Valley Stream LIRR Station, found at Franklin Avenue and Sunrise Highway in Valley Stream, New York, is an important from train on the Long Island Rail Road’s Atlantic Branch. It was first opened towards the end of the 1860s as part of the South Side Railroad of Long Island. Valley Stream gained popularity from the opening of the Far Rockaway Branch, which became operational in 1869, although trains only stopped there then apon request. That same year saw the addition of a branch to the Rockaways, further elevating the importance of the station, encouraging visitation and local development. A year later, a permanent depot followed.
In 1933, the original station structure was replaced by an elevated platform to eliminate grade crossings that improved safety and operation of trains. More recently, the station received modern upgrades through the MTA’s Enhanced Station Initiative, adding Wi-Fi, real-time train information, and updated lighting. Today, it continues to serve as a major hub for commuters on the Far Rockaway and Long Beach Branches.
Valley Stream LIRR
Valley Stream LIRR, being located at Franklin Avenue and Sunrise Highway, caters to the Atlantic, Far Rockaway, and Long Beach branches. It was first opened in 1869 and became a well-known stop when the Rockaway branch was added there. It was elevated in 1933 for greater safety and efficiency. Modern upgrades from the MTA via the Enhanced Station Initiative introduced Wi-Fi and digital displays along with better lighting. It continues as one of the busiest commuter hubs connecting Nassau County with Manhattan, Brooklyn, and eastern Long Island.
Valley Stream LIRR Station Schedule [Weekday & Weekend Schedule]
Valley Stream Station serves the Far Rockaway and Long Beach branches, with regular trains to Penn Station, Grand Central, and Atlantic Terminal. Service is more frequent during weekday rush hours
Weekday Schedule (Monday–Friday)
| Time Period | Lines Serving Valley Stream | Direction / Common Destinations | Notes |
| 04:00 – 06:00 | Long Beach, Far Rockaway, West Hempstead | Towards Jamaica, Manhattan (Penn, GCM), Atlantic Terminal; Towards Long Beach, Far Rockaway, West Hempstead | Regular service begins. Trains to NYC often require transfer at Jamaica. |
| 06:00 – 10:00 | Long Beach, Far Rockaway, West Hempstead | Towards Jamaica, Manhattan (Penn, GCM), Atlantic Terminal | Very Frequent service to NYC. Many direct trains to Jamaica, then connecting to Penn/GCM/Atlantic. |
| Long Beach, Far Rockaway, West Hempstead | Towards Long Beach, Far Rockaway, West Hempstead | Regular service within branches. | |
| 10:00 – 16:00 | Long Beach, Far Rockaway, West Hempstead | Towards Jamaica, Manhattan (Penn, GCM), Atlantic Terminal; Towards Long Beach, Far Rockaway, West Hempstead | Good frequency (every 20-40 mins common). Transfers at Jamaica are typical for Manhattan/Atlantic Terminal. |
| 16:00 – 20:00 | Long Beach, Far Rockaway, West Hempstead | From Jamaica, Manhattan (Penn, GCM), Atlantic Terminal | Very Frequent service from NYC. High volume of commuters returning. |
| Long Beach, Far Rockaway, West Hempstead | Towards Long Beach, Far Rockaway, West Hempstead | Increased service to points within the branches. | |
| 20:00 – 24:00 | Long Beach, Far Rockaway, West Hempstead | Towards Jamaica, Manhattan (Penn, GCM), Atlantic Terminal; Towards Long Beach, Far Rockaway, West Hempstead | Service frequency decreases (every 30-60 mins). Transfers at Jamaica are very common. |
| 00:00 – 04:00 | Limited Service | Limited trains to/from NYC and branches | Very infrequent service. Check specific times. |
Note: Rush hour normally occurs from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM with more frequent train departures.
