WorldGallery

I thought I had a handle on the subway but realized that the 7 day unlimited was for 7 days in a row (I didn't want to use it over the weekend). Therefore, I need to rethink the plan.
We are a family of 7 that will be in NYC from Wed. May 25th - Wed. June 1 (arriving at night on 24th and leaving early morning of June2) so we need full 8 days of transportation.
Questions:
When is the transfer free without the unlimited card? For example, is it only free when you are changing from one train to the next within a few minutes?
How much more, in general, does it cost to take a taxi vs. the subway?

For example, on one day, we are doing Carlos Bakery (I know i need to take the PATH train), Greenwich Village food tour, then tenement museum. This day alone will be several rides.
Most days, we go to one area, spend the day, then come back.
For the weekend, we are going to shows both days (matinee) so we will be in Times Square all day and we are staying in midtown (Affinia).
Thanks everyone.

nyer

You can transfer subway to subway as often as you need to when you don't leave the stations. So for example if it takes 3 different lines to get to your destination, you only pay once. You can also transfer from Subway to bus, bus to subway, bus to bus once within an 2 hour period (but there are a few exceptions for bus to bus that won't transfer)
All this is still assuming you will purchase a MetroCard ("pay per ride") rather than use cash on buses or buy single ride ticket for subway.

How much more, in general, does it cost to take a taxi vs. the subway?
There is no answer to that since a single subway fare can theoretically take you 25+ miles from the Bronx to Queens. but it costs the same if you just take it one stop.

For 3-4 people sharing a cab for a short trip (10-20 blocks) yes, it could come out almost the same. The issue is also findind a taxi when you want one, and traffic that can make even a short ride much longer and more expensive (you pay for time sitting in traffic as well as for distance)

nycguy10002

You should be aware that the 7 day unlimited card is intended for use by 1 person only. You cannot share the card with others. To achieve that the card is locked out for 18 minutes after each usage. Since there are 7 people you would have to buy 7 unlimited cards.

Taking cabs to go anywhere within NYC is expensive even for a short distance (and not all cabs can accommodate 7 people). If you get caught in traffic - the meter keeps ticking away.

Transfers on the subway are free when you transfer at designated points where various lines/routes intersect. It may be as simple as walking across the platform (express t local or local to express) or going upstairs or downstairs or a long a passageway to a different platform. The NYC Subway Map (free at at any attended subway booth) will show you where the lines/routes intersect. You can do some advance checking with the online subway map: http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/

The subway may be cheaper than the taxi depending on where you are going. The fare for 7 people is $15.75 (7 x $2.25). You would need to buy 3 regular MetroCards (a regular MetgroCard can only handle 4 fare payments within the 18 minute period).

Since you will be here for 8 days I suggest you buy regular MetroCards with at least a $20.00 value on it from a subway booth (cash only) or from a MetroCard Vending Machine (MVM) - cash, debit/credit. You can refill these MetroCards as needed. Note that there is a strict limit of 2 transactions per 24 hour period in the MVM per credit or debit card. The minimum cash transaction in the MVM is 5 cents, the minimum credit/debit transaction in the MVM is $2.25.

Note: any MetroCard purchase of $10.00 or more gets a free 7% bonus added on. This bonus not bring the card value up to full fare for a ride - $10.00 + % = $10.70 which is 4 fares with $1.70 left over). You can add in cash (separate transaction) the amount needed to bring the left over to a full fare. So if you went with a $20.00 card, then you get a value of $21.40. Just add (in cash) $1.10 to bring the total card value to $22.50 which is 10 fares of $22.50. [With the bonus the cost per fare drops to $2.10 even though the turnstile/farebox deducts $2.25].

