Like other New Yorkers, you’re likely utilizing the city’s public transportation on a daily basis to get around New York City. One of these options includes the subway system, which runs through the different parts of the city, from the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, to Brooklyn. Folks who need to commute daily to work will often choose to live in a neighborhood that has an NYC subway stop that directly connects to work. During the last few months, we spent time going over the various train routes and neighborhoods along those particular subway lines and covered the N train route in our last article. Today, we’re moving on to the yellow local and express Q train train route. We’ll go over each of the subway stations the Q train stops at and discuss the best neighborhoods to live in on its route. 

Q train stops NYC

There are a total of 9 stops in Manhattan and 20 stops in Brooklyn for the Q train route. This route starts off in the Upper East side and works its way downwards until 72 St stop when it starts veering westward. The train keeps going until 57th-7 Av stop then makes its way southward until Canal Street. From there, the Q train leaves Manhattan and enters Brooklyn at the DeKalb station. The route continues southeast ward until its terminal station at Coney Island-Stillwell Av stop. 

In order from Manhattan to Brooklyn is a list of stops that the Q train stops at. We’ve specifically pointed out stops that service both the local and express Q train. For your convenience, we’ve also marked the stops that are ADA accessible.

Manhattan stops:

• 96 St (ADA accessible) (Local)
• 86 St (ADA accessible) (Local)
• 72 St (ADA accessible) (Local)
• Lexington Av/63 St (ADA accessible) (Local) – also services 4, 5, 6, M, N, R, W route
• 57 St-7 Av (ADA accessible) (Local and Express) – also services N, R, W route
• Times Sq-42 St (ADA accessible) (Local and Express) – also services A, C, E, N, R, W, S, 1, 2, 3, 7 route
• 34 St-Herald Sq (ADA accessible) (Local and Express) – also services B, D, F, M, N, R, W route
• 14 St-Union Sq (ADA accessible) (Local and Express) – also services L, N, R, W, Z, 6 route
• Canal St (Local and Express) – also services J, N, R, W, Z, 6 route

Brooklyn stops:

• DeKalb Av (ADA accessible) (Local and Express) – also services B, R route
• Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr (ADA accessible) (Local and Express) – also services B, D, N, R, 2, 3, 4, 5 route
• 7 Av (Local and Express) – also services B route
• Prospect Park (ADA accessible) (Local and Express) – also services B, S route
• Parkside Av (Local)
• Church Av (ADA accessible) (Local and Express) – also services B route
• Beverly Rd (Local)
• Cortelyou Rd (Local)
• Newkirk Plaza (Local and Express) – also services B route
• Avenue H (ADA accessible) (Local)
• Avenue J (Local)
• Avenue M (Local)
• Kings Hwy (ADA accessible) (Local and Express) – also services B route
• Avenue U (Local)
• Neck Rd (Local) 
• Sheepshead Bay (ADA accessible) (Local and Express) – also services B route
• Brighton Beach (Local and Express) – also services B route
• Ocean Pkwy (Local)
• W 8 St-NY Aquarium (Local) – also services F route
• Coney Island-Stillwell Av (ADA accessible) (Local and Express) – also services D, F, N route

You can also locate a Q train stops map in PDF format directly on the MTA’s site. Alternatively, you can read through a text format of the Q train stops map here. 

Best Manhattan neighborhoods along Q train stops

Upper East Side

The Q train starts right at the edge of the Upper East Side neighborhood on 96th Street and 2nd Avenue. It continues through the Upper East Side at the 86 St and 72 St stops. This large neighborhood is extremely popular with many New Yorkers given its easy access to Midtown and to the rest of Manhattan. Folks looking to commute on the Q train may want to live closer to the water as it primarily runs along 2nd Avenue. The neighborhood is filled with plenty of restaurants, bars, stores, and activities for folks looking to relax on their weeknights and weekends. Additionally, its close proximity to Central Park also makes it a great neighborhood for folks looking to take advantage of the great outdoors. 

Midtown West

Further down from the Upper East Side and closer to the west is the sub-neighborhood of Midtown West in Midtown Manhattan. The Q train runs through this area of Manhattan via the 57 St-7 Av, Times Sq-42 St, and 34 St-Herald Sq stations. Midtown West is currently made up of Hell’s Kitchen, Columbus Circle, Theater District, Times Square, Hudson Yards, and Garment District. These neighborhoods are heavily commercialized but still renters can find a plethora of great apartments to rent from various luxury apartment complexes, condos, and coops.

Best Brooklyn neighborhoods along Q train stops

Downtown Brooklyn

First top in Brooklyn, is the Dekalb station located in the neighborhood of Downtown Brooklyn. The station itself is located closer to the southern tip of the neighborhood, so commuters interested in living in this neighborhood may have to walk a few blocks north towards the water to get back home. However, this is an extremely walkable and convenient neighborhood with plenty of grocery stores such as Trader Joes, restaurants, and bars for folks to frequent. Additionally, it’s location right by the waterfront means beautiful city skyline views. Folks who need more outdoor space can easily access the multitude of parks both within the neighborhood and along the waterfront. Additionally, folks who work in lower Manhattan can easily commute over via subway or by biking/walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. 

Prospect Lefferts Gardens

As we head south, the Q train enters the neighborhood of Prospect Lefferts Gardens at the Prospect Park and Parkside Av stations. This neighborhood is located right by Prospect Park and is ever popular with folks who wanted easy access to one of the largest public parks in Brooklyn. Folks interested in living here will find plenty of townhouses, rowhouses, pre-war co-ops, and some larger apartment complexes to rent in. Flatbush Avenue and Norstrand Avenue are two of the streets in the neighborhood with more commercial businesses such as restaurants and shops.