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Getting From Times Square to SoHo (Prince St) & Chinatown (Canal St) on N/Q/R/W

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NYC Hotel & Travel Guide · 2026 Edition

Getting From Times Square to SoHo (Prince St) & Chinatown (Canal St) on N/Q/R/W

Times square to soho and chinatown: 2026 NYC guide with addresses, subway lines, walking distance and rates.

By Matthew S Crawford · Updated October 2026 · Verified NYC Rates & Tax Math

Quick answer

The times square to soho and chinatown trip is one of the easiest downtown rides in New York City: board a downtown N, R or W at Times Sq-42 St and ride south on Broadway. Prince St serves SoHo and Canal St serves Chinatown, though service patterns change, so confirm with the MTA.

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Times Square to SoHo and Chinatown: The Short Answer

The times square to soho and chinatown trip is one of the easiest downtown rides in New York City: board a downtown N, R or W at Times Sq-42 St and ride south on Broadway. Prince St serves SoHo and Canal St serves Chinatown, though service patterns change, so confirm with the MTA.

This guide is written for visitors sleeping in Midtown Manhattan who want clear stations, realistic walking distance estimates, a simple order for the day and hotel planning math, with every schedule and fare marked as something to confirm.

Taking the N, R or W Subway From Times Sq-42 St to Prince Street

For SoHo, take a downtown N, R or W from Times Sq-42 St to Prince St. The ride usually takes about twenty minutes depending on the train and time of day, which is an estimate. Check that your train is running local or express. Platform signs and the countdown clocks show which train is next, and a quick look at the MTA app before boarding avoids guesswork on busy afternoons.

Prince St sits at Broadway and Prince Street, so the exit puts you in the middle of the cast-iron shopping blocks. Confirm station entrances and any weekend reroutes first, because track work often changes the N, R and W between Midtown and lower Manhattan.

Leafy greens piled at a Chinatown produce stand
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress, public domain

Reaching Canal Street Station for Chinatown on N, Q, R or W

For Chinatown, ride the same downtown Broadway trains to Canal St, where the N, Q, R and W stop. Treat the lines as a guide and confirm exact service, since the Q and W do not always run the same route or hours.

Canal St station is a large transfer point with the 6 and J/Z nearby, and exits open near Broadway, Lafayette and Centre Streets. The walk from the platform to the heart of Chinatown is a few blocks, though the sidewalks fill up quickly. Walk with the crowd, watch for delivery carts and street vendors, and keep your phone or bag close in the busiest stretches.

SoHo Walking Route: Broadway, Prince Street and Spring Street

After leaving Prince St station, most visitors stroll Broadway, Prince Street and Spring Street, then drift west toward Greene and Mercer Streets for the cast-iron facades. Stores open at different times, so confirm hours, and expect busy sidewalks on weekends.

A relaxed loop covering these blocks usually takes one to two hours with browsing (an estimate). Cobblestone side streets are uneven, so comfortable shoes matter, and strollers or wheeled bags are slower here than on the avenues.

Walking Between SoHo and Chinatown Along Lafayette Street

SoHo and Chinatown sit close together. From the Spring Street area, walking east and south along Lafayette Street takes roughly fifteen to twenty minutes to reach Canal Street (an estimate). Many visitors walk it to see the changing blocks.

If you would rather not walk, a short subway hop from Prince St to Canal St on the N, R or W is possible. Confirm service first, and keep in mind that a single stop saves time only if a train is arriving.

The Midtown skyline at dusk, one subway ride north of Union Square
Photo: Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Chinatown Food Stops Near Canal Street and Mott Street

Mott Street, Bayard Street and nearby blocks hold bakeries, dumpling counters and restaurants that many visitors seek out. Choices change often, so confirm hours and whether a place takes cards, since some small counters are cash-oriented.

Plan around meal rushes, because lunch and weekend afternoons draw long lines. Eating a little early or late makes ordering easier, and sharing several small plates lets a group sample more than one stop in a single afternoon. Ask staff about spice levels, allergens and dietary needs rather than assuming, and carry a small amount of cash as a backup in case a counter does not take cards.

Best Order for a Half-Day: SoHo First or Chinatown First

Starting in SoHo works well if you want shops before they crowd, then moving to Chinatown for a late lunch. Starting in Chinatown suits an early food crawl, followed by an easy walk northwest into the boutiques.

Either way, keep the plan loose, check opening hours, and decide whether.

Frequently Asked Questions About Times Square to SoHo and Chinatown

The most common questions about this route concern which subway line to take, how long it takes and whether it is easy with luggage or children. Answers below are general guidance and should be confirmed.

Service changes, weekend work and overnight patterns can alter any route, so check the MTA before you leave and keep a backup plan. Small preparations can save a lot of time.

Which subway goes from Times Square to SoHo?

Downtown N, R and W trains from Times Sq-42 St reach Prince St in SoHo. Confirm service with the MTA, because patterns vary by day and time.

How do I get from Times Square to Chinatown?

Ride the downtown N, Q, R or W to Canal St, then walk a few blocks east and south. Check live service before you go.

Can I walk from SoHo to Chinatown?

Yes, it is often about fifteen to twenty minutes on foot along Lafayette Street, an estimate. Confirm routes if you carry luggage or use a stroller.

Keep reading

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About the author. Matthew S Crawford grew up on Long Island, in Massapequa and then Deer Park. He runs NYCHotelss, an independent NYC hotel guide. Details change. Check rates, hours and policies before you book.
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