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The NYC Subway Line 1 is one of the famous lines in New York. It belongs to the IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line and its line has red color on the map. This train connects the Bronx to the bottom of Manhattan. This line for people around it is like a local train because it stops at every single station on its path. If you want to visit famous places like Times Square, Penn Station, or Columbia University, this line is a good and simple choice. It runs 24 hours a day, so there is almost always a train coming. The line starts at Van Cortlandt Park–242nd Street in the north and ends at South Ferry in the south. Riding the NYC Subway Line 1 also gives a real feel of the city, especially in the northern parts where the train runs above ground and you can see streets, buildings, and daily life passing by outside the window.

The NYC Subway Line 1 has a simple way of showing you the city, one stop at a time. Before getting into the details, it helps to pause and see the bigger picture. This line runs straight through Manhattan, touching busy streets, calm neighborhoods, and places people visit every day. The highlights below give a quick feel of how important and dependable this route really is.
| Feature | Details |
| Line Name | NYC Subway Line 1 |
| Line Color | Red |
| Train Type | Local |
| Borough Covered | Manhattan |
| Northern Terminal | Van Cortlandt Park 242 Street |
| Southern Terminal | South Ferry |
| Total Stations | 38 |
| Main Areas Served | Harlem, Upper West Side, Midtown, Lower Manhattan |
| Famous Stops | Times Square 42 St, 59 St Columbus Circle, 96 St, 125 St |
| Operating Authority | Metropolitan Transportation Authority |
| Service Pattern | Runs 24 hours |
| Accessibility | Many stations have elevators |
| Average Wait Time | 4 to 8 minutes (varies by time) |
Here is the full NYC Subway Line 1 station list, running from north to south. All stations are listed clearly so it is easy to read and follow.
Northern Manhattan Stations
Upper West Side Stations
Midtown Manhattan Stations
Lower Manhattan Stations
The NYC Subway Line 1 runs 24 hours, every day. Still, the timing feels different depending on the hour. This table gives the full day at one glance.
| Time of Day | Approx Train Frequency | Travel Feel |
| Early Morning (5 AM – 6 AM) | Every 6–8 minutes | Calm, less crowded |
| Morning Rush (6 AM – 10 AM) | Every 3–5 minutes | Very busy |
| Midday (10 AM – 3 PM) | Every 6 minutes | Smooth, steady |
| Evening Rush (3 PM – 7 PM) | Every 3–5 minutes | Crowded |
| Late Evening (7 PM – 10 PM) | Every 6–8 minutes | Relaxed |
| Overnight (10 PM – 5 AM) | Every 10–12 minutes | Quiet |
| Time Slot | Avg Waiting Time | Crowd Level |
| 5 AM – 6 AM | 7 minutes | Low |
| 6 AM – 8 AM | 3–4 minutes | High |
| 8 AM – 10 AM | 4–5 minutes | Very High |
| 10 AM – 1 PM | 6 minutes | Medium |
| 1 PM – 3 PM | 6–7 minutes | Medium |
| 3 PM – 5 PM | 4 minutes | High |
| 5 PM – 7 PM | 3–5 minutes | Very High |
| 7 PM – 10 PM | 6–8 minutes | Medium |
| 10 PM – 5 AM | 10–12 minutes | Low |
| Time of Day | Avg Waiting Time | Notes |
| Morning (5 AM – 9 AM) | 8–10 minutes | Quiet |
| Late Morning (9 AM – 12 PM) | 6–8 minutes | Light crowd |
| Afternoon (12 PM – 5 PM) | 6 minutes | Moderate |
| Evening (5 PM – 9 PM) | 6–8 minutes | Busy near tourist spots |
| Night (9 PM – 12 AM) | 8–10 minutes | Calm |
| Overnight (12 AM – 5 AM) | 12 minutes | Very quiet |
| Direction | Service Pattern | Important Note |
| Northbound (to 242 St) | Same frequency as southbound | Above ground in north |
| Southbound (to South Ferry) | Same timing | Ends near ferry |
| Time | Train Gap | What to Expect |
| 10 PM – 12 AM | 8–10 minutes | Less crowd |
| 12 AM – 2 AM | 10–12 minutes | Quiet |
| 2 AM – 5 AM | 12 minutes | Very few riders |
Trains still come. You just wait a little longer.
| Area | Avg Stop Time |
| Small local stations | 20–30 seconds |
| Busy stations | 40–60 seconds |
| Terminal stations | 2–5 minutes |
| From | To | Approx Time |
| 242 St | 125 St | 30–35 minutes |
| 125 St | Times Square | 20–25 minutes |
| Times Square | 14 St | 10–12 minutes |
| 14 St | South Ferry | 15–18 minutes |
| End to End | Full Line | 55–65 minutes |
On holidays, NYC Subway Line 1 usually follows a weekend style schedule.
| Holiday Type | Schedule Used |
| Major US Holidays | Weekend timing |
| Late Night Holidays | Normal overnight timing |
| Emergency Changes | Managed by Metropolitan Transportation Authority |
These apps make traveling on the NYC Subway Line 1 much easier, especially if you are new to the city or just want fewer surprises on the way.
Small habits make travel smoother for everyone.
The Line 1 subway connects with many other major lines. Some popular transfer points include:
These connections make Line 1 a backbone of Manhattan travel.
Q. Is the 1 train local or express?
The 1 train is a local service. This means it stops at every station on the Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line. If you want a quicker ride between major stops, the 2 or 3 trains work as express options.
Q. Does the 1 train run at night?
Yes, the train runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. During late night hours, trains may come less often, so the wait can be a little longer.
Q. How much does it cost to ride the NYC Subway Line 1?
The standard fare is $2.90 for one ride. You can pay using OMNY by tapping your phone or card, or by using a MetroCard.
Q. Is the 1 train wheelchair accessible?
Not every station has elevator access. You should check for the ADA wheelchair symbol on the subway map or near station entrances. Larger stations like Times Square and South Ferry are accessible.
Q. Where does the 1 train start and end?
The 1 train begins at Van Cortlandt Park–242 Street in the Bronx and ends at South Ferry in Manhattan.
Q. Is it possible to switch trains on the 1 line to others?
Yes, there are a lot of major stations with transfers. You can take such lines as A, C, E, N, Q and R and even the 42 Street Shuttle, particularly between the 59 Street and Times Square stations.
Q. Is the 1 train safe?
Well, it is usually safe and is ridden every day by thousands of riders. It is advisable to be vigilant and keep valuables near to you like any other transit system, particularly during peak time.

Andreja Osterc
New York, USA
Andreja Osterc is a travel blogger based in New York City, known for exploring the city through one of its most iconic systems—the New York City Subway. With a deep curiosity for urban life and local culture, Andreja created a blog dedicated to helping residents and visitors navigate the subway while discovering the hidden stories of the city.

Andreja Osterc
17 Feb 2026

Andreja Osterc
17 Feb 2026

Andreja Osterc
17 Feb 2026