LIRR Penn Station – Main Manhattan Terminal
LIRR Penn Station is the busiest terminus of the Long Island Rail Road and one of the most critical transit hubs in North America. In Midtown, it connects directly to Madison Square Garden, subway lines, Amtrak, and New Jersey Transit. LIRR Penn Station is the main terminal of the LIRR in Manhattan, serving commuters bound for the heart of NYC from all over Long Island.
It is a well-furnished station with ticket counters, waiting rooms, bathrooms, and eating options. Daily service from Penn Station with frequent LIRR trains on all major branches, Ronkonkoma, Babylon, and Port Washington. Penn Station is a lifeline for millions of riders every year, with its central location and sweeping service. And thanks to real‑time updates, digital boards, and MTA staff, passengers have the tools they need to navigate one of the busiest rail terminals in the nation.
LIRR Penn Station
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Penn Station, 34th Street & 7th/8th Avenue, Manhattan, New York City |
| Operator | MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) |
| Platforms/Tracks | 11 platforms / 21 tracks (shared with Amtrak and NJ Transit) |
| LIRR Concourse | Modernized LIRR concourse (opened 2023), wider hallways, better signage |
| Access Points | Street entrances on 7th Ave, 8th Ave, 33rd St, and 34th St |
| Connections | Subway (1, 2, 3, A, C, E), Amtrak, NJ Transit, PATH (at 33rd St) |
| Major LIRR Lines Served | Babylon, Ronkonkoma, Port Jefferson, Huntington, Long Beach, Hempstead, etc. |
| Service Hours | 24/7, with reduced service during overnight hours |
| Facilities | Restrooms, ticket machines, MTA Help Points, retail, seating, Wi-Fi |
| Ticketing Options | MTA eTix App, ticket machines, ticket counters |
| Accessibility | Fully ADA-compliant with elevators and tactile paths |
| Security | MTA Police, surveillance, and security patrols |
| Alternate Terminal | Grand Central Madison (new LIRR terminal via East Side Access project) |
LIRR Penn Station Address
- 291 – 299 W.33rd Street (Between Seventh and Eighth Avenues) New York, NY 10001
Penn Station Station Features & Connectivity
- Home to Amtrak, New Jersey Transit, and Long Island Rail Road; 11 island platforms; 21 tracks
- Access: 34th Street–Penn Station is a destination itself, but its only other connection from the subway perspective is to Metro-North Commuter Railroad trains.
- Connected with Madison Square Garden and Penn Plaza
LIRR Penn Station Facilities
- Numerous dining and food options inside, including fast‑food chains as well as sit-down eateries on the Penn Station concourse areas.
- Moynihan Train Hall (across 8th Avenue in the historic Farley Post Office building) with stunning glass ceiling, marble floors, public art installations, updated seating lounge (the Metropolitan Lounge for Amtrak), a Food hall featuring popular amenities to include their famous food vendors offiering an array of dining choices from grab and go items to fine dining as well clean restrooms and strong Wi-Fi.
- Easily Accessible Design, Power Outlets, and Workspace-Friendly Zones
Penn Station LIRR Parking Options
You can drive the streets to Penn Station, or the following parking garages are nearby:
- Port Authority Parking is located at 451 9th Ave.
- Edison ParkFast outlets in the vicinity of West 34th Street and Penn Plaza
- Some other area garages offer both self-parking and valet service at different price points — we recommend reserving online.
