Ugh this train annoys me, but is the only subway connection to Flushing where I periodically go to fulfill my dim sum cravings. The train cars are the ones that are just lined with rows of seats that are parallel to the car itself, meaning there's normally no room to move once it fills up. As well the seats are so close together if you happen to have a heftier person sit down they take up 3 seats. For some odd reason it smells like ass most of the time. I avoid it when I can and when I can't its the express train for me to minimalize the time spent in the train. It is however the train that takes you to some of the best destinations for various authentic ethnic dishes. read more

Honestly a good train. The views from it are BEAUTIFUL. The only problem with this train is that it is VERY crowded. Like, it's really hard to find a seat. I thought the route is pretty weird. read more

I use to frequent the 7 subway line when I attended Laguardia for a short stint. There was always traffic, delays, and roadwork. Every single day, no matter what time of the day something was going on. Now traveling on it doesn't seem so bad nowadays. I take it maybe 3 stops the most. read more

I started riding the 7 train in 1979 from Jamaica to Flushing H.S. I always loved the views of Manhattan's skyline, the tight curve going from Q.B.P. to Courthouse Sq., The Main St & Hunters Point Portals and I will never forget that smell of the Steinway Tubes between Queens And Manhattan. I no longer live in New York, (VA.) and I would give my left arm for a Subway System like NY. and the #7 Train. You folks really should appreciate what you have, Trust me !!!. read more

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This train takes me from Flushing Main Street ALL the way to 32nd Street in Manhattan. I only take the train for that reason. Never dealt with delays or anything. You can sit on the train all day and see so many types of people. People come to sing or to dance or to beg for money. Also it stops right in front of Citi Field. You always get a great show and view on this train ride. Although it is in the subway in NYC, so I don't know what most people would expect. It gets crowded, but its a TRAIN! People have things to do, so you need to deal with it. So as it being a train it is doing its job. read more

No offense to all of my queens in Queens (yes, Javier, that includes you...and, yes, I know you are not gay...BUT....), but the 7 train sucks big fat donkey balls. One of the things that is high on my list of gross-things-people-do-and-have-no-qualms-doing is to spit in public. GROSS. With that in mind, how do you think I felt when I (1) boarded the 7 train back from Flushing dim sum with the gang, (2) sat at a seat on a NOT full car, (3) had a guy wearing a puffy jacket and an all-black baseball cap grab the pole right by me (sure, that's fine) who (4) PROCEEDED TO (A) HANG/SLEEP ALL OVER THE POLE SO THAT HIS BASEBALL CAP-COVERED GREASY HEAD WAS 3 INCHES FROM MY FACE AND (B) WAKE UP AT EACH STOP ONLY TO SPIT ONTO A LITTLE SPIT PILE THAT WAS ACCUMULATING A MERE 5 INCHES FROM MY FEET??? Yeah, it was gross. I could only stomach three stops before I realized I was about to lose my dimsum lunch. At the third stop, I boarded the next car. Consider this my review of prime numbers: 7 train 5 inches away from my feet 3 stops 1 star Q.E.D. read more

Poorest service ever~! I'd rather pay more money to ride on the Chinese van, which will save me a whole lot of time and frustration, than to be stuck inside a battlefield. SMH. read more

This train isn't AS BAD as everyone makes it out to be and I would know better than anyone because I take it pretty much everyday because I live in Flushing and it's literally the only train by me, however it is PRETTY BAD. The trains, even on the weekends now (there was construction on the weekends for many months but that has seemed to stop in the summer months) are usually reliable and comes pretty often. Except later in the evening. However, there have been times when the 7 train has stopped running to certain stops and when it has been shut down completely due to signal problems, train delays, police activity, weather (especially since it's a mostly above ground train - which is actually one of the perks since you get a nice view of Queens, you have cell service and you're not stuck underground). A few weekends ago, I went to the Main Street 7 train station and it was roped off, police were standing by talking to each other, being totally not helpful at all! I asked them what was going on and was told I would have to take the shuttle bus to Mets-Willets Point where the 7 train is running. I hurried out and the subway shuttle bus line was 3+ full blocks long and when I finally got on the bus, it drove incredibly slowly with many stops just to get to Mets-Willets Point, which should have been a 5 minute drive. More confusion at Mets-Willets Point since it seemed like the train there was going back to Main Street, however there was finally an announcement that the train was heading to Manhattan. Back in business. I found out later that a crane fell on the Main St tracks and hit the third rail, which made me worried about how long there would be no 7 train at Main St, considering that the MTA takes months to fix any problem, as well as many much lesser problems than the one that happened that afternoon. Fortunately, when I went to take the 7 train the next day it was completely fine. Over the winter, during one of the snow storms, the 7 train shut down completely and it was handled extremely poorly. I was at 74 St- Broadway Jackson Heights at the time. The MTA workers didn't seem to know what was going on at all and kept telling us to wait at different tracks to get the next 7 train then after awhile they finally announced that it wasn't running at all. The MTA made absolutely no accommodations for the hundreds, probably thousands that had to get to Main Street to go home, after that. No shuttle bus, nothing that could take us to Main Street. They told us to take a city bus, which was actually not accurate because I was then told by other people that there was no 1 city bus that goes directly to Main Street so we would have to take more than 1 and it really didn't look like there were any buses coming anyway. Luckily, I became friendly with a couple people and we shared a taxi back to Main Street. And then there are the tracks and stations... Many of them are worn down and look like they could use an upgrade. Sometimes I'm worried that the 7 train will veer off the tracks or the tracks will deteriorate while the train is in motion above ground and am afraid for my life! Perhaps that's just me and my over active imagination being paranoid though! The other thing I hate is that at times I feel like the train is inching along so slowly, I feel like screaming, and it takes forever to get to Manhattan. Other times, it feels like a much quicker ride, though I don't really feel that the Express 7 is that much faster than the regular unless it's the morning Express train. The Express 7 in the morning runs pretty well, but it is not fun to try to get on the Express 7 during AM rush hour because people are always pushing, shoving, racing to get a seat and sometimes it turns violent. But there are some positive points (besides the frequency and mostly above ground ride). I'm either on the first or last stop so I always get a seat, but it does get quite crowded as the train continues on and sometimes the crowd is not the nicest. Also, we have gotten some nice new subway trains with nice shiny purple seats and generally it is kept pretty clean. read more

