New York Islanders fans should familiarize themselves with UBS Arena’s new address: 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, seven miles west down the road from Nassau Coliseum. Located in Elmont, the arena is in Nassau County, not Queens, so the Islanders still play on Long Island. With the new home, many fans may be unsure of the best ways to get there. So, here is all you need to know about transportation to UBS Arena.

Driving and Ridesharing

As it was for the Nassau Coliseum, the most popular choice of transportation to UBS Arena will most likely be cars. Driving to the arena will take a bit longer than driving to the Coliseum for many fans — specifically those from Suffolk County and most of Nassau County. The arena is directly off of the Cross Island Parkway at three exits.

Exit 26D is where you’ll get off to reach the Emerald parking lot. It is the furthest from the arena, but where the majority of parking can be found on gameday. Shuttles will carry fans from the parking lot to the front of the arena. This is a great option for fans arriving from New York City, the Grand Central Parkway (exit 23 southbound) or the Long Island Expressway (exit 31S).

On the south side of the arena off exit 26A is the aptly-named South parking lot. It’s a bit smaller than the Emerald parking lot and located on the other side of Hempstead Turnpike. A tunnel has been built under Hempstead Turnpike to allow for walking from the South lot to the arena without crossing Hempstead Turnpike. This is the closest lot the Southern State (follow signs for Cross Island Parkway north toward the Whitestone Bridge after passing exit 13 when traveling west) and Belt Parkways (follow signs for Cross Island Parkway toward the Whitestone Bridge after passing exit 24B while traveling northeast), which should ferry fans from southern Long Island, southern Queens and Brooklyn. 

UBS has not yet published the price of parking upon arrival on their website, but you can purchase parking in advance on Ticketmaster here for about $30 per game. However, parking may sell out so UBS Arena recommends that fans purchase parking in advance. 

Exit 26B (NY24/Hempstead Turnpike East) will bring you to some exclusive parking lots. The Diamond parking lot and Silver parking lot are the closest lots to the arena as possible. But if you’re willing to pay the higher prices (due to their smaller size), these two lots are for you. They can be reached off NY 24/Hempstead Turnpike West or exit 26B from the Cross Island. UBS Arena has explicitly stated restrictions in their parking lots, including prohibiting tailgating.

If you take an Uber, Lyft, or any other ridesharing service, the drop-off/pick-up location is directly north of the arena, in between it and the racetrack. Prices for ridesharing services vary based on what time you order the car and how far you drive. 

Public Transportation

Another way to get to UBS Arena is by train. There are three LIRR Train Stations you can get off at to get to the arena.

If you live close to the Babylon, West Hempstead, Oyster Bay, Long Beach, Far Rockaway, or Montauk branches, take the train to Jamacia then transfer to a westbound train to the Belmont Park Station. This is the closest station to the arena and is located directly adjacent to it. 

Also follow this method if you’re traveling from Penn Station, Atlantic Terminal or any City Zone stations (i.e. Forest Hills, Nostrand Avenue, etc.). There will be two trains leaving from Jamacia to Belmont Park on gameday. Two more will leave that station at the conclusion of the game and return to Jamacia.

If you live near the Hempstead branch, things get a lot easier. The easiest option for you is to get off at Queens Village and take the UBS Arena shuttles to the stadium. Select Ronkonkoma and Port Jefferson/Huntington branch trains will also stop here on game day.

There’s also the newly opened Elmont Station next to the Emerald parking lot. This station will be served by Hempstead branch trains departing either Penn Station or Atlantic Terminal on event days. As the westbound side of the station is not yet complete, UBS Arena advises customers to use the Belmont Park or Queens Village Stations to get home after the game.

The Port Washington branch has it the hardest. You’ll have to take the train to either Penn Station or Woodside, head to Jamacia, then make your way to one of the three stations close to the arena.

Check LIRR TrainTime for complete info from the MTA about schedules to and from your station and use MTA eTix to buy train tickets ahead of time. Prices vary based on where you’re traveling from.

Buses also can take you to UBS Arena. From the city, MTA buses Q2 and Q110 have amended their routes to include stops at UBS Arena. The NICE N6 bus also travels to the arena from both directions.

For more information about transportation to UBS Arena, click here.

Ben Kule

Die-Hard Islanders fan and writer from Plainview, Long Island, NY. I have a passion and knowledge for this team and I enjoy sharing that with others