I'm a one way ticket.... you jumped on this train and now there is no going back...lots of people take this everyday to work or to the airport... watch out for rush hour....For a transit system that averages 5.4 million riders PER DAY...it's pretty clean...I guess... read more

An early-morning commute on what the MTA claims to be an express train, the putrid eau de yuck wafting through the train car only slightly set off by the Clorox the crew uses to clean the car out. On good days you don't step into the muck on the floor or get randomly pulled into some discussion between hostile passengers. The local (C) train is just as bad. Both are in need of serious reform. A significant departure from Duke Ellington's A Train. read more

Got on the A by mistake thinking it was the E, I was totally in my own world that day because once I realized the mistake at 59th I had to ride all the way to 125th with no stops in between!!!! I was late for an appointment but fortunately the person i was meeting was 20 minutes late due to missing the 1 train from the ferry station. The ride can get sketchy once you cross into nyc's hood under belly so keep a watchful eye on your belongings, don't make too much eye contact, and don't spark up any conversations lol the police presence is not felt after you get past certain stops. E TRAIN is faster depending on where you are and where you are trying to go. read more

Why can't I give negative stars, or at least zero stars?! I DESPISE this train..so much so that I try to avoid it like the plague. Whenever I'm forced to take it, something crazy always happens. After a night out last night, I took the A after 11, when it starts to go local. We had to wait for 10 minutes at 14th St, and then A HALF HOUR between Hoyt & Schermerhorn and Lafayette Ave because of signal problems. This is in the midst of this weirdo sitting on a crate right in front of me with a scarf all around his face. In the past, there was this homeless man whom I sat on the other side of the two seaters from because there were no other seats available, which enraged him. For 20 minutes I was called every name under the sun, not knowing if he was going to become physically abusive as well, until finally an MTA worker came to my rescue and made him get off the train. Not sure what took him so long to decide that I'd be safer without him on the train. And these people want raises coming out of our pockets in the form of fare hikes??!! Another time, there was this couple, and the guy tried to basically have sex with his girlfriend on the train. A friend of mine was telling me a story about this guy masturbating on the train when she took it once. My crazy stories about the A train can go on an on. But overall, you can see why I try my best to avoid it. WORST TRAIN AMONG THE ENTIRE MTA!! read more

When it works, it's great. Who doesn't love zipping from 125th to 59th? But when I have to wait 45 minutes to an hour at 2 in the morning on west 4th st, I curse the A train with every breath. E train after E train passes, no A. And when the A gets here, it ends up being a C in A's clothing. I wouldn't hate the A if it was consistently bad. But every once in a while I can make 168th to 4th in 40 minutes or so. I like to think the MTA staff reads these reviews out loud to each other while making the "jerk-off" hand motion and laughing. read more

I live by 175th street station, so I take the A everyday to go to my work. The MTA train services have been shit. Literally the worse service ever!!! If I had another option to commute I would never ride their trains. Today it took 50 minutes for the A to go from 175th to 125th!!!!!!! Because of "heavy train traffic" or whatever the fuck is going on. I've been to the world and the NYC subway is the absolute worst!!! Like worse than 3rd world country. Stations are 100 years old, dirty smelly and the service is shit! And they still have fare hikes every year!!! Because of their horrible service I've been late to all of my jobs and cost me hundreds and thousands of money. I wrote complains on their website and of course it's useless. I would've given them zero star, but somehow I have to at least put in 1 star to post this....so here is the 1 star for not derailing??? read more

Probably the worst subway train I've taken besides F. The smell is awful beyond words. It's so crowded that you get weird stares standing up. Men old enough to be your dad trying to strike up a conversation. Ewww. Had these happen to me twice. No more A train unless I have to get to GWBT. read more

I had to write about this train ride because what made this ride so unusual for me was some kids that put on the music from a boom box and starting dancing and putting on a show for the people on the train. I told my daughter what is going on? She said they do this all the time because they need the money and after they are done they are going to go around and start collecting money from people if you look at them so just don't look their way unless you have cash to give them. I was like wow and she said this happens all the time were use to it! I enjoyed my ride even though the train ride was really crowded and noisy... read more

