How to Get to Roosevelt Island

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Last Updated: January 21, 2024 References

Roosevelt Island is located in the center of the East River between Queens and Manhattan. The island allows visitors and locals to leave the hustle and bustle of the city without actually travelling outside of NYC. The small island boasts parks, walkways, a lighthouse, and plenty of leisure activities. You can access the island by train, tram, bus, bike, or car. Parking is limited, however, so consider traveling to the island via public transit or a bike.^{[1]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Traveling to Roosevelt Island by Subway or Bus

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The F Train runs from Queens, through Manhattan, and ends in Brooklyn. This line makes a stop at Roosevelt Island. The Roosevelt Island train stop is situated between the 21st Street-Queensbridge train stop in Queens and the Lexington Ave-63rd Street train stop in Manhattan.^{[2]
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If you are traveling from Queens, the Q102 Bus is an excellent transportation option. The Q102 bus line runs between Astoria, Queens to Roosevelt Island, Manhattan. The bus operates between 5:00 A.M. and 1:00 A.M. It makes stops approximately every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on the weekends.

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Instead of walking or driving around Roosevelt Island, hop on the RIOC Red Bus and ride for free. The Red bus travels from the island from North to South. It makes stops at the F Line Roosevelt Island stop and the Roosevelt Island Tramway stop. The bus runs daily between 5:45 A.M. and 2:30 A.M, making stops every 5 to 15 minutes.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Traveling to Roosevelt Island by the Tramway

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Familiarize yourself with the tramway schedule. The Roosevelt Island Tramway operates every day of the week. It has two schedules a regular (non-rush hour) service schedule and a rush hour service schedule.
- The regular (non-rush hour) service schedule runs daily from 6:00 A.M. to 2:00 A.M. Sunday to Thursday and 6:00 A.M. to 3:30 A.M. on Friday and Saturday. Each hour, trams leave from the Manhattan station at :00, :15, :30, and :45. Each hour, trams leave from Roosevelt Island at :07, :22, :37, and :52.
- The rush hour service schedule is in effect Monday through Friday between the hours of 7 A.M. to 10 A.M. and 3 P.M. to 10 P.M. During rush hour trams run more frequently. Each hour, trams leave from the Manhattan station and the Roosevelt Island Station at :00, , 08, :15, :23, :30, :38, :45, and :52.
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Purchase a MTA Metro Card. In order to ride the Roosevelt Island Tramway, you must pay your fare with a MTA Metro Card. The Roosevelt Island Tramway follows the rate structure set up by the MTA. There are NO MTA booths at the tram station. Purchase your MTA Card prior to arriving at the station.^{[3]
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- A single ride costs $3.00. Single ride tickets may only be purchased at vending machines.
- If you purchase multiple rides, the cost of each individual rides is reduced to $2.75.^{[4]
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- Up to 3 children under 44 inches tall may ride for free with 1 adult.^{[5]
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The Roosevelt Island Tram station is located in Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Board the tram at the station located at 59th Street and 2nd Avenue. After the ride, which approximately last 4.5 minutes, you will arrive at Roosevelt Island.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Traveling to Roosevelt Island by Car or Bike

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Drive from Manhattan to Roosevelt Island. There are three suggested routes from Manhattan to Roosevelt Island.
- 59th Street Bridge, Upper Roadway. Drive onto 58th Street east of 2nd Avenue. As you take the off-ramp to 21st Street, remain in the right lane. Turn right onto 21st Street. Drive to 36th Avenue and take a left to cross the Roosevelt Island Bridge. Once across the bridge, turn left onto Main Street. Take a left onto East Road and search for parking. The Upper Roadway is recommended over the Lower Roadway.^{[6]
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- 59th Street Bridge, Lower Roadway. Use the right lane to take the Jackson Avenue/25A West exit. Take the first right off the bridge and remain in the right lane. Turn right onto Jackson Avenue. Turn right onto 43rd Avenue. Turn right onto Vernon Boulevard. When you arrive at 36th Avenue, take a left across the Roosevelt Island Bridge. Take a left onto Main Street. Turn left onto East Road and search for parking.^{[7]
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- Midtown Tunnel (I-495 East) to Queens. Take the Borden Avenue Exit (Exit 13) and turn right onto Borden Avenue. Take the first available right onto Vernon Boulevard. Take a left onto 36th Avenue and cross the Roosevelt Island Bridge. Once across the bridge, turn left onto Main Street. Take a left onto East Road and search for parking.^{[8]
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Head West on Grand Central Parkway. Take the 31st Street Exit (Exit 45) and turn left onto 31st Street. Take a right onto 36th Avenue and cross the Roosevelt Island Bridge. Once across the bridge, take a left onto Main Street. Turn left onto East Road and search for parking.^{[9]
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Head East on the BQE.Take the Humboldt/McGuiness Exit (Exit 33). As you reach the end of the off-ramp, bear left to drive under the BQE towards McGuiness and cross the Pulaski Bridge into Queens. McGuiness turns into 11th Street. Drive down 11th Street until you reach 44th Drive and turn left. Take a right at the next light onto Vernon Boulevard. Turn left at 36th Avenue and cross the Roosevelt Island Bridge. Take a left onto Main Street followed by a left onto East Road. Search for parking along East and West Roads.^{[10]
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Since parking is extremely limited on the island, biking is an ideal mode of transportation. You may access the island on Bike via the Roosevelt Island Bridge. Bike down 36th Avenue towards the Roosevelt Island Bridge. When you have crossed the bridge, take a left onto Main Street.

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Can I buy a house on Roosevelt Island?

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You can rent or buy an apartment, but not a house. Roosevelt Island does not have single family homes on it, just apartment buildings.

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Are bicycles allowed on the tram?

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Yes, but you will have to take your bike up and down the stairs because the elevators are too small for them.

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You may bring your bike on the subway and tram.

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In 2017, there will be a Ferry stop at Roosevelt Island.

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