Weekend Schedule (Saturday & Sunday)
| Time Period (Approx.) | Lines Serving Valley Stream | Direction / Common Destinations | Notes |
| 05:00 – 08:00 | Long Beach, Far Rockaway, West Hempstead | Towards Jamaica, Manhattan (Penn, GCM), Atlantic Terminal; Towards Long Beach, Far Rockaway, West Hempstead | Service starts later than weekdays. Frequency is generally lower (every 45-60 mins). Transfers at Jamaica are common. |
| 08:00 – 18:00 | Long Beach, Far Rockaway, West Hempstead | Towards Jamaica, Manhattan (Penn, GCM), Atlantic Terminal; Towards Long Beach, Far Rockaway, West Hempstead | Regular hourly or bi-hourly service (every 30-60 mins depending on branch). Fewer express trains. Expect transfers at Jamaica for NYC terminals. |
| 18:00 – 24:00 | Long Beach, Far Rockaway, West Hempstead | Towards Jamaica, Manhattan (Penn, GCM), Atlantic Terminal; Towards Long Beach, Far Rockaway, West Hempstead | Frequency decreases (every 45-75 mins). Transfers at Jamaica are very common. |
| 00:00 – 05:00 | Limited Service | Limited trains to/from NYC and branches | Very infrequent service. Check specific times carefully as it can be hourly or less. |
Valley Stream LIRR Parking
There are several parking options provided for use of Valley Stream Station managed by the Village of Valley Stream, keeping both resident and non-resident users in mind. Non-resident commuters can get a parking permit for the designated lots near the station. The major lots include:
- Parking Field #8 – At Hicks Street and West Jamaica Avenue
- Parking Field #19 – East of Rockaway Avenue under the LIRR trestle (look for blue-signed non-resident zones)
- Parking Field #26 – Corner of Hicks Street and West Valley Stream Boulevard
Permits for non-residents are valid from May 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026, and can be applied for online via the official Valley Stream website. The permits do not assure allocation of a spot but grant access to non-residents into marked areas of the parking facility.
LIRR Valley Stream Meeting Parking Near Me
Woodside LIRR Station in Queens cannot express no official MTA and public parking on it premises directly. But they have some provision for the commuter from private garages nearby, bookable with apps like SpotHero. Examples include:
- 37-46 72nd St. Valet Garage – 0.6 miles away from station, starting at $31.73
- 46-09 69th St. Garage (69-02 Queens Blvd) – About 0.7 miles away, starting at $12.75
- 72-01 Queens Blvd. Sola Parking LLC – Around 0.9 miles away, starting at $24.11
These lots would also typically have hourly and daily flexibility pricing for the convenience of those interested.
Parking Fares
At Valley Stream Station, charges for parking daily at the small nearby municipal lot are estimated to be around $12, but all these may not be the same. The above parking lists are the kind of lots where non-resident permit holders can park for free.
On the other hand, garage prices at Woodside Station are variable, starting from $12.75 per day and possibly increasing to over $30, depending on the location and demand. However, the current rate should be checked on platforms like SpotHero to have the most accurate pricing.
MTA LIRR Valley Stream Facility
LIRR Valley Stream station is situated at the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Sunrise Highway, the station being one of the three major stops on the Long Island Rail Road. Of the three stations serving this area on the LIRR, the West Hempstead Branch does not serve the station either. It serves three branches of the LIRR: Atlantic, Far Rockaway, and Long Beach, with the West Hempstead Branch branching off due east of the station. Their main town makes it essential both to local commuters and city commuters.
Platform and Track Layout
The station consists of a single island platform serving two main tracks. In addition, tracks from the Montauk Branch run through without stopping in order to provide operational flexibility both for express service and freight traffic.
Accessibility
Valley Stream is an ADA-compliant station and has elevators, tactile warning strips, and audio-visual systems that help passengers with such needs to use the station in safe and independent ways.
Ticketing and Waiting Area
Ticket vending machines are placed on the west side of the building among its amenities. A staffed ticket office works weekdays only, from 6:10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. The ticket office is also briefly closed from 10:40 to 11:10 a.m. However, a public waiting area is open Monday through Friday between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m and provides shelter and seating for passengers.