To Preface this review: When I used to live in Boston, I was approached about 12 times a day for money by the homeless. I never gave them cash. Before you get on your high horse and judge me, It should be noted I never gave them cash because I didn't know where that $ was going. Then, I thought. . . . what's better than cash? What if I gave the gift of Dunkin Donuts? Could ANYTHING be more enjoyable than a bacon, egg and cheese and coffee? I think not. And that is how I began sporadically giving D&D cards out. Fast forward a few years and here I am in Manhattan. I ride the 7 train everyday. Everyday I see a new crop of characters on this train. I refuse to take the Shuttle because It requires walking what feels like 8 miles and I don't have that kind of willpower. AnyWHO - the homeless people on this train consistantly try to insult my intelligence. Yesterday, a lovely gentleman stated he. . . - Was a Vietnam Vet - Had 2 children at home who needed operations (Really? Both?) and if they're at home, what's the problem? - Wife was pregnant and has cancer -And on and on and on. . . His story has changed about 17 times since I've been on the 7. I don't mind if you're homeless and ask for money. I don't even mind if you're homeles and ask me for money everyday. But, stick to your story and make it believable! Otherwise there's no D&D for you! read more

The 7 train is also known as "The Orient Express", "The Slow Boat to China" (throws up hands), and if you are John Rocker or someone not from around here, "the train with all them foreign folks." It is also known as the bane of my existence. But I have to love it. Why? Ain't no other way out of Queens for me (actually that's sort of a lie because I could take either the Q32 to Bloomie's or the Q39 to the N train, or even haul ass up 48th to Northern and take the dreaded R, but for the sake of argument....). There's nothing really out of the ordinary (for NYC subway) going on on this train in terms of etiquette, unless of course you live in Flushing, but Flushing to me is one huge lack of etiquette. There may be spitting, snorting, nose-picking, baby thugs starting fights, you know, the usual shit. Those are just the "perks" of living in NYC, and that goes triple for us "outer" boro folk. After 13 years, this does not bother me. What bothers me is of course the sucky service. 1) The morning rush is particularly bad. From my stop at 46th, the train has to cross over the Sunnyside Yards, and this is where the problem lies. You have to pray it makes it all the way across without stopping. It hardly ever does. I have however found a remedy to this. Not the stopping, just a remedy for me not getting anywhere. 2) The train runs better on the weekends than during the week. That is of course in the places where it's running, which is roughly 40% of the line. Fortunately, they usually leave my side of the line alone. I mean "usually" in the grand scheme of things, of course. 3) This one, I don't know whether to laugh or to cry: the train stops, conductor makes stock announcement: "Train delayed due to train traffic". Now what traffic might that be? The traffic of the coffee chasing your donut? Perhaps. 4) The local and express signs are almost never right. So now they've employed a special person with a flashlight whose primary function seems to be to stand on the platform and yell out "local" or "express". Thanks, MTA. We knew we could trust you to NOT do the right thing with our money. Now here's the good, and since this is Yelp, it is all about the food: 1) 40th street - Natural Tofu right when you get off the train. Good food, good prices. A bunch of little stores, Pure spa and the Butcher Block on the north side of Queens Blvd. Also try The Grind coffee at Queens and 39th place. Freeeeeee Wiiiiiii-Fiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!! 2) 46th street - Good Turkish kabob place here. Also home to Bliss restaurant, Starbucks, and, if you care to venture down Greenpoint to 43rd or down 46th street to 48th avenue, the BEST Mexican ever. Also some Colombian joints. 3) 52nd street - Mmmm, not sure, but my Jefe says there's a good Thai and good pizza. Also try Cafe Aubergine. 4) 61st - Ecuadorian! And Filipino, and the Arepas Lady.......and Sripraphai! 5) 69th - skip it. 6) 74th and 82nd - Argentinean steak house, South American bakeries, LOTS of Indian, some Thai, a place called the "Tibetan Yak". After that, nothing else matters. Unless of course you are up for a fight. In which case you can go to Flushing for dim sum. Oh, and there's that stadium at, um, Shea Stadium. Two stars, mostly for the destinations. One star for getting you there. However, you will kindly note the text up there in between those parentheses in the first paragraph: there are plenty of options to get you around. Yes, there are days when none of those options work, but on most days, that's the beauty part of NYC transit. It's not necessarily "your" way, but there is a way. read more

