A significant component within the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) network, the Hempstead Branch suits commuters making their way from Manhattan to Nassau County. Famous for its frequent service and accessibility, the Hempstead Department connects to major transportation hubs such as Jamaica Station, facilitating easy transfers to other LIRR lines and metro routes.
Key stations on the branch, such as Garden City and Country Life Press, are well-connected to work and leisure travel. For daily commuters or weekend explorers hitting the Long Island roads, the Hempstead Branch serves as an important railway for riders looking for a reliable and efficient transportation utility for convenient and comfortable passage to and from Greater New York.
Hempstead Branch Overview
Below is the branch overview.
Hempstead Branch stations
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Atlantic Terminal (Brooklyn)
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Nostrand Avenue
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East New York
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Jamaica
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Hollis
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Queens Village
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Bellerose
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Floral Park
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Stewart Manor
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Nassau Boulevard
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Garden City
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Country Life Press
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Hempstead
Here is the complete information on the Hempstead Branch Stations.
| Station Number | Station Name | Zone | ADA Accessible | Parking Available | Transfer Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlantic Terminal | 1 | Yes | Limited | Subway, Bus |
| 2 | Nostrand Avenue | 1 | Yes | No | Subway, Bus |
| 3 | East New York | 1 | Yes | No | Subway, Bus |
| 4 | Jamaica | 3 | Yes | Yes | Subway, AirTrain, Bus |
| 5 | Hollis | 3 | No | Limited | Bus |
| 6 | Queens Village | 4 | Yes | Yes | Bus |
| 7 | Bellerose | 4 | No | Limited | Bus |
| 8 | Floral Park | 4 | Yes | Yes | Bus |
| 9 | Stewart Manor | 4 | No | Limited | Bus |
| 10 | Nassau Boulevard | 4 | No | No | Bus |
| 11 | Garden City | 4 | Yes | Yes | Bus |
| 12 | Country Life Press | 4 | No | No | Bus |
| 13 | Hempstead | 4 | Yes | Yes | NICE Bus, Local Connections |
Key Highlights
- Atlantic Terminal Direct Access: Easy transfers from and to Long Island
- Central Hub at Jamaica Station: Main transfer point for the other LIRR branches, the AirTrain JFK, and the New York City subway.
- High-frequency services: Peak and off-peak trains available daily provide flexibility to commuters.
- Hidden in a maze of traffic: The routes in our district
- Residential & Commercial Zones: The route passes through Garden City & Floral Park.
- ADA Accessibility: Multiple stations are available for riders with limited mobility.
- Parking: Large parking lots are available at select stations, such as Hempstead and Queens Village.
- Refined Transfer Methods: Transfers to the buses and subways across the line at will.
- One to Know: Designed to relieve commuters from the suburbs and the city.
- Update Available In Real-Time: MTA TrainTime app or website
- Well-Connected Urban/Suburban Link: Provides connections between suburban Long Island and the transit infrastructure of New York City.
Transfers & Connections
Jamaica Station
- Connection to all main LIRR branches (Babylon, Ronkonkoma, Montauk, etc.)
- Access to the AirTrain JFK for airport transfers
- Transit connections: E, J, Z subways
Atlantic Terminal
- Direct subway access: 2, 3, 4, 5, B, D, N, Q, and R trains via nearby stations
- Brooklyn’s major transit hub
Queens Village Station
- Transfers to MTA bus lines: Q1, Q27, Q83
Nassau Boulevard Station
- Close to NICE Bus connections serving Nassau County
- Country Life Press & Garden City
- For local shuttles and bus lines: sort.
Hempstead Station (Terminal Station)
- Major NICE Bus hub
- Local bus routes that serve Nassau County communities
- Access to Hofstra University and nearby locations
Parking & Accessibility Facilities
Jamaica Station
- Private parking garages and local municipal lots
- Completely ADA compliant (elevators, ramps, etc.), tactile warning strips
Queens Village Station
- Street and lot parking available
- ADA accessible via platform ramps and elevators
Nassau Boulevard Station
- Cost-free and only pay; parking caused by no
- Accessibility can vary; provide a ramp if needed
Garden City Station
- Permit and metered parking lot access
- Partial ADA accessibility
Country Life Press Station
- P Permit-only parking, limited spaces
- Accessibility is limited; not all platforms meet ADA requirements
Hempstead Station
- Big parking lot with a permit and daily parking
- Fully ADA compliant, with elevators and ramps
Nearby Attractions:
- Hempstead Lake State Park — Ideal for hiking, picnics, and birdwatching, near West Hempstead and Lakeview.
- Hofstra University Museum of Art – This cultural gem is right by the Hempstead Station.
- Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum — Concerts, sports, and events are easily accessible from Hempstead.
