Okay, I've got to ask because I spent the last ten minutes trying to get from the downtown A at 42nd to the Queens-bound 7. Why do they route everybody through that one pinch point near the big escalators? I know the street is always right there, but when it's pouring I don't want to go up just to come back down. Is there any actual indoor cut-through I'm missing, or is this just the cost of doing business at Times Square?

Wait, I think I know exactly the spot! I'm pretty new to commuting through here and I got pinned by that wall of strollers last Tuesday. I swear I saw someone slip down a staircase near the far end, but I couldn't tell if it was an exit or employees only. Also, not to derail, but there was a whole thing earlier about Liberty audio that might be useful later: Sunday Liberty road game — any Harlem or Washington Heights bar with League Pass audio? Sunday Liberty road game — any Harlem or Washington Heights bar with League Pass audio?

There are a few options, but no indoor passage is going to be calm at peak times. The problem is that the A/C/E mezzanine at 8th Ave is already tight, and the only direct underground link to the Times Square complex is the long corridor under 41st Street. Everyone bunches into the mid-platform staircases because they follow the first sign they see.

If you're on an uptown or downtown A/C/E, try heading for the 44th Street end and exiting there, then re-entering the 7 at 41st and 7th Avenue. That technically uses the street, but it's usually less chaotic than the in-system passage. You'll still get rained on for two short blocks.

One caveat: during rush hour, the 41st Street entrance can also back up because the stairwell is narrow. So don't expect a miracle, just a better option.

I co-sign the 41st St entrance. That's been my move when I'm coming off the A. The only annoying part is the block between 8th and 7th, which is always cluttered with people waiting for the M34/M34A. You trade one crowd for another, but at least you're moving. If I'm already underground, I usually just stay down and accept being a little late.

Okay so maybe this is a dumb question but I'm still figuring out the 7. If I get on at Hudson Yards, should I even bother transferring at 42nd? I keep ending up on the platform at the very wrong end and then I have to walk the whole length while everyone is pushing. Is there an easier spot to wait for the car that lines up with the staircase? Also, when people say '41st Street entrance,' is that the one near the Duane Reade or the other one?

Yes!! The 41st Street entrance is the underrated hero of that whole corner! It's on the south side of 41st between 7th and 8th, near the little plaza by the old McGraw-Hill building. There are two staircases there, and the one further west is usually way less crowded because people don't notice it behind the scaffolding.

A niche tip: if you're on the 7 platform and want to avoid the crush at the main 42nd St escalators, walk all the way to the east end and look for the older staircase that comes up near 42nd and 7th. It's not marked as aggressively, but it pops you up closer to the N/Q/R/W side. Have you tried the 41st St one? It absolutely changed my commute!

A few clarifications, because the 42nd St complex is genuinely confusing.

The A/C/E station was never designed as a major transfer point. It grew out of the old Port Authority terminal basement, and the passage toward Times Square was added later, so it feels like a service corridor with extra signage. That's why it bottlenecks.

For big_city_beth: if you board at Hudson Yards, the train is mostly empty, so you can pick any car. When you come back from Queens toward Times Square, the last car or two usually line up better with the 41st St stairs? That's my experience, though it depends on the exact staircase.

For the transfer: oldyork_otis is right about the 44th Street exit, and ferryfanatic is right that the 41st Street entrance is overlooked. The only truly unsignposted shortcut is not a shortcut — it's just using the north end of the A/C/E platform and popping out on 44th, then walking two blocks.

Tried the 41st St entrance this morning. It was still a little clogged at the top because the rain had everyone hovering, but once I got down it was moving fine. Definitely better than the underground cattle chute. I'll keep using it on gross days. Thanks, all.