How to Plan a Trip
Cost 
Subway lines 
Tips for riding the subway 
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NYC is home to the biggest and most-traveled subway system in North America. It may look like a complicated route of twisting subway lines, but it is actually pretty simple to ride and understand. Getting around NYC by subway is often the fastest and cheapest way to navigate the city.
This guide will dive into everything you need to know about getting around NYC by subway, so you can ride the NYC subway like a pro from your very first day in New York.
Purchasing a MetroCard – how much does it cost to ride the New York subway?
Let’s start with the absolute basics. Riding the subway costs $2.90 per ride. This price is the same for all trains, local and express. If you would like to ride by using a MetroCard (we’ll cover other options below), then you can purchase a reloadable card for $1. The minimum balance on a new MetroCard is $5.80, plus the $1 cost of the card.
If you’re planning a longer trip, you also have the option to purchase 7-day or 30-day unlimited ride cards. These go for $34 and $132 respectively.
A MetroCard can be purchased at most stations using the machines. Payments of both cash and card are accepted.
What is OMNY?
One of the biggest changes to the NYC subway system in the past few years is the introduction of OMNY. At this point, almost all of the subway systems are set up with OMNY. This allows you to tap and use a credit card, debit card, or Apple Pay. This feature eliminates the need for a MetroCard and makes it easier for tourists visiting NY.
If you use the same card twelve times within one week (with the week starting on Monday), your rides will cap at $34, no matter how many more rides you take that week. This is the new equivalent to a weekly unlimited MetroCard. There is no sign-up for pre-pay for this offer, it happens automatically if you hit the ride limit.
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Which subway line to take?
The NYC subway system is made up of 36 different subway lines across Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx. This includes 7 numbered routes and 15 lettered routes, plus 3 shuttles, all organized using a color system.
My best advice for figuring out which subway line to take is to simply use Google Maps. Google Maps will provide you with the color and number/letter subway line you should be taking. It will also provide you with the following details:
- Which direction you are heading (ie: Brooklyn Bridge – City Hall)
- Which stop to get off (ie: Bleeker St)
- How many stops and the name of each stop (ie: 6 stops)
- Which entrance and exit to use for the fastest journey
Uptown or Downtown
One important detail to understand when riding the subway in NYC is if you are traveling uptown or downtown. This typically refers to subways that you are taking in Manhattan or the Bronx, versus the other boroughs like Queens or Brooklyn.
Uptown simply means trains that are heading north, or in the direction of uptown, while downtown trains head south. Many times Google Maps will led you know the direction you’re heading based on the final destination of that train. You need to determine if that means uptown or downtown.
For instance, if you arrive at Grand Central (42nd Street) and want to head to the Upper East Side, this would be uptown since the Upper East Side is 59th to 96th.
Local vs Express trains
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Check rates and availabilityTransferring between subway lines
It is completely free to transfer between subway lines, just make sure that you stay within the turnstile area and don’t exit. When you get off one line you will need to just follow the marked signs for the subway line you’re looking to board.
How late does the subway run?
Unlike many other major cities, the subways in NYC run 24/7, 365 days a year. The NYC subways are quite literally always running.
That said, the late-night subways, especially on weekdays, run significantly less frequently than subways during busy hours. If you travel by subway super late, you may have to wait 20-30 minutes between trains.
Is the NYC subway safe?
Overall the answer to this is yes. Yes, there has been a rise in crime throughout all of NY, and the subway is no exception. However, I have comfortably ridden the subway for 20 years at all hours of the night without any issues.
That said, if you are riding the subway alone late at night, please remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings.
Tips for riding the NYC subway
Now that we’ve covered the basics of when, the cost to ride, and how to get on board the right subway line (in the right direction), let’s go over a few other local tips.
There is always a reason for an empty subway car
If the subway car is empty, I don’t recommend boarding it. There is almost always a reason that the car is empty, and it is often in the form of bodily fluids on the ground or on the seats.
There may be some exceptions to this late at night when there are very few people riding the subway.
But just don’t do it. Find a car with some people already riding in it.
‘Please swipe again’ error message
If you swipe your card too fast, you may receive a “please swipe again” error message. In this case you need to wait a moment before trying again. Do not move to a different turnstile as you may be doublecharged.
Visiting NYC? Here are some other articles that you should check out:
- A Local’s 4 Days in New York City
- 10 Best Instagram Spots in NYC
- A Guide to Cobble Hill
- Best Restaurants in Carroll Gardens
- Fall Getaways near NYC
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