mta 6 train stops

Why Do New Yorkers Whisper “Downtown 6” Like It’s a Secret Society?

Ever stood on a Lexington Avenue platform, earbuds half-in, half-out, overhearing someone mutter, *“Just hop the downtown 6—it’s slower than my Wi-Fi but steadier than my therapist appointments”*? Yeah—us too. The mta 6 train stops aren’t just dots on a map; they’re lifelines, landmarks, and late-night confidants rolled into one green stripe. Think of the mta 6 train stops like your favorite diner: kinda worn, always open, knows your order by heart (egg & cheese, hold the existential dread), and miraculously never *fully* runs out of coffee—even at 2 a.m. in The Bronx.


How Many mta 6 train stops Are We Talking? Let’s Bust Out the Countin’ Beans

Alright, math time—but don’t panic. The full local mta 6 train stops run stretches from *Pelham Bay Park* in The Bronx down to *Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall* in Lower Manhattan. That’s **34 stations**—yep, *thirty-four*—each one with its own vibe, bodega, and resident pigeon council. Compare that to the 5 train (express), which skips nearly half: only **24 stops**. So while the 5’s out here playing “fast & furious,” the mta 6 train stops are the chill best friend who double-checks your keys *and* your life choices before you leave the house.


What’s the Real Difference Between the 5 and 6 Train in NYC? (Spoiler: It’s Not Just the Color of Your MetroCard)

Let’s settle this over a dollar slice: the 4, 5, and 6 all share the Lexington Avenue Line—but their personalities? *Wildly* different. The 5’s the express—skips locals like it’s avoiding small talk at a family BBQ. The 4? Also express, but runs 24/7 (even when the city’s pretending to sleep). The 6? Pure local gold: stops *everywhere*, sings lullabies to sleepy commuters, and—yes—mta 6 train stops include gems like *96th St* (hello, Central Park West access) and *28th St* (perfume district + existential dread combo pack). Fun fact: during rush hour, the 6 train even runs *express* between *East 138th St* and *3rd Ave–138th St* in The Bronx—but shhh, that’s a local secret.


Does the 6 Train Stop at Grand Central? (Or Did Google Maps Gaslight Us *Again*?)

Heck yes—and not just *at* it, *under* it. The mta 6 train stops include **Grand Central–42nd Street**, smack-dab beneath the celestial ceiling and overpriced oyster bar. Both uptown and downtown platforms are there—upper level for northbound, lower for southbound. Pro tip? If you see a rush of suits sprinting *past* the Oyster Bar with MetroCards in hand? Yep—that’s the mta 6 train stops crew, clockin’ in or out like NYC’s most punctual army. Miss the stop? Don’t sweat it. The next 6’ll be along in ~4 minutes. (Unless it’s raining. Then… pack snacks.)


Which Stops Are the *Most* Iconic on the mta 6 train stops? A Love Letter to Neighborhoods

Some mta 6 train stops aren’t just transit points—they’re cultural waypoints. Here’s our top 5 (unofficial, highly biased, 100% true):

  • 51st St – Midtown’s secret backdoor (hello, theater district *without* the sidewalk hawkers).
  • 23rd St – Flatiron’s stoop. Spot the building, grab a Shake Shack, question your life.
  • 14th St–Union Square – Farmers' market, protest chants, and that one guy who yells about pigeons. All before 9 a.m.
  • 77th St – Upper East Side’s quiet elegance. Doormen nod. You nod back. It’s a whole thing.
  • 110th St – Cathedral Parkway. Where Columbia students, churchgoers, and joggers coexist in fragile, caffeinated harmony.
And yes—every single one of these is an official, documented mta 6 train stops. No myths. No urban legends. Just pure, uncut NYC.

mta 6 train stops

Does the 6 Train Stop at 86th? (Yes—And It’s Got Drama, Honey.)

Oh, 86th St? Honey, it’s not just a stop—it’s a *vibe*. The mta 6 train stops there on the Upper East Side, right where Madison meets Park and people argue about which is the *real* Zabar’s. Uptown-bound 6s stop at the *northbound* platform; downtown? Southbound. And here’s the kicker: during rush hour, some 6 trains terminate here—so if you’re headin’ further north (we see you, Pelham Bay dreamers), double-check that digital marquee. Saw a train say “86 St” and keep goin’? Congrats—you just rode the express ghost. (It happens. We’ve got screenshots.)


