LIRR Forest Hills [Station, Schedule, Stadium, Fares & more]

LIRR Forest Hills station is an integral stop located on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Main Line in central Queens, New York. It opened in 1911, allowing direct access to Manhattan via westbound services to Penn Station. The station has two side platforms that are suitable for handling four-car trains, and there are also ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) amenities such as ramps, tactile strips, and digital information displays. The peak fares at Forest Hills LIRR are $7.75 to $10 whereas the off peak fares at LIRR Forest Hills Station are $5.50 to $7.50.

Table of contents

Towering over picturesque Station Square of Forest Hills Gardens, the station aggregates itself into this historic neighborhood. Its English Tudor style, conceived by architect Grosvenor Atterbury and landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., nicely complements the early 20th-century houses of the area and helps preserve its singularity and charm.

Forest Hills is also notable in history-for-it is the site of Theodore Roosevelt’s famous “100 Percent American” speech delivered in 1917. Even though there have been delays with the modernization projects, the station continues to be one of the very important and loved components in the transportation network that is found in Queens, with good connections to subways and buses.

Forest Hills LIRR Station

Established in 1911 in the Queens borough, Forest Hills LIRR Station is characterized by its distinctly Tudor-style architecture and its role in the planned Forest Hills Gardens community. Its historical significance stems from the fact that it was the venue of Theodore Roosevelt’s 1917 “100% American” speech during World War I. It remains a major commuting center from where LIRR services can easily transfer into subways and buses. Plans for upgrades to the station, including ADA access and longer platforms, have been on the table for some time, but the plans have gradually been stalled, in large part due to funding issues. Regardless of the delay, local residents and preservationist groups are attempting to leverage improvement plans that sustain the historic character of the station while improving the accessibility and functionality aspects.

LIRR Forest Hills Schedule [Weekday & Weekend Schedule]

Forest Hills has daily LIRR service with more trains during rush hours. It connects to Penn Station, Grand Central, and Jamaica. Weekend and late-night service is less frequent. Check TrainTime for exact schedules.

LIRR Station Forest Hills

Weekend Schedule (Monday to Friday)

Time Period	Line(s) Primarily Serving Forest Hills	Direction	Notes
5:00 AM – 6:00 AM	MainLine,Hempstead, Ronkonkoma	Towards Jamaica, Manhattan (Penn, GCM)	Frequent service begins ramping up.
6:00 AM – 9:30 AM	Main Line, Hempstead, Ronkonkoma, Babylon, Far Rockaway, Long Beach	Towards Jamaica, Manhattan (Penn Station, Grand Central Madison)	Very frequent service to Manhattan. Some eastbound trains (towards Jamaica/LI points) also operate.
9:30 AM – 4:00 PM	Main Line, Hempstead, Ronkonkoma	Towards Jamaica, Manhattan (Penn, GCM); Towards Long Island points	Service to Manhattan typically every 20-40 minutes. Eastbound service varies by destination (e.g., Hempstead, Ronkonkoma).
4:00 PM – 7:30 PM	Main Line, Hempstead, Ronkonkoma, Babylon, Far Rockaway, Long Beach	Towards Jamaica, Manhattan (from LI); Towards Long Island points	Frequent service from Manhattan, with many direct trains eastbound. Some trains towards Manhattan (from LI) also pass through.
7:30 PM – 12:00 AM	Main Line, Hempstead, Ronkonkoma	Towards Jamaica, Manhattan (Penn, GCM); Towards Long Island points	Frequency decreases to roughly every 30-60 minutes to/from Manhattan. Eastbound service also reduced.
12:00 AM – 5:00 AM	Main Line (limited)	Towards Jamaica, Manhattan (Penn, GCM); Towards Long Island points	Very limited service, typically hourly or less frequent. Connections often required at Jamaica.

