Babylon LIRR [Station, Schedule, Parking, Stops & more]

The Babylon LIRR Station is located in the center of Babylon Village, New York, and is the end-of-line stop on the Long Island Rail Road electrified Babylon Branch. It first opened on October 28, 1867, as the South Side Railroad of Long Island and was used for a short time as Seaside Station before reverting back to Babylon in 1869. Trains at LIRR Babylon runs at a frequency of every 30min in peak hours whereas every 60min in non-peak hours.  The first train from the Babylon Station on the LIRR starts at 5 AM and the last train departs at 12:30 AM.

It grew in importance following electrification of the line in May 1925. The current elevated station of two island platforms and three tracks opened September 9, 1964, as part of a program to eliminate grade crossings for added safety and efficiency in service. It is fully accessible, with elevators, tactile warning strips, and audiovisual systems for passenger information. Facilities include a large waiting area, ticket machines, and a customer service area. Suffolk County Transit and taxis also operate to Babylon. A major refurbishment began in September 2024, with upgrade works to finish by May 2026.

LIRR Babylon Line

The LIRR Babylon Line is an important offshoot of Long Island Rail Road between Penn Station and Grand Central in Manhattan and Babylon in Suffolk County. It is a busy and reliable line, fully electrified, and serving key stations like Jamaica, Rockville Centre, and Freeport. The line carries frequent commuter service and has interchange with other LIRR branches at Jamaica. Renowned for its heavy ridership and efficiency, this Line plays an important role in linking New York City to the South Shore communities of Long Island.

LIRR Schedule Babylon [Weekday & Weekend Schedule]

The LIRR Babylon schedule provides regular and reliable train service to Penn Station and Grand Central, with trains running every 30 minutes during peak hours and every 60 minutes during off-peak times. Service is available throughout the week, including weekends, making it a convenient option for daily commuters and weekend travelers alike.

Weekday Schedule (Monday–Friday)

Weekend Schedule (Saturday–Sunday)

Babylon LIRR Station Parking Lot 3

Babylon LIRR Station Parking Lot 3 is located at 51 Sammis Avenue, Babylon, NY, within short walking distance to the Babylon railroad station. The Village of Babylon manages this lot, and it’s primarily occupied by visitors passing through the Long Island Rail Road. For assistance, call 631-669-1500 for the Village Hall.

Parking Permit Details

• Permit Requirement: A Village of Babylon residential permit is mandatory for parking in Lot 3.
• Enforcement Hours: Hours of regulation are Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• Free Periods: Public parking during these hours is free, including weekends and holidays.
• Violations: Unauthorized vehicles during regulation hours can be ticketed or fined.

How to Obtain a Permit

• Eligibility: Parking permits may be requested only by the residents of the Village.
• Application Process: Permits can be accessed online from the Village of Babylon website or in person.
• Required Documents: Proof of residency and vehicle registration must usually be displayed.
• Permit Duration: Permits are good on a calendar-year basis (January 1st – December 31st).

Alternative Babylon LIRR Parking Options

• Private Lot at 15 Sammis Avenue: Offers monthly parking for $156.25, with a refundable deposit of $100. Privately owned and run, well lit, and close to the station.
• Other Public Lots: Other public and municipal lots are close, though not guaranteed availability, particularly during peak hours.

Accessibility & Special Provisions

• Handicap Spaces: There are separate handicap parking areas; legitimate permit holders should use these. Contact Village Hall for full regulations.
• Customer Service: For concerns or advice, riders can call Village Hall at 631-669-1500.

Key Notes: Due to high rider demand, Lot 3 fills quickly, particularly on weekday mornings. Residents are requested to arrive early or find other parking spaces to avoid delay.

Babylon LIRR Stops

The Babylon Branch of the Long Island Rail Road is a major commuter line connecting New York City with the South Shore of Long Island, ending at Babylon Station in Suffolk County. This busy branch serves both local and express trains, containing thousands of daily commuters.

Babylon Branch Stations (West to East)

• Penn Station (Manhattan)
• Grand Central Madison (Manhattan)
• Forest Hills (Queens)
• Kew Gardens (Queens)
• Jamaica (Queens)
• Lynbrook (Nassau)
• Rockville Centre
• Baldwin
• Freeport
• Merrick
• Bellmore
• Wantagh
• Seaford
• Massapequa
• Massapequa Park
• Amityville
• Copiague
• Lindenhurst
• Babylon

Note: Some trains skip certain stops during rush hour to conserve time for the trip for longer-distance riders.