Dining Inside LIRR Penn Station
- Zaro’s Bakery – bagels, black and white cookies
- Pastrami Queen – that famous NY deli sammie
- Kabooz’s Bar & Grill – relaxed pub grub
- Tracks Raw Bar – Seafood and American Food
- Roberta’s (nearby) – gourmet pizza
- Moynihan Food Hall – local purveyors, upscale food court
LIRR Penn Station Schedule
Weekdays Schedule
| Branch | First Train | Last Train | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babylon Branch | ~5:00 AM | ~11:00 PM | Every ~30 min during most of day; more frequent (~5–10 min) at peak hours (MTA LIRR) |
| Huntington (and Ronkonkoma/Huntington grouping) | ~5:18 AM (Huntington) / ~5:15 AM (Ronkonkoma) | ~11:18 PM (Huntington) / ~10:15 PM (Ronkonkoma) | Every ~30 min; rush‑hour service every ~5–10 min (MTA LIRR, LIRR Schedule & Fares) |
| Port Washington | ~5:16 AM | ~10:16 PM | Every ~30 min (MTA LIRR) |
| Long Beach | ~5:17 AM | ~10:17 PM | Every ~30 min (MTA LIRR) |
| Oyster Bay | ~5:24 AM | ~10:24 PM | Every ~60 min (MTA LIRR) |
| Montauk Branch | ~5:09 AM | ~10:09 PM | Every ~2 hrs (limited service) (MTA LIRR) |
Weekend Schedule
| Branch | First Train | Last Train | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babylon | ~5:30 AM | ~11:00 PM | Every ~60 min (Long Island, MTA LIRR) |
| Huntington | ~5:48 AM | ~11:48 PM | Every ~60 min (MTA LIRR) |
| Ronkonkoma | ~5:45 AM | ~10:45 PM | Every ~60 min (MTA LIRR) |
| Port Washington | ~5:46 AM | ~10:46 PM | Every ~60 min (MTA LIRR) |
| Long Beach | ~5:47 AM | ~10:47 PM | Every ~60 min (MTA LIRR) |
| Oyster Bay | ~5:54 AM | ~10:54 PM | Every ~90 min (MTA LIRR) |
| Montauk Branch | ~6:00 AM | ~10:00 PM | ~Every 2 hours (MTA LIRR) |
Restaurants Near LIRR Penn Station
- Fornos of Spain
- Cuisine: High-end Spanish, with a focus on paella, steaks, and seafood; it specializes in rare Spanish wines.
- Rating: ~4.7 / $$$$ on OpenTable; often cited for stellar quality.
- Adega Grill
- Cuisine: Sophisticated Portuguese–Spanish hybrid — garlicky camarones al ajillo, paella marinheira.
- Atmosphere: Moody, grapevine‑arched space; well-suited to intimate dinners.
- Rating: ~4.6 / $$$ on OpenTable.
- Mompou Tapas Bar & Restaurant
- Cuisine: Creative small‑plate Spanish and cocktails, sangria; flamenco at night.
- Vibe: Welcoming, fun vibe; group or social date kind of spot.
- Where: Ferry Street, Ironbound, about a half mile east of Penn Station.
- Seabra’s Marisqueira
- Cuisine: Portuguese seafood classics — clams (amêijoas à bulhão pato), octopus salad.
- Highlight: Cachorro quente, an authentic local favorite that shows up often in Ironbound restaurant guides.
- Hamburgao
- Cuisine: Brazilian-style burgers, with crunchy batata palha and fruit juices.
- Highlight: Regarded by many as the best burger in all of Ironbound.
- Distance: ~10-minute walk from the station.
- Nasto’s Old World Desserts
- Cuisine: Traditional Italian desserts, tartufo, and spumoni in addition to ice cream.
- Best for: A sweet post-dinner or stroll-around-Peter Francisco Park end note.
- Distance to downtown: A few minutes from Ferry Street restaurants.
FAQs
Q1: What services are available at LIRR Penn Station?
A1: LIRR Penn Station will have ticket counters, vending machines, toilets, waiting halls, shops, and direct access to the subways and Amtrak as well.
Q2: Where is LIRR Penn Station located?
A2: Penn Station is situated on 34th Street and 7th Avenue in the Midtown Manhattan area, below Madison Square Garden.
Q3: Can I connect to other transit lines at LIRR Penn Station?
A3: Yes, Penn Station is linked to Amtrak, NJ Transit, and several NYC subway lines (1, 2, 3, A, C, E).
Q4: Does LIRR Penn Station have 24/7 service?
A4: Though the station operates around the clock, LIRR train service at Penn Station is not continuous; it also operates on a schedule according to line and time of day.
Q5: Is there Wi-Fi access at LIRR Penn Station?
A5: Yes, free Wi-Fi is all around Penn Station.
