New York Subway
The New York subway (Metro) is the most customary means of transport amongst New Yorkers. The subway is an easy and safe way to get anywhere in New York City. The New York Subway runs 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, 365 days a year. With an OMNY subway pass or a credit card, a single ride costs $3 and is, therefore, one of the cheapest ways to explore the city.
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New York Metro Trains
New Yorkers call the subway lines “trains”. The New York subway has 472 stations and 24 different lines. They are identified by letters ABC, etc. and by numbers 123 etc. These lines serve the Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.
The trains run every 2 to 5 minutes during peak hours, every 10 to 15 minutes during the day, and about every 20 minutes at night. The busiest times are usually on weekdays between 07:30 – 09:30 and 16:30 – 18:30. However, late at night, I would recommend a New York taxi, especially if you are travelling alone to/from the outer boroughs.
How to Use the New York Subway
Using the New York Subway is easy. Firstly, you’ll need an NYC subway map to give you an overview of all of the trains and stations. You can download my free Eric’s New York app for an offline map on your phone, or download the subway map here as a PDF. Free maps are also available at many of the stations.
On the metro map for New York, you can find your destination and the closest subway stop. If the stop has a black dot, it’s a local train; if it has a white dot, it’s an express train. Local trains stop at all stops, and express trains stop at a few stops. If you need to travel to New Jersey, check the PATH Train.
Once you’ve figured out which line you need to take, you can head to the nearest subway station. All stations are clearly marked with the entrance to the track heading north (Uptown and Queens) or south (Downtown and Brooklyn).
Note: The schedules can change a lot during weekends due to planned construction work. Always read the notices carefully that hang at stations. They will guide you to an alternative route.
How often will you use the New York subway as a tourist?
Manhattan is the perfect borough to explore on foot, so I would definitely recommend walking as much as possible. However, sometimes you have to cover longer distances, or you are simply tired from all the walking. In that case, it is really easy and comfortable to take the subway. Of course, everyone is different in how they plan and execute their New York trip, but most visitors generally take the subway at least 2–3 times a day.
How to Pay for the New York Subway
New York uses a contactless payment system for the subway named OMNY. You can pay with a credit card or a New York subway pass, which is called an OMNY card. If you buy a single-ride ticket, it will cost $3.50. If you buy an OMNY card with a balance, you only pay $3 per ride. Note that the destination doesn’t matter: it’s $3, however far you travel.
OMNY has a weekly fare cap of 12 rides: If you use your OMNY card with a balance or your credit card 12 times within 7 days, it automatically becomes a 7-day OMNY card. This means that you will pay $35 to travel on the subway an unlimited number of times for 7 consecutive calendar days. This is handy if you plan on using the subway frequently.
Children who do not exceed 3 feet 7 inches in height can travel on the subway for free, regardless of their age. Senior tourists pay the same rate as adults.
Buying and recharging your OMNY Card
You can buy or add credit to your OMNY pass at vending machines in any subway station. You can pay by cash or credit card. When paying at a machine, you will be asked to fill in your ZIP code; simply fill in “99999”.
When getting a new OMNY card, you can recharge it as often as possible without additional costs. You can purchase a maximum of two OMNY subway passes per credit card. If you need more, I recommend you order them through my site before you leave.
Want to buy OMNY cards before you go? Buy your New York OMNY card here
Sharing your card
Unlike in London, you can use your credit card or OMNY card for several people (up to 4). All you need to do is tap in and then hand the card back to the next person. This is legal! However, I wouldn’t recommend paying for the subway this way if you all want to benefit from the 7-day unlimited travel. Each time, only one payment counts towards the weekly fare cap. To enjoy the free rides, avoid making these common mistakes with the OMNY card.
Subway Etiquette
As in other international cities, New York has a subway etiquette. These are a few of the things that you need to bear in mind:
- Offer one’s seat to pregnant women, families with children or an elderly person if no other seats are available
- Don’t stare at people on the train, or the platform (or pretty much anywhere else)
- Don’t block the doors/aisle space with large items of luggage
- Don’t stand in front of the turnstile trying to find your MetroCard
- Stay on the right side of the escalator so people can pass on the left
Is the New York Subway Safe?
I often get questions about the safety of the NY subway, and I can assure you that using the subway during the day and on the popular routes is very safe. Of course, it’s always advisable to be aware of your surroundings. If you do feel uncomfortable, moving to another subway car can be an option. Overall, the subway in New York is a safe means of transportation. If you plan to travel (late) at night, however, I recommend taking a taxi.
Does the New York subway run at night?
The subway in New York runs 24/7, although the service changes at night. Some routes have a reduced frequency, and express trains can switch to local service, meaning they stop more often. If it’s later in the evening, for safety reasons, I also recommend taking a taxi rather than the subway.
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