Modern Upgrades
The Valley Stream Station modernized under the MTA Enhanced Station Initiative. The upgrade makes the station have among others, free Wi-Fi, USB charging ports, assisted energy-efficient lighting, real-time digital displays, CCTV surveillance, and permanent artwork by MTA Arts & Design to make life easier and more secure for commuters.
Status of Elevator & Escalator
Currently, both accessibility devices of the Valley Stream Station are inoperative:
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Elevator:
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Status: Not Working
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Location: Between Tracks 1 & 2 and street level (east side of station building)
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Estimated Return: Not Provided.
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Escalator:
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Status: Not Working
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Location: Between Tracks 1 & 2 and street level (west side of station building)
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Estimated Return: Not Provided.
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Note: The above state is of the (1) elevator and (1) escalator that’s available in the station. Riders are encouraged to report outages or check for updates on MTA website or customer service channels.
Valley Stream Taxi LIRR
Valley Stream Taxi & Airport Service provides reliable, 24-hour service to and from the Valley Stream LIRR Station. Customers are able to book a taxi by phone, confirming via text, and the service is available locally to destinations such as Rosedale, Laurelton, Alden Manor, and Malverne.
Airport Transfers
The company specializes in airport transportation and advises on the following advanced pickup times:
| Airport | Domestic Pickup | International Pickup |
|---|---|---|
| JFK | 2 hours | 3 hours |
| LaGuardia | 2.5 hours | 3.5 hours |
| MacArthur | 2.5 hours | 3.5 hours |
| Newark | 4 hours | 5 hours |
| Republic (Farmingdale) | 2 hours | — |
| Teterboro/Westchester | 4 hours | 5 hours |
The company has a fleet of minivans, SUVs, and larger vehicles for group travel or when extra luggage is needed.
A cash discount of 10% is available to seniors, teachers, police officers, firefighters, and armed forces with a valid ID.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is the Valley Stream LIRR Station located?
The Valley Stream LIRR Station is located at the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Sunrise Highway, Valley Stream, NY 11581, providing easy access to local transit and major routes.
2. How do I get from Valley Stream to Penn Station?
Trains run quite regularly from Valley Stream to Penn Station, every half hour or so on average, traveling for about average 36 minutes, making it quite handy for commuters heading into Manhattan.
3. What’s the schedule like from Valley Stream to Atlantic Terminal?
Service from Valley Stream to Atlantic Terminal runs approximately every two hours, with an average trip taking about 36 minutes.
4. Where can I find the latest Valley Stream train schedule?
Valley Stream LIRR schedules can be found directly from the MTA’s official website or Space in real-time for departure info and service alerts from apps such as Citymapper.
5. Is there parking available at the Valley Stream LIRR Station?
Yes, and this is located at a number of municipal fields near the station, such as the designated parking lots: Parking Fields #8, #19, and #26, all within walking distance to the platform.
6. How frequent are trains from Penn Station to Valley Stream?
There is a train departing Penn Station for Valley Stream about every 30 minutes throughout the day, providing full service for the transition back home for commuters and travelers, with a travel time of about 36 minutes.
7. How long is the train ride from Jamaica to Valley Stream?
There are usually trains every 30 minutes run from Jamaica station to Valley Stream. Travel time is around 14 minutes, which is really fast and convenient.
8. Where can I download the Valley Stream LIRR schedule in PDF?
All PDF timetables of every LIRR branch, including Valley Stream, can be downloaded through the MTA site on LIRR timetables.
9. LIRR Valley Stream Address
Valley Stream LIRR Station comprises the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Sunrise Highway in Valley Stream, New York, Federal Zip 11581. However, it’s centrally located within the village with on-foot, car, or local bus access, and here serves a key transfer point on the Long Beach and Far Rockaway branches of the Long Island Rail Road.
10. Where to Buy LIRR Tickets at the Station
Tickets for the LIRR at Valley Stream Station can be bought from ticket vending machines located in the station. Although, these machines accept cash, credit, and debit cards and provide options for one-way, round-trip, and monthly passes. Riders can also use the MTA eTix app to buy and activate digital tickets before boarding, offering a convenient and contactless alternative to physical ticket purchases.