I love the A Train. I first heard about it in an old jazz standard when I was a kid, and the very first time I came to New York City (I was nineteen or twenty) I came in on the A Train. This is the way to travel to JFK. It's a nice commute. It will cost you $7 (an awkward amount to have deducted from your metro card) but you will have such nice people-watching on the way, and some phat views once you're out of the tunnel (lawns and junkyards and a big cemetery). Even if you're not going to JFK, this is a very good train to know. It'll take you along Central Park (the west) and drop you at the feet of the American Museum of Natural History. It will drop you off in the heart of Greenwich Village, right next to Chinatown, to DUMBO and points beyond, or up in the Bronx. read more

This train never ceases to make me late for class. If its not one thing its another. Signal issues, a train broke down ahead, waiting for the train in front of us to pull out and my personal favorite.. TRAIN TRAFFIC! Is this not why people take the train... to avoid traffic?? Don't trains run on a schedule?? How is there traffic? It baffles me every morning. But it gets me to where I'm going so watcha gonna do? Take the darn train and wait on the "traffic" to pass... smh read more

The (A)frica train is a sight to behold, I feel sorry for those who go to far rock after 11:30. this train is slow and unreliable if you have to be to work, the only upside is that there are people selling weed, alcoholic koolaid and candy out of suitcases. read more

I can go on for hours on while this is such a horrible train. The conductors are rude. It is always dirty. It runs extremely slow on the weekend. It is old. I mean the train is just horrific. One day, one of the conductors of the train actually did not make an announcement that it was switching lines. Then I got off and he told me walk because it was only about 15 blocks away from where I was supposed to get off at. THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE A TRAIN. STAY AWAY FROM THE MTA. read more

This is a major line, so you'd think they'd get it together, but even an express train can have big delays. I can't check in, but I'm on the platform. There's one guy in the booth at the BC stop who must be the loneliest man in the world, because any time you need to deal with him, he gets this huge smile, as if he's been stranded on an island (well, technically he is) and you're the first person he's seen in ages! He also moves incredibly slow (prob for the same reason). In the end, even with its crowds and faults, its still a decent alternative to driving. The motley characters on this line can be great for people watching! read more

A train, I know you're dingy, but you get me to the airport with relative speed. You're better than the C by far. It makes me sad when you run local because it adds so much time to the commute, but you still get me there safe and sound. What would make you better is if you stopped at Franklin. Then I wouldn't have to take the C at all! :-) read more

What's so bad about this train? It can get you from the Heights to downtown Manhattan is 15-20mins. I mean, really, I'd rather endure the crowded train full of loud kids and smelly folks than take a cab for $35 bucks. Just put your ear phones in....and chill. read more

The only thing you have going for you is the 59th Street to 125th Street super-express stop ( but that's only fast 1/2 of the time since you either seem to run local due to construction or late-nights are always local - ugh ). read more

The wait here is way too long. Service is nearly nonexistent on the weekends. Place is dirty and a ton of bums sleep here. They do have alot of weird exits and entrances here like another reviewer posted. read more

A train was my friend Adrian's nickname for all of high school (and possibly beyond, we kinda lost touch at that point). I dig the speed, although I rarely ride it. However, when it goes local, you kind of wanna die. Probably more than kind of. read more

Love riding the Rockaway-bound train when it's packed with dazed-looking travelers heading to JFK. My guess is, most people who actually take this "train to the plane" do it once, but then when they wind up taking the entire afternoon to get there and it seems like walking might be faster, they just cab it the next time, or beg one of their friends to drive them. You always see the same exhausted expression start to form as the train hits Canal Street, and continues to shuffle through Brooklyn. read more

I have one question for you A train. Why do you always smell so bad? And don't you know it's rude to make a woman wait more then ten minuthes. Didn't your mother teach you any manners? read more

