36th Street

36th Street is a busy interchange beneath Queens Boulevard in Long Island City, where the E, F, M and R trains all converge. It is one of the key transfer points for commuters heading between Queens, Manhattan and Brooklyn, and its position close to the elevated 7 train and LIC's growing residential towers makes it a genuinely important local hub rather than just a through-station.

Long Island City has transformed over the past two decades from an industrial waterfront into one of the fastest-growing residential neighbourhoods in the city, and 36th Street sits at the edge of that change, still close to older warehouse blocks while new towers rise nearby.

Station Overview

36th Street opened in 1933 on the IND Queens Boulevard Line and sits in Zone 1, in the Long Island City section of Queens. It is served by the E, F, M and R trains. The station is accessible, with facilities including toilets and passenger information.

Lines and Connectivity

36th Street connects to Manhattan via the E and F trains, which run beneath Queens Boulevard into Midtown, while the M and R trains offer additional local connections. The station gives quick access to both the Sunnyside and Woodside areas of Queens and, via transfer, to the rest of the Queens Boulevard corridor.

Station Layout and Structure

36th Street is an underground station with island platforms beneath Queens Boulevard, laid out to handle express and local services on the same line. Clear signage helps distinguish which of the four services is arriving.

Accessibility

36th Street is an accessible station, with elevators providing step-free access between the street and the platforms. Tactile edges are in place throughout.

Travel Tips

• Check whether an E or F express further along would save time versus the local M or R.
• Long Island City's newer waterfront towers and older industrial blocks are both within a short ride or walk.
• This is a genuine local transfer hub, so expect steady traffic throughout the day, not just at rush hour.

Nearby Attractions

Long Island City - the surrounding neighbourhood, a fast-growing district of new residential towers and converted industrial buildings.

Queens Boulevard - the wide avenue above the station, a major commercial corridor through central Queens.

Sunnyside - a short ride away, a quieter residential neighbourhood with the historic Sunnyside Gardens community.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

Trains at 36th Street run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with less frequent overnight service roughly between midnight and 5am. Weekday rush hours bring the heaviest commuter traffic, as this is a key transfer point for Queens residents heading into Manhattan.