Commuting question

how easy is it to catch the Q or the B at 7th Avenue and then transfer to the 4 or 5 at Atlantic? I need to get to Grand Central for my new job, and HATE transferring at Union Square, which is a madhouse.

Little bit of a walk and lots of stairs to make that transfer.
Why not take the 2 train at Bergen and Flatbush and catch the 4 train at Nevins?

I agree. I do not like transferring at Atlantic station.
It probably takes 5 minutes to Bergen station and it is much less crowded and easier.

Any transfer at Atlantic/Pacific is a drag because of stairs and corridors. Actually any transfer is a drag. Why can't they coordinate the R and D train. I zoom back from Manhattan on the D and then waste 10 minutes waiting for the R to go 2 stops.

I have that same commute. Assuming the weather is decent, I find it much less of hassle to take the B to Bryant Park and walk the 5 or so minutes to Grand Central. Alternately, you can take pick up the 7 at Bryant Park if you don't feel like walking. Both options add a couple minutes to the trip (relative to the Q to Union Square transfer, at least) but are far less maddening.

2/3 at Grand Army (or Bergen if you're closer), transfer to a 4/5 at Nevins.

OpossumQueen wrote: 2/3 at Grand Army (or Bergen if you're closer), transfer to a 4/5 at Nevins.

Which is right across the platform

I do this all the time (I commuted out to CT daily for a while). During rush hour, the fastest way to get there is either the B to 42nd st then take the 7 train 1 stop (This is faster than walking during rush hour), or the Q to Times Square then taking the shuttle...Either one is faster since it goes over the bridge, and the connections work out very nicely...

apophis has it. get as far forward on the Q as possible for optimal transfer at times square. if you take the second set of stairs (closest to the front of the train), you will beat the crowd and be at the shuttle platform pronto.

What a useful, on-topic thread! For my money I'd rather transfer at Union Sq than Atlantic Ave. There's a strong current of foot traffic at union sq leading from the n/r/q to 4/5/6. Once you're in the flow it's not so bad. Atlantic Ave has all those stairs and more of a jumble of a flow. In any case I agree, 2/3 at Grand Army (or Bergen if that's closer) and change at Nevin's for 4/5.

Thanks all! FWIW, I took the B all the way to 42nd and walked, and it's a much more pleasant trip than attempting the transfer at Union Square. However, I didn't consider the 2/3 to the 4/5, but will give that a shot tomorrow and report back.

And, my problem w/the Union Sq. transfer is the 4/5 is so jammed at that point, and they're so many people waiting, that it's just not worth the pre-coffee stress.

I would think the B train is the least annoying option.

Even at Nevins, the 4/5 might be pretty full but the across the platform transfer is very nice. When I used to get on at the Franklin stop (the second stop for Manhattan bound express trains) I often had to let a train or two go by before I could squeeze in but I really was getting on at peak time. I don't remember when that was, but I do know that a 15 minute before or after that time was usually a little less packed.

Yup, I'm hopping on around 8:15, which seems pretty peak. But, since it's supposed to be so cold tomorrow, maybe I'll give it a shot anyway. At least it saves me another sub-zero walk.

Sometimes I have to take the Q from Union Sq... where I'm coming from/going to in Manhattan (Gramercy Park) would suggest I should take the 6 train. That is a HORRIBLE transfer.

I normally walk the 10 block, OR walk over to the N/R. Soooo much more pleasant. Even when it's raining or a freezing wind.

tybur6 wrote: Sometimes I have to take the Q from Union Sq... where I'm coming from/going to in Manhattan (Gramercy Park) would suggest I should take the 6 train. That is a HORRIBLE transfer.

I normally walk the 10 block, OR walk over to the N/R. Soooo much more pleasant. Even when it's raining or a freezing wind.

Sorry I am not sure what type of transfer you mean - do you mean you need to take the Q to the 6 to get to the N/R? Is the N/R your final train?