I love the 7 train because of our history. Without the 7 train I would've been stuck in Queens for most of my adolescent life. Without the 7 train I would've never been able to have my 1st dim sum experience in Chinatown. Without the 7 train I would've never been able to see my 1st July 4th fireworks in person. Without the 7 train I would've never been able to sneak off and go clubbing. The best seat is the front cab. If you don't mind standing you get to see everything...tracks, tunnels, rats, etc. All the bad things stated in previous reviews are true, but for a broke kid, the 7 train is the only avenue to experience the wondrous sights, smells, and energy in one of the most amazing cities in the world. read more

I never thought I'd come down to this: reviewing a train line. But I have so much hatred towards this train that I need to rant. (I have to take the 7 today, to my favorite stop -- Main Street, so I'm more motivated to write this review.) Actually, it's a love/hate relationship, but it's leaning more towards the hate side. I liked that when I used to live in Woodside (61st street station), the 7 would take me 20 minutes to get into the city. And since it was an express stop, I could take either the express or local. I also loved it when the train would be full of Irish men...drunk or sober, I didn't care. I used to be obsessed with Irish men. (Don't judge me! After all, I was born and raised in Woodside. I was only exposed to pubs on every corner of the block for the first 19 years of my life.) Now I think, Woodside has become more diverse. But ever since I've moved away from Woodside, I just despised going home. I used to live in Flushing...of all places, Flushing. (yeah, I know...right?!) This is quite possibly the worst train ever...to take, at any hours of the day. In the mornings (7-10am) and early evenings (5-7pm), during rush hour...watch out! (Especially at the Main St - Flushing stop.) It's like WW3 or something. Kinda like a stampede of bulls charging at you to either go in or out of the train carts. One time, when the conductor opened the train doors, he yelled "CHARGEEEEE!" into the speaker. Of course, no one got it...except me. The chances of getting yourself a seat at the Flushing stop is zero to none. People will fight over you to get a seat. True story. One Hispanic lady called me "stupid" for getting to an empty seat quicker than she did and also gave me a flat tire (stepped on the back of my shoe, so my shoe fell off). Whatever, lady. There are always problems on this train. I can't ever remember the 7 never stalling or having signal issues. Watch out for that "homeless" guy with the dent in his head, with the stiff neck. He carries plastic bags of empty plastic bottles and will sometimes hit you with it without apologizing, demanding money out of you. He will wake you up during your deep sleep, just to stick his palm under your nose. A "no" shake of the head won't be enough, you'd have to yell at him that you don't have any money for him. And then, maybe...he will move onto the next person. I really think he's harmless but for some reason, he's always scared the living shit out of me. Fortunately, I've moved to a new location and will never have to take the 7 again. Probably will take it to visit friends and such...but like 2-3 times a month or something. Whew! /end rant read more

Big Locomotive Right On Time Big Locomotive Number 7 Line. Gets Me To Flushing Screeching Whistle's Wine Flushing Next Stop Flushing Rising up from the depths of the East River .. The number 7 line Roars from the Belly of Manhattan Beautiful views of Citi Field the unisphere and all of Metropolis around you... YES.. very crowded what do you want with Millions of people trying to get back and forth into Manhattan .. You say My town of Flushing is one of the main connecting points of our Nation.. I would believe it I see people come from thousands of miles on the rails to my Humble town. I am proud to have this wonderful symbol of Americana right in my backyard. Yes Smelly ..Yes crowded ... Yes Broken What would we do Without it?? Brings people from far and wide to my Business.. THE number 7 Subway rises from the Earth. outside my Office Door. Yes the number 7, Not commuters Heaven.. But Brings to my town... A Manny MILLION.. JIM D read more

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Loathe it! I am captive to it because I must rely on it daily for my commute to work and home. When all is well the ride is just fine but there are so many instances when there is a signal malfunction, power outage, track issue and that's when all hell breaks loose. The biggest problem is that this is the only train in Flushing, as well as the only train for much of the stops along the 7 route through Queens. Whenever there are problems people are pretty much stranded or have to find a way to a LIRR station and hope they are cross honoring the metrocard otherwise its a pretty penny to pay full fare. I also don't appreciate the riders who have no comprehension of how to be courteous. It's de rigeur to be bum rushed by 5 people vying for the same seat-- doesn't matter if you are pregnant (even up to 8 mos preggers and ppl would knock me over for a seat) elderly or on crutches. And often times there are very stinky foods being eaten on the morning commute. Sure, I like my turnip cakes and pork and chive dumplings too but please don't eat that in confined areas, like the train! The smells are reminiscent of garbage on a hot summer day. read more

