The Faraway Rockaway Branch is a part of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) framework, permitting travelers to travel between Distant Rockaway in Queens and Penn Station or Atlantic Terminal (in Brooklyn) in Manhattan. The Remote Rockaway Department may be a tried and true commuting interface for inhabitants in southeastern Queens and Nassau County, making major stops at Inwood, Lawrence, and Cedarhurst.
Accessible and known for its reliable schedule, the branch is popular with daily commuters as well as infrequent travelers. The Far Rockaway Branch connects you to all of NYC, with seamless assistance by subways and buses, making it an important transit link and a viable source of time savings to get you in and out of the city.
Far Rockaway Branch Overview
Below is the branch overview.
Far Rockaway Branch stations
- Jamaica
- Locust Manor
- Laurelton
- Rosedale
- Valley Stream
- Gibson
- Hewlett
- Woodmere
- Cedarhurst
- Lawrence
- Inwood
- Far Rockaway
Here is the complete information on the Far Rockaway Branch Stations.
| Station No. | Station Name | Location | Connections |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlantic Terminal | Brooklyn | NYC Subway (2, 3, 4, 5, B, D, N, Q, R) |
| 2 | Nostrand Avenue | Brooklyn | NYC Buses, Nearby Subway Access |
| 3 | East New York | Brooklyn | NYC Subway (L), Buses |
| 4 | Jamaica | Queens | Major LIRR Hub, JFK AirTrain, NYC Subway (E, J, Z) |
| 5 | Locust Manor | Queens | NYC Bus Service |
| 6 | Laurelton | Queens | NYC Bus Service |
| 7 | Rosedale | Queens | NYC Bus Service |
| 8 | Valley Stream | Nassau County | Transfers to West Hempstead & Long Beach Lines |
| 9 | Gibson | Nassau County | Local area access |
| 10 | Hewlett | Nassau County | Nearby bus access |
| 11 | Woodmere | Nassau County | Local area access |
| 12 | Cedarhurst | Nassau County | Local area access |
| 13 | Lawrence | Nassau County | Local area access |
| 14 | Inwood | Nassau County | Local area access |
| 15 | Far Rockaway | Queens | NYC Subway (A Train), Buses |
Key Highlights
- Connects Queens & Nassau County — Provides a connection from eastern Queens to the Five Towns section of Nassau County.
- Far Rockaway to Atlantic Terminal – This is a Brooklyn Atlantic Terminal bus; it provides direct service to downtown for commuters from Broad Channel.
- Hub at Jamaica Station— Simple associations to other L.I.R.R. lines and John F. Kennedy Airplane terminal by means of the AirTrain.
- Subway Integration – Meets with NYC Tram lines all through the whole course, including the A train at Far Rockaway.
- Multiple Local Stops — Serves private communities, counting Cedarhurst, Woodmere, and Hewlett.
- Quiet Zone – Travels through quiet suburban neighborhoods for a peaceful ride.
- Regular schedules include peak weekday & reduced weekend service.
- Accessible Stations – Some station island platforms and restrooms are ADA-accessible.
- Park-and-Ride Options — Several stations, including Rosedale and Valley Stream, have commuter parking.
- Student & Senior Riders – Discounts are available to students and senior citizens, among other groups.
Transfers & Connections
- Jamaica Station — Connections to most LIRR branches, including Ronkonkoma, Babylon, Hempstead, and more.
- Atlantic Terminal – Access to the NYC Subway (2, 3, 4, 5, B, D, N, Q, R) at Atlantic Ave–Barclays Center.
- Far Rockaway Station — connect to the A train via the NYC Subway; direct to Brooklyn, Manhattan
- Valley Stream Station — Transfer to the Long Beach and West Hempstead branches.
- Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE Bus) — At some stations for regional bus connections.
- AirTrain JFK to Jamaica – Direct access to the airport via the AirTrain at Jamaica Station.
- Local Bus Services – NYC MTA buses provide a last-mile connection to many stations on the branch.
- LIRR City Terminal Zone — Penn Station and Grand Central varieties, transfer to Jamaica or Atlantic Terminal.
Parking & Accessibility Facilities
Far Rockaway Station
- Parking: Municipal parking is available in the area (paid).
- Accessibility: Completely ADA-compliant, with ramps and elevators.
Inwood Station
- Parking: Limited street parking; no assigned LIRR lot.
- Accessibility: Not ADA accessible.
Lawrence Station
- Parking: Permit parking for residents.
- ACCESSIBILITY: ADA-compliant station with an accessible platform
Cedarhurst Station
- Parking: Some on-site lots are available for free permit parking.
-
Access: Partially accessible; ramps to platforms.
Woodmere Station
- Parking: City and group lots available
- Access: Access is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Hewlett Station
- Parking: Lot parking (permit available)
- Access: Accessible station in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Gibson Station
- Parking: Street parking in the vicinity.
- Accessibility: Not ADA accessible.
Valley Stream Station
- Parking: Big lot with permits.
- Accessibility: Full ADA-compliant.
Jamaica Station (Connection)
- Parking: Several parking garages in the area.
- Accessibility: Major transit hub, fully ADA-compliant
Nearby Attractions:
- Rockaway Beach – A beautiful beach for swimming, surfing, and relaxing on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.
- Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge – A beautiful nature preserve ideal for birdwatching and hiking.
- Five Towns Shopping Center (Lawrence/Inwood) — Retail stores, eateries ,and local shopping options.
- Cedarhurst Park — A quiet green space ideal for families and outdoor recreation.
- Far Rockaway Boardwalk — An oceanfront promenade perfect for walking and biking.
