50th Street

50th Street sits on Broadway at the heart of the Theater District, on the original 1904 IRT line that first connected City Hall to the Upper West Side. Step out here and you are surrounded by marquees, with dozens of Broadway theatres within a short walk in every direction along the mid-40s and 50s cross streets.

This stretch of Broadway has been synonymous with live theatre for more than a century, and the station's tiled platforms have carried generations of theatregoers to evening and matinee performances. It is a convenient, if often crowded, way in and out of one of the most famous entertainment districts in the world.

Station Overview

50th Street opened in 1904 on the original IRT Broadway line and sits in Zone 1, in the Theater District section of Midtown Manhattan. It is served by the 1 train. The station is accessible, with facilities including toilets and passenger information.

Lines and Connectivity

The 1 train at 50th Street runs north through the Upper West Side toward Washington Heights and the Bronx, and south through Times Square, Chelsea and Lower Manhattan to South Ferry. It runs local throughout its route.

Station Layout and Structure

50th Street is an underground station with platforms beneath Broadway, in the original tiled IRT style, with entrances opening directly into the Theater District streets.

Accessibility

50th Street is an accessible station, with elevators providing step-free access between the street and the platforms.

Travel Tips

• Dozens of Broadway theatres are within a short walk in every direction from this stop.
• Expect heavy crowds around evening and matinee showtimes.
• The 1 train runs local, so check for an express further downtown if your destination is further south.

Nearby Attractions

Broadway Theater District - directly around the station, dozens of theatres clustered along Broadway and the side streets.

Times Square - a short walk south, the neon centre of Midtown.

Hell's Kitchen - just west, a neighbourhood known for its dense concentration of restaurants.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

The 1 train runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with less frequent overnight service. The station is busiest before and after Broadway performances and during weekday rush hours, while weekday mid-mornings are calmer.