The Origins of the 7 Train There finally came a time where the voices of men gathered enough in strength so that the gods could no longer ignore it. "Please!" the mortals cried, " bless us with a steed as swift as Pegasus, lest we are unable to work and earn our keep!" The gods of old, being guardians of men, had to oblige, but it would be foolish to mistake the act as benevolence. "So be it," the gods relented, "but you lot, those who have been caste out of Manhattan, shall be gifted only with that befitting of puny men." The mortals pleaded, "Make it beautiful! Like Narcissus himself!" "No," boomed the gods, "Color and cleanliness are reserved for nymphs and dryads. Your train shall be cursed with the dullness of a 1970's McDonald's and it shall be tainted with yellowish hue of a smoker's mouth. Furthermore, your conductor shall be more foreboding than Charon himself. His mood and charm will be no less vicious than Cerebus, gatekeeper of the underworld." "Please then, make it comfortable, with the speed of Hermes." "Hah!" The gods gave a mocking laugh, "Comfortable? Your train will service more souls than the River Styx. It will be packed out enough so that one false move shall lead to a sexual harassment suit. The seats shall be partitioned to embarrass those with the girth of a centaur. Anyone foolish enough to attempt a sip of hot beverage will be haunted by a jolting spirit and then punished with a burnt tongue and coffee stains." "As for speed, oh it will have the flight of Hermes alright, that is if Hermes were persistently harassed by harpies. So shall your train be blighted with inexplicable delays. We will strike down the express line whenever we please, just to double the crowds for local trains. Your pathetic frustrations amuse us greatly." The mortals, though they dutifully accepted the train, were obviously sullen at the gods gift. The gods became remorseful, and talked amongst themselves. "Wait," they started gingerly "We shall present you with one gift. On your way to work, you may pass PS1 Contemporary Art Center. Marvel and quiver at the artwork, take heed to Biggie Smalls in bottom left corner, and take solace of the lone purple flower on the back of the building. And remember, for all its faults, the purple Grimace color and the number 7 shall forever be your own." read more

Shit, didn't realize so many people reviewed this train, might as well give my two cents. So this has always been my train, since I have lived in the neighborhood my whole life, I even remember when the train was red(if you want to see the original color, they have an actual train car displayed by the Queens Criminal Court in Kew Gardens) So I happen to live by an express stop so that is a perk and the train is given the nickname the "International Express" because you pretty much have people from every country who live in a neighborhood that the 7 passes. The times I take the train is not either of the rush hours, so my experience might differ from others. I only take the train during the off hours when I go to Flushing because finding parking in Flushing makes me want to punch myself in the face or going to the city during the day because finding parking and traffic in the city makes me want to punch myself in the face. The time that I really adore the 7 is going to the Mets game, it's so convenient taking the train, yes it's crowded but it is a better suck than waiting and trying to drive out of that insane parking lot. #GoAmazins Also, rumor has it that they are looking to expand it down the West Side towards the Javits Center. Fun fact, during the 2000 Subway World Series between the Mets and Yankees, some trains were painted Yankee colors and some trains were painted Mets colors. Tip 1: The 7 Triangle means express, the number 7 circle means local, but still pay attention to what the conductor says. Tip 2: At the Main Street Flushing station when you are on the platform, you look for the signs above that say "next train." You do look look for the train that got there first. Pay attention to the sign only. Tip 3: Very similar to tip 2, at the Times Square stop, you focus on the sign and not which train got there first. read more

I rely on you yet you always let me down. No words can define your epic fail. You're always late, always rude, and rarely provide any apologies. For a train that serves the most populous borough in NYC, you would think you would have a little more consideration for us but no you take us for granted AND raise the fee on us (beginning 2011). All I can say is you suck! read more

arent nights and weekends supposed to be when all the good stuff happens that leaves you satisfied? Not when you are dealing with the 7 train it seems... read more

For some of you it's a crowded, annoying ride to work and back. For me? Pure entertainment. 1,241 miles from my door in the midwest to the Main Street and Roosevelt intersection in Flushing where the #7 terminates heading East out of Manhattan. Clearly, I do not commute to work on this train, but I spend plenty of time thinking about it. When I come to New York I can't wait to get on. Not for the the ride, but where it takes you, which is about anywhere on the planet depending upon where you stop. Tibet, Pakistan, Himalayas, Afghanistan? You can find it at one of the stops. Central America, South America, Cuba? Thailand, Malaysia? Easy! China, Korea and other parts of Asia? Go to the end. Dig interesting food? Get out of Manhattan. Queens is so much more interesting and far cheaper. Those of you that come to Manhattan to see the Empire State Building, Central Park and the Statue, I can't recommend it. And the latest craze, Eataly... please. #7 and its stops, they're none of that. Bang for the buck this is the most amazing ride/experience. As a crazed individual seeking strange foods, this is the gateway to it all. Yes, it's overcrowded, bumpy, rough, rarely a seat, but I love it, and can't wait to get back. Yelp restaurant reviews and the #7 train. A match made in heaven. read more

