LIRR Grand Central Madison Station, opened in January 2023, is a major addition to the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) network, located beneath the historic Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan. This terminal is the centrepiece of the East Side Access project, the most significant expansion of LIRR service in over 100 years. It offers direct service from Long Island to the East Side of Manhattan, easing pressure on Penn Station. With eight tracks and four platforms spread across a 350,000-square-foot facility, it enhances travel options for commuters between Long Island and Midtown. The peak hours at Grand Central Madison are 6:00 AM–10:00 AM & 4:00 PM–8:00 PM during the weekdays. And the frequency of trains running at Grand Central LIRR is every 60 minutes during peak hours and every 90 minutes during off peak hours.
Built for modern convenience, Grand Central Madison features wide concourses, full accessibility, and multiple street-level entrances. It also showcases public artworks by renowned artists like Yayoi Kusama and Kiki Smith, adding artistic appeal. The terminal is expected to soon include shops and restaurants. By cutting commute times by up to 40 minutes, it benefits over 160,000 daily riders and boosts Midtown’s accessibility and economic vitality.
Grand Central LIRR
Grand Central Madison is the LIRR’s new east-side terminal at Grand Central, which opened in January 2023. It consists of four platforms, eight tracks, and entrances from Streets 42nd to 48th. It operates 5:30 AM–2 AM, adding 296 trains a day, reducing up to 40 minutes for Long Island commuters. The station features waiting areas, restrooms, and artwork by Yayoi Kusama and Kiki Smith. While deep platforms mean long escalator rides, it greatly improves access to Midtown East and eases Penn Station crowding.
LIRR Grand Central Schedule
Grand Central Madison serves as one of two major Manhattan terminals for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). The LIRR schedule is designed to connect various branches of the LIRR to Midtown East, offering both peak and off-peak service.
Weekday Schedule (Monday–Friday)
| Destination | First Train | Last Train | Typical Departures | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Far Rockaway | 11:14 PM* | 22:12 | Every 30–60 min | *Late-night arrival at 12:11 AM |
| Babylon | 05:14 | 22:15 | Every 30 min | Frequent peak service |
| Huntington | 05:27 | 20:08 | Every 30 min | Connects at Hicksville |
| Ronkonkoma | 04:52 | 18:56 | Every 30 min | Some express trains |
| Port Washington | 05:07 | 21:38 | Every 30 min | Serves Mets-Willets Point |
| Long Beach | 05:12 | 08:47 | Every 30 min | Limited late-night service |
| Hempstead | 04:56 | 22:55 | Every 30–60 min | Stops at Elmont-UBS Arena |
Notes:
-
During rush hours, Babylon, Huntington, and Ronkonkoma trains run every 20–30 minutes.
-
Special stops are Elmont–UBS Arena on the Hempstead Branch and Mets–Willets Point on the Port Washington Branch.
-
Peak Hours on weekdays is from 6:00-10:00 a.m. and 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Weekend Schedule (Saturday & Sunday)
| Destination | First Train | Last Train | Typical Departures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Rockaway | 06:04 | 22:12 | Every 60 min |
| Babylon | 05:46 | 21:49 | Every 60 min |
| Huntington | 05:57 | 20:40 | Every 60 min |
| Ronkonkoma | 06:02 | 18:56 | Every 60 min |
| Port Washington | 05:49 | 21:38 | Every 60 min |
| Long Beach | 05:48 | 08:47 | Every 60 min |
| Hempstead | 06:03 | 22:55 | Every 60 min |
Weekend Notes:
- Reduced frequency (every 60–90 minutes).
- No “West Hempstead” or “Oyster Bay” data provided in your schedule.
Grand Central LIRR Concourse
The Grand Central Madison marked a historical expansion of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), which provides a long -awaited direct link to the east of Manhattan. Officially opened in January 2023, the smooth new terminal is located below the Grand Central Terminal and stands as one of the most ambitious and transformational transit projects in recent American history.
Key Facts
-
Location: Beneath Grand Central Terminal, spanning from 43rd to 48th Street.
-
Depth: Approximately 175 feet below street level, making it one of NYC’s deepest stations.
-
Size: Covers around 700,000 square feet, making it the largest new train terminal built in the U.S. since the mid-20th century.
Station Design and Architecture
-
Platforms & Tracks: There are 8 tracks arranged across 2 platform levels, each with 4 platforms and 2 tracks.
-
Mezzanine: A spacious mezzanine level connects both track levels and leads to entrances, exits, elevators, and escalators.
-
Vertical Access: Equipped with 47 escalators and 22 elevators, the station ensures efficient vertical movement.
-
Artistic Touches: Each concourse area corresponding to a cross street from 45th to 48th Street features a unique color scheme and integrated artwork to guide commuters and enhance aesthetics.
Entrances and Connectivity
Street-Level Access Points
-
383 Madison Ave (at E 47th St)
-
42nd Street (east of Madison Ave)
-
43rd Street & Vanderbilt Ave
-
44th Street (between Madison & Vanderbilt – elevator access)
-
48th Street (between Madison & Park – elevator access)
Internal Access from Grand Central
-
Dining Concourse (West Side): Direct access to the lower-level food hall of Grand Central.
-
LIRR platform on track 112: convenient transfer point between metro-north and LIRR services.