Service Overview

• Rush Hour:
  At rush hours, service typically is split into two zones. One consists of all local stops from the city to Wantagh, and express trains skipping some stations stop at Wantagh via Babylon.

• Off-Peak:
  Typically two trains per hour operate between the city and Babylon—one each from Grand Central Madison and Penn Station. The trains make all local stops between Rockville Centre and Babylon. There is a limited-stop train that usually operates, making only major stops such as Jamaica, Freeport, Massapequa, and Babylon.

As the terminal located at the terminus of the branch, this Station is a significant terminal station with two island platforms and three tracks. It is totally accessible with elevators and modern facilities, and also features connection to several Suffolk County Transit bus routes for local transportation.

To follow real-time schedules and service announcements, riders are encouraged to check the MTA website or use the official LIRR mobile app.

LIRR Babylon Train Yard

70 Foxglove Road, West Islip, NY – The Babylon Train Yard is a critical Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) yard. It is located east of the Station and functions as an electric train yard and maintenance shop for the Branch. Its close location makes staging and deployment of trains possible in a matter of minutes, especially during rush hours.

Facilities & Functions

• Train Storage:
  The facility has several tracks where large numbers of Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train sets are kept, serving peak morning and evening hours.
• Light Maintenance:
  It provides elementary maintenance activities such as routine check-ups, washing, and light overhauling to ensure the fleet remains operational.
• Train Washing System:
  An eco-friendly, state-of-the-art train washing facility was installed in 2010. It is capable of washing 180 cars per day and contains a water filtration and recycling system that reduces the environmental footprint.

Electrification & Rail Infrastructure

• Electrification Timeline:
  The Babylon Branch was electrified on May 20, 1925, and Babylon Station is still the last electrified station on this route. Also, the train yard accommodates activities in this electrified area.
• Track Arrangement:
  The yard is arranged with a number of tracks to enable efficient arrival and departure of trains to aid in the facilitation of service operations on a daily basis.

Operational Significance

• Facilitation of Service:
  The yard aids in facilitating regular and timely service on the Babylon Branch by storing trains in areas where they are needed most.
• Proper Utilization of Fleet:
  Its close location to Babylon Station enables easy turnarounds for the trains and prompt availability of equipment to match the service demands on a day-to-day basis.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What stations are on the Babylon Branch?

The Branch has some important stops such as Penn Station, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Jamaica, Rockville Centre, Baldwin, Freeport, Merrick, Bellmore, Wantagh, Seaford, Massapequa, Massapequa Park, Amityville, Copiague, Lindenhurst, and reaches its destination at Babylon.

2. What is the duration of the trip from Penn Station to Babylon?

An ordinary weekday train departs from Penn Station at 7:00 AM and reaches Babylon at 8:10 AM, i.e., in approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.

3. Where can I view the latest schedule of the Babylon Branch?

Latest schedules are available on the MTA Babylon Station site or through the official TrainTime app.

4. Does the Babylon Branch run on weekends and holidays?

Yes, the Babylon Branch runs seven days a week, including Saturdays and public holidays. Train schedules, however, may be varied from weekday operation.

5. Is parking for the Babylon LIRR Station available?

Yes, there are Village of Babylon-operated parking lots, such as Lot 3, 51 Sammis Avenue, with permit and metered spaces.

6. Is a permit needed to park at Babylon Station?

A permit is needed to park in permit spaces during weekday enforcement times (6:00 AM – 5:00 PM). Also, parkings are allowed in evenings, weekends, and holidays.

7. How do I obtain a parking permit for Babylon Station?

Permits can be obtained on the Village of Babylon website or at the Parking Permit Office, 456 Albany Avenue, Amityville, NY. Further information can be obtained by contacting (631) 230-0057.

8.Are there other parking lots close to the station?

Yes, there are other available private parking spaces such as a parking lot at 15 Sammis Avenue, which has month parking available for $156.25 with refundable deposit.

9. Is the Babylon Station ADA compliant?

Yes, the station is accessible to everyone with amenities such as elevators, warning strips, and electronic display signs.

10. Where do I get a map of the Babylon Branch?

A full map of the  Branch, with transfer points and all stops, can be found on the MTA web site.