travelchick

Hello,

I will be in New York for a week in May. I will be by myself, and would mostly like to use the subway rather than cabs to save money. I have been to New York many times before, but always with other people, and have relied on them to figure out how to get us from point A to point B. Any tips would be helpful. Is there a website that gives pointers on how to figure it out?

wantsomesun

I would suggest getting a subway map, and keep it handy. They are great for trying to figure out how to get around the city.

Also buy a Metrocard for the time you will be here. Each ride will be $1.50 and most people who live here rely on the public transit system, and the metro cards are great.

The subway and buses both take the metro card and you can even transfer from the subway to the bus for the same fare.

It's actually easier than you might think to figure out the system, and you might pick 1 or 2 lines first like the Lexington Ave (4,5,6 trains) and the Broadway (1,2,3, trains) and go from there. The Lexington Ave trains are on the east side and the Broadway trains are on the west side.

Also have some loose change in case your metrocard is used up. The buses don't take dollar bills.

You can buy metro cards in all the subway stations, some delis, some banks, and some touristy gift stores.
There are also vending machines in all the subway stations so you can even buy them with a credit card or debit card.

Have a great time and enjoy your trip.

GoTravel

Remember, The Bronx is Up and Brooklyn is Down.

Anonymous

The Battery's down.

suzanne

The first thing to do is pick up a map. You can look at the map on the NYC MTA website to get an idea of where the subway lines are. Almost all lines in Manhattan run north-south.

The subways are generally well-signed. At the entries to each station there are signs that show what trains stop there. Sometimes the entry is for "uptown only" or "downtown only"...if so, it will say so.

If you are staying here for a week, your best option would be a 7-day unlimited Metrocard which is about $17. You can buy it from the ATM-like machines in the stations. These are usually only at the main station entrances.

You have to swipe the Metrocard to get through the turnstiles...swipe it forward about as fast as you walk...too slow or too fast and you'l hear a double beep, and will have to swipe again.

Another thing to pay attention to is the fact that some trains are local and some express. The express trains skip stops. The subway map indicates what stops where.

Also, don't ever be afraid to ask for directions. NYers can be pretty helpful. And we are used to people asking us for directions nearly every day!

plummie

If you're going to be there for a week, buy the one week pass. It was $17 last year for all the subway and bus rides you care to take. A real bargain!

Julie

It's really not too difficult, but definitely make sure that you have an up-to-date subway map, as there have been some changes in the past year or so. A couple of things that are a little quirky about the New York subway to be aware of:

As the poster above suggested, do get a metro card. You'll find that some smaller station entrances do not have a token booth and allow entry only via metro card.

When you look at your subway map, note that there are stretches where multiple train lines overlap and stop at the same stations, only to split off and go in different directions further on. Because these lines share the same platforms in some stations, it's important to look at the number or letter of the train pulling in to the station rather than just getting onto any train that stops at the platform.

Be aware of whether you are boarding a local or express train. The express trains, like the A line, don't stop at every station along their routes.

Take a look at the MTA website for more information:

http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/index.html

Owen_ONeill

It really is easy but there are a few tips that help. Suggestion to get a map is a good one - many bookstores in NYC and some tourist centers and shops carry a pocket sized foldable laminated subway map - really helpful and doesn't fall apart from use like the free ones. If you wish to research in advance there's an online map here

http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/maps/submap.htm

Basics: Express lines are sometimes faster but stop only at major stops, not every stop. Locals stop everywhere. Black dots by stations stops on the map mean locals stop there only - white dots mean express and locals both stop. If you get on an express and it takes you too far (past your desired stop), just get off, walk up or down the stairs to cross over to the other side of the tracks and take the local back to your stop. You can generally do this from within the station.

Get a one week uinlimited ride metrocard at vending machine with your credit card or debit card. To swipe, make sure the card is flat in the swiping slot and slide forward in one smooth motion, not too fast or slow. Just watch a few people do it - it's very easy but I've seen tourists (and non-tourists!) become frustrated when they keep reswiping too fast, too slow or at an angle and it doesn't read the card. When you swipe an unlimited ride card, the system automatically prevents you from swiping it again for about 20 minutes. This is important to know because at a few stations where there is no manned fare booth, you may find a vertical cylindrical gate rather than a turnstile. The card gets swiped the same way but when you push the turnstile you must push through in one continuous motion - if you push a bit, stop momentarily and then push a bit more it will not let you through unless you reswipe (which you can't do for 20 minutes with the unlimited card!). Not a big deal but I've seen some inexperienced riders puzzled and frustrated by this.

Lost and trying to find a subway station? Follow Broadway, Lexington or 7th Ave/8th Ave on foot uptown or downtown and you'll find one sooner or find a major cross street such as 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, 59th etc and walk toward the center of town - you'll find one.