I think the train from hell runs faster and more efficient than this train. In my college days I took this train every day. I've gotten fondled, shoved, stepped on, indirectly verbally assaulted and have dodged punches on this train. When you have a train during school hours that picks up about 5 schools on the way and a regular commute crowd, there's always going to be over crowding, and just a ridiculous crowd in general. The summers are the worst when it's hot and it's rush hour and you will never get a seat. You will always get stuck on the track as it waits for another train to get off it's track. The summer also means US Open and Met games. Oh jolly joy! So now you have drunk Met fans (heh, Yankee Fan over here and I will always wear a Yankee shirt to piss them off) and a bunch of out of towners staying in the city and taking the 7 train to see the US open. Myself, being Asian, I seem to always hone in on the Asians- who the older crowd will never fail to crack open a box of very strong smelling food in the middle of the crowded train, or talk obnoxiously loud on their cell phone - ah, the benefits of having reception in an above ground train. The train will have signal problems, no service on weekeends, and when it rains, you're f*cked, when it snows, you're f*cked, And definitely when you're in a rush, good freakin' luck! read more

I'm not sure, exactly, how that makes one 'John Rocker,' but yes, there was a Benetton-like collage of nationalities represented on the 7 Train, a featured participant in my wallet's canvassing of the greater New York area. I've now seen Queens, and well, some definitively interesting mixes of folks. In fact, I thought that it was pretty cool (if novel) that in one five-foot section of one car, there were folks reading papers in Arabic, Spanish and Chinese, and though this may not move the news needle in the cultural melting pot of metro NYC, it's interesting to witness if you don't see it every day. I can't imagine how frustrating it'd be to have to be to wait on this sucker to get you where you needed to be on time though, and there were many times during my journey when the slow creaking vessel seemingly threatened to grind to a final halt altogether. But three stars this time out, as I'll probably never have to take it again, knock on wood. But that I did at all is due to the kindness of a given New Yorker, and out of deference to that guy, I can't well bash the train. Even if by the time I got off, I wondered who was president now. read more

I have a soft spot for the 7 train. I used to ride it as a munchkin living in Flushing, and when my parents moved back to Queens while I was in high school, I rode it again to go to all-city band and orchestra practices (yes, I was, and remain, a geek). Somehow Queens and the 7 train came up in a conversation with a friend, so I decided to look up the borough as well as the line on the internet, and came across this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IRT_Flushing_Line One of the neatest part of the 7 train history I am excerpting from the wikipedia entry: "In 1999, the Flushing Line was designated a National Millennium Trail (along with the Appalachian Trail and 14 others) by a joint program of the White House Millennium Council, the United States Department of Transportation, and the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. It was chosen as a representative of the immigrant experience, and because the approximate path of the Flushing Line has been in continuous use as a transportation route since the 17th century." As anyone who has ever ridden the 7 knows, each car is a congregation of tongues. Queens borough has the highest concentration of languages for any region in the U.S. It is estimated that over 130 languages are spoken in Queens. The 7 is the U.N. of public transit. At the Manhattan end of the 7 is the big lights, big city (big headache) of Times Square. On the other end is Flushing, Queens, now home to some of the best Chinese food in NY (when I was growing up it was more Korean, Japanese and Indian...the delight of Queens is the continually shifting demographics that also means an ever-changing range of culinary exploration). But all along the way are various neighborhoods with their own culinary secrets or well-known culinary spots (I am thinking particularly of Jackson Heights which is home to not only some of the best Indian restaurants but also some of the best Texas BBQ to be had in NY). read more

The 7 train and I have a love/hate relationship. When there are delays (and I swear, there's always at least one delay a week), I loathe its existence. I seethe with anger while I stand on the crowded express train because the old lady pushed me aside to get a seat. People are like vultures when it comes to getting a seat on the 7. They're rude and pushy; it's a terrible way to start your work week, but it happens every day without fail. The 7 train seems to bring out the worst in people. And then there are days when the local train magically turns express to Times Square, I can't help but smile and feel giddy that my trip time has been cut in half. I always feel so triumphant when I manage to jump onto the train that turned into an express. YES! Sure, there are some other ways of getting into Manhattan (Chinatown bus or the LIRR), but it IS the cheapest way of traveling into the city so I guess I'll just have to put up with whatever the 7 has in store.. read more

I remember taking this train when I was 18-19 years old at 3-4am because my parents wouldn't allow me to stay at my ex girlfriends house over night. So I would take a 15 minute walk to Main street, then get on the train take it back to the city and then back to Bensonhurst via the D line. Damn there were some nasty delays and re-routes back in those days. Many a nights I'd be dumped at Queensboro plaza and have to take the N line home. I used that train for a bed back in those days, and I don't remember it being as crowded as it is now, though at 3am, going towards NY, it wouldnt be anyway. Now I take the train to the game, and the express and local is always packed. But they views and the eclectic NYC experience is worth it. read more

