Getting from Queens to Coney Island: Subway, Bus, or Car

Coney Island (Brooklyn) is 12–18 miles from most Queens neighborhoods. Three main public transit options plus driving:

1. Subway (Most Reliable)

N Train (Broadway Line) — Only direct subway

• From Astoria/LIC: N at Queensboro Plaza → Coney Island–Stillwell Ave (45–55 min)
• From Flushing/Jamaica: 7 → transfer to N at Queensboro Plaza or E/F to Roosevelt Ave → transfer to N at 36 St (Brooklyn)
• From Rockaways: A to Rockaway Park → Shuttle → no direct subway (bus better)

Stillwell Ave Terminal = N, D, F, Q — all stop here. Elevator access.

2. Bus (Q35 — Limited Stops)

Q35 — Runs Rockaway Park ↔ Coney Island via Cross Bay Blvd, Flatbush Ave, Marine Park Bridge.

• From Rockaways: Direct, 35–45 min
• From elsewhere in Queens: Connect via Q22, Q52/Q53 SBS to Rockaway Park
• Frequency: 10–15 min peak, 20–30 off-peak

Other buses: B68 (Coney Island ↔ Prospect Park), B82 SBS (Coney Island ↔ Bay Ridge) — Brooklyn only.

3. Car (Fastest Off-Peak)

Route: Belt Parkway (Exit 5/6 for Coney Island) or Ocean Parkway.

• Time: 25–40 min (no traffic)
• Parking: Street (metered, alternate side), Municipal lots ($2–3/hr), MCU Park lot (events)
• Tolls: None on Belt; Verrazzano if coming from SI/NJ ($19 peak)

Pro Tips

• Weekend summers: Subway > Car (Belt Parkway = parking lot)
• Buy OMNY/MetroCard before boarding bus
• Coney Island–Stillwell Ave: Elevator at SW corner (Stillwell & Surf)
• Check MTA.info / MYmta app for weekend service changes (constant)

For most Queens riders: N train = simplest. Rockaways: Q35 = only direct.