- Nassau Expressway Greenway – A bicycling highway with pretty city views.
- Valley Stream State Park — A serene park that provides areas for picnicking, playgrounds, and trails.
- Wave Hill Public Garden (Transfer required) – Beautiful gardens and cultural programming in the Bronx.
- Gateway National Recreation Area — Beaches, hiking, and history across Queens and Brooklyn.
- Delis, Cafes, Desserts in Hewlett and Woodmere – Casual, local cafés and bakeries.
- The Rockaway Hotel — Stylish beachside hotel with rooftop views
- Marine Park Golf Course — A lovely golf course reachable through transit connections.
- Brooklyn Museum (via Jamaica transfer) — Art, culture, and events around Prospect Park.
- JFK Airport – LIRR and AirTrain connections available for international travelers
- Queens Botanical Garden — This lush escape in Flushing is perfect for families and plant lovers.
Train Schedule
Weekday Eastbound Train Schedule:
| Train # | Departure Station | Departure Time | Arrival Station | Arrival Time | Stops | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 401 | Penn Station | 06:12 | Far Rockaway | 07:15 | Jamaica, Locust Manor, etc. | Local |
| 405 | Atlantic Terminal | 07:05 | Far Rockaway | 08:10 | Nostrand Ave, Jamaica, etc. | Local |
| 409 | Penn Station | 08:22 | Far Rockaway | 09:25 | Forest Hills, Rosedale, etc. | Semi-Express |
| 413 | Penn Station | 10:03 | Far Rockaway | 11:05 | Kew Gardens, Valley Stream | Local |
| 417 | Atlantic Terminal | 12:45 | Far Rockaway | 13:47 | East NY, Laurelton, Inwood | Local |
| 421 | Penn Station | 14:16 | Far Rockaway | 15:20 | All Stops | Local |
| 425 | Penn Station | 16:38 | Far Rockaway | 17:43 | Express to Jamaica, then local | Express-Local |
| 429 | Penn Station | 18:11 | Far Rockaway | 19:17 | Select stops only | Semi-Express |
| 433 | Atlantic Terminal | 20:00 | Far Rockaway | 21:02 | All Stops | Local |
| 437 | Penn Station | 22:20 | Far Rockaway | 23:23 | Jamaica, Cedarhurst, others | Local |
Weekday Westbound Train Schedule:
| Train # | Departure Station | Departure Time | Arrival Station | Arrival Time | Stops | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 502 | Far Rockaway | 05:32 | Penn Station | 06:35 | Local stops, Jamaica | Semi-Express |
| 506 | Far Rockaway | 06:10 | Atlantic Terminal | 07:12 | Inwood, Laurelton, Nostrand | Local |
| 510 | Far Rockaway | 07:00 | Penn Station | 08:05 | Express after Jamaica | Express |
| 514 | Far Rockaway | 07:48 | Penn Station | 08:50 | All stops | Local |
| 518 | Far Rockaway | 09:15 | Atlantic Terminal | 10:17 | Rosedale, Forest Hills, etc. | Local |
| 522 | Far Rockaway | 11:05 | Penn Station | 12:08 | Most stops | Semi-Express |
| 526 | Far Rockaway | 13:22 | Penn Station | 14:25 | All stops | Local |
| 530 | Far Rockaway | 15:45 | Atlantic Terminal | 16:48 | Valley Stream, East NY | Local |
| 534 | Far Rockaway | 18:00 | Penn Station | 19:02 | Laurelton, Jamaica, others | Semi-Express |
| 538 | Far Rockaway | 20:15 | Penn Station | 21:18 | Select stops only | Semi-Express |
Weekend Schedule (Both Directions):
| Train # | Direction | Departure Station | Departure Time | Arrival Station | Arrival Time | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7001 | Westbound | Far Rockaway | 06:15 | Atlantic Terminal | 07:18 | Local |
| 7002 | Eastbound | Atlantic Terminal | 07:30 | Far Rockaway | 08:33 | Local |
| 7003 | Westbound | Far Rockaway | 09:00 | Penn Station | 10:05 | Semi-Express |
| 7004 | Eastbound | Penn Station | 10:20 | Far Rockaway | 11:23 | Semi-Express |
| 7005 | Westbound | Far Rockaway | 12:00 | Penn Station | 13:04 | Local |
| 7006 | Eastbound | Penn Station | 13:15 | Far Rockaway | 14:18 | Local |
| 7007 | Westbound | Far Rockaway | 15:30 | Atlantic Terminal | 16:35 | Local |
| 7008 | Eastbound | Atlantic Terminal | 16:45 | Far Rockaway | 17:48 | Local |
| 7009 | Westbound | Far Rockaway | 18:10 | Penn Station | 19:14 | Semi-Express |
| 7010 | Eastbound | Penn Station | 19:30 | Far Rockaway | 20:33 | Semi-Express |
| 7011 | Westbound | Far Rockaway | 21:00 | Atlantic Terminal | 22:03 | Local |
| 7012 | Eastbound | Atlantic Terminal | 22:15 | Far Rockaway | 23:18 | Local |
Additional tips:
- Arrive Early: Trains can be less frequent on the weekend — arrive 10–15 minutes ahead of time so you don’t miss your train.
- That means using the LIRR App: You can get real-time updates, buy tickets, and see schedules without hassle.
- Exchange Admirably: If you’re going to Penn Station, seek exchanges in Jamaica.
- Bring Less: End of the week trains might not be as incredible, so pack light for a much better encounter.
- Check Off-Peak Passage: End-of-the-week trips ordinarily qualify for off-peak fares, so you’ll save.