If you’re standing on the corner of 74th Street and Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights or just trying to catch a flight at JFK, you probably need the local clock. Right now, Queens, New York is on Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Because it's January 17, 2026, the sun is setting early and the air is likely crisp. Since New York follows the federal daylight saving schedule, we are currently in the "winter" phase of the year. This means the borough is exactly five hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-5).
It’s easy to forget that while the world moves fast, the clocks in Queens stay perfectly synced with the rest of New York City. Whether you're in Astoria, Flushing, or the Rockaways, the time is identical across all 109 square miles of the borough.
Understanding What Time Is It In Queens New York
Honestly, the most important thing to keep in mind about Queens time is the date. New York is a state that strictly observes Daylight Saving Time (DST). We aren't like Arizona or Hawaii where the clocks stay still all year round.
Right now, in mid-January, we are firmly tucked into Eastern Standard Time. But that’s going to change soon. On Sunday, March 8, 2026, the entire borough will "spring forward." At exactly 2:00 AM, the clocks will jump to 3:00 AM.
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You basically lose an hour of sleep, but you gain that sweet evening sunlight for walks in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. For now, though, we’re dealing with the shorter days of winter.
Current Sun Cycles in the Borough
If you're wondering about the daylight, here is what the sky is doing today in Queens:
- Sunrise: 7:15 AM
- Solar Noon: 12:05 PM
- Sunset: 4:56 PM
The days are finally starting to get longer again after the December solstice, but we’ve still only got about 9 hours and 42 minutes of daylight to work with.
The DST Shift: When Does the Time Change?
People always ask "what time is it in Queens New York" when they're planning travel, and the DST transition is where things get messy. If you are looking at a calendar for 2026, mark these two dates:
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- March 8, 2026: We switch from EST to EDT (Eastern Daylight Time). The offset moves from UTC-5 to UTC-4.
- November 1, 2026: We switch back. This is the "fall back" moment where we return to Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5).
It’s a bit of a headache for international travelers landing at LaGuardia. If you're coming from a country that doesn't use DST, or one that switches on a different weekend (like many European countries), your jet lag might feel a little more confusing than usual.
Why Queens Time Matters for Travelers
Queens isn't just another borough; it's the gateway to the city. It hosts both John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
If you're checking a flight status, the "local time" listed is always going to be the Queens time. Don't let the airport codes fool you. Even if you're technically in "The World’s Borough," you’re operating on the same clock as Wall Street and Times Square.
There's a specific nuance to Queens, though. Because it's so massive and culturally diverse, the "rhythm" of time feels different depending on where you are. In Long Island City, the morning rush starts early with commuters hitting the 7 train. In late-night hubs like Astoria, "dinner time" might not even start until 9:00 PM at some of the Greek tavernas.
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Coordination with Other Cities
If you're trying to call someone from Queens or vice-versa, here is how the borough stacks up against other major hubs right now (January):
- London: Queens is 5 hours behind.
- Los Angeles: Queens is 3 hours ahead.
- Chicago: Queens is 1 hour ahead.
- Tokyo: Queens is 14 hours behind.
Practical Steps for Staying on Schedule
If you're currently in Queens or planning a trip here, staying on track is mostly about tech, but a little bit of local knowledge helps.
Check your devices. Most smartphones and laptops sync automatically to the "America/New_York" time zone. If you're seeing "EST," you're good to go.
Watch the tides. This sounds weird for a city, but for people in Queens neighborhoods like Broad Channel or the Rockaways, the "time" is often dictated by the water. High tide today is around 9:59 AM. If you're parking near the coast, the clock matters for more than just your dinner reservation.
Plan for the "New York Minute." Traffic in Queens is notoriously unpredictable. Whether it's a delay on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) or a bottleneck on the Grand Central Parkway, always add a 20-minute "Queens buffer" to whatever time your GPS tells you.
Keep an eye on the calendar as March approaches. That one-hour jump comes faster than you think, and it's the leading cause of missed brunch reservations in Forest Hills every single year.