14th St - Union Square

14th Street - Union Square is one of the most connected subway stations in New York, with eight lines converging at a single plaza that has served as the city's public square for over 150 years. Activists, farmers, skateboarders, chess players and office workers have all claimed a piece of this space at one point or another, and the energy of the square above reflects the variety of people the subway below brings together. It is a genuine crossroads - not just for transit, but for the life of the city.

The station links Lower Manhattan to Midtown and connects the east-west L train (the most direct route to Williamsburg and the Brooklyn creative neighbourhoods) with the north-south lines on 4th Avenue. The Union Square Greenmarket, one of the largest farmers markets in the city, takes over the northern half of the square on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Station Overview

14th Street - Union Square sits in Zone 1 and first opened in 1904. Eight lines serve the station: the 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R and W. The station is fully accessible with lifts at key entrances. Facilities include toilets, ATMs, shops and a staffed information booth.

Lines and Connectivity

The 4, 5 and 6 trains run north-south on the east side of Manhattan - the 4 and 5 are express trains that skip many local stops, making Union Square a fast option for reaching Grand Central (one stop north) or the Financial District heading south. The N, Q, R and W trains also travel north through Midtown and south toward Brooklyn, giving multiple routing options. The L train is arguably the most useful line here for visitors interested in Brooklyn: it runs directly east under 14th Street to Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, taking about 10 minutes.

Station Layout and Facilities

The station is entirely underground with multiple entrances around the perimeter of Union Square Park. The 4/5/6 platforms and the L platform are in different sections, but they are all connected by the underground mezzanine without needing to exit. The N/Q/R/W platforms sit beneath 4th Avenue. ATMs and toilets are accessible in the station. Free Wi-Fi is not consistently available at this station.

Travel Tips

• The Greenmarket (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday) occupies the north end of Union Square from early morning until around 6pm. Local farms from New York State and New Jersey sell produce, bread, cheese, flowers and prepared food.
• The Strand Bookstore on 12th Street - "18 miles of books," in business since 1927 - is a two-minute walk from the station. The basement has heavily discounted review copies and remainders.
• The L train to Williamsburg is the fastest route to Brooklyn's independent restaurant and bar scene. Bedford Avenue station is the first stop, taking about 10 minutes.
• If you are heading uptown on the 4 or 5 express, the train skips 23rd, 28th and 33rd Streets and goes directly to Grand Central at 42nd Street - useful when you are in a hurry.

Nearby Attractions

Union Square Park and Greenmarket - at street level. The park is a free public space that hosts the farmers market on most weekdays and Saturdays, political gatherings year-round and free summer events.

Strand Bookstore - 2 minutes on foot. One of the last great independent bookstores in New York, stocking new, used and rare books across four floors at 828 Broadway.

Flatiron Building - 10 minutes on foot north. The 1902 triangular skyscraper at the intersection of Broadway, 5th Avenue and 23rd Street is one of the most photographed buildings in the city and free to photograph from the outside.

Gramercy Park - 15 minutes on foot east. The only private park in Manhattan, surrounded by elegant 19th-century townhouses. Non-residents can enjoy the surrounding streets even without a key to the park itself.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

All eight lines run 24 hours a day. Union Square is consistently busy throughout the day, particularly on weekday mornings, greenmarket days and weekend afternoons. The L train can get very crowded on Friday and Saturday evenings heading toward Brooklyn - if you have a choice, try travelling before 9pm or after midnight to avoid the worst of the crowds.