Brooklyn is larger than Manhattan by land area — 97 square miles versus 23 — and this geographic reality shapes every transportation decision. The northern neighborhoods (Williamsburg, Greenpoint, DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights) have excellent connections to Manhattan and are easy to navigate. Southern Brooklyn (Bay Ridge, Flatbush’s southern end, Coney Island) requires planning and longer transit times. The middle sections are well-covered by the 2/3/4/5 and F/G lines.
Getting to Brooklyn from Manhattan: By Subway
The L train is the essential line for North Brooklyn. From 14th Street/Union Square to Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg takes 8 minutes. The L continues to Lorimer Street, DeKalb Avenue, and Myrtle/Wyckoff, serving Williamsburg and Bushwick. If you are going to Williamsburg, take the L. There is no faster way.
The 2/3/4/5 trains serve Downtown Brooklyn (Borough Hall, 20 minutes from Midtown), Park Slope (7th Avenue and Grand Army Plaza), Crown Heights (Nostrand, Kingston, Utica Avenues), and Flatbush. The 4/5 express is significantly faster than the 2/3 local for the first several stops.
The A and C trains serve Jay Street/MetroTech in Downtown Brooklyn, then continue south through Bedford-Stuyvesant to East New York on the A. The A also connects to Howard Beach and JFK Airport, making it the right choice if you are arriving by air and staying in Brooklyn.
The F and G trains serve Carroll Gardens, Park Slope, Kensington, and down to Coney Island on the F. The G train runs entirely within Brooklyn and Queens — it does not enter Manhattan — and is the essential line for borough-to-borough travel without returning to Manhattan first.
The J/M/Z trains cross the Williamsburg Bridge and serve the Williamsburg waterfront at Marcy Avenue, then continue through Bushwick into Queens.
The NYC Ferry
The NYC Ferry runs from Pier 11 at the foot of Wall Street to multiple Brooklyn stops. The East River Route serves DUMBO/Brooklyn Bridge Park (10 minutes from Pier 11), North Williamsburg (20 minutes), and South Williamsburg. The South Brooklyn Route serves Red Hook, Sunset Park, and Bay Ridge. Fare is equivalent to a subway ride; OMNY contactless payment works on board. Check the NYC Ferry app for current schedules — service is less frequent than the subway and has seasonal variations. For a first trip to DUMBO or Williamsburg, the ferry approach is genuinely excellent.
Walking and Cycling Across the Bridges
The Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian walkway is the most scenic crossing — enter from the Manhattan side at City Hall Park, walk 20-30 minutes, exit at Tillary Street in DUMBO. The walkway is crowded on weekends; consider the Manhattan Bridge as an alternative.
The Manhattan Bridge has a north-side pedestrian path and a south-side bike-only path. Less crowded than the Brooklyn Bridge and faster for cyclists. Exits at Flatbush Avenue Extension in DUMBO.
The Williamsburg Bridge has both a pedestrian and a bike path. The fastest crossing between the Lower East Side and Williamsburg on foot or by bike — about 25 minutes walking.
Citi Bike coverage in North Brooklyn is excellent — Williamsburg, Greenpoint, DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights, and Park Slope all have dense station coverage. Day pass ($19) covers unlimited 30-minute rides. E-bikes ($4.49/ride or included with annual membership) are particularly useful for Brooklyn’s longer stretches.
Getting Around Within Brooklyn
For neighborhoods the subway doesn’t reach well — Red Hook (no subway; take the B61 bus or the NYC Ferry), Sheepshead Bay, Canarsie, and parts of Flatbush’s southern end — car service (Uber, Lyft, or Via) is the practical option. Via is often cheaper for short intra-borough hops. For longer trips within Brooklyn (say, Williamsburg to Bay Ridge), the subway works but may require one or two transfers — map the route in advance.
Within walkable North Brooklyn, the distances between neighborhoods are manageable: DUMBO to Brooklyn Heights is a 10-minute walk uphill. Brooklyn Heights to Carroll Gardens is 15-20 minutes on foot. Williamsburg’s Bedford Avenue main strip is about 2.5 miles from DUMBO along the waterfront — a 50-minute walk or a 15-minute bike ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to get from Manhattan to Brooklyn?
The subway is fastest for most destinations. The L train reaches Williamsburg (Bedford Avenue) in 8 minutes from 14th Street. The 2/3/4/5 reach Downtown Brooklyn in 15-20 minutes from Midtown. The NYC Ferry from Pier 11 serves waterfront stops including DUMBO and Williamsburg.
How do I get to Williamsburg from Manhattan?
Take the L train from any Manhattan L stop to Bedford Avenue — 8 minutes from 14th Street/Union Square. The NYC Ferry from Pier 11 reaches North Williamsburg in about 20 minutes. The J/M/Z trains cross the Williamsburg Bridge to Marcy Avenue.
Is there a ferry from Manhattan to Brooklyn?
Yes. The NYC Ferry runs from Pier 11 (Wall Street) to DUMBO/Brooklyn Bridge Park, Red Hook, North Williamsburg, South Williamsburg, and Greenpoint. Single ride is subway-fare equivalent. Runs 7 days a week with seasonal schedules.
How do I get around Brooklyn without a car?
The 2/3/4/5 serve western Brooklyn, the F/G serve the middle, the A/C serve southern Brooklyn. Citi Bike covers North Brooklyn well. Walking is viable within neighborhoods. Car service is practical for southern Brooklyn destinations not served by the subway.
Also see: our Brooklyn first-time visitors guide
Also see: our Manhattan transportation guide