- Eisenhower Park — A sprawling public park in the East Meadow area that includes golf, trails, and playgrounds.
- Roosevelt Field Mall — One of the largest shopping malls in NY, COUNTRY LIFE PRESS, and GARDEN CITY STATIONS.
- Cathedral of the Incarnation — Gorgeous Gothic Revival architecture in Garden City, a short walk from Nassau Boulevard.
- Long Island Children’s Museum — For interactive fun with the whole family, a short drive from multiple branch stations.
- Adelphi University Performing Arts Center — Near Nassau Boulevard, presenting music, theater, and dance.
- Mitchel Athletic Complex – Near Garden City and Nassau Blvd. sports fields and events
- Cradle of Aviation Museum — Aviation and space exhibits near the Garden City station area.
Train Schedule
Weekday Eastbound Train Schedule:
| Departure Station | Departure Time | Stops Include | Arrival at Hempstead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penn Station | 06:38 | Jamaica, Hollis, Queens Village, others | 07:33 |
| Penn Station | 07:21 | Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Nassau Blvd | 08:15 |
| Atlantic Terminal | 08:05 | Jamaica, Bellerose, Garden City | 08:56 |
| Penn Station | 09:10 | Limited stops (Express) | 09:55 |
| Atlantic Terminal | 11:15 | All local stops | 12:10 |
| Penn Station | 13:05 | Local (stops at most stations) | 14:00 |
| Atlantic Terminal | 15:10 | Jamaica, St. Albans, Country Life Press | 16:00 |
| Penn Station | 17:32 | Jamaica, Nassau Blvd, Garden City | 18:25 |
| Atlantic Terminal | 18:20 | Local service | 19:15 |
| Penn Station | 19:45 | Express with limited stops | 20:30 |
Weekday Westbound Train Schedule:
| Departure from Hempstead | Stops Include | Arrival at Penn Station | Arrival at Atlantic Terminal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05:32 | Garden City, Queens Village, Jamaica | 06:25 | 06:20 |
| 06:15 | Country Life Press, Bellerose, Jamaica | 07:08 | 07:03 |
| 07:02 | Local stops including Hollis, St. Albans | 07:55 | 07:50 |
| 07:45 | Express – limited stops | 08:30 | 08:25 |
| 09:00 | Garden City, Nassau Blvd, Jamaica | 09:52 | 09:47 |
| 11:10 | Local train with all stops | 12:05 | 12:00 |
| 13:05 | Country Life Press, Hollis, Jamaica | 13:58 | 13:53 |
| 15:00 | Express – few stops | 15:50 | 15:45 |
| 17:20 | All local stops | 18:15 | 18:10 |
| 19:30 | Bellerose, Queens Village, Jamaica | 20:25 | 20:20 |
Weekend Schedule (Both Directions):
| Direction | Departure Station | Departure Time | Stops Include | Arrival Station | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastbound | Penn Station | 07:14 | Jamaica, Queens Village, Garden City | Hempstead | 08:05 |
| Westbound | Hempstead | 08:30 | Garden City, Jamaica, Atlantic Terminal | Penn Station | 09:25 |
| Eastbound | Atlantic Terminal | 10:20 | Jamaica, Bellerose, Country Life Press | Hempstead | 11:15 |
| Westbound | Hempstead | 12:00 | Nassau Blvd, Hollis, Queens Village | Atlantic Terminal | 12:55 |
| Eastbound | Penn Station | 14:10 | Express via Jamaica, few local stops | Hempstead | 15:00 |
| Westbound | Hempstead | 16:25 | Bellerose, Jamaica, Penn Station | Atlantic Terminal | 17:15 |
| Eastbound | Atlantic Terminal | 18:30 | All local stops | Hempstead | 19:25 |
| Westbound | Hempstead | 20:10 | Garden City, Jamaica | Penn Station | 21:05 |
| Eastbound | Penn Station | 21:45 | Jamaica, Hollis, Garden City | Hempstead | 22:40 |
| Westbound | Hempstead | 23:20 | Country Life Press, Jamaica, Atlantic Term | Penn Station | 00:15 |
Additional tips:
- Get to your station early — especially if you’re taking a popular mid-morning train.
- Review real-time updates through the MTA TrainTime app before you go.
- Saturday & Sunday: Off-peak fares—SAVE MORE on your travels!
- Pack headphones or books — travel times are longer on local trains.
- Brooklyn: Use Jamaica Station for connections to LIRR lines.
- Many stations have park-and-ride facilities.
- Try not to catch the last train/evening train if you also want to prevent delays.
- For convenience, there are bike racks at some stations.
- Hempstead, Nassau Blvd & Garden City Stations (ADA compliance info)- ADA-compliant stations.
- If they’re at Atlantic Terminal, travelers can walk around Downtown Brooklyn while they wait.