Safety: remarkably safe - just use common sense. Best to ride with a companion after 1 AM or so if you're a single woman (have not heard of problems but it's just good common sense). Late at night if waiting for a train it's sensible to use a station where there's a manned toll booth if possible. If you're the nervous type and there's no one else on the platform (extremely unlikely as these are busy subways), stand where you're within eyesight of the booth if you can do so. Another basic precaution is don't stand on the edge of the platform in the yellow area until the train arrives (that's why it's yellow - you're not supposed to stand there). Literally millions of people ride the NYC subways every day and incidents are far and few between. It's a fantastic wasy to get around and you'll adapt to it quickly.

Also... keep the 7 train and the E train in mind as good ways to get across town rather than using buses - it can be a much faster.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

If you have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you may download maps at
http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/mta/maps.htm
but better yet, get printed copies by writing to MTA at
MTA Maps & Schedules
370 Jay St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
You need to send a separate SASE for each map you request. Get "The Map", "Manhattan Bus" and optionally "Queens Bus"

Also check the "knowledge base" at http://mta-nyc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/mta_nyc.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php

Please don't call them by the colors you see on the map, there is no "red line" ... etc.

Are you flying into town?
Have a great trip ... lots of people will be helpful, and there's nothing like experience to learn the system - remember, you can always get off the train and return if you went the wrong way.

Elizabeth

All the advice you're getting is good.

But : I am not sure the E is a crosstown train, and I know that the L is one, at 14th Street.

If possible, learn or note the crosstown bus streets, especially Houston, 14, 23, 34, 42. Crosstown buses are really important I think in getting around efficiently. These streets will do it for you in most areas you'll want to go to.

Safety: if you are nervous another thing to do is -- stand fairly far back as train pulls in, and watch for the car with the conductor sticking his head out of his little window -- then make a dash for that car & ride in it, as you are safe in his car. (Reason to stand a bit back, so you have room to run if necessary without hitting people.)

Owen_ONeill

The E train is not technically a cross town train but I use it that way all the time. I get the E at Port Authority ans take it to 51st and Lex or 53rd and Park depending on where I'm going. If I need to transfer to get uptown on the 4,5 or 6 I get off at lex. If I haver business appointments in the lower Park Ave area (a common occurrence) I get off at 53rd. It goes to Queens after that but for my needs it's a great crosstown train - much faster, easier and simpler than hiking through the tunnels to 43rd and getting the shuttle to GCT.

travelchick

Thanks to all of you for your great replies! You have been very helpful. I went to the bookstore today and got a new map. I'll be sure to study. Thanks again for the help.

djkbooks

I would recommend downloading the .pdf map from the website. Many of those bookstore maps are out of date. And, if you have Acrobat Reader 5.0, you can "crop" the sections you'll need, print on a sheet of paper, fold up and tuck in your pocket.

Also, learn the difference when reading the maps between a local stop and express stop. Otherwise, you can easily overshoot your destination by a long ways.

And, you have to look carefully at the stops on each line. Sometimes a line "appears" to have a stop where there isn't one if you're not careful.

Elizabeth

Owen thank you about the E train!! I have never done what you said and now I will!

auntgrapes

If you get off at the wrong stop or take the wrong train you will often find transit police on the platforms who will point you in the right direction.

allan_b

All the previous tips are spot on. One other thing, beware of weekends. There are always schedule and/or route changes on weekends for track work and maintenance. There will be signs posted in the station entances, but it can get confusing at times, even for natives.

Owen_ONeill

You're welcome Elizabeth... I'd never given the uptown E much thought until I had to make a few doctor's visits to an office near the Guggenheim. His staff knew I was coming in from NJ and suggested it - it's SO much easier than the other ways I used to cross town.

Flynn

Hi travelchick, here are a couple of websites that are really informative as they contain various links to other sites.

http://www.nycsubway.org/transfer/transfer1.html

http://www.subwaywebnews.com/web_links.htm

I realize that you stated you want to use the subway but,in addition to the subway, I would also highly recommend taking the bus. You will see more attractions on a bus and can use the same Metrocard. It may be a little slower but the crosstown busses are great because you can go from the East Side to West Side (and vice versa) and some of the uptown crosstown busses go through Central Park which is very pretty. Also, many avenues don't have a subway line and it's easier to hop a bus than walk over to the closest train station.

Cabs are expensive so you are right to use public transportation. Have fun.

ellenem

One important aspect of terminology you need to understand: uptown and downtown. These words can refer to both a section of town as well as a location relative to your own at a given moment. This becomes more important to understand when you are taking a subway that has separate uptown and downtown entrances. Subways entrances have signs featuring the train line (1,2,3,N,R,B) as well as "Uptown" and/or "Downtown" designations.

So while you may be staying somewhere considered "downtown" (for example, 23rd St), to return there from further south (example, Battery Park), you take an Uptown train.

Most subways stop at the same cross streets through midtown Manhattan. It is on or near these cross streets that you will find the crosstown buses.

AC

travelchick:

www.mta.info for maps and directions.

The fare is going up as of May 4 so be prepared. Metrocards will still be your best bet.
Enjoy your stay in NYC!