What Time Does the 6 Train Run? Midnight Rides, Early Birds, and That One Train That’s Always Late

Good news: the mta 6 train stops serve riders **24/7**—though service *does* shift after midnight. Between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., the full-length 6 (Pelham Bay to Brooklyn Bridge) still runs—but less frequently (~every 12–20 mins). And weekends? Expect delays. Not *“my Uber’s 47 mins away”* delays—*“the signal’s contemplatin’ the meaning of life”* delays. Still, for $2.90 (as of 2025), you’re gettin’ a steel chariot, AC that *sometimes* works, and free improv theater. Can’t beat that with a MetroCard.


Is There an Express 6 Train in NYC? Let’s Clear Up the Urban Myth (Again)

Here’s the truth, served hot: **No**—there is *no* full-time express 6 train. The 6 is local *by design*. But—*and this is a big Bronx-bred but*—during weekday rush hours (6:30–9:30 a.m. & 4–8 p.m.), the MTA runs the **<6>** (that’s *6 in a diamond*), which *is* express between *East 138th St* and *3rd Ave–138th St*. That’s it. One segment. Two stops skipped. The rest? Pure, unfiltered local love. So if someone says, “Take the express 6,” smile, nod, and gently whisper: *“Bless your heart.”*


Accessibility Check: Can Wheelchair Users Navigate the mta 6 train stops Smoothly?

We’re not gonna sugarcoat it: the mta 6 train stops are a mixed bag for accessibility—but progress *is* happenin’. As of late 2025, the following stations on the 6 line have full ADA access:

StationADA Status
Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall✅ Fully accessible
14th St–Union Square✅ Fully accessible
51st St✅ Elevators + ramps
59th St✅ With transfer to N/Q/R
Pelham Bay Park✅ New 2024 upgrade
The rest? Work in progress. But remember: every accessible mta 6 train stops means one more New Yorker rollin’ in on their own terms—and that’s worth every grant, every ramp, every delayed elevator repair.


Where Else Can You Dive Deeper Into the mta 6 train stops Universe? (We Got You.)

If this deep-dive into the mta 6 train stops left you thirstin’ for more subway poetry—or you just wanna fact-check whether the 6 *really* smells like old bagels and hope (it does)—we got your back. Swing by the mothership at Subway Life, where transit nerds unite and no question’s too niche. Explore our full catalog of rolling revelations over in Transit, or geek out on Grand Central’s full subway web in Grand Central Subway Lines Simplify Travel. Trust us—once you start readin’ about platform edge doors and signal upgrades, there’s no goin’ back. (And honestly? We wouldn’t want you to.)


Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 6 train stop at Grand Central Station?

Yes—the mta 6 train stops include **Grand Central–42nd Street**, located directly beneath Grand Central Terminal. Both uptown and downtown 6 trains serve this station, making it one of the busiest and most convenient transfers in the system. Just follow signs for “Subway” (not Metro-North!) and you’ll hit the green line in under 90 seconds.

Does 6 train stop at 86?

Absolutely—the mta 6 train stops at **86th Street** on the Upper East Side. It’s a full-service local stop, with both northbound and southbound platforms. Note: some rush-hour 6 trains terminate here, so double-check the destination sign before boardin’—unless you *want* to walk back from 86th in heels. (We don’t recommend it.)

What is the difference between the 5 and 6 train in NYC?

The key difference? Express vs. Local. The 5 is an express train—skipping stops like 28th, 33rd, and 59th St—while the 6 is a full local, hitting *every* mta 6 train stops along Lexington Ave. The 5 also doesn’t run 24/7 (no overnight service), whereas the 6 does. Same tracks, same color (green), wildly different energy—like twins where one meditates and the other runs a food truck.

Which 6 train is Express NYC?

Trick question! There’s no *full* express 6 train. But during weekday rush hours, the MTA runs the **<6>** (6 in a diamond), which operates *express* between *East 138th St* and *3rd Ave–138th St* in The Bronx—skipping just one stop. Outside that tiny window? The mta 6 train stops are 100% local, 100% reliable, and 100% *not* in a hurry. And honestly? We kinda love it that way.


References

  • https://new.mta.info/schedules/subway/6
  • https://www.nyc.gov/site/mome/industry/se/transportation.page
  • https://www.transitcenter.org/reports/ada-access-nyc-subway-2024
  • https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2023/05/nyc-subway-local-express-guide/681244/