How to Ride the New York City Subway

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Last Updated: December 4, 2024 Approved

Visiting New York for the first time is an interesting experience. New Yorkers are like no one else. As polite as they are, they often do not make eye contact, they rush to their destination, and rarely talk to strangers. While visiting New York City for the first time, you will probably use the subway. If you are not careful, you might never get to your destination. The subway in New York City is one of the largest subway systems in the world in terms of track mileage and number of stops (472), and one of the only 24 hour subway systems in the world.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Planning Your Trip

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1
Review the route map and find the stations nearest where you wish to go. The New York City Subway has dozens of lines, designated by color, number, and letter, in addition to transfers to PATH trains and connections to the Long Island Rail Road.
- Planning can be difficult. There are a few major hub stations, including Penn Station, Atlantic Terminal, and Grand Central, where you can transfer to virtually any line as well as connect to above-ground commuter trains. If you are new to NYC or are touring, it is best to use something like Google or HERE maps to plan your route.
- Late-night service is more limited than service during daylight hours.
2
Find the stations nearest your starting point and your destination, and determine the trains to use to get from the former to the latter. You can use MTA's route planner to find connections and nearby stations. Note that it only allows you to plan for one route at a time, not all the routes.
- Unlike other systems, the New York City subway does not have elevators installed in all stations. You may need to find a station that is accessible if you have strollers, luggage, or wheelchairs.
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New York City Subway currently has a flat fare of US$2.75 for entry, but if you are to transfer to the Port Authority Trans Hudson (PATH) trains, buses, or commuter trains, you will end up spending more.
When using these services, you may need to select the public transit option, and you may be shown options other than the Metro. You may also use the scheduler explorer to get a clearer idea of additional options and their timings.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

At the Station

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You may use your mapping tool to guide you to your station. Subway station entrances usually have huge, green or glass banisters along with stairs or escalators leading down, along with the name of the station. Accessible stations will also have elevators that go down to the mezzanine or platform level.
2
Buy a ticket. Ticket machines at each station take cash and change as well as credit and debit cards. You can also obtain a ticket from the station attendant.
- Tickets are sold according to how much money you put on them. If you do not have sufficient fare, you can refill the Metro Card at ticket machines.
- Many stations also allow you to tap your debit card or mobile phone to enter.
These can be found on MTA's website under "Service Status"^{[1]
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4
Swipe your ticket at the entrance reader. If you have balance, the turnstile will unlock, allowing you to enter.
- If you are in a wheelchair, have a station attendant help you. They will open the emergency exit to allow you to pass through after paying.

Part 3

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Taking the Train

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1
Board the correct train and ride to your destination. Since the New York City subway goes virtually everywhere, you may need to do a lot of transfers to get to your destination.
- Train service is typically broken up into express and local. The inside tracks are usually for express trains while the outside tracks are for local trains. Other trains run express at certain times of day, these trains are usually designated with a diamond. A train that runs express on one line may run local on another line. For example, the 2 (Van Cortlandt Park—242nd Street/Flatbush Avenue—Brooklyn College) train runs express on the Seventh Avenue Line, but runs local on the Eastern Parkway Line.
2
Practice good train ettiquette.
- Do not stand in the doorway for long, or try to walk through the doors as they are closing. Be particularly careful about rushing bikes through doorways. Jammed doorways can hold up the train for you and your fellow passengers, and also prevent additional trains from arriving at the station.
- Federal law requires the seats closest to the doors be made available for the elderly, pregnant women, and handicapped people upon request. Please yield these seats to those in need of them. If there are other vacant seats, use them so that you won't need to vacate your seat on demand.
- Seating is limited, and some cars may be standing room only.
- Mind your belongings. Keep them off the seat next to you.
- Do not lean against the train doors or move between cars while the train is in motion.
3
Exit the train.
- Keep in mind that doors open on different sides at different stations. Small stations will have one platform that services two trains, one going in either direction. Large stations may have two or three platforms in one area, or may have platforms for different lines spaced wide apart.
- If you miss getting off at your designated station, stay calm and get off at the next station, then ride a train in the opposite direction.
4
Exit the station. Proceed through the same turnstiles to exit.
- Some stations only allow exit at certain turnstiles. These will have stairs or escalators that go right up to street level.

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Question

How do I tell a local from an express train?

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In the station, local trains stop on the outer platforms (next to the wall), and express trains stop on the inner platforms (way from the wall). You can also look at the signs in the station or on the sides of the newer train cars. However, keep in mind that some trains run both, for example the Q train is express in Manhattan, but local when you get out to Brooklyn.

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What trains are local and express on the yellow line?

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On the Broadway Line (The yellow line in Manhattan) during Weekdays, the R and W trains are local, while the N and Q are express. During late nights (around 11:00PM-5:00AM), the Q and N are local, and there are no express (no R or W). During Weekends, there are no W trains, and the N and R go local, while the Q goes express.

