Hi everyone,

My second trip to New York is imminent. My wife and I fly from London to Boston on May 4th and then to NYC on May 7th. I am delighted to have tickets for the Mets - Dodgers game on May 8 (hope it's not a rain out!!). How long should we allow for the subway journey from 42nd street to Shea stadium? Game time is 7:10pm

Thanks

Steve
Blackpool, England

Steve,

Give yourself a good 45 minutes or so....I would start out around 6, assuming you want to get there 7ish.

Have fun....

So you are a fan of minor league baseball.

In terms of the subway to Shea, there are few possibilities. The slowest way is the number 7 local train all the way from the city. The signs for this train are a 7 in a purple circle.

The number 7 "skip-stop" service (not sure of the hours but likely rush hour) will stop at about 1/2 the stops, including Shea. It'll be a 7 in a purple diamond.

Alternatively, you can take the E or F train, "The Queens Express", from Manhattan to the Jackson Heights/Roosevelt Avenue station in Queens where you'll switch to the local 7 train.

The fastest route will be the 7 skip-stop train.

get there earlier than 7 - batting practice and pregame ceremonies are a whole lot of fun and really clue you in on the personality of the fans.

To make your life easy, go to either the Times Square or Grand Central subway stations and get on whichever 7 (purple) train comes into the station first (heading toward Queens). Don't worry about local vs. express unless you are a regular tube user in London and used to keeping your eye out for those distinctions. The express will save you 20+ minutes but both trains stop at Shea Stadium/Willets Point. You will see Shea Stadium and the Tennis Center as you approach (as the subway is above ground at this point). Then follow the rush of people over to the stadium. Enjoy!

stevie b -- the posters here are right on, but i want to add, because i think it deserves mentioning, that the riders you will see on this train (maybe slightly less so because of the game) probably will represent the most ethnically diverse group of people you will ever see. i used to take this train alot from manhattan. because you're from london it may be less striking than if you were from somewhere else, but it is interesting nonetheless. enjoy your trip to the ballpark, and the game. although i now live in denver, some of my earliest and best memories were of that "impossibly green" field at shea.