50th Street

50th Street on the A, C and E trains sits on Eighth Avenue at the western edge of the Theater District, in the heart of Hell's Kitchen. This stretch of Eighth Avenue has one of the densest concentrations of restaurants in Manhattan, a legacy of the neighbourhood's role feeding pre-theatre diners for decades before curtain time.

Compared with its cross-town cousin on the 1 train a few blocks east, this station leans more toward Hell's Kitchen's residential streets and restaurant row than the theatre marquees themselves, though Broadway is still an easy walk away.

Station Overview

50th Street opened in 1932 on the IND Eighth Avenue Line and sits in Zone 1, in the Hell's Kitchen section of Midtown Manhattan. It is served by the A, C and E trains. The station is accessible, with facilities including toilets and passenger information.

Lines and Connectivity

The A and E trains run express through much of Manhattan, connecting to the airport via the E and out to Brooklyn and Queens via the A, while the C train runs local along the same corridor. All three link this stop quickly to both Midtown and Lower Manhattan.

Station Layout and Structure

50th Street is an underground station with island platforms beneath Eighth Avenue, built to handle the mix of express and local services on this line.

Accessibility

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

Travel Tips

• Eighth Avenue here has one of the highest concentrations of restaurants in Manhattan, ideal before a show.
• Broadway theatres are an easy walk east if you are heading to a performance.
• Check whether the A or E express would be faster than the local C for your destination.

Nearby Attractions

Hell's Kitchen restaurant row - directly around the station, one of the densest concentrations of dining in Manhattan.

Broadway Theater District - a short walk east, home to dozens of theatres.

Worldwide Plaza - nearby, a mixed-use complex with shops and offices.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

Trains at 50th Street run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with less frequent overnight service. The area is busiest in the early evening as pre-theatre diners fill the restaurants, and during weekday commuter rush hours.