I had to drop of my car in South Ozone to get the tranny fixed and had no ride home. Being that the A train was right there I figured I would hop it to the city. Now, I'm still getting acclimated with the subways outside of Manhattan and I've only experienced taking the subway from Brooklyn or Ridgewood a few times so it was an adventure. I have to say I think I would rather do this on a daily basis as opposed to taking the LIRR. Though it was pretty packed by the third stop, everyone kept to themselves. The train was clean and it only took about 30 minutes and that was a local. As put best by Victor R., it is the arterial lifeline to and through the city. read more

A Train gives you the best express zones, but what happened to those sweet new trains that I saw one day (like the 'L')? And why can't it tell me when the next train is coming (like the 'L')? Maybe I should move to williamsburg so I can ride the 'L' more or maybe the MTA should learn how to spend its money more efficiently (but that is a whole other story). read more

when ur on that platform its a hot mess. recently the train has been non functional on the weekends due to construction. totally not a fan of a bustling shuttle bus making local stops with nagging older women and ppl who are just afraid to go undeground in general- this is y i dont take the bus. the train is good when it wants to be, its a fairweather subway line. i just miss the L :( read more

I'm not really a fan of the A train. My cousin swears by it and I don't really understand why. He's closest to the Lefferts station (as was I) and I feel like waiting there takes forever! You have to wait for the train to get there, then you wait 10 minutes just for it to leave. Worst is waiting at Rockaway Blvd to transfer to a Lefferts train, the Far Rockaway bound trains run much more frequently. One plus about this train is that I never really had any problems with service changes affecting my commute. read more

Doing late night construction from the 25th to the 28th. So you can kiss getting home at a decent hour good bye.

I've been blessed to ride this beautiful motion of grime only a handful of times, yet the express sure beats the Local C. Not only is this a treat full of mid day shows including ruthless boom box dancers and relentless homeless folks displaying the occasional public urination, it's a look into NYC history and culture. read more

First nyc subway ride. Yes a a tourist you hear all kinds of things. None of it was seen. Very good service, clean. People in their own zone. Was surprised not to see a police presence. Will be back!!!! read more

I use this train every time I need to get to JFK Airport, otherwise I rarely use it. It's very fast and convenient. Remember to take the Far Rockaway train if you're going to JFK. I missed the first train at the Metrotech station, but another one came in 8 minutes, so it was quick and convenient. Yes, you do have to be careful and be aware of your surroundings, especially when it goes deeper and deeper into Brooklyn. I've seen my fair share of fights, verbal arguments and baby mama drama on this train. The train needs a serious upgrade, the trains look run-down and just plain ugly to look at. The inside are filthy, littered with trash and smells like piss in some places. They need the new subway cars for this line, but I understand why they won't want to use it considering the neighborhoods they go through and how fast they'll get scraffiti and dirty. read more

Eh... The only thing good about this train is when it goes express between 125 and 59th street. But thats IF it goes express and IF it doesn't take a 10 minute stop inbetween.. And either way, waiting on an A train takes about 10 minutes if you just missed one. 10 minutes is far enough to make me late especially when its going to stop 10 minutes sometime inbetween! And yeah, the trains are OLD and always too crowded. I get on at 168th and I wonder how it is already full up? I have to take this train, because it is the one that is SUPPOSED to be fastest, but it has many flaws.. read more

My friend dropped me to the nearest train station and the only train rolling through at midnight was the A train...I could've waited but I was exhausted Now, Duke Ellington and Lin Manuel Miranda say "You must take the 'A' train", I'd rather not. I got on the train expecting a pleasant ride until I could transfer to something to get me to my beautiful N/Q line to Astoria. I sat down an immediately notice the roaches, I got up so fast. I then decided to stand and hold the pole and this man sat down where I had. I tried to warn him but he closed his eyes and roaches started crawling into his bag. On top of the terrible bug ridden state, it stinks, and needs to be a bit quicker, it was moving so slow. The 4 line has been updated almost 3x in the past 7 years....they need to pass that magic to the A and maybe I'll get on it again. The E is so much better. read more

