The MTA LIRR Babylon Line ranks among the busiest and most significant of the Long Island Rail Road’s branches, allowing for reliable service between Penn Station (or Grand Central) in New York City and Babylon, on Long Island’s South Shore. It is a vital route for commuters and travelers, connecting key stations like Jamaica, Rockville Centre, Freeport, and Massapequa.
It has frequent service, including locals and expresses. Renowned for its access to beaches, suburban towns, and business districts, the Babylon Line is an essential connection for daily commuters and weekend wanderers.
LIRR Babylon Line Schedule: All Stops & Times
- Start Point: Penn Station / Grand Central Terminal
- End Point: Babylon Station
- Total Stops: 16
- Travel Time: 65 to 75 minutes from Midtown Manhattan to Babylon (varies by service)
Babylon Line: Weekday Peak Direction Schedule
Station | First Train (Approx.) | Last Peak Train | Avg. Frequency (Peak Hours) |
---|---|---|---|
Babylon | 04:43 | 08:47 | Every 10–20 mins |
Lindenhurst | 04:48 | 08:52 | Every 10–20 mins |
Copiague | 04:51 | 08:55 | Every 15–30 mins |
Amityville | 04:54 | 08:58 | Every 15–30 mins |
Massapequa Park | 04:58 | 09:03 | Every 10–20 mins |
Massapequa | 05:01 | 09:06 | Every 10–15 mins |
Seaford | 05:05 | 09:10 | Every 10–20 mins |
Wantagh | 05:08 | 09:13 | Every 10–15 mins |
Bellmore | 05:11 | 09:16 | Every 10–15 mins |
Merrick | 05:14 | 09:19 | Every 10–15 mins |
Freeport | 05:17 | 09:22 | Every 8–15 mins |
Baldwin | 05:21 | 09:26 | Every 10–20 mins |
Rockville Centre | 05:25 | 09:30 | Every 10–15 mins |
Lynbrook | 05:29 | 09:34 | Every 10–20 mins |
Jamaica (Transfer Hub) | 05:45 | 09:50 | Frequent connections |
Penn Station/Grand Central | 6:00 AM+ | 10:10 AM+ | Every 5–10 mins from Jamaica |
Babylon Branch Weekend Schedule
From NYC to Babylon
From NYC to Babylon | Approx. Frequency |
---|---|
Morning | Every 30 minutes |
Afternoon | Every 30–60 mins |
Evening | Every 60 minutes |
From Babylon to NYC
From Babylon to NYC | Approx. Frequency |
---|---|
Morning | Every 60 minutes |
Afternoon | Every 30–60 mins |
Evening | Every 30 minutes |
List of Babylon Line Stops
- Babylon
- Lindenhurst
- Copiague
- Amityville
- Massapequa Park
- Massapequa
- Seaford
- Wantagh
- Bellmore
- Merrick
- Freeport
- Baldwin
- Rockville Centre
- Lynbrook
- Jamaica
- Penn Station / Grand Central / Atlantic Terminal
Additional Tips:
- For real-time tracking, use the LIRR TrainTime app.
- Save more with Monthly and Weekly Passes.
- Express trains do not make as many stops, so they’re better for quicker trips.
- The off-peak bike-allowed trains are available.