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Are bikes allowed on the subway?

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Yes, they are. Before you use your bike though, take the 1, 2, 3, A, C or E train to Penn Station, go to the Long Island Rail Road booth, go to where the Lost and Found is located and ask for a bike pass. You will have to pay a fee.

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Tips

When getting on an escalator, remember: if you intend to stand, stay on the right. Leave the left clear for those who want to climb up or down.^{[2]
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If you're not sure of where to go, ask somebody! Don't be afraid to ask strangers for directions. Most New Yorkers don't mind helping others out, so just ask and, in general, many New Yorkers are very polite people and willing to help.

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If you feel uncomfortable due to another rider(s), trust your gut instinct and move to the last door of the car. When the train arrives at the next station, get out of that car and into the next car.

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Warnings

If you are unfamiliar with the subway system, briefly study your subway map in a quiet shop or another place where there are not many people, or check the MTA site online. In New York City, looking like a tourist can make you an easy target for theft or other crime; however, it should also be noted that New York City's violent crime rate is actually quite low, comparable to that of a city with a population of about 200,000.

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Don't surf the subways (ride outside the train). Stay alive and ride inside.

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Always allow riders to exit the car before you board. Platform markers and station announcements on the Lexington Avenue Line remind you of that.

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If you are riding late at night, try to find a populated car—ideally the conductor's car (the conductor is almost always in the middle of the train (the 5th car from the front in an 8 car train and the 6th car from the front in a 10 car train), but some lines have the conductor in the front car or the back car). Some lines might only have the train operator that opens and closes the doors, especially during "off-hours."

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Subways aren't the cleanest places in the world. Make sure to look at a seat before sitting in it. Sometimes there's a reason that it's empty: refuse, waste or even something really disgusting.

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Don't be an idiot and try to duck under the turnstiles. Failing to pay your fare is a $100 penalty per offense.

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Do not hold or lean against subway doors.

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Avoid staring or making prolonged eye contact with another passenger. You might convey the wrong image. Be polite and friendly at all times, and apologize if you bump into another commuter (though in New York it's not uncommon for the person you accidentally jostled to say "Sorry!" to you first).

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Be aware that many stations have separate platforms and entrances for trains going in opposite directions. You will have to pay twice if you use the wrong entrance or if you missed your stop and try to backtrack from one of these stations. This warning is less likely to apply to transfer (stations with a transfer to another line), express, and some stations that have unsigned crossovers or underpasses.

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Dropped something on the subway tracks? Leave it. Never go down onto the tracks for any reason. Your safety is more important. Tell a police officer, an MTA employee, or use a station "Help Point" or "Customer Assistance Intercom."

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Keep your belongings on your person at all time. Don't place your bags or packages on an empty seat even if the train is empty. NYC Transit Police will issue tickets for that (following the anti-terrorism campaign "If You See Something, Say Something"). You will find yourself with a court appearance and can expect to pay up to a $500 fine.

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Riding, moving, or standing between cars is prohibited in the subway. You will get caught and fined by the NYC Transit Police for that.

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If you see an empty car on a train that is usually crowded (like the 4, 5, or 6 train), there is usually a reason why (rat, vomit etc.).

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If you can't get a seat, hold on to the railings so you don't fall over when the train is moving. Older trains have handrails and poles along the seats, center, and near the vents while newer trains also have overhead handrails in the center of the car.

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Read the subway rules which are posted in the stations, trains, and online and avoid things such as occupying more than one seat, playing loud music, etc.

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Take some extra money for emergencies. This is always a good idea if you're going to be in any big city, and even if you won't be riding the subway. The city is a nice place, but there is crime there and someone might steal your money. To be safe, keep an extra $20–$50 in a very safe place, such as your shoe, inside your shirt, or in your bra.

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If you need to stop and get your bearings, make sure to do so out of the flow of foot traffic and away from staircases. Otherwise, you might be blocking traffic and could get jostled or possibly hurt.

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MetroCards are magnetic. Do not place them near any electronic device (Phone, MP3 player, etc.) or magnet as this may demagnetize the MetroCard, resulting in the turnstile not clicking when you swipe your MetroCard at the turnstile. If your MetroCard has been demagnetized, see the station agent. If the station agent cannot do anything about that card, a Business Reply Envelope will be given for you to mail your MetroCard in.

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If you are on a new train and have an emergency (medical, fire, criminal), there are red buttons scattered throughout the walls of the subway cars when you can contact the conductor directly for help.

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Keep your reading material in check and close to your person. Don't open the newspaper on the train—keep it neatly folded. If it is too crowded, read your paper later.

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Unless it is an emergency in the station, do not pull the emergency brake. Stickers in subway cars offer detailed instructions on how to handle fire, medical, police, and evacuation situations.^{[3]
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