Do you like Arizona Iced Tea? Would you be excited if I were to disclose the location of an unlimited free supply? Just lick the floors of the A "Express" train where it runs freely like a river, ebbing and flowing up and down the aisles day and night amassing such volume that when it eventually dries it's easy to chop out in chunks for the annual cleaning. The aluminum cans are cobbled together to make the rattley train cars that shake you into a convulsing seizure before work so you feel refreshed before you walk in. If you're hungry there's complimentary chocolate cake matted to the structural beams comprising every station on this line, which has been steadily and inexorably accumulating since the subway's inception in 1904. So not only do you get free drinks, but free food as well. What's more, if you don't mind taking up 2 or more seats, they double as couches for the tired so you get a complimentary bedroom. "Come unto the A Train, all ye who are weary and burdened, hungry and thirsty, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28 read more

The dirtiest and most unreliable train. Filthy and full of thugs. It's supposed to run express until 12 am but it starts running local at 10pm. Very unreliable. read more

I mean it gets your ass from point A to point B, however experiences will differ every time you ride it. At night, this is 110% ghetto, along with the C train, and I mean the whole entire line, from Washington Heights all the way to Far Rockaway. Its a very interesting line too, it has its ups and downs, but theres nothing quite like the A train. read more

It's a darn train what do you want me to say LOL. This train is my lifeline to get to my main party areas of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Very seldom do I take any other train but this one. I come from New Jersey so this gets me from uptown (175th) and takes me to where I need to be. The only downside are the constant begging people, the overcrowding at certain times, and the long wait I have endured a few times just to get back to where I needed to be. There is need for improvement. The biggest change I would like for there to be actual boarding times (that I have seen on other trains) where it lights up and tells you the next stop. It boggled my mind this past weekend that I was on the A train headed into Brooklyn to walk the Brooklyn Bridge and realized later than sooner that there wouldn't be a stop at High St. Instead the A train was running on the F line and that threw me off completely. I spent close to an hour on the train trying to get back to where I needed to in total coming and going. On the other hand, it is the train that gets me to where I need to be. Believe it or not I feel weird when I have to take another train. The A train is just my heart and I wouldn't have it any other way read more

I will never forget the time a stolen-toothbrush salesman threatened our lives during the gap from 59th to 125th. There's nothing like a guy hinting about murdering everyone, simply because they didn't want to buy a toothbrush from some dude on the subway. read more

mostly mornings on my way to work, the a train is the so bad, always delays and train traffic every bloody time. i use to be on time everyday but now i am always late due to the a train messing up all the time. fix it mta i don't want to get fired because of the bloody a train. read more

It's by far the longest subway line in the NYC subway system, spanning from Inwood in the northernmost section of Manhattan to Lefferts Blvd, Far Rockaway, and Rockaway Park in southern Queens. The line is underground entirely through Manhattan and Brooklyn, but the second it hits Queens, it's out of the tunnel. From there it's a good 20-30 minute ride to the Rockaways. Overall I like the A train, well that is as long as I'm going to Rockaway Park. read more

just take the C train or the E wait a couple more secs whats the prob? the c rather. takes you more of the same places

Service has been awful lately. Today I waited 32 minutes for the Far Rockaway train. To return home by 5pm, I'll end up waiting anywhere from 15minutes to 30 minutes. Rarely is there consistency on this line. I'm really frustrated because my staff and I make sure to be up early to get to work on time, only for our intent to be subverted through delays on the A. Also, there is never an explanation or an announcement made to at least keep patrons notified. This train line used to be so reliable 15 years ago. I'm not sure what happened. read more

The A train gets stars for being reasonably reliable, but loses stars for being dim and depressing. I wish they'd replace the line with newer, brighter trains. The A/C/E line is my least favorite in the city... and the 4/5/6 is next. read more