NYC Subway
 

I will be staying in Midtown and would like to take the subway to Lower Manhatten, what do I do? I have never been on a subway before, it is difficult?

It's very simple. You go down to the subway station and ask! I'm not being facetious or sarcasyov. And, if you're in mid-Manhattan, you should have easy access to the subways on the East Side and West Side. Obviously, which subway line you take depends on where you are and where you're going. You can relax about the subways, as you should have no problems. <BR>YOu may want to buy one of the specially priced daily or weekly fare cards, which will save you a bit of money if you plan on more than two rides a day.

Cubic Corporation from which I recently retired build all of the fare equipment in the subways and buses. It is a great system. If you are there for a while, buy a weekly MetoCard for about $17.50. You can use this only any subway or bus.

I've ridden rail transit systems in about twenty cities around the world, and think the question is an appropriate one for someone who, as she stated, has NEVER ridden a subway. So let me give my two cents. <BR> <BR>First of all, get a good map. This city's subway system is an amalgam of what was once three completely seperate systems, and some connections don't make a lot of sense. On the web, there's one at http://metro.ratp.fr:10001/bin/statm...h/usa/new-york <BR> <BR>Since you'll going from midtown to lower Manhattan, you'll probably be riding the #1 line (Red). Wherever you happen to be staying, find out where the nearest station is. Then go there and look for a stairway down. Then walk down it and look for a window selling tokens. Pay for the number of tokens you'll be needing (two for each round trip) at $1.50 apiece (try to have exact change). Then jostle your way to the entrance turnstile (make ABSOLUTELY certain you're at the station you want to be at, you can buy tokens at any place, but, once you drop it into a slot, you can NOT get it back. If you go into the wrong station, tough luck!!!), drop your token into the slot, and go through the turnstile. If you're not certain how it's done, just watch the 500 who cut in front of you to do so :^) Get into the subway going the right way (again, try to make certain, there's lots of signs showing which train on which track goes which direction). If you find yourself going the wrong way (WATCH the signs at each station), just get off, go to the other track side (make CERTAIN you're not exiting when you try to do this), and go back the other way. When you get to the station you want, get off and follow the crowd out of the station. <BR> <BR>You may find it useful to spend $3 to try going to your intended destination the day before, during an off-hour. You do NOT want to get confused on the NYC subway during rush hour!!! There may be 3 million people with you, but not all of them will be willing to help!

As much as I usually defer to Howard on NYC advice, I feel like I must caution you about asking for help from the subway employees. <BR> <BR>In my numerous trips to NYC, we have found the people (even the waiters) to be helpful, polite and very pleasant. All except the bus drivers and the people who sell the subway passes/tickets. In each and every case (and there have been many), these people are short, rude, gruff and seem to really hate their jobs. This isn't to say that you can't or shouldn't enlist their help, but don't be suprised if they prove to be less than willing to help you. <BR> <BR>Better yet, go to http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/ <BR> <BR>This will give you everything you need to know to ride the trains. And I think you can even buy passes online - and if so, this is a good idea as many stations will be "out" of the 1-day tourist "Fun Passes".

<BR>Brian, thanks for the kinds words. Yes, I will defer to you this time. Sometimes the subway employees can be less than helpful! A good source of help is the concierge desk at any hotel. (Don't be shy about walking into a hotel and asking, even if you're not staying there!) <BR>Lynn, don't be put off by some of the other answers here. It's really not that difficult to ride the rails in NYC! <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Lynn: Riding the subway is not difficult. Just be aware of the time of day you will be riding. Rush hours can be very, very, very crowded. I, personally, would not ask a subway employee. If you are staying at a hotel, ask the person at the front desk or if they have a consