Complete Guide to NYC Subway F Line Stops

Navigating the New York City subway system can feel overwhelming, especially when you are traveling across multiple boroughs. If your daily commute or weekend adventure relies on the IND Sixth Avenue Line, understanding the exact F line stops is essential for getting to your destination without getting turned around. Operating as one of the longest and most heavily utilized routes in the MTA network, the F train connects Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn into a single continuous ride.

Whether you are a seasoned New Yorker brushing up on your route knowledge or a visitor trying to figure out how to get from Midtown to Coney Island, this complete guide breaks down everything you need to know about the F train, its terminals, major transfer hubs, and station layouts.

Overview of the F Train Route

The F train is designated by an orange bullet on subway maps and station signs. It runs local in Queens, express or local in parts of Manhattan depending on the time of day, and mostly local in Brooklyn, before wrapping up its journey at the southernmost tip of the borough. Because it spans three massive boroughs, it serves a wide variety of residential neighborhoods, commercial hubs, and cultural destinations.

As of recent MTA updates, the F train also includes the Rutgers Street Tunnel rehabilitation improvements and benefits from modern signaling updates in certain corridors, making it a vital artery for cross-town and cross-borough transit.

Complete List of F Line Stops by Borough

To help you plan your trip, here is the chronological breakdown of all F line stops running from the northeastern terminus in Queens all the way down to Brooklyn.

Queens Stops (Jamaica to Long Island City)

The F train begins its journey deep in Queens, serving densely populated residential neighborhoods before heading under the East River into Manhattan.

• Jamaica–174th Street (Terminal)
• 169th Street
• Parsons Boulevard
• Jamaica Center–Parsons/Archer (Limited service / select times)
• Sutphin Boulevard
• Briarwood
• Kew Gardens–Union Turnpike
• Austin Street / 75th Avenue
• Forest Hills–71st Avenue
• 67th Avenue
• 63rd Drive–Rego Park
• Woodhaven Boulevard
• Grand Avenue–Newtown
• Elmhurst Avenue
• Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Avenue
• 74th Street–Broadway
• 65th Street
• Northern Boulevard
• 46th Street
• 36th Street
• Queens Plaza
• 21st Street–Queensbridge

Manhattan Stops (Roosevelt Island to Lower East Side)

After crossing the East River, the F train dips underground to serve Roosevelt Island before running straight down Sixth Avenue through the heart of Manhattan.

• Roosevelt Island
• Lexington Avenue–63rd Street
• 57th Street
• 47th–50th Streets–Rockefeller Center
• 42nd Street–Bryant Park
• 34th Street–Herald Square
• 23rd Street
• 14th Street
• West Fourth Street–Washington Square
• Broadway–Lafayette Street
• Second Avenue
• Delancey Street–Essex Street
• East Broadway

Brooklyn Stops (DUMBO to Coney Island)

Entering Brooklyn via the Rutgers Street Tunnel, the F line travels through downtown Brooklyn, Park Slope, and eventually terminates at Coney Island.

• York Street
• Jay Street–MetroTech
• Borough Hall
• Carroll Street
• Smith–9th Streets
• Fourth Avenue–9th Street
• Seventh Avenue
• Fifteenth Street–Prospect Park
• Fort Hamilton Parkway
• Church Avenue
• Ditmas Avenue
• 18th Avenue
• Avenue I
• Bay Parkway
• Avenue N
• Avenue P
• Kings Highway
• Avenue U
• Avenue X
• Neptune Avenue
• West Eighth Street–New York Aquarium
• Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue (Terminal)

Major Transfer Hubs Along the Route

Because the F train intersects with almost every major trunk line in the NYC subway system, it offers convenient transfer options. If you need to switch lines, look out for these key stations:

• Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Avenue: Connects to the E, M, R, and 7 trains.
• Lexington Avenue–63rd Street: Connects to the Q train and nearby Lexington Avenue–59th Street complex (4, 5, 6, N, R, W).
• 34th Street–Herald Square: A massive transit hub offering transfers to the B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, and W trains, as well as the PATH train.
• West Fourth Street–Washington Square: Connects the Sixth Avenue line with the Eighth Avenue line (A, C, E trains).
• Jay Street–MetroTech: Connects to the A, C, and R trains in downtown Brooklyn.

Tips for Riding the F Train

Keep these practical strategies in mind to ensure a smooth commute:

1. Check for Express vs. Local Changes: During peak rush hours, select F trains run express in certain sections of Queens or Brooklyn. Always check platform digital signs or the MTA app before boarding.
2. Weekend Service Changes: Due to ongoing MTA track maintenance, weekend schedules frequently reroute the F train via the E line in Queens or the M line in Brooklyn. Give yourself extra travel time on Saturdays and Sundays.
3. Accessibility: While many stations along the line have been upgraded with elevators, older subterranean stations may still require navigating stairs. Check the MTA accessible station map if you are traveling with luggage, a stroller, or mobility aids.

By keeping this list of F line stops and transfer points handy, you can navigate New York City's complex subterranean transit grid with confidence and ease.