Weekend Schedule (Saturday to Sunday)

Time Period	Line(s) Primarily Serving Forest Hills	Direction	Notes
5:00 AM – 8:00 AM	MainLine, Hempstead, Ronkonkoma	Towards Jamaica, Manhattan (Penn, GCM)	Service begins, but less frequent than weekdays. Typically hourly or every 30-40 minutes to Manhattan.
8:00 AM – 7:00 PM	Main Line, Hempstead, Ronkonkoma, Babylon, Far Rockaway, Long Beach	Towards Jamaica, Manhattan (Penn Station, Grand Central Madison); Towards Long Island points	Service generally runs every 30-60 minutes to/from Manhattan. Eastbound service varies; transfers at Jamaica are common.
7:00 PM – 12:00 AM	Main Line, Hempstead, Ronkonkoma	Towards Jamaica, Manhattan (Penn, GCM); Towards Long Island points	Frequency decreases further, often hourly or less frequent.
12:00 AM – 5:00 AM	Main Line (limited)	Towards Jamaica, Manhattan (Penn, GCM); Towards Long Island points	Very limited overnight service, typically hourly or less frequent. Connections often required at Jamaica.

LIRR Forest Hills to Penn Station

The LIRR from Forest Hills offers an exceedingly fast and direct ride to the middle of Midtown Manhattan at Penn Station. Forest Hills Station, whose west entrance is at 107-16 Austin St, is accessible by stairs and elevators. Most westbound trains go through Jamaica, stopping at Woodside, and reach Penn Station in about 12-18 minutes. Check that your train has “Penn Station” or “New York” listed as its final stop; some trains go to Grand Central Madison, so always double-check the signs or the TrainTime app.

How to Get There

When departing from Forest Hills, the LIRR train westbound to Penn Station is considered to be the quickest and convenient, mostly taking 12 to 18 minutes for an interesting ride. Ensure when boarding that it’s listed for “Penn Station”, not Grand Central Madison, as some trains from Forest Hills serve different terminal stations in Manhattan.

Costs (Fares)

Zone 3 to Zone 1.
Peak: Approx. $7.75 – $10.75 (Mon-Fri, inbound 6-10 AM, outbound 4-8 PM).
Off-Peak: Approx. $5.50 – $7.50 (all other times, weekends).
Payment: Use OMNY (tap credit/debit/phone), TrainTime app, or Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs). Buy before boarding to avoid surcharge.

Other Important Factors

Schedules: Always check MTA TrainTime app or MTA LIRR website for real-time and updated schedules.
Weekend Service: Less frequent; check for track work advisories.
Jamaica Transfer: Common for some eastbound journeys.
Penn Station: Large hub; follow signs for exits/subway connections.

MTA LIRR to Forest Hills Stadium

Forest Hills Stadium is actually an outdoor concert venue, which has a historic significance and happens to be located in the neighborhood of Forest Hills Gardens within Queens, close by to the LIRR Forest Hills station. This place is really an incredible venue; however, the most important thing is to plan your travel correctly for those popular events.

Best way to reach the Forest Hills Stadium: taking Long Island Rail Road from Penn Station or from Grand Central Madison just to Forest Hills Station. It takes 12 to 20 minutes depending upon the train and time of the day. When you get off at the Forest Hills Station the stadium is just about 5 to 10 minutes walk away, making it fast and convenient for concertgoers.

Costs (Fares)

Peak fares during weekday outbound travel from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, which charge approximately $7.75 to $10.75 from Zone 1 (NYC) to Zone 3 (Forest Hills) on the LIRR.
Off-peak has a range of about $5.50 to $7.50—and those cover all other weekday times, weekends, and holidays.
For weekend and holiday travel within NYC zones, the special CityTicket is available for around $5.00, offering a more affordable option.
Tickets can be purchased using OMNY (tap with a contactless card or phone), the MTA TrainTime app, or ticket vending machines.

Major Factors

Schedules: Always check the MTA TrainTime app or MTA LIRR website for real-time and event-specific schedules (especially post-concert trains).
Crowds: Expect dense crowds after the events of the day.
Neighborhood: This is a residential, family neighborhood so it’s best to be respectful. Restaurants/bars near the station.
Alternatives: Subway E/F/M/R to 71st Ave—farther walk, Taxis/Rideshares—very expensive and traffic-prone. LIRR is better.

Ronkonkoma to Forest Hills LIRR

A pleasant travel mode for commuters as well as event-goers is traveling from Ronkonkoma to Forest Hills in Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). The trip generally takes about 1 hour and 2 minutes, with many trains operating throughout the day. The Ronkonkoma Branch runs westbound toward New York City, and while not all trains stop there, some do, especially during peak hours. Some trains might require transfer at Jamaica station. For such occasion, it is best to consult the LIRR schedule or use the MTA TrainTime app.