LIRR Babylon Line: Stops, Schedule & Transfers
The complete schedule of Babylon Train described below:
Outline of the Babylon Line
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Route | Penn Station / Grand Central to Babylon |
Distance | Approx. 38 miles |
Total Stops | 16 Stations |
End-to-End Travel Time | ~65–75 minutes |
Transfer Options | Jamaica, Lynbrook, Freeport |
Babylon Line Stations (Westbound to NYC)
Stop Number | Station Name | Transfer Options | Accessibility |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Babylon | Local only | Yes |
2 | Lindenhurst | — | Yes |
3 | Copiague | — | Yes |
4 | Amityville | — | Yes |
5 | Massapequa Park | — | Yes |
6 | Massapequa | — | Yes |
7 | Seaford | — | Yes |
8 | Wantagh | — | Yes |
9 | Bellmore | — | Yes |
10 | Merrick | — | Yes |
11 | Freeport | Bus, Taxi | Yes |
12 | Baldwin | — | Yes |
13 | Rockville Centre | — | Yes |
14 | Lynbrook | Transfer to Long Beach | Yes |
15 | Jamaica | Transfers to All Lines | Yes |
16 | Penn Station / Grand Central / Atlantic Terminal | Subway & other LIRR lines | Yes |
Babylon Line Weekday Schedule
Morning Peak:
Departure | From | Arrival at Penn | Duration | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
05:12 | Babylon | 06:23 | 1 hr 11m | Local |
06:05 | Babylon | 07:12 | 1 hr 7m | Express |
07:17 | Massapequa | 08:18 | 1 hr 1m | Local |
08:03 | Freeport | 09:00 | 57 mins | Express |
Evening Peak:
Departure | From Penn | Arrival at Babylon | Duration | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
16:34 | Penn Station | 17:45 | 1 hr 11m | Local |
17:12 | Penn Station | 18:18 | 1 hr 6m | Express |
18:01 | Penn Station | 19:06 | 1 hr 5m | Local |
19:30 | Penn Station | 20:37 | 1 hr 7m | Local |
Weekend Frequency
-
Morning & Afternoon: Trains every 30–60 minutes
-
Evening: Service every 60 minutes
Transfers
Station | Connecting Lines | Notes |
---|---|---|
Lynbrook | Long Beach Branch | Transfer possible, shared platform access |
Freeport | N88 Bus (Jones Beach, seasonal) | Ideal for summer beachgoers |
Jamaica | All LIRR Branches + AirTrain JFK | Major hub, subway access (E, J, Z) |
NYC Terminals | Penn Station, Grand Central, Atlantic Terminal | Subway, Amtrak, NJ Transit transfers |
Additional tips:
- TrackLive and purchase mobile tickets via the TrainTime App.
- Ride express trains during rush hour to reduce travel time.
- Look for season-specific services (summer beach trains, for example).
- If you travel regularly, Monthly or Weekly passes provide savings.
LIRR Schedule Babylon – Peak Hour Service (Weekdays)
The Babylon Branch is high frequency during peak hours, with express service typically available on weekday mornings and evenings.
Morning Peak:
Departure | Origin | Destination | Type | Frequency |
---|---|---|---|---|
05:12 | Babylon | Penn Station | Local | Every 10–15 min |
06:05 | Babylon | Grand Central | Express | Every 20 min |
07:17 | Massapequa | Penn Station | Local | Every 10–15 min |
08:03 | Freeport | Atlantic Terminal | Express | Every 15–20 min |
Evening Peak:
Departure | Origin | Destination | Type | Frequency |
---|---|---|---|---|
16:34 | Penn Station | Babylon | Local | Every 10–15 min |
17:12 | Penn Station | Babylon | Express | Every 15 min |
18:01 | Grand Central | Babylon | Local | Every 20 min |
19:30 | Penn Station | Babylon | Local | Every 30 min |
Weekend Service
Fewer trains run on the weekends, but they still run with enough frequency to be convenient — with everyday service at all times of day.
Time Range | Train Interval | Notes |
---|---|---|
6:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Every 30 mins | Mostly local service |
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Every 60 mins | Midday local trains |
4:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Every 30–45 mins | More frequent for evening return |
8:00 PM – 12:00 AM | Every 60 mins | Reduced night service |
Travel Tips:
- L.I.R.R. TrainTime app: for real-time train status and ticket purchases.
- At smaller stations, arrive early during popular peak hours to ensure a seat.
- If you commute daily, consider a monthly or weekly pass — it’s cheaper.
- The N88 bus connects Freeport Station with Jones Beach, seasonally.
- Check for any planned service changes or track work — especially on weekends.
- Lynbrook is also an important transfer point to the Long Beach Branch.
- At Jamaica Station, where AirTrain JFK connects with other LIRR lines.
- Babylon, Seaford, and Massapequa stations fill up quickly—arrive early or get permits.
- Midday trains and post–rush hour trains tend to be quieter ways to travel.
- You can adjust to off-peak fares on weekends, which are cheaper rides.