Getting from 927 DeKalb Ave in Brooklyn is less about finding a route and more about choosing your flavor of New York City grit. This specific address sits in the heart of Bedford-Stuyvesant, a neighborhood where the transit options are as dense as the brownstones lining the blocks. If you are standing in front of this building, you are roughly sixty seconds away from a train that can drop you in the Lower East Side faster than you can finish a bagel.
The Subway Strategy: J, M, and G Lines
Most commuters from 927 DeKalb Ave will rely on the Myrtle Avenue station, which serves the J, M, and Z trains just a three-minute walk to the east.
In practice, the J/M/Z lines at Myrtle Avenue are your primary lifeline to Manhattan. The J train is the workhorse here, running express during rush hours to skip smaller stops and shave minutes off your commute to the Financial District. The M train is your ticket to Midtown; it peels off after Essex Street to run up Sixth Avenue, making it the superior choice for anyone heading to Bryant Park or Rockefeller Center.
That means you have a dual-pipeline into the city. If you see an M train pulling in, take it for the West Side. If a J train arrives first, take it for Wall Street or a quick transfer to the 4/5 at Brooklyn Bridge.
For those heading north into Williamsburg or Long Island City, the G train at Myrtle-Willoughby Avenues is about a ten-minute walk west. Let’s be honest: the G train has a reputation for being elusive, but it is the only way to reach North Brooklyn without a painful detour through Manhattan.
| Destination | Primary Line | Est. Time |
|---|---|---|
| Lower East Side (Delancey St) | J / M Train | 12-15 Minutes |
| Midtown (42nd St) | M Train | 25-30 Minutes |
| Long Island City (Court Sq) | G Train | 20-25 Minutes |
| Financial District (Broad St) | J / Z Train | 20 Minutes |
Surface Level Secrets: The B38 and B43 Buses
The B38 bus runs directly along DeKalb Avenue and serves as a reliable alternative for reaching Downtown Brooklyn without descending into the subway.
Here’s why the bus is often smarter than the train: the B38 stop is literally outside your door. If you are heading to Fort Greene, the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), or City Point, the subway requires a transfer or a long walk. The B38 dropped you right at the doorstep of these hubs. During off-peak hours, the ride down DeKalb is scenic and surprisingly quick.
For North-South travel, the B43 on Tompkins Avenue is the play. It connects Bed-Stuy to Greenpoint in the north and Prospect Lefferts Gardens in the south. In simple terms, if the G train is having a “meltdown” (a common occurrence on weekends), the B43 is your backup plan to get to a dinner reservation in Greenpoint.
For example, if you need to reach the Barclays Center, do not bother with the J train to Manhattan and back. Take the B38 west and transfer to the B52 or just walk ten minutes from the DeKalb/Flatbush intersection. You’ll save money and avoid the chaotic crowds at the Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center station.
Reaching the Airports: JFK and LaGuardia
Travelers heading to JFK Airport from 927 DeKalb Ave should prioritize the J train to the AirTrain at Jamaica Station.
Getting to JFK is remarkably straightforward from this part of Brooklyn. You walk to the Myrtle Avenue station, hop on a Queens-bound J or Z train, and ride it to the end of the line at Sutphin Boulevard-Archer Avenue. From there, follow the signs for the JFK AirTrain. As a result of the J train being elevated for much of this route, you avoid the underground signal delays that plague the A train.
For LaGuardia, the math is different. There is no direct rail link. Your best bet is to take the M train to 74th St-Broadway in Jackson Heights and transfer to the Q70 LaGuardia Link SBS bus. This bus is free and runs frequently, making it the most cost-effective way to catch a flight.
Here is a quick breakdown of airport transit:
- JFK Airport: J Train to Sutphin Blvd (35 mins) + AirTrain (15 mins). Total: ~50-60 mins.
- LaGuardia Airport: M Train to Jackson Heights (25 mins) + Q70 Bus (15 mins). Total: ~45-55 mins.
- Newark (EWR): J Train to Broad St (20 mins) + NJ Transit from Penn Station (45 mins). Total: ~75-90 mins.
The Hidden Truth: Why You Should Skip the Subway
The most overlooked transit method at 927 DeKalb Ave is the Citi Bike, which often beats the subway for inter-borough trips to Williamsburg.
Most navigation apps will tell you to take the J train two stops to Marcy Avenue to reach South Williamsburg. In practice, by the time you walk to the station, wait for the train, and exit the elevated platform, a cyclist is already locking their bike at a dock near the Williamsburg Bridge. DeKalb Avenue has a dedicated bike lane that makes the trek toward the waterfront remarkably smooth.
Think of the subway like a highway during rush hour; it’s high capacity but prone to bottlenecks. Think of a bike or the B38 bus like a side street. If the “MTA Status” page is glowing red with delay alerts, do not force the issue. Walk one block south to Lafayette Avenue and grab a bike. You can reach the Navy Yard or the Clinton Hill border in under ten minutes, a feat no train can match.
Another “hidden truth” is the B46 Select Bus Service on Broadway. If you need to get to South Brooklyn (like Kings Plaza or Flatbush), the B46 SBS is a beast. It uses dedicated bus lanes to bypass traffic. While tourists stick to the subway, locals know the SBS is essentially a “surface subway” that moves at twice the speed of a standard bus.
Local Amenities and Neighborhood Flow
927 DeKalb Ave isn’t just a starting point; it’s a hub surrounded by essential services that dictate how you move. Within a three-block radius, you have access to several grocery stores and pharmacies, meaning you rarely need to lug heavy bags on public transit.
If you are a remote worker or a student, the proximity to Herbert Von King Park (a six-minute walk) provides a necessary lung for the neighborhood. When navigating the area, remember that Bed-Stuy operates on a grid, but the diagonal cut of Broadway creates unique intersections. Use Broadway as your primary compass; if you are walking toward the elevated tracks, you are heading toward the J/M/Z and the quickest route out of the borough.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the closest subway station to 927 DeKalb Ave?
The closest station is Myrtle Avenue (J, M, Z lines). It is approximately a 3 to 4-minute walk heading east toward Broadway. This station provides direct access to both Lower Manhattan and Midtown.
How do I get to the Barclays Center from this address?
The most efficient way is taking the B38 bus. You can catch it right on DeKalb Ave heading west. It will take you directly to the Downtown Brooklyn area near the arena in about 15-20 minutes, depending on traffic.
Is it safe to walk to the subway at night?
In practice, the walk to the Myrtle Avenue station is well-lit and high-traffic. Like any major city environment, staying aware of your surroundings is smart, but this stretch of DeKalb and Myrtle is bustling with local businesses and commuters at most hours.
Which train is better for Midtown, the J or the M?
Take the M train for Midtown. While the J train goes to Lower Manhattan (Financial District), the M train stays on the J track until it crosses the bridge and then turns north up 6th Avenue, stopping at key hubs like 14th St, 34th St (Herald Square), and 42nd St (Bryant Park).
927 DeKalb Ave offers a masterclass in Brooklyn transit flexibility. Whether you are diving into the subway system at Myrtle Avenue or catching the B38 bus for a cross-town jaunt, you are never stranded. The key is knowing when to ditch the rails for the road.