Way to Reach There

Take a westbound Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) train heading on the Ronkonkoma Branch, transfer to a westbound train that stops at Forest Hills at Jamaica Station—total travel time takes about 55 to 75 minutes: approximately 45 to 60 minutes Ronkonkoma to Jamaica and then 10 to 15 minutes Jamaica to Forest Hills.

Costs (Fares)

Zone 7 (Ronkonkoma) to Zone 3 (Forest Hills).
Peak: Approx. $14.50 -$20.00 (weekday rush hours)
Off-Peak: Approx. $10.50 – $14.50 (all other times, weekends).
Payment: Use TrainTime app, TVMs, or OMNY (tap at Ronkonkoma AND Jamaica for transfer).

Important Factors

Plan your trip with the current LIRR schedule update to know the latest news on time changes and service interruptions. Most routes towards Forest Hills require transfers at Jamaica Station; thus make sure to allot time for that connection to avoid delays. Also, weekend service tends not to be so frequent, so make sure to plan ahead to avoid delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I get to Forest Hills via LIRR from Manhattan?

Traveling to Forest Hills from Manhattan requires you to board an eastbound Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) train out of Penn Station or Grand Central Madison. The train must stop at Forest Hills, as not all trains do. Generally, this ride takes about 12 to 20 minutes. Always check the MTA TrainTime app or the official MTA website for train times and routes.

2. What is the timetable of LIRR for Forest Hills to Penn Station?

Trains from Forest Hills to Penn Station would come at various times in one day with more frequent service on peak hours. Some trains require transfer over at Jamaica Station for some trips. Best for checking the most reliable and updated departure times is using MTA TrainTime app or LIRR schedule on the MTA website.

3. Where exactly is Forest Hills LIRR Station?

The Forest Hills LIRR Station sits at 71st Avenue and Austin Street in Forest Hills, Queens, NY 11375. The elevated station is above 71st Avenue, between Austin and Burns Streets and next to the historic Station Square area.

4. How do I travel from Ronkonkoma to Forest Hills on the LIRR?

If you’re coming from Ronkonkoma, take a train towards Jamaica that goes west on the LIRR. Upon reaching Jamaica Station, you will take a train stopping at Forest Hills. Not all of the trains on this line make that stop, so it’s good to check the schedule beforehand to dodge delays.

5. How do I get to Forest Hills Stadium on the LIRR?

Forest Hills Stadium is about a five-minute walk from the Forest Hills LIRR Station. After leaving the station, cross through Station Square and head south on Burns Street. Overall, it shouldn’t take more than 5 to 10 minutes—a great reason to use the train to access events at the stadium.

6. Is there any parking available within or around Forest Hills LIRR Station?

Direct parking at the station is limited, although there are many parking lots in the vicinity. For example, Parker Towers Garage at 70-20 Yellowstone Boulevard has 24/7 access, EV charging stations, and valet service, among others. You can also reserve parking in advance and have a guaranteed spot by using platforms like SpotHero, Way.com, or ParkWhiz.

7. What is the fare and zone classification between Forest Hills and Penn Station travel?

Forest Hills is in Zone 1 of the LIRR fare system. Fares differ between peak and off-peak hours. On weekends and holidays, reduced fares are offered through the CityTicket program. Tickets can be purchased via the MTA TrainTime app, at vending machines, or using contactless payment options.

8. Is Forest Hills LIRR Station accessible for people with disabilities?

Yes, the station has ADA-accessible features. The Forest Hills station is provided with ramps, tactile warning strips, audio, and visual announcements. Hence, it perfectly characterizes the features to assist riders with disabilities.

9. LIRR Penn Station address:

Penn Station operates the LIRR, which is located at 3 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10001. The LIRR concourse is under Madison Square Garden with entrances on 7th and 8th Avenues, between 31st and 34th Streets.

10. Where to buy LIRR tickets at the station:

You can purchase LIRR tickets at Penn Station via ticket vending machines, staffed ticket counters, or using the MTA TrainTime app. Buying onboard may incur additional costs unless there are no machines at your boarding station.