Best NYC Hotels on the 4, 5, and 6 Subway Line: East Side Manhattan Guide

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Best NYC Hotels on the 4, 5, and 6 Subway Line: East Side Manhattan Guide

Hotels on the green 4, 5 and 6 lines along Lexington Avenue, from the Upper East Side to Union Square, with 2026 rates and tips.

By Matthew S Crawford Β· Published October 23, 2026

Quick answer

The green 4, 5 and 6 lines run under Lexington Avenue and serve the East Side from the Upper East Side to Union Square and City Hall. The 6 is the local train, and the 4 and 5 are express trains that skip many stops.

Overview: Best NYC Hotels on the 4, 5, and 6 Subway Line

The green 4, 5 and 6 lines run under Lexington Avenue and serve the East Side from the Upper East Side to Union Square and City Hall. The 6 is the local train, and the 4 and 5 are express trains that skip many stops. This guide covers hotels within a short walk of these.

The iconic four-faced opal glass clock atop the information booth in Grand Central Terminal β€” Best NYC Hotels on the 4, 5, and 6 Subway Line
The iconic four-faced opal glass clock atop the information booth in Grand Central Terminal, a key landmark for Understanding the Green Lines.

Understanding the Green Lines

The 6 stops at every station on Lexington Avenue, while the 4 and 5 stop at 125th Street, 86th Street, 59th Street, Grand Central–42nd Street, 14th Street–Union Square and Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall. Use the 4 or 5 to cover long distances quickly, and use the 6 for local stops like 77th Street or 51st Street.

Upper East Side: The Carlyle

The Carlyle at 35 East 76th Street, at Madison Avenue, is a classic luxury hotel with rates usually above $650. The 6 at 77th Street is about a three-block walk. It suits travelers who want old-world service, Bemelmans Bar and a quiet, elegant neighborhood close to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Madison Avenue boutiques.

Upper East Side: The Lowell

The Lowell at 28 East 63rd Street, between Park and Madison Avenues, is a small luxury hotel with spacious suites. It is about a five-minute walk to the 4, 5 and 6 at 59th Street, and the F at Lexington Avenue–63rd Street. Rates usually start above $650. It suits couples and families who prefer a.

The landmark Art Deco Waldorf Astoria New York spanning Park Avenue to Lexington Avenue β€” Best NYC Hotels on the 4, 5, and 6 Subway Line
The landmark Art Deco Waldorf Astoria New York spanning Park Avenue to Lexington Avenue, a key landmark for Upper East Side: The Lowell.

Midtown East: Grand Hyatt

The Grand Hyatt New York at 109 East 42nd Street, beside Grand Central Terminal, is a short walk to the 4, 5, 6 and 7. It is a large business hotel with updated rooms, and rates typically fall between $320 and $480. It suits commuters, conference visitors and travelers who need Metro-North or the LIRR.

Midtown East: Hotel Lexington

Hotel Lexington at 511 Lexington Avenue, at 48th Street, is about a five-minute walk to the 6 at 51st Street and the E and M at Lexington Avenue–53rd Street. It offers a range of room types, with prices often between $195 and $295. It suits budget-minded travelers who want a central East Side base near.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art steps on Fifth Avenue at East 82nd Street on Museum Mile β€” Best NYC Hotels on the 4, 5, and 6 Subway Line
The Metropolitan Museum of Art steps on Fifth Avenue at East 82nd Street on Museum Mile, a key landmark for Midtown East: Hotel Lexington.

Union Square: W Union Square

The W New York Union Square at 201 Park Avenue South, at 17th Street, sits steps from the 4, 5 and 6 at 14th Street–Union Square, along with the L, N, Q, R and W. It has a stylish design and rates usually between $320 and $480. It suits travelers who want a lively neighborhood.

Gramercy: Gramercy Park Hotel

The Gramercy Park Hotel at 2 Lexington Avenue, at 21st Street, is a short walk to the 6 at 23rd Street and to Union Square. It has a bohemian design, a rooftop and rates often between $320 and $480 or higher. It suits couples and creative travelers who want a quiet residential area with good.

Tips for Riding the Green Lines

Express trains skip stops, so confirm that your station is served before boarding. The 6 train can be slow, but it is reliable for short trips. Rush hour is busy, especially between 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., so plan extra time. Weekend.

Rates and Booking Tips

Plan on $195 to $295 for budget stays, $320 to $480 for mid-range and $650 or more for luxury. Midweek is cheaper than weekends, and January and February bring the lowest rates. Compare final prices.

Questions Travelers Ask

Travelers often ask whether the East Side feels far from Broadway. It does not, because the 4, 5 and 6 reach Grand Central quickly, and the 7 connects to Times Square. They also ask whether.

Seasons and Timing

The Upper East Side is lovely in spring when Central Park blooms and in fall when the museums are busy. Midtown East is crowded during the United Nations General Assembly in late September, which pushes.

Luggage and Accessibility

Many stations on the Lexington Avenue line have stairs only, so check the MTA accessibility map if you travel with a wheelchair, stroller or heavy bags. Grand Central and Union Square have elevators and wide.

Mistakes to Avoid

Do not assume every green-line train stops at your station. Do not forget to check weekend changes.

Which One Should You Book?

Choose The Carlyle or The Lowell for luxury on the Upper East Side, the Grand Hyatt or Hotel Lexington for Grand Central, the W for Union Square, and the Gramercy Park Hotel for a quieter.

Common questions

What should visitors know about Understanding the Green Lines?

The 6 stops at every station on Lexington Avenue, while the 4 and 5 stop at 125th Street, 86th Street, 59th Street, Grand Central–42nd Street, 14th Street–Union Square and Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall. Use the 4 or 5 to cover long distances quickly, and use the 6 for local stops like 77th Street or 51st Street.

What should visitors know about Upper East Side?

The Lowell at 28 East 63rd Street, between Park and Madison Avenues, is a small luxury hotel with spacious suites. It is about a five-minute walk to the 4, 5 and 6 at 59th Street, and the F at Lexington Avenue–63rd Street.

What should visitors know about Midtown East?

Hotel Lexington at 511 Lexington Avenue, at 48th Street, is about a five-minute walk to the 6 at 51st Street and the E and M at Lexington Avenue–53rd Street. It offers a range of room types, with prices often between $195 and $295.

What taxes, fees and transit tips apply when booking for Best NYC Hotels on the 4, 5, and 6 Subway Line?

New York City hotel stays carry a 14.75% combined occupancy and sales tax plus $3.50 per room per night in statutory fees, and many Manhattan and Brooklyn properties add a $25 to $55 nightly destination fee. Use OMNY contactless tap-to-pay ($2.90 per ride) on nearby MTA subways and buses to compare door-to-door travel times before locking in a non-refundable rate.

Keep reading

Where to Stay in Midtown & Fifth Avenue, NYC: Neighborhood Guide Β· Luxury Hotels in NYC: Where to Stay for Five-Star Service Β· Best Hotels Along the 4, 5 & 6 Lexington Avenue Subway Line Β· Best Hotels Along the 1, 2 & 3 Broadway-Seventh Avenue Subway Line Β· Best Hotels Along the A, C & E Eighth Avenue Subway Line Β· Best Hotels Along the B, D, F & M Sixth Avenue Subway Line

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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