6 Train NYC Route Map & Stations

 6 Train NYC - The Bronx is where the MTA has been engaged in significant infrastructure projects, such as replacing signals and switches on sections of which are still in use by the 4 and 5 lines. This has resulted in a marked increase in the number of changes to trains that run into Manhattan during the weeknight traveling or weekend hours, with some services running express through parts of the Bronx, or bypassing stops like Buhre Av, Middletown Rd, and Castle Hill Av during specific times.

Second, the city's final phase of replacing MetroCards with the OMNY tap-to-pay system is underway. Although MetroCards are still valid, those who use them should consider changing their ways soon, as vending machines and balance transfers will be reduced at stations.

Third, fares have risen a bit in the wake of MTA's more sweeping 2026 fare increase, so check the current base fare before planning your travel expenses, particularly if you are travelling with family or friends.

6 Train Route Map: Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall to Pelham Bay Park

The 6 train travels on the East Side of Manhattan through the Lexington Avenue line and then crosses into the Bronx for both local and express service. The track in overview:

It starts downtown at Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall, heads north through Union Square, Midtown East, and the Upper East Side,e and then crosses the Harlem River into the South Bronx. It goes on from that point through Mott Haven, then Hunts Point, Parkchester, and Westchester Square, ending at Pelham Bay Park on the eastern edge of the borough.

There are 2 services on this line. The 6 local stops at each station on the entire line. The 6 express (denoted with a diamond on the maps and at stations) services certain stops during the peak commuting hours in the Bronx, saving time for those commuting between Manhattan and the northern Bronx.

Complete List of 6 Train Stations (Local Stops, North to South)

Here is the full list of 6 train stations, running from Pelham Bay Park down to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall:

There are also some stations above which are not served by all trains at all times, especially those in the Bronx that are impacted by the train express pattern or construction project activity, so fellow travelers, please be sure to confirm service alerts if you're heading to one of the smaller Bronx stops during rush hour.

6 Express vs 6 Local: How to Tell Them Apart and When Each Runs

One of the most frequent areas of confusion for new riders and tourists is this, so let's break it down clearly.

The 6 local train runs all day, every day, stopping at all stations on the route. It's marked with a plain green circle and the number 6 on platform signage and train cars.The 

6 express train is not a circular train, but a diamond train that is only in service on weekdays and during rush hours in the Bronx. The express trains do not stop at several local stops north of 125 St., to reduce the travel time between Pelham Bay Park and Manhattan. All 6 trains (both express and local) run local south of the 125 St stop, because there is only one track pattern along that section of Lexington Ave.

When standing on a Bronx platform and the train has a Diamond on its side, check the stop list before getting on the train, as Express trains will not stop at smaller local stations such as St Lawrence Av or Morrison Av-Soundview.

Fare Guide: OMNY, MetroCard Phase-Out, and What You'll Actually Pay

The subway fare for the 6 is the same, no matter how much distance you travel: you pay the same fare whether you take the subway from one stop to the next or travel the entire route from end to end, just like with all subway lines.

The MTA is now encouraging riders to use the tap-to-pay system, called OMNY, as their main method of fare payment. The system can also be activated directly at the turnstile by swiping a contactless bank card, smartphone wallet, or an OMNY card; this applies a weekly fare capping so that frequent riders pay the same rate as a weekly pass without having to purchase one.

MetroCards are still accepted, although the MTA has been promoting the switch with free OMNY cards at customer service centers and balance transfer help, as it has been somewhat slower to adopt the new card system, as more riders fail to make the switch. For those still riding the MetroCard, it's a good idea to get a conversion now, as the number and support of machines will likely decline even more as the MetroCard phase-out progresses.

For visitors, OMNY is easier to use as it operates instantly with a tapped contactless card or phone, rather than requiring the visitor to line up at a vending machine or load a balance onto the card before using it.

Best Times to Ride: Avoiding Grand Central and 125 St Rush Hour Crowds

The 6 line is one of the busiest in the entire syste,m and a handful of stations are extremely busy at predictable times.

Every weekday morning, from about 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM, and every weekday evening, from about 5:00 PM until 6:30 PM, Grand Central-42 St is one of the busiest stations on the line, particularly during these peak periods in the day. Similarly, 125 St gets a lot of people, especially as a transfer station to the Bronx express trains.

If you have some latitude in your travel schedule, consider making travel time up to 20 or 30 minutes earlier or later than these timeframes – it has a significant impact on boarding density and seat availability. If you aren't supervising a schedule, you'll find the mornings and afternoons the best time to ride.

Interchange Stations Switching to the 4, 5, N, Q, R, and W Lines

The 6 runs into various other major subway lines, so it is a handy route to use if you're not going directly on the Lexington Avenue line.

You can change to the J and Z lines at Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall. At Bleecker St, there's a connection to the 4 and 5 trains via Broadway-Lafayette St. Union Sq-14 St offers transfers to the L, N, Q, R, and W lines. The 4, 5,, 7 and S shuttles as well as Metro-North Rail Road all connect to Grand Central-42 St., and 125 St runs to the 4 and 5 express service to the rest of the Bronx or down to Manhattan.

The 4 and 5 trains share track with the 6 train through parts of Manhattan and the Bronx, so this also means that alerts for the 4 and 5 trains may impact the 6 train's timing, so if your schedule overlaps, please check all three trains for alerts.

Weekend and Late-Night Service Changes: How to Check Before You Travel

Many service changes are made on the 6 train on weekends and overnight, often as a result of scheduled service changes throughout the system. Such changes may involve trains being diverted from certain stations, trains using a different track, trains calling at fewer stations than normal, or a station being completely replaced by a shuttle service on the affected section.

Before traveling, check the MTA's Planned Service Changes lookup tool to search for changes by line and date range. If you prefer to be notified about changes on weekends, instead of checking every day, the MTA Weekender e-mail is a good alternative that will be sent out every Friday. The MTA app, as well as the TrainTime app, offer live service alerts once you're on the ground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 6 train run 24 hours a day in 2026? 

Yes, the 6 train runs 24 hours a day, but the service can be less frequent at night and might be impacted by planned works, so please check the alerts for any overnight journeys.

Will my MetroCard balance still work on the 6 train in 2027? 

OMNY is replacing these MetroCards, and although they are still being accepted for now, the MTA has stated that balances can be transferred or reimbursed for a certain amount of time after the expiration of a card. If you are still using a MetroCard, it is best to use it as soon as possible as the vending machine support is likely to be reduced in the near future.

Which 6 train stations currently have elevator outages or accessibility alerts? 

This is constantly updated; a fixed list, rather than being used, should be ig,nored and riders should consult the MTA's live elevator and escalator status page before travelling, particularly to smaller stations with fewer accessible entrances.

How do I get free shuttle bus transfers when the 6 train skips Bronx stops? 

In the event of a planned service change that will interrupt service between stations, the MTA provides a complimentary shuttle service between stations that are served by the interrupted service, and transfer points are marked at the next station in service. Platform signs will be displayed (or check the particular service alert) as the bus service routes may differ according to the affected segment on the platform.

What's the fastest way to check live 6 train delays without the official MTA app? 

Therseveralber of third-party real-time tracking websites and apps that also receive data feeds from MTA and can load faster or display information in a different format than the official MTA app, which can be a great alternative, especially when you want to check the status of a train before leaving home or from a busy platform.