The Long Island Rail Road connects New York, NY and Grand Central, US over a 319-mile route operated by MTA, calling at 10 stations across 2 states.
Quick Facts
- Operator
- MTA
- Service type
- Commuter Rail
- Endpoints
- New York ↔ Grand Central
- Distance
- 319 mi
- Frequency
- Frequent service on 11 branches
- Stations
- 10
- States served
- 2 (NY, US)
- Typical fare range
- $5 – $30
Route guide
The Long Island Rail Road is a commuter rail service operated by MTA. Trains run Frequent service on 11 branches over 319 miles of mainline track between New York Penn Station and Grand Central, calling at 10 intermediate and terminal stations across 2 states. For background reading on the corridor, several archival route histories are available alongside the operator's own marketing pages.
What to watch for: Long Island Sound near Port Jefferson; the wine country approach to Greenport on the North Fork.
History & service notes
Founded in 1834, the LIRR is the oldest U.S. railroad still operating under its original name and the busiest commuter railroad in North America. East Side Access opened the Grand Central Madison terminal in 2023. Riders interested in pre-Amtrak operating history of the line can consult classic timetable archives for fuller context.
Equipment
Typical consist on the Long Island Rail Road includes m3, M7, and M9 EMU cars; bi-level coaches with DM30AC dual-mode locomotives east of electrification. Equipment assignments may vary by departure and season; consult the operator for the most current information.
Stops along the route
Stations are listed in geographical order from New York to Grand Central. Times and exact stop sequencing depend on the specific train number and direction; refer to the operator's timetable for departures.
- New York Penn Station — New York, NY
- Jamaica — Jamaica, US
- Flushing — Flushing, US
- Mineola — Mineola, US
- Hicksville — Hicksville, US
- Huntington — Huntington, US
- Ronkonkoma — Ronkonkoma, US
- Greenport — Greenport, US
- Penn Station — Penn Station, US
- Grand Central — Grand Central, US
Sample fares & travel times
Approximate one-way fare ranges and travel times for popular city pairs on this route. Fares vary widely by demand, time of booking, and class of service — these figures are reference midpoints suitable for planning, not booking. Click any pair for a fuller trip guide.
| From | To | Distance | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | Jamaica | 35 mi | 52m | $8 – $14 |
| Jamaica | Flushing | 35 mi | 52m | $8 – $14 |
| Flushing | Mineola | 35 mi | 52m | $8 – $14 |
| Mineola | Hicksville | 35 mi | 52m | $8 – $14 |
| Hicksville | Huntington | 35 mi | 52m | $8 – $14 |
| Huntington | Ronkonkoma | 35 mi | 52m | $8 – $14 |
| Ronkonkoma | Greenport | 35 mi | 52m | $8 – $14 |
| Greenport | Penn Station | 35 mi | 52m | $8 – $14 |
| Penn Station | Grand Central | 35 mi | 52m | $8 – $14 |
| Jamaica | Grand Central | 284 mi | 5h 51m | $8 – $28 |
| New York | Flushing | 71 mi | 1h 35m | $8 – $16 |
| Flushing | Grand Central | 248 mi | 5h 8m | $8 – $26 |
| New York | Mineola | 106 mi | 2h 17m | $8 – $18 |
| Mineola | Grand Central | 213 mi | 4h 26m | $8 – $24 |
| New York | Hicksville | 142 mi | 3h | $8 – $20 |
| Hicksville | Grand Central | 177 mi | 3h 42m | $8 – $22 |
| New York | Huntington | 177 mi | 3h 42m | $8 – $22 |
| Huntington | Grand Central | 142 mi | 3h | $8 – $20 |
Connections & transfers
Major hubs along the route offer cross-platform transfers to other intercity and commuter services. From New York, riders can change for connecting trains and intercity buses; the same is true at Grand Central. The corridor passes through cities including New York, Jamaica, and Grand Central, each with its own onward service map. A useful reference for cross-network connections is the consolidated national rail connection guide, updated each timetable change.
Further Reading on the Long Island Rail Road
- Riding the Long Island Rail Road: a first-timer's full-route diary
- Best window seats and viewing tips along the line