US Open 2026 Tennis Transportation: Getting to Flushing Meadows from NYC

US Open 2026: Dates and What to Know Before You Go

The US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens runs annually from late August through early September — for 2026, expect the main draw to begin in the last week of August and run through the first weekend of September. It is the largest of the four Grand Slams by attendance, drawing over 700,000 spectators across two weeks. That means significant transportation demand, particularly on weekends and during sessions featuring the top-ranked players.

Getting to Flushing Meadows by Private Car Service

The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, approximately 10 to 12 miles from Midtown Manhattan. A private car service is the most direct option — no transfers, no crowded trains, door-to-venue drop-off.

From Midtown Manhattan, the drive to the US Open complex takes approximately 25 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. Queens is particularly congested during peak US Open periods, especially late afternoon before evening sessions. For evening matches, departing by 5:30 PM from Midtown gives you a comfortable buffer. Car service vehicles are dropped at the designated passenger drop-off area outside the main gates.

• From Midtown Manhattan — 25 to 40 minutes in normal traffic, 40 to 60 minutes during US Open rush hours
• From the Upper East Side — 20 to 35 minutes via the 59th Street Bridge
• From Brooklyn — 30 to 50 minutes via the BQE or Belt Parkway
• From the Upper West Side — 30 to 50 minutes via the Triborough Bridge

Subway vs Private Car Service: The Real Comparison

The 7 train from Times Square (42nd Street) directly to Mets-Willets Point station takes approximately 25 to 35 minutes, and the station is a short walk from the tennis center entrance. For solo travelers who don't mind the crowd, it is a fast and inexpensive option. But there are real limitations.

After major sessions — particularly finals and popular evening matches — thousands of spectators exit simultaneously and queue for the 7 train. Wait times of 30 to 60 minutes for a seat on a departing train are common after sold-out sessions. During this window, a car service departure is typically faster than waiting for the subway, and significantly more comfortable at 11 PM after a long day of tennis.

Booking Car Service for US Open Sessions

The most important logistics consideration for US Open transportation is that matches run long. A scheduled 7 PM evening session may finish at 11 PM or midnight, especially in early rounds when multiple matches are scheduled on secondary courts. A return car service pickup requires either a fixed pickup time or a driver on standby.

The simplest approach: book your outbound trip as a pre-scheduled pickup, and arrange your return via WhatsApp when you are 20 minutes from leaving the venue. This gives flexibility for match overruns without committing to a fixed return time hours in advance.

Groups and Corporate US Open Clients

Many corporate clients take clients to the US Open as entertainment — box seats, excellent dinner before the match, and the prestige of arriving by professional car service. For groups of 4 to 7, an SUV can transport the entire party together. For larger groups, coordinated multi-vehicle transport ensures everyone arrives at the same time.

Eagle Eye Chauffeur regularly handles multi-vehicle coordination for corporate US Open events. If you are hosting clients for a day or evening session, the car service pickup and return can be coordinated entirely by your assistant or EA — passengers simply follow instructions and arrive in style.