LIRR Grand Central [Station, Schedule, Concourse & more]

LIRR Schedule Grand Central

Grand Central Madison serves as one of two major Manhattan terminals for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). The schedule is designed to connect various branches of the LIRR to Midtown East, offering both peak and off-peak service.

Weekday Schedule (Monday–Friday)

(Peak Hours: 6:00 AM–10:00 AM & 4:00 PM–8:00 PM)

Notes:

• Late-Night Trains: Far Rockaway and Hempstead have arrivals past midnight.
• Peak Frequency: Babylon, Huntington, and Ronkonkoma run every 20–30 minutes during rush hours.
• Special Stops: Elmont-UBS Arena (Hempstead Branch) and Mets-Willets Point (Port Washington Branch).

Weekend Schedule (Saturday & Sunday)

Weekend Notes:

• Reduced frequency (every 60–90 minutes).
• No “West Hempstead” or “Oyster Bay” data provided in your schedule.

Grand Central LIRR Concourse

Grand Central Madison is a major expansion of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), offering a direct connection to Manhattan’s East Side for the first time. Officially opened in January 2023, this modern terminal sits beneath Grand Central Terminal and represents one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in recent U.S. transit 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)

• LIRR platform at Track 112

• Grand Central North at 45th & 47th Streets

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

Grand Central Madison, the Long Island Rail Road’s newest Manhattan terminal, is located deep beneath Grand Central Terminal. Designed for accessibility, efficiency, and convenience, the terminal features multiple entrance points that connect it to Midtown Manhattan and Grand Central’s existing infrastructure. Grand Central Madison’s entrances seamlessly connect to Grand Central Terminal and the Midtown street grid, offering quick, accessible access to the LIRR. It’s transforming how Long Island commuters reach Manhattan’s East Side.

Street-Level Entrances

Grand Central Madison has several strategically located entrances to provide easy access from the surrounding Midtown area:

1. One Vanderbilt Access Points

   • 42nd Street: East of Madison Avenue, offers seamless access through One Vanderbilt.

   • 43rd Street: At the southwest corner of Vanderbilt Avenue and East 43rd Street.

2. 383 Madison Avenue

   • A dedicated entrance located inside the building at 383 Madison Avenue, near East 47th Street.

3. Elevator-Only Entrances

   • 44th Street: Freestanding MTA entrance building with elevator access.

   • 48th Street: Another elevator-access entrance via a standalone MTA-built structure.

   • These are designed to improve accessibility for passengers with mobility needs.

4. 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:

1. Dining Concourse

   • Stairs and escalators from the Dining Concourse descend to Grand Central Madison, offering quick access for those already inside the terminal.

2. 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.

3. 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

• Color-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 in Grand Central?

The Long Island Rail Road operates out of Grand Central Madison, a newly constructed terminal located directly beneath Grand Central Terminal. Positioned between 43rd and 48th Streets, the station sits approximately 175 feet below street level. It is seamlessly integrated into the existing Grand Central complex, providing easy connections to subways, the Metro-North Railroad, and various street-level entrances across Midtown Manhattan.

2. Grand Central LIRR Elevator

Grand Central Madison is fully accessible and features numerous elevators connecting the street, concourse, mezzanine, and platform levels. Dedicated elevator-only street entrances are located at 44th, 47th, and 48th Streets between Madison and Park Avenues. These elevators ensure convenient, step-free access to the LIRR for all passengers, including those with mobility needs, and are supported by additional elevators within the terminal for efficient vertical travel.

3. LIRR Grand Central to JFK

To travel from Grand Central Madison to JFK Airport, passengers can take a direct LIRR train from Grand Central to Jamaica Station, a trip that takes roughly 20 minutes. From Jamaica, they can transfer to the AirTrain JFK, which serves all airport terminals and adds about 10 to 15 minutes to the journey. In total, the travel time from Grand Central to JFK is approximately 30 to 35 minutes, offering a fast and reliable transit option for airport-bound travelers.

4. LIRR Grand Central Map

A detailed map of Grand Central Madison is available on the MTA’s website. This map shows all key components of the terminal, including entrances, concourses, escalators, elevators, and platform layouts. It also illustrates how the terminal connects with the existing Grand Central Terminal, nearby streets, and other modes of transportation, helping riders navigate the station easily.

5. How to Get to the LIRR in Grand Central

Accessing the LIRR at Grand Central is simple and well-marked. From within Grand Central Terminal, riders can follow signs leading to Grand Central Madison via the Dining Concourse or Biltmore Room. Additionally, there are multiple street-level entrances between Madison and Park Avenues at 42nd, 43rd, 44th, 47th, and 48th Streets. These entrances provide direct access to the LIRR terminal via escalators and elevators, making it convenient for commuters coming from various directions in Midtown.

6. LIRR Jamaica to Grand Central

Traveling from Jamaica Station to Grand Central Madison by LIRR is quick and convenient. Trains run frequently throughout the day, especially during peak hours, with departures every 10 minutes or so. The journey takes approximately 21 minutes, making it a fast way to reach Midtown Manhattan. Fares vary depending on time of day and ticket type but generally range from $3 to $12, and tickets can be purchased via vending machines, the MTA TrainTime app, or at ticket windows.