If you’ve ever ridden the subway long enough to question your life choices, you might’ve already been on NYC’s longest train line — whether you knew it or not.
Spanning a jaw-dropping 32 miles, this behemoth of a route cuts through the city’s guts, from sleepy corners of outer boroughs to the bustling heart of Manhattan. But here’s the thing: it’s not just long — it’s weird. Like, really weird.
We’re talking haunted stations, bizarre art, offbeat characters, and scenery that shifts so hard you’ll wonder if you’re still in the same city. This line isn’t just a way to get from A to B — it’s basically a moving microcosm of New York’s chaos, charm, and low-key madness.
So which line are we talking about?
Let’s get specific. We’re talking about the A train — the city’s longest subway line by far.
It runs from Inwood-207th Street in Manhattan to Far Rockaway in Queens, clocking in at over 32 miles and includes over 60 stops between local and express trains
At full stretch, it takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to ride from end to end — assuming no delays, which… c’mon, it’s the MTA.
But what makes it truly fascinating isn’t just the distance. It’s everything that happens along those 32 miles.
What’s it like to ride the A line top to bottom? We’ll fill you in
Let’s take you on a little ride-a-long.
🟩 Inwood–207th Street
Where it all begins — way uptown in a chill, tree-lined part of Manhattan that feels more suburban than subway. You’d never guess this is the launchpad for a nearly two-hour ride.
🟨 125th Street (Harlem)
One of the A’s busiest and most iconic stops. Keep an eye out for mosaics and the rotating cast of street performers just outside the station. The vibe here? Pure Harlem hustle.
⬛ 59th Street–Columbus Circle
Now you’re in Midtown. Full corporate chaos. Expect packed platforms, briefcases, tourists with luggage, and possibly a saxophone solo echoing down the tunnel.
🟦 Jay Street–MetroTech
Welcome to Downtown Brooklyn. This transfer hub has surprisingly great subway art — and a strange, cave-like feel thanks to its arched ceilings and dim lighting.
🟥 Broadway Junction
Probably the weirdest-feeling station on the line. It’s loud, elevated, industrial, and massive — like it’s waiting to be the set of a sci-fi movie. If you’re transferring here, good luck figuring out where you are.
⬜ Euclid Avenue
This deep Brooklyn stop is a fan favorite among transit nerds — one of the last stations built during the original IND expansion. Bonus: rumors of ghost trains have floated around this stretch for years.
🌊 Beach 90th Street and Far Rockaway
Yes, the A line ends at the actual beach. Palms? No. Seagulls? Absolutely. It’s always slightly surreal to step off a subway and immediately smell saltwater.
In summer, the train fills with surfers and sandy flip-flops. It’s pure NYC contradiction, and we love it.