WorldGallery

Thanks nycguy. That is a ton of info to absorb about the subway.
You said, "You would need to buy 3 regular MetroCards (a regular MetgroCard can only handle 4 fare payments within the 18 minute period)".
Wouldn't I need just 2 cards for 7 people? Just not sure I am reading that correctly.
I did understand that the unlimited card is for one person only. I figured 7 x $29 per card = $203 If I am thinking correctly, it would only be worth it if we did at least 11 rides, which we will. But then again, with the way you say it, we would get a discount, which I didn't consider. Also, swiping 7 cards each time might be annoying, right?
I just wish I knew how much we will ride it for sure vs. a taxi. I am sure there will be times with my kids that we just want to get home faster than a subway. I do understand that we will need two taxi so my husband and I will divide up with the kids (ages 10 - 17).

yk

I was recently in NYC for 8 days, and getting the 7d unlimited Metrocard was the best thing ever. It saved me a ton of $. On average I took 4 rides (not including the "free transfers) per day. Taxis can be hard to come by, esp in the rush hr/evening times; or any day that's raining. The fact that the taxi will be stuck in traffic is very true; so taxis may not be much (if at all) faster than taking the subway.

I don't know how tall your youngest kids are, but according to MTA's website:
http://www.mta.info/metrocard/mcgtreng.htm

Up to three children 44 inches tall and under ride for free on subways and local buses when accompanied by a fare paying adult.

sf7307

>>

You probably have to swipe a regular farecard once for each rider anyway, so I wouldn't choose one over the other because of this factor!

mclaurie

nyccabfare.com will estimate the cost of a taxi ride. The cost is dependent not only on distance but on traffic as the meter keeps ticking even if you're stopped. I can't remember how many you are, but keep in mind the average taxi will seat 4 people but squished. There are minivan taxis that will seat 5 but they're not as easy to find.

I think what you're really asking is whether a 7 day unlimited card for each member is better or the pay per ride card which can be shared with up to 4 people.
http://www.mta.info/metrocard/compare.htm

WorldGallery

Yes, mclaurie, that is what I am asking. It seems that in our case, it is very close in regards to money saved if we get a 7 day unlimited card per person or the refillable card. But also, I am trying to weigh in convenience to a point. For example, to get to the American Museum of Natural history or the ballet at Lincoln Center from Affinia Dumont, it is 3 transfers but to get all the way to Citi Field, it is only one train (which is amazing). To get to Times Square, which is only 5 min by taxi, it is one transfer, which doubles the time (we are planning to try avoid rush hour). What is rush hour times?
Also, based on what I have read, I think I want to avoid the subway on the weekends and holidays(Memorial Day) due to fewer trains and with the 7 day unlimited, it has to be 7 days in a row.
Thanks for helping me work this thing out. It helps to talk it out because it is very confusing for a first timer.

starrs

This website is helpful in planning subway routes with estimated times -
http://www.hopstop.com/

nycguy10002

You're right. It should be 2 regular MetroCards to cover 7 people. (I don't know why I said 3).

You said "it would only be worth it if we did at least 11 rides, which we will." It will take 13 rides just to break even (13 x $2.25 = $29.25) It would not be until the 14th fare that any savings might be realized.

nyer

For example, to get to the American Museum of Natural history or the ballet at Lincoln Center from Affinia Dumont, it is 3 transfers but to get all the way to Citi Field, it is only one train (which is amazing). To get to Times Square, which is only 5 min by taxi, it is one transfer, which doubles the time

NOT necessarily.
You need to consider that sometimes instead of getting into the closest subway station near you and getting out at the one closest to your destination, it is easier to walk a couple blocks to a station, take a single train, and get off at a stop just a couple blocks farther away from your destination. OR use buses (especially the crosstown buses) in addition to a subway rather than make odd transfers.

The other advantage of unlimited passes is that if you just feel like hopping a trainfor one stop, or a bus for 5 or 10 blocks, you don't feel like you're wasting a fare.

If you think it will be close, I think the unlimited (and yes, you need one for each adult and child over 44inches high) makes it simpler.
There are slowdowns on the weekends but avoiding subways for those days is really not necessary or practical. Many of us ride the trains every day and just work around the schedule changes, Plus, it's unlikely that any major trackwork will be happening over the Memorial Day weekend

As I and others haveg pointed out, don't count on getting a taxi (in your case 2 taxis) when you need them.

SueNYC

The subway is faster than a taxi almost any time. And, you who asked about avoiding tourist traps might actually want to leave Times Square to eat after the theatre!

nytraveler

First of all you don;t need 1 taxi - you need 2. And there are many times and places when taxis are hard to get - and it may take 10 or 15 minutes to find one. (Don;t even think about Friday 7 pm in the rain).

