Atlantic Ave - Barclays Center

Atlantic Avenue - Barclays Center is Brooklyn's most important transit hub, where nine subway lines converge at a single complex - more than anywhere in the borough and second only to Times Square in the entire system. The station takes its second name from the 18,000-seat arena that sits directly above it: Barclays Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets NBA team and one of New York's busiest concert and events venues. For anyone using public transit to reach Brooklyn, this station is almost certainly where you will change trains.

The surrounding neighbourhood has undergone significant change in the past 15 years, but the streets around Atlantic Avenue and Flatbush Avenue still have real character. Park Slope to the west, Boerum Hill to the northwest and Fort Greene to the north are three of Brooklyn's most distinctive residential neighbourhoods, each with excellent independent restaurants, cafes and brownstone architecture. The Brooklyn Academy of Music - one of America's oldest and most innovative performing arts institutions - is a 10-minute walk away.

Station Overview

Atlantic Avenue - Barclays Center sits in Zone 2 and first opened in 1908. Nine subway lines serve the complex: the 2, 3, 4, 5, B, D, N, Q and R. The station is fully accessible. Facilities include toilets, ATMs, Wi-Fi, shops, cafes and staffed information points.

Lines and Connectivity

The 2, 3, 4 and 5 trains run north to Manhattan - the 4 and 5 express trains reach Fulton Street in about 5 minutes and Grand Central in about 10. The N, Q and R trains head into Midtown via the Manhattan Bridge and 4th Avenue. The B and D trains run to the Sixth Avenue line and Rockefeller Center. The Long Island Rail Road also connects at Atlantic Terminal (the LIRR station adjacent to the subway complex), providing commuter services to Nassau County and Suffolk County, Long Island.

Station Layout and Facilities

The station complex is large and multi-level, with the various line platforms spread across different sections. The LIRR Atlantic Terminal connects via a concourse above the subway mezzanine. Barclays Center is directly above - on event nights, the station can become very crowded immediately after shows end. Plan for this if attending a concert or game. Throughout the complex, ATMs, toilets, food outlets and Wi-Fi are all available.

Travel Tips

• On Barclays Center event nights (check the arena schedule before travelling), the station after a show can be extremely crowded. Waiting 20 to 30 minutes after the event ends in a nearby bar or cafe makes the journey far more comfortable.
• Park Slope, one of Brooklyn's most popular neighbourhoods, is an easy 10-minute walk west along Atlantic Avenue or 5th Avenue. Excellent weekend brunch options throughout the area.
• The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) on Lafayette Avenue presents world-class theatre, opera, film and dance - often with a more adventurous programme than equivalent Manhattan venues, and at lower prices.
• Smorgasburg, Brooklyn's famous outdoor food market, runs on Saturdays at Prospect Park (about 20 minutes on foot south) from late March through November.

Nearby Attractions

Barclays Center - directly above. The 18,000-seat arena hosts Brooklyn Nets basketball (October to April), major concerts, boxing and other events throughout the year. Book tickets via the Barclays Center website.

Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) - 10 minutes on foot. One of America's oldest performing arts institutions, with three performance venues and a cinema complex. Cutting-edge international theatre, dance and opera.

Park Slope - 10 minutes on foot west. One of Brooklyn's most celebrated residential neighbourhoods, with excellent restaurants and cafes along 5th and 7th Avenues and some of Brooklyn's finest brownstone architecture.

Fort Greene Park - 10 minutes on foot north. A beautiful neighborhood park in one of Brooklyn's most architecturally significant historic districts, surrounded by brownstone townhouses from the 1870s to 1900s.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

Most lines at Atlantic Avenue - Barclays Center run 24 hours. The station is busiest during Barclays Center events, morning and evening rush hours, and weekend afternoons. The 4 and 5 express trains give the fastest connection to Midtown Manhattan. For weekend leisure travel, the N and Q trains offer a scenic ride across the Manhattan Bridge with skyline views.