You've been there. Standing on a corner in Hempstead, squinting down the road, wondering if that distant flash of white and orange is actually the bus or just a delivery truck. If you rely on the n6 bus time schedule, you know it’s the lifeline of the Hempstead Turnpike.
The n6 isn't just a bus; it's the "Main Street" of Nassau County transit. It connects the bustling Hempstead Transit Center to the 165th Street Terminal in Jamaica, Queens. It’s long. It’s often crowded. Honestly, it can be a bit of a chaotic ride during rush hour. But if you’re trying to hit the subway in Queens or get home from a late shift at the hospital, this route is basically your only option that doesn't involve a $50 Uber.
What the n6 bus time schedule actually looks like
Look, the paper schedules are nice to have in your pocket, but they don't tell the whole story. The n6 bus time schedule operates with a frequency that most other Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) routes can only dream of.
On a typical weekday, the service is relentless. We're talking buses every 10 to 12 minutes during the peak morning and afternoon rushes. It starts early too—around 4:30 AM for the first westbound trips heading toward Jamaica. If you're an early bird or working the "vampire shift," you'll find service running well past midnight.
Weekday Breakdown
- Early Morning (4:00 AM – 6:30 AM): Buses every 15–20 minutes.
- Morning Rush (6:30 AM – 9:30 AM): High frequency, often every 8–10 minutes.
- Midday (9:30 AM – 3:00 PM): Settles into a 12–15 minute rhythm.
- Afternoon Rush (3:30 PM – 7:00 PM): Back to that 10-minute "don't check the app just walk to the stop" frequency.
- Night (8:00 PM – Midnight): Starts to thin out to 20 or 30 minutes.
Saturday and Sunday are a different beast. Don't expect a bus every ten minutes on a Sunday morning. You’re looking at a 20-to-30-minute wait most of the day. It’s manageable, but if you miss one by thirty seconds because you were buying a coffee, you're going to be standing there for a while.
The n6 vs. the n6X: Know the Difference
This is where people usually mess up. There are actually two versions of this route: the Local (n6) and the Express (n6X).
The local n6 hits every single stop. It stops at the little intersections in Elmont. It stops in Franklin Square. It stops because someone looked at the bus the wrong way. It’s slow, but it gets you exactly where you need to go.
The n6X is the "Express" version. It primarily runs during peak hours on weekdays. It skips the smaller stops and focuses on major hubs like Franklin Avenue, New Hyde Park Road, and the Belmont Park area. If you’re going from end-to-end (Hempstead to Jamaica), the n6X can save you about 15–20 minutes. Just make sure your specific stop isn't one of the ones it breezes past. There is nothing worse than seeing your stop fly by through the window while you’re stuck on an express bus.
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Key Stops You Should Know
The route is roughly 10 miles long, but it feels longer because of the traffic on the Turnpike. Here are the "heavy hitters" on the line:
Hempstead Transit Center: This is the mothership. You’ve got connections to the LIRR and about a dozen other NICE bus routes.
Franklin Square / New Hyde Park: Massive commuter hub. This is usually where the bus gets really packed.
Belmont Park / UBS Arena: Since the arena opened, this stop has become a nightmare on game nights. If there’s an Islanders game or a concert, the n6 bus time schedule basically becomes a suggestion rather than a rule. Traffic around the Cross Island Parkway will eat your schedule alive.
Jamaica Bus Terminal (165th St): The end of the line. From here, you’re a short walk or a quick transfer away from the F train at 179th St or the E, J, and Z trains at Parsons/Archer.
Why the Schedule Lies to You (Sometimes)
Let’s be real. Nassau County traffic is some of the worst in the country. The Hempstead Turnpike (Route 24) is notorious for "bunching."
Bunching is that annoying phenomenon where no bus shows up for 25 minutes, and then three show up at the exact same time. The first bus is usually packed to the rafters because it’s picking up everyone who’s been waiting. The second and third buses are practically empty.
If you see two n6 buses coming at once, always get on the second one. You’ll actually have a seat, and since it doesn't have to stop for as many boarding passengers, it’ll likely move faster.
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Real-Time Tracking: Your Best Friend
Don't rely solely on a PDF you downloaded six months ago. NICE Bus uses GPS tracking that you can access via the Transit App or their own website.
- Download the Transit App: It’s the official app for NICE. It shows you exactly where the bus is on the map.
- Text for Times: You can often find a code on the bus stop sign. Texting that code to the NICE service number will give you a real-time countdown.
- GoMobile: This is the app for paying your fare. It doesn't always have the best tracking, but it’s better than nothing.
Fares and Transfers
As of early 2026, the fare is $2.90. You can pay with:
- MetroCard: Still accepted, but definitely on its way out.
- Coins: Exact change only. No dollar bills. Seriously, don't try to shove a five-dollar bill in there.
- GoMobile App: The easiest way to pay using your phone.
- Contactless: You can tap your credit card or phone (Apple Pay/Google Pay) just like you do on the NYC subway.
The best part? Your fare includes a free transfer. If you’re taking the n6 to Jamaica, you can transfer to another NICE bus or an MTA bus for free within two hours. Just keep in mind that transferring from a NICE bus to the NYC Subway isn't "free" in the same way—you'll usually need a specific transfer setup or an OMNY/MetroCard connection.
Survival Tips for the n6
It’s a long ride. If you’re going the whole way, it’s about 45 to 60 minutes.
First, try to board at the terminals. If you board at the Hempstead Transit Center, you’re almost guaranteed a seat. If you try to board at 225th Street in Elmont during the 5:00 PM rush, you’ll be standing in the accordion section of the bus, holding on for dear life.
Second, watch out for "Limited" vs "Local." Sometimes the signs on the front of the bus are hard to read in the sun. If the bus has a "Limited" sign, it’s effectively an n6X and won't stop at every pole.
Third, be prepared for the "Jamaica Crawl." Once the bus crosses the border into Queens, the speed drops significantly. The intersection of Hillside Avenue and Merrick Blvd is a notorious bottleneck. If you're in a hurry to catch a flight at JFK or a meeting in Manhattan, give yourself an extra 20-minute buffer.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Trip
- Check the live map on the Transit App at least 15 minutes before you plan to leave.
- Verify if it's an n6X day. Remember, the Express doesn't run on weekends or mid-morning/early afternoon.
- Have your payment ready. Tapping your phone is 10x faster than fumbling with a MetroCard that has a "bent strip."
- Aim for the "trailing" bus if you see two coming at once; it's the secret to a comfortable commute.