Assuming you take 2 cabs the price would be similar only for short rides. The first mile in a taxi costs $4.50 plus a tip for $5.50. Two miles would be $6.50 - $8 with tip - so about the same as taking the subway. BUT, if you get stuck in traffic the meter just keeps running - if you're moving or not - and you can easily end up spending $15 or $20 per cab - way more than any subway ride.

As for speed, the subway is faster except late at night or very early in the am (before 7 am).

travelgals

You can go to hopstop.com (as Starrs pointed out), click on NYC and also get walking directions. It would take 19 minutes to walk from hotel to Times Square - though time of day and crowds can change that. Walking is a great way to see the city. If you don't have tickets for shows yet, check out discounts on BroadwayBox.com. Have a great visit!

ellenem

"For example, to get to the American Museum of Natural history or the ballet at Lincoln Center from Affinia Dumont, it is 3 transfers but to get all the way to Citi Field, it is only one train (which is amazing). "

I suspect from the Dumont to Citifield you will take two trains: the 6 train from 33rd to 42nd, and then the #7 train from 42nd to Mets-Willets Point. . . unless you intended to walk from 34th St to 42nd St.

I agree that it may often be difficult to find two taxis at the same time. For example, virtually every taxi changes shift at 4PM, so it is very difficult to find even one taxi that is on duty.

NeoPatrick

There is something to be said for an unlimited card. When you are tired of walking but you have an unlimited card, it's no big deal to hop on a subway and go 7 or 14 blocks to save some walking, but you're not likely to do that if you had to buy or pay for 7 more tickets or get a taxi. I love having an unlimited card so I can save time and steps whenever I want to.

mclaurie

A taxi is NEVER going to be cheaper for you because you'd always need 2 of them. The subway for the most part runs north to south. Because your hotel is on the east side, any place on the west side (like Lincoln Center or AMNH) will require at least one change. One way to avoid that is to walk or use a crosstown bus (also included in either metrocard). There's a crosstown bus on 34th st. which is where your hotel is. You can also easily walk to Penn station and be on the west side and get subways headed north from there. The bus and walking could well take the same amount of time. Another thing to consider is seeing stuff on the way to somewhere. So, when you go to the AMNH, rather than heading straight to the museum, you could just head north by subway and get out at Bloomingdales and walk through the park or at 66th and walk through the park. The benefit to the unlimited card is you can get in and out of the subway or a bus as much as you want. If you don't want to buy the unlimited for everyone 4 and maybe a pay as you go for the other 3 people. Are you all going to be together all the time?

yk

During my recent 8-day stay in NYC, I was staying near the Affinia Dumont. I actually went to Lincoln Center daily; some days 2x/day. What I find is the fastest way is:

Take Crosstown bus M16 or M34 to 7th Ave, then transfer for the 1/2/3 subway northbound. The bus runs every few minutes during day time, and the subway is very frequent too. I usually can get to Lincoln Center within 30 minutes.

Also note that the M16 Bbus will take you directly to Times Sq if you're heading to that area.

Again, the children may be able to ride for free if they meet the height requirement.

WorldGallery

Thanks yk and everyone.
This is all so helpful, things I can't find in a book. Also, things I didn't realize since I have never used a subway or needed 2 taxis at one time.
My kids are all above the height requirement so we will get 7 unlimited cards. Can these 7 day unlimited cards be purchased at any subway entrance? If not, where do I get them?
Also, this may sound like a crazy question but I really don't know. When you transfer from one subway to the next, do you actually have to go back upstairs and walk to another entrance or do you stay underground?
Again, thanks!

sf7307

World, first let me say you've made the right decision. I agree with Patrick -- even if you don't save money, you save the subway tickets being an impediment to your enjoyment! We were there a few years ago and it was freezing and we didn't have appropriate outerwear on (the weather changed "just like that"), so we did exactly what he said, we hopped on the subway for 1 stop, within a block of our hotel, instead of freezing to death walking.

As for the transfers, if you transfer at a station where lines intersect (which you can see on any subway map), you will stay underground to transfer. Sometimes, you will be underground for quite a walk, sometimes, just a matter of crossing over to the next track.