About 116th Street
This 116th Street station sits on Lexington Avenue in the middle of East Harlem, the neighbourhood many New Yorkers still call El Barrio or Spanish Harlem. Come up the stairs and you are in the heart of a district known for its Puerto Rican and Latin American roots, its murals, and the food stalls and shops that spill out along 116th Street toward the East River.
It is a local stop served by the 6 train, the workhorse of the Lexington Avenue line. Unlike the busy interchange stations further downtown, this is a straightforward neighbourhood stop that locals rely on to get to work, school and Midtown in a single ride.
Station Overview
The station opened in 1918 as part of the Lexington Avenue subway and sits in Zone 1. It is served by the 6 train, the local service on the east side of Manhattan. Facilities are basic, with a staffed booth, toilets and OMNY and MetroCard equipment at the turnstiles.
Lines and Connectivity
The 6 train runs the length of Lexington Avenue as the local, stopping at every station. Southbound it carries you through the Upper East Side, past Grand Central, Union Square and into Lower Manhattan at Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall. Northbound it continues up into the Bronx, ending at Pelham Bay Park. For faster trips you can change to the 4 or 5 express at 125th Street to the north or at 86th Street to the south.
Station Layout and Structure
This is an underground station with side platforms for uptown and downtown trains. Street stairs come up around East 116th Street and Lexington Avenue. Signage on the platform shows the green 6 marker and the direction of travel, and OMNY readers and MetroCard machines sit at the fare gates.
Accessibility
This station has step-free access with lifts linking the street, mezzanine and platform, which suits wheelchair users, older travellers and anyone carrying shopping or luggage. As lifts can be taken out of service for repairs, it is sensible to check the MTA live status before a trip where step-free access matters.
Travel Tips
- The 6 is a local, so change to the 4 or 5 express at 125th Street if you want to skip stops on a longer journey.
- Walk east along 116th Street for the traditional Latin food shops, bakeries and the murals that give El Barrio its character.
- Pay with a contactless OMNY tap or a MetroCard swipe. The flat fare covers your entire ride with no distance charge.
Nearby Attractions
El Museo del Barrio - about 10 minutes on foot west toward Fifth Avenue. A leading museum of Latin American and Caribbean art, anchoring the northern end of Museum Mile.
Marcus Garvey Park - roughly 10 minutes on foot west. A rocky, tree-filled park with a historic fire watchtower, surrounded by Harlem brownstones.
Thomas Jefferson Park - a short walk east toward the river, with sports fields, a large public pool and views across the East River.
La Marqueta - a few blocks away under the Metro-North viaduct on Park Avenue, a historic covered market with Latin food vendors.
Timings and Best Time to Travel
The 6 train runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with longer gaps between trains overnight. Weekday rush hours are the busiest as commuters head to and from Midtown, while midday and weekends are more relaxed and a good time to explore the neighbourhood on foot.
Nearest Metro to El Museo del Barrio
If you are heading to El Museo del Barrio, 116th Street is your closest metro stop on the 6 Train. It also gives easy access to Marcus Garvey Park and Thomas Jefferson Park. Use the fare calculator to plan your journey cost before you travel.
Stations on This Line
Traveller Tips
- 1Change to the 4 or 5 express at 125th Street for a faster longer trip
- 2Walk east on 116th Street for El Barrio's Latin food shops and murals
- 3Step-free with lifts - check live status before relying on one
Accessibility
Frequently Asked Questions
Which train serves this 116th Street station on Lexington Avenue?
The 6 train serves this station. It is the local service on the Lexington Avenue line, stopping at every stop along the east side of Manhattan and into the Bronx.
What neighbourhood is this 116th Street station in?
It is in East Harlem, often called El Barrio or Spanish Harlem, on the east side of Manhattan. It is a separate station from the 116th Street stops on the west side.
Is this 116th Street station wheelchair accessible?
Yes. This station has step-free access with lifts between the street, mezzanine and platform. Check the MTA live lift status before travelling in case of repairs.
Is the 6 train local or express here?
The 6 is the local train, stopping at every station. To go faster, transfer to the 4 or 5 express at 125th Street.
What is worth seeing near this station?
El Museo del Barrio, Marcus Garvey Park, Thomas Jefferson Park and the historic La Marqueta market are all within a short walk.
Does this station run overnight?
Yes. The 6 train runs around the clock, though service is less frequent between roughly midnight and 5am.