The bane of my existence. I HATE IT SO MUCH. This is the embodiment of obnoxiousness. Everyone rides the 7 train because they have to, not because they'd like to. I've considered taking the Chinatown bus instead of this dump often, but I don't trust them either. Queens is clearly the purgatory of the MTA. Once upon a time, this is where all the hopes and dreams of the MTA died, so it hates us too much to even consider improvements in this borough. Instead, it punishes us by screwing up the service as much as it can. Purgatory to hell are the best ways to describe this line. WHY DON'T WE HAVE AN EXPRESS TRAIN GOING TO MANHATTAN, HUH? Dear MTA, you are such a bitch. You could seriously walk faster than the 7 train is going at times. Sometimes you don't even get service from Manhattan to Main Street because they make you take a gross shuttle from Mets Pt. Ewww. Ugh 7 train. I can't even. read more

Avoid at all costs -- especially during rush hour. I finally gave up on this cesspool of a station and now either take the express bus on Jewel, or the Q20 bus in the other direction to the Van Wyck E train. Why did I switch? Why is the Main St. 7 station so bad? - During rush hour, you are literally walking in a sea of people to the train station (no matter where your bus lets you off). It's like a moving mosh pit. It makes Herald Square look like Disney. - Hundreds of little old Chinese women with red shopping bags who will push you down, or rudely jump in front of you, to get a seat when the train doors open. Now, subways are always every person for themselves, but Flushing takes it to a new level of utter rudeness and chaos. - The smell of fish guts that permeate the streets during the summer is horrendous. The sidewalks are just filthy. I decided last month that I rather pay more on an alternate route to Manhattan than endure another summer of fishy Flushing. Good bye forever Flushing Main Street 7 station! read more

This train takes me back to my momma in Flushing when I am too drunk to drive. It has served me very well during my younger years and I have spent a great amount of time on it copying homework, looking over the shoulder at that cute girl, and sleep-drooling whenever I had the luck to get a edge seat. It's the only option for North East Queens. Many people count on it daily but it still suffers from schedule and rail problems just like the other subways. How else am I supposed to rate subways anyhow?? - One star for less stinky people and more cute Asian girls - One star for the Mexican guitar performers, who are totally better than the black street dancers on the green trains. - One star for being above ground so I can write on Yelp while I gawk on... read more

As I write this review, I am sitting on an express train watching a local train pass me by. I curse myself every time I take this train. The 7 train is like that annoying friend you have that you hang out with once every 3 months because you forgot how painful it is to be in the presence of that person. Then you curse yourself for the next week, thinking "I'm never hanging out with that person again!" And then 3 months later it happens again. If this is your only train line, then this story repeats itself everyday. Like a bad relationship, once I move and starting riding the JMZ, I realized how terrible the 7 train treated me for those long, long years of high school. Every now and again the 7 train and I cross paths and everytime it happens, I wish I didn't have to see the 7 train. One stat for having express service (sometimes) and one star for cell phone reception. read more

I've lived in Flushing for most of my life and ridden the 7 train to high school and grad school. I'd say the train has gotten more crowded over the years but to compensate the train seems to come every 6 to 8 minutes. The trip only takes 30 minutes on an express but the local is 40 minutes and seems to stop every few blocks. The train has a great view of the Manhattan skyline, the graffiti museum, Citifield, and the Coca Cola sign. (o.o)b You can also hear many different languages on the 7 train. I like hearing other languages but I don't like to hear people talk really loudly =(. When that happens, I just get up and move to a different spot. Then it's usually fine. =) Honestly, the number of comments with racist undertones I've heard about the 7 train is pretty awful. Sometimes in the summer, I hear some Mets fans and tourists complain about the other riders of the 7 train. We can hear you and some of us can understand you. Please don't make racist comments while on the 7 train. If riding the train with us bothers you that much, you can take the LIRR. The little kids who ride this train are so cute! read more

I really don't know why so much hate. It gets 3.5 stars. It is better than G (I know you would say "Any train is better than the G line....") For people complaining that they are so packed during rush hour. Well have you been on the 6 train or the green line in general in the city? It's the same crap. Not to mentioned, have you checked out MTA lines serving Queens? Do you realize how many people those few pathetic lines are trying to carry? I just think that the 7 needs improve and run their express all the time and not just express to Manhattan in the morning and from in the afternoon. read more

It's generally a good train with frequent service and nice views. However, the train can be quite crowded at rush hour or when there are issues. Also, there have been lots of disruptions and service alterations for maintenance overnight, weekends, and occasionally during midday. The overnight changes for repairs are not such a big deal, but some weekends the train does not stop at my local stop (or any nearby stops) in one direction, which is a big inconvenience. read more

