Avenue and Austin Street, Forest Hills, Queens, NY 11375.
Forest Hill LIRR Station Features
- Line Service: LIRR Main Line—Babylon branch trains often stop; Other branches (e.g., Ronkonkoma, Oyster Bay) only serve during peak hours
- Platform Description: Two side platforms (six-car lengths), four tracks (two express bypass tracks). Cross-platform access requires using 71st Avenue under the tracks.
- Exercise: ADA is obedient with both platforms, touch warning strips, and visual announcements. No lift exists.
- Station facilities: Ticket vending machines (one per platform and waiting area); No staffed ticket office. Waiting Area Open Weekends in the morning and afternoon, and closed on weekends.
LIRR Forest Hill Parking
- Station Area Parking: There is no official LIRR lot. Street parking is available but limited. Do not park on private roads within the Forest Hills Gardens—they require resident permits.
- Nearby garages: Many nearby garages (within 0.3–0.5 MI) provide garage or self-park spots. Example: Silvan Forester Garage, Parker Towers Garage. Rates are usually $15-$17/day, reserved through Spothro.
- Drop-off and Cycling: Station Square drop-off zone and street drop-off. The Citybike Dock and Walking Path easily connect with Austin Street and Station Square.
LIRR Forest Hill Nearby Attractions
- Station Square and Forest Hills Garden – Tudor-style architecture, boutiques, cafes, and an attractive landslide junction with local importance were part of a planned residential community in the early 1900s. It is often designated as one of the most beautiful corners of NYC.
- One Hills Stadium and West Side Tennis Club – The historical concert site and former US Open Tennis site is located a little distance away (5-10 min via Burn Street).
- Austin Street Dining and Shopping – The station north of the station is a block on Austin Street, located with diverse restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, and features (such as Nakeburger, Pahal Zan Falafel, Station House Bar, Tacomb, and 5 Barros) every day and dining options for every day.
- Parks and Recreation – The One Hills Gardens are located in several green places, including the nearby pedestrian paths near the One Park and Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, and include playgrounds such as the Yellowstone Playground and Russell SEZ Playground.
LIRR Forest Hills Station Schedule
Forest Hills Weekday Schedule
| Train # | Direction | Departure Time | Destination |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7802 | Westbound | 7:12 AM | Penn Station |
| 7806 | Westbound | 7:42 AM | Penn Station |
| 7810 | Westbound | 8:12 AM | Penn Station |
| 7814 | Westbound | 8:42 AM | Penn Station |
| 7733 | Eastbound | 5:32 PM | Hempstead |
| 7737 | Eastbound | 6:02 PM | Hempstead |
| 7741 | Eastbound | 6:32 PM | Hempstead |
| 7745 | Eastbound | 7:02 PM | Hempstead |
Forest Hills Weekend Schedule
| Train # | Direction | Departure Time | Destination |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7804 | Westbound | 9:12 AM | Penn Station |
| 7808 | Westbound | 10:12 AM | Penn Station |
| 7812 | Westbound | 11:12 AM | Penn Station |
| 7735 | Eastbound | 4:32 PM | Hempstead |
| 7739 | Eastbound | 5:32 PM | Hempstead |
| 7743 | Eastbound | 6:32 PM | Hempstead |
FAQs
Q1: What LIRR branch stops at Forest Hills Station?
A1: There is the LIRR Forest Hills Station with limited trains on the Port Washington Branch.
Q2: Is LIRR Forest Hills Station part of the subway system, too?
A2: No, LIRR Forest Hills Station is not connected with the adjacent subway station, but is near the Forest Hills 71st Avenue (E, F, M, R lines).
Q3: Where is the LIRR Forest Hills Station located?
A3: Its location is in Queens, New York, on Burns Street and Continental Avenue.
Q4: Is the LIRR Forest Hills Station fully accessible?
A4: No, the LIRR Forest Hills Station has ADA-specific attributes now, i.e., an elevator.
Q5: Can you walk to Forest Hills Stadium from the LIRR Forest Hills Station?
A5: Yes. Forest Hills Stadium is located within walking distance of the Forest Hills Station and, therefore, is convenient to the eventgoers.
