You are closer than you think
From Court Square or Queensboro Plaza, Midtown is roughly ten to fifteen minutes on the subway, and the 7 runs directly to Grand Central and Times Square. Several Long Island City hotels are physically nearer Midtown East than a hotel in the Upper West Side is.
The view is the product
Staying here means looking at the Manhattan skyline rather than standing in it. Gantry Plaza State Park on the waterfront gives you the classic view, framed by the old Pepsi-Cola sign, and many hotel rooms sell the same outlook for a fraction of a Manhattan view-room rate.
Quiet, and still finding its feet
This is a district of new residential towers rather than an old neighbourhood, and it empties in the evening. There are good restaurants around Vernon Boulevard and in nearby Astoria, but you will not stumble into street life the way you would in Williamsburg or the East Village.
Who it suits
Is Long Island City right for your trip?
Book here if
- Skyline views
- Better room value close to Manhattan
- Longer stays and families needing space
- Travellers happy to use the subway daily
Look elsewhere if
- You want to walk to Manhattan sights
- You want a lively neighbourhood in the evening
- It is a short first trip
Getting around
Court Sq serves the 7, E, M and G; Queensboro Plaza the 7, N and W; Vernon Blvd-Jackson Av the 7; and 21 St-Queensbridge the F. The 7 reaches Grand Central and Times Square directly. The East River Ferry from Hunters Point South is slower but far more scenic.
Hotels in this area
6 hotels reviewed in Long Island City
Boro Hotel
A quiet, well-designed Queens hotel with private terraces and skyline views, at a fraction of the Manhattan equivalent.
- Best for
- Value with design, skyline views, longer stays, quieter nights
- Subway
- 39 Av on the N and W, about five minutes on foot
Ravel Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
A rooftop-led Queens hotel with balcony rooms and skyline views, best for travellers who want outdoor space and a lively bar scene.
- Best for
- Skyline views, balconies, rooftop bars, groups
- Subway
- Queensboro Plaza on the 7, N and W
Aloft Long Island City - Manhattan View
A well-priced Queens hotel with skyline views and balconies, and one of the quickest journeys into Midtown from outside Manhattan.
- Best for
- Value, skyline views, transport connections, longer stays
- Subway
- Court Sq on the 7, E, M and G
The Local NY
The cheapest sensible way to sleep within ten minutes of Midtown, with private rooms for those who do not want a dorm.
- Best for
- Tight budgets, solo travellers, younger travellers, longer stays
- Subway
- Court Sq on the 7, E, M and G
LIC Hotel
A straightforward, well-connected Queens hotel with breakfast included and a terrace, at a fraction of Manhattan rates.
- Best for
- Value, transport connections, short stays, LaGuardia arrivals
- Subway
- Court Sq and 21 St-Queensbridge
Hilton Garden Inn Long Island City New York
A reliable, well-equipped chain hotel in Long Island City for travellers who want predictability and a short commute rather than character.
- Best for
- Families, predictable standards, value, longer stays
- Subway
- Court Sq on the 7, E, M and G
Fast answers
Questions UK travellers ask about Long Island City.
Is Long Island City safe?
Yes. It is a modern residential district of apartment towers, offices and waterfront parks, and it is quiet rather than edgy. The main practical point is that it is quiet, not that it is unsafe.
Is it better value than Manhattan?
Usually, and noticeably so for rooms with a view or a terrace. Weigh the saving against the daily subway journeys, which are short but constant on a sightseeing trip.
Sources and update notes
Last updated: 17 August 2026. Hotel rates, fees, rules and transport details can change.