Dear IRT 7: Who the FUCK are you? You play the role of hard-to-get, did you know that? You're like the Jekyll and Hyde of the subway system. Granted, there are more pros than cons, but while the pros are totally great, the cons are abysmal. So the Pros: You're the train that goes above-ground in Queens, as opposed to the E, F, G, R, and V. I get a view of many interesting things: graffiti, apartments with people doing their thing as the train rumbles, stores, train yards, Flushing Meadows, CitiField. Maybe it's boring to the next person, but for me, it's my link to the world as I travel by. I still remember how, back in June 2006, there was this sudden downpour. While all the other Queens-bound trains got shut down, you were the only one still running. The service was awful because the trains got 10x more crowded, but if it weren't for you, many Queens residents (like yours truly) would have been left stranded. And because the last stop was Main Street, many folks were able to catch one of the many buses at around Roosevelt Ave that served in lieu of the trains that shut down. You're also the train that helps me get around parts of Queens that I wouldn't normally go, because you go where the E, F, G, R, and V don't go. Flushing-Corona-East Elmhurst/Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Woodside, Sunnyside, Astoria, LIC. Talk about variety in just a couple of stops. Talking about train stops: your express service, when it works well, works very well. As in, the train actually is faster then the local and wastes no time. More on this later. Now the cons: I'm stll sad about the discontinuing of Redbirds, although I understand why. So this is something I'm willing to let go. However, I still won't let go on how you seem to have track maintenance work all the time. Is it precisely because you're outside you're more susceptible to weather-related erosion or problems and thus, need more fixing? This, in effect, affects the local/express track, as it seems to switch or better yet, provide an all-or-nothing of only Express or only Local. Gah. You are infuriating, but you're the one that I have. I need to find a way back home. -----PS: You can review public transportation?! Sweeeeet.---- read more

The 7 line is the most diverse (and shortest) line in the MTA. Generally voted the most reliable and clean line in the subway system, the 7 line is often referred to as the "Orient Express." The workers on this line take great pride in it and its riders find it to be the most essential line for Queens. It's unfortunate that the builders of this line did not predict how important and busy it would become to NYC. Like many lines in the system, the 7 line quickly hit its own "concrete ceiling" with poorly planned (?) transfer points like the recently renovated Court House Square and 74th Street and only one center express rail. The 7 express is a gold-mine of a run getting you from Times square to Main Street in only about 25 minutes. It's unfortunate that it can only run in one direction at a time and is frequently plagued with signal problems as of late. The 7 local can be horrendous; always packed like a sardine can and sloow from all of the human traffic jamming in and out of its 33 doors. It's unfortunate that there's pretty much nothing the MTA can do to alleviate the congestion except expand its route - which... will probably make the congestion and mechanical breakdowns worse. There is a plan in the works to reopen the Elmhurst station on the LIRR (to give folks who use the 82nd and 90th street stations a break) but this alternative will come at a cost. read more

For the most part pretty dependable. I don't have any issues with the service and staff here. I generally don't have issues with any trains, but as always let the people ruin it for you. Ever been on a train in China? No you say? Well this is slowly (and surely) becoming that. I would beg you to say otherwise. Rush hour is a nightmare many mornings. The crowds here get pretty ridiculous. Not just in terms of the sheer volume of bodies, but the sheer volume of ridiculousness is rapidly on the rise. Be prepared to get an elbow to the back. Forearm shove by the kidneys. You will get stepped on (likely repeatedly by the same people). A lot of dirty boxing here. Worst part is no one has the cajones to at least do it in your face. All the dirty tactics come from behind you. The children are often obnoxious. They will race for a seat just as an elderly person would. If you are on this train and see a chivalrous act, be sure to smile. This is a very rare occurrence, so count your lucky stars. You just witnessed a miracle! And I definitely feel sorry for the ladies here. Not only are most of the men ill mannered and poorly cultured, but many pervs infest this line. Weird sounds, pervy looks, yeah they're here too. Bring that mace with you. Hell I'll mace him for you. Sometimes it is better to stand on this train. Some people have no consideration and mutual respect towards fellow man. Do yourself a favor and stand near the end of the cars. Trust me I'm making this suggestion for your safety and for the person you may be about to sock. You're welcome. You've been warned fellow riders! It really is a shame because it is good dependable service. Be aware of announcements because there may be no weekend service into the city due to track maintenance. That is acceptable. But the mongrels here certainly add personality to what should be a good ride. That is also unacceptable, but most importantly it is just sad that riders have to put up with the filth such as these. read more

