7 Train to Times Square | Stops, Fares, Exits

The 7 train goes directly to Times Sq-42 St; ride Manhattan-bound from Queens or Flushing-bound from 34 St-Hudson Yards.

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Most Queens-to-Midtown rides are easiest on the 7 Train to Times Square, because the line runs straight into the station under 42nd Street. The stop you want is Times Sq-42 St, one of New York City’s biggest subway transfer points.

For most riders, the move is simple: board a Manhattan-bound 7 train from Queens, get off at Times Sq-42 St, and follow signs for 42nd Street, Broadway, or 7th Avenue. A regular subway ride costs $3 for most adults, and OMNY fare capping can stop subway and local bus charges at $35 in a 7-day period when you tap the same card or device.

If you’re weighing the subway against a taxi or transfer from Queens to Midtown, compare the main transport choices here:

How Do You Reach Times Square On The 7?

The 7 train reaches Times Sq-42 St directly from Queens and from 34 St-Hudson Yards. From Queens, ride toward Manhattan; from Hudson Yards, ride one stop toward Flushing-Main St.

The signs are color-coded purple and marked with a 7 inside a circle for local trains or a diamond for 7 express trains. Both stop at Times Sq-42 St, so you do not need to skip the express if the platform sign says it is going there.

1. Enter any 7 train station and follow signs for Manhattan-bound service if you are in Queens.
2. Tap OMNY at the turnstile with a contactless card, phone, watch, or OMNY Card.
3. Board a train marked 7 or 7 express toward 34 St-Hudson Yards.
4. Exit at Times Sq-42 St, one stop before 34 St-Hudson Yards.
5. Follow signs for Broadway, 7th Avenue, 42nd Street, or your connecting subway line.

From Manhattan’s west side, the route works in reverse. Board at 34 St-Hudson Yards and ride the Flushing-bound 7 one stop east to Times Sq-42 St.

7 Train Into Times Square: Stops, Timing, And Direction

The 7 train is usually the fastest subway line into Times Square from Long Island City, Jackson Heights, Corona, and Flushing. Ride times vary by wait time, express service, and crowding, so treat the table as planning numbers rather than a promise.

The MTA 7 line map lists Times Sq-42 St at W 41st Street and 7th Avenue, W 42nd Street and 7th Avenue, and W 41st Street and Broadway, with major in-station transfers.

Local 7 trains run between Flushing-Main St and 34 St-Hudson Yards at all times. The 7 express runs in the peak direction on weekdays: toward Manhattan in the morning, then toward Queens in the afternoon and evening.

Fares, OMNY, And Transfer Rules

The 7 train costs the same as any standard New York City subway ride. Most riders pay $3 by tapping a contactless card, phone, watch, or OMNY Card at the turnstile.

The same tap opens the transfer system. Use the same card or device if you switch from subway to bus or bus to subway within two hours, because using a second card can trigger a second charge.

• Subway fare: $3 for most adult riders.
• Weekly cap: $35 on subway and local bus rides when the same OMNY payment method is used.
• Children: up to three kids under 44 inches ride free with a fare-paying adult.
• Exit tapping: New York City subways do not require a tap when leaving the station.

Airport note: The 7 train does not go to JFK, LaGuardia, or Newark Airport. From JFK, many travelers connect via the E train at Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av after AirTrain; from LaGuardia, a bus-to-subway transfer is usually needed.

Which Exit Should You Use At Times Sq-42 St?

Times Sq-42 St has several exits, and the right one depends on whether you want Times Square lights, a Broadway theater, Bryant Park, or another subway line. For Times Square itself, follow signs for Broadway, 7th Avenue, or 42nd Street.

The station is large, so slow down at the mezzanine instead of following the first crowd. The wrong exit can leave you a long avenue block from your theater, hotel, or meeting point.

Accessibility And Late-Night Notes

Times Sq-42 St is an ADA-accessible station for the 7 train, but the transfer passage to 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal is not fully ADA-compliant. Riders who need step-free travel should use the accessible entrances at Times Square and check elevator status before riding.

MTA accessibility information lists elevators at the southeast corner of 42nd Street and 7th Avenue and at Broadway Plaza between 42nd and 43rd Streets. The station is busy late at night, after Broadway shows, and during New Year’s events, so build in extra walking time if crowds are heavy.

The 7 local is the safer choice late at night and on weekends because it serves every station. The 7 express is useful only when it is running in your direction and your start station is an express stop.

Where To Stay Near The 7 Train

Staying near Times Square, Bryant Park, Grand Central, Long Island City, or Hudson Yards puts the 7 train within easy reach. Times Square is most convenient for theaters, while Long Island City often gives faster Queens access with lower nightly rates than Midtown.

Use the map below to compare hotels near Times Square and nearby 7 train stops:

Pick This Route For Speed, Budget, Or Ease

The 7 train is the right route to Times Square for most riders starting in Flushing, Corona, Jackson Heights, Woodside, Long Island City, Grand Central, Bryant Park, or Hudson Yards. Taxis can be easier with heavy luggage, but the subway usually wins on price and avoids Midtown traffic.

• For speed: take the 7 express toward Manhattan on weekday mornings if your station has express service; take the local at other times.
• For budget: use the 7 train and tap the same OMNY card or device on every ride toward the weekly cap.
• For comfort: avoid the heaviest post-show crush around 10:00-11:30 p.m. near Times Square when possible.
• For accessibility: use the Times Sq-42 St elevators and avoid relying on the Port Authority passage as a fully step-free ADA route.

For a first subway ride in New York, the simple rule is enough: purple 7, Times Sq-42 St, then Broadway or 7th Avenue signs upstairs.