Central Nassau branch for Hempstead and Garden City riders heading into Manhattan and Jamaica.
No major alerts Updated
Typical Trip38 minPenn Station to Hempstead
Peak Fare$12.25Off-peak $8.75
Primary AreaNassau CountyHempstead, Garden City, Mineola
Active Hempstead Branch Alerts
minor
No Hempstead Branch trains between Manhattan and Floral Park [2]
Trains run between Floral Park and Hempstead only. Transfer at Floral Park for Huntington or Ronkonkoma Branch trains to and from Manhattan.
For Hollis and Queens Village :
Hourly westbound service will be available on Huntington trains.
MTA buses will accept LIRR tickets for eastbound travel from Jamaica.
For Elmont-UBS Arena :
Westbound service will be available on Huntington and Ronkonkoma trains.
NICE Bus will accept LIRR tickets for eastbound travel from Jamaica
Bellerose station is closed. NICE Bus will accept LIRR tickets on the nearby n24.
This service change will occur on most weekends through late August as we replace and install switches near Elmont-UBS Arena.
Active: Jul 11 - 13, and Jul 18 - 20, Sat 12:15 AM to Mon 3:30 AM
minor
Eastbound trains skip Hollis, Queens Village, and Elmont-UBS Arena [10, 2, 4]
MTA buses will accept LIRR tickets for travel from Jamaica to Hollis and Queens Village. View a map of your route options.
NICE buses will accept LIRR tickets for travel from Jamaica to Elmont-UBS Arena.
Follow this link for information about transferring at the Jamaica Bus Terminal.
Concert attendees traveling to and from UBS Arena may also take a westbound train via transfer at Jamaica or Mineola at no additional charge. This option will not appear in the TrainTime app.
This service change will occur on most weekends through late August as we replace and install switches near Elmont-UBS Arena.
Active: Jul 11 - 13, and Jul 18 - 20, Sat 12:15 AM to Mon 4 AM
Planned & Upcoming
Advisories about planned or possible future disruptions (incl. strike contingencies). Service is not affected by these right now.
Upcoming
LIRR train service may be suspended by 12am Saturday because of a possible strike. If you're traveling Friday night, complete your trip before midnight. [10, 12, 13, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]
Find out more about travel if the strike happens here: https://www.mta.info/lirrstrike
Active: Evening, May 15
Upcoming
Westbound trains skip Elmont-UBS Arena, Queens Village, and Hollis [2]
MTA buses will accept LIRR tickets for travel from Queens Village and Hollis to Jamaica. View a map of your route options.
Elmont-UBS Arena riders should use Bellerose station instead.
Follow this link for information about transferring at the Jamaica Bus Terminal.
What's happening?
Accessibility improvements
Active: Jul 13 - 17 and Jul 20 - 24, Mon to Fri, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (except Jul 14)
Upcoming
Westbound trains skip Elmont-UBS Arena, Queens Village, and Hollis [2]
MTA buses will accept LIRR tickets for travel from Queens Village and Hollis to Jamaica. View a map of your route options.
Elmont-UBS Arena riders should use Bellerose station instead.
Follow this link for information about transferring at the Jamaica Bus Terminal.
What's happening?
Accessibility improvements
Active: Jul 6 - 10, Jul 13 - 17, and Jul 20 - 24, Mon to Fri, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Upcoming
LIRR train service may shut down by 12am Saturday because of a possible strike. If you're traveling Friday night, complete your trip before midnight. [10, 12, 13, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]
Find out more about travel if the strike happens here: https://www.mta.info/lirrstrike
Active: Evening, May 15
Hempstead Branch Stations
Key stops on the Hempstead Branch, running Penn Station to Hempstead (38 min, terminating at Hempstead):
Jamaica
Queens Village
Floral Park
Garden City
Nassau Boulevard
Country Life Press
Hempstead
Hempstead Branch Commuter Guide
The Hempstead Branch serves Hempstead, Garden City, Mineola, West Hempstead and nearby Long Island communities.
When train service is delayed or suspended, commuters often compare the LIRR against the parallel roads.
These are the Hempstead Branch driving alternatives with live conditions on Long Island Traffic:
Yes, for now — but a strike has been flagged as possible. MTA states: "LIRR train service may be suspended by 12am Saturday because of a possible strike. If you're traveling Friday night, complete your trip before midnight. [10, 12, 13, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9] Find out more about travel if the strike happens here: https://www.mta.info/lirrstrike Active: Evening, May 15". Complete essential travel before any deadline and have a driving backup ready.
Are there Hempstead Branch delays today?
No major Hempstead Branch delays are listed in the latest MTA service feed (updated Jul 13, 2:34 AM). Service conditions change quickly — confirm your specific train in the MTA TrainTime app before leaving.
What is the Hempstead Branch LIRR status right now?
The Hempstead Branch is operating without major reported alerts as of Jul 13, 2:34 AM. This page reads directly from the MTA GTFS-realtime service feed.
How long is the Hempstead Branch trip to Manhattan?
A typical Hempstead Branch trip (Penn Station to Hempstead) runs about 38 min. Peak fare is $12.25 one-way; off-peak is $8.75. Actual times vary by departure, transfer at Jamaica, and whether your train is a direct Penn Station or Grand Central run.
What are the main Hempstead Branch stations?
Key Hempstead Branch stops include Jamaica, Queens Village, Floral Park, Garden City, Nassau Boulevard, Country Life Press, Hempstead. The branch terminates at Hempstead.
What roads can I drive instead of the Hempstead Branch?
When the Hempstead Branch is delayed or suspended, Hempstead Branch commuters most often drive Hempstead Turnpike, Meadowbrook Parkway, Southern State Parkway — though each carries its own rush-hour congestion. Check live road conditions before switching from rail to car.