Much like my fellow reviewers below, I also have a love-hate relationship with the 7 train. Overall, nice average speed train not full to capacity that has clean seats most of the time and travels elevated (in Queens). Subway entertainment includes the occasional guitar or flute players. If you're hungry, sometimes you can buy candy on the train (but then again, all other trains have candy sellers). Allows a pretty nice, but brief, skyline of Manhattan between 45th Courthouse Sq and Queensboro Plaza station. You realize who's a tourist when he/she starts taking pictures of the skyline through the window while *in* the train. The one and only subway line to such great places as Shea stadium/US Open, and Flushing. The pet-peeve of mine is how the 7 train local and the 7 train express share the same track up to Queensboro Plaza, and then diverge. Sometimes I really have no idea which train has arrived at the platform: local or express? Sure, some 7 trains have the express diamond symbol in the front so you know it's express, but sometimes, randomly, the 7 train express is actually a 7 train local. Boy, that throws you off sometimes. There are days when the weather is so sweltering, you don't care about which one you board even though you want the local or express. All that matters is you feel the instant relief of A/C. Though, very quickly, you realize the A/C on the 7 train is generally VERY cold. To those who don't take the 7 train, you probably are wondering wha;ts the big deal, but taking the express when you should be taking the local line gives you an instant pit-in-your-stomach feeling. I can't really compare the feeling to something relevant, but it's not a feeling of "joy". Lately, I've adapted a bit and realized that sometimes you don't need to crane your neck to hear what the conductor has to say "local" or "express." You just check out the number of Asian passengers and you have a good idea that there's a high probability the train is 7 express.. read more

I'll start off by saying that I pretty much only take the 7 to Citi field, and it's usually the express. I've probably taken the 7 only a handful of times during rush hour, and I feel for those people, but lucky for me, I don't have to! I haven't yet been to the hudson yards station yet, so I usually get on at 42nd street. I won't comment on how much I hate 42nd street and it's the bane of existence and I avoid it like the plague. But, I'm ONLY going to 42nd street to get on the 7... 42nd is usually the worst part of my trip. 7 express to willets point! Get on, [hopefully] get a seat, and next thing you know, I'm there! Baseball! And then, 7 express back! Since you are above ground for most of queens, you have phone service, always a nice thing. It's also one of the cleaner trains I ride on. *Disclaimer: My brother in law would probably disagree with this entire review, as he hates the 7. read more

Known as the "international train" for the variety of ethnic groups that populate the neighborhoods along its path, the 7 train is one of the more reliable subway lines in NYC. The one bad thing recently is all the work they have been doing on the signal systems and the Steinway tunnel, which leads to plenty of weekend and overnight shutdowns. Word of advice, if you can avoid the shuttle buses, and use another subway line, do it. Major attractions along the line include the bar/restaurant areas near Veron-Jackson in LIC, the 46th street station in sunnyside, and the Woodside Station in Woodside. Also on the line are Citi-Field, and the US Tennis Center. At the end of the line is Main St. Flushing. All of the stops usually have an assortment of unique ethnic cuisines and local stores. read more

It's like I'm being held hostage by this train. Too many delays as of late. Whenever I'm not on it, I swear I can hear at least 10 of these bad boys passing in a minute (I live near Roosevelt ave). Whenever I AM on it, it's permanently stuck on one speed: crawling obnoxiously slow for a few seconds before pausing for half an hour. And repeat. Also, the mets suck. An extra star for the view around court square. read more

Great... cool to know Yelpers Yelp about the MTA. The unlucky 7 Train. I'm one of those unfortunates that have to commute on this one rail line into Manhattan. It's a nice joy ride for city folks commuting to Citi Field or Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 7 train magically runs perfectly when there are games happening. When the seasonal events are over then the service sucks ass. I can't put into eloquent words how much I loathe this train line, but I need to make this work. It's my only lifeline into Manhattan. It's a melting pot of people riding this train. It would be nice if people respect each other, but no... people are crazy animals. All kinds of crazies from young to old. I feel bad for the conductors on the train. They do try their best closing doors on people halfway in and making muffled announcements or even no announcements at all. Kinda leaves you in suspense as to why the train hasn't moved in 20mins in the middle of the track...YEAH LOVELY aren't they! There has been no improvement over the past 10years. It's more cosmetic changes like the new LED lights (green lights circle around "7" for local and purple diamond lights around "7" for express) on all trains. Whoopie!!@#$% If there is a train god, please have mercy and save this train. read more

Today, I had to take care of some business in Flushing. I was impressed with how fast the 7 express is. It took less than a half hour to travel from 42nd-Grand Central to Main Street, and that's including the fact that it crawled a little as it approached the last stop. The R188 (new cars) have such a smooth ride. I'm not the biggest fan of the MTA. It seems like they raise the fare every 2 weeks. However, the 7 train is the cream of the crop. During rush hour, it comes back to back to back. Yes, sometimes it does get crowded, but almost every line gets crowded during rush hour. Since the 7 is mostly elevated and exposed to the elements, you rarely see bums on the line (though you may see a performer). The stations and trains are generally clean. The 7 express isn't much slower than the LIRR (and even with the fare hikes, it's much cheaper). Many people have complained about the weekend construction. I won't disagree with them, but the work is a necessary evil. And at least with the construction, there are tangible improvements, like the new cars, the extension to the West Side, and generally reliable service on the weekdays. I don't mind construction IF it results in better service (conversely, after all of the "Fast Tracks" on my home line, the E, it still sucks ass. Main Street-Flushing terminal is MUCH cleaner than Jamaica Center). Like I said in my previous review, the 7 has a scenic ride beginning in Midtown Manhattan, traveling through many ethnic neighborhoods, passing by Citi Field where you can see Matt Harvey and (overrated) David Wright, and ending in the Queens version of Chinatown. read more