Hoyt–Schermerhorn Streets

Hoyt–Schermerhorn Streets is an A, C and G line interchange in the heart of downtown Brooklyn. The station opened in 1936 and is one of the few in the borough where the Brooklyn-Queens Crosstown G train meets the 8th Avenue A and C lines. That makes it genuinely useful for journeys between the outer boroughs without travelling into Manhattan. It is also, for a certain type of New Yorker, famous for something else entirely.

The station has two unused side platforms on either side of the main A/C island platform. These ghost platforms, fitted with dummy train cars, have appeared in dozens of film and television productions over the years. If you have seen a New York subway scene in a Hollywood film set any time from the 1980s onwards, there is a reasonable chance it was filmed here. It is a curiosity worth pausing for if you pass through.

Station Overview

Hoyt–Schermerhorn Streets is a Zone 2 station in downtown Brooklyn, opened in 1936. The A and C trains stop here, as does the G train (the Brooklyn-Queens Crosstown line). The station is wheelchair accessible. There are no on-site facilities within the station itself.

Lines and Connectivity

The A and C trains connect downtown Brooklyn to Manhattan via the Fulton Street complex in lower Manhattan, then continue up the west side to Penn Station, Columbus Circle and beyond. The G train is the only non-shuttle line in the NYC subway that runs entirely within the outer boroughs without entering Manhattan. It runs from Church Avenue in Kensington, Brooklyn, north through Park Slope, downtown Brooklyn, and into Long Island City in Queens, connecting to the 7 line at Court Square.

Station Layout and Facilities

The station has an unusually wide layout with a central island platform for the A and C trains and two additional side platforms that are not in regular service. These surplus platforms are fully lit and maintained, partly because they are used for film and TV production. Step-free access via lifts is available throughout. There are no shops, ATMs or food options within the station.

Travel Tips

• If you are travelling between Brooklyn and Queens without going into Manhattan, the G train from here is often the most direct option.
• Fulton Mall on Fulton Street is directly above the station, one of Brooklyn's busiest shopping streets with affordable clothing, electronics and food.
• DeKalb Market Hall, a popular Brooklyn food hall, is a short walk from the station on Flatbush Avenue.
• The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is about a 10-minute walk south, offering theatre, opera, cinema and music.
• The unused side platforms are accessible from the main platform and are worth a look for anyone curious about the station's film history.

Nearby Attractions

Fulton Mall - at street level. Brooklyn's main commercial shopping street runs along Fulton Street. It has everything from major retailers to smaller independent shops, with good-value food options throughout.

DeKalb Market Hall - 5 minutes on foot. A large food hall under the Macy's building on Flatbush Avenue with over 40 vendors covering cuisines from across New York and beyond.

Brooklyn Academy of Music - 10 minutes on foot. Brooklyn's oldest performing arts institution, known for challenging and innovative programming across multiple stages. Worth checking what is on during your visit.

Barclays Center - 2 subway stops south on the 2/3/4/5/B/D/N/Q/R. The main concert and sports venue in Brooklyn, home to the Brooklyn Nets NBA team.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

The subway runs 24 hours. The A and C trains run frequently during peak hours. The G train runs less frequently, especially overnight and on weekends, so check the schedule if using it for a connection. Weekday afternoons are busy on Fulton Mall. Evenings are quieter in the immediate area around the station, though the food scene nearby is active until late.