-
Grand Central North (45th and 47th Streets): Undereavated exit and underground routes connecting midtown roads for entrances.
Passenger Amenities
-
Facilities: The terminal includes digital information boards, ticketing machines, elevators, escalators, and clean restrooms.
-
Waiting Area: A climate-controlled seating area with 29 seats is located near the 47th Street entrance. Usage is monitored, and passengers may be fined for overstaying without a valid train ticket.
-
Upcoming Retail: Plans are underway to add shopping and dining options to enrich the station environment.
Service and Operational Highlights
-
Enhanced Service: Grand Central Madison increases LIRR capacity by 50%, adding 269 trains on weekdays. This expansion also reduces congestion at Penn Station and improves schedule flexibility.
-
Convenience for Commuters: Offers easier and faster access to Manhattan’s East Side, particularly beneficial for those working in Midtown and the Upper East Side.
Grand Central Madison represents a monumental upgrade to New York’s transit infrastructure. As a new East Side hub for LIRR passengers, it drastically improves commuting efficiency, relieves pressure on Penn Station, and injects new energy into Midtown Manhattan. With ongoing developments planned, it is poised to become not just a transit center but a vibrant part of the city’s daily life.
Grand Central LIRR Entrance
The Long Island Rail Road’s new Manhattan terminal, Grand Central Madison, is a cavern located far below Grand Central Terminal. Conceived as an accessible, efficient, easy-to-use transit hub, the terminal has several entrances that naturally integrate with the Grand Central complex and the street grid of Midtown Manhattan. These links will offer fast and convenient access to the LIRR, changing the way Long Island commuters make their journey to Manhattan’s East Side.
Street-Level Entrances
Grand Central Madison has several strategically located entrances to provide easy access from the surrounding Midtown area:
-
One Vanderbilt Access: Access is available from 42nd Street east of Madison Avenue through One Vanderbilt and from 43rd Street at the southwest corner of Vanderbilt Avenue and East 43rd Street.
-
383 Madison Avenue: A dedicated entrance is located inside the building at 383 Madison Avenue, near East 47th Street.
-
Elevator-Only Entrances: Freestanding MTA entrance buildings at 44th Street and 48th Street provide elevator access, enhancing accessibility for passengers with mobility needs.
-
Future Developments: Additional entrances north of 47th Street are in development to further enhance commuter flow and access.
Internal Entrances from Grand Central Terminal
Beyond the street-level options, several indoor connections link Grand Central Madison directly with Grand Central Terminal:
-
Dining Concourse: Stairs and escalators from the Dining Concourse descend to Grand Central Madison, offering quick access for those already inside the terminal.
-
Biltmore Room: Found across from tracks 39–42 in the Main Concourse, this area includes escalators that lead to the 44th Street concourse of Grand Central Madison.
-
Grand Central North: Passageways at 45th and 47th Streets connect to the new terminal, providing access from the northernmost end of Grand Central Terminal.
Accessibility Features
Grand Central Madison is designed to be fully accessible:
- 22 elevators and 47 escalators help move passengers efficiently between street level and the deep terminal.
- Two entrances (at 44th and 48th Streets) are elevator-only for those requiring step-free access.
- Wide corridors, ADA-compliant paths, and clear signage support ease of navigation.
Navigation and Wayfinding
- Colour-coded zones and public art installations help identify specific areas (such as the 45th, 46th, 47th, and 48th Street concourses).
- Directional signage and interactive maps are available throughout the terminal.
- MTA staff and digital information kiosks assist with real-time guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is the LIRR at Grand Central?
The Long Island Rail Road now operates out of Grand Central Madison, a new terminal beneath Grand Central Terminal. Between 43rd and 48th Streets, about 175 feet below grade, it is linked to subways, Metro-North, and various Midtown entrances immediately.
2. How accessible is Grand Central Madison?
Grand Central Madison is fully accessible with elevators connecting the street, concourse, mezzanine, and platforms. Step-free access through elevator-only doors at 44th, 47th, and 48th Streets between Park and Madison Avenues is guaranteed by backup elevators throughout the terminal.
3. How to ride from LIRR Grand Central to JFK?
To travel from Grand Central Madison to JFK Airport, take a direct LIRR train from Jamaica Station in about 20 minutes, then transfer to the AirTrain JFK for another 10–15 minutes. The trip takes about 30–35 minutes, with a quick and easy airport connection.
4. What details does the LIRR Grand Central Map Show?
The MTA website shows an in-depth map of Grand Central Madison. The map includes all the significant features of the terminal, including entrances, concourses, escalators, elevators, and platform layouts. The map also shows how the terminal connects to the original Grand Central Terminal, adjacent streets, and other modes of transportation to facilitate riders within the station with ease.
5. How to Access the LIRR in Grand Central?
It is convenient to access the LIRR at Grand Central with straightforward directions to Grand Central Madison through the Dining Concourse or Biltmore Room. Street entrances at 42nd–48th Streets between Madison and Park Avenues offer direct access with escalators and elevators for Midtown convenience.
6. How to travel from LIRR Jamaica to Grand Central?
Jamaica Station to Grand Central Madison can be reached by travelling by LIRR quickly and frequently, with departures every 10 minutes of peak hours. The trip takes about 21 minutes, and fares are $3–$12. Tickets can be purchased at vending machines, ticket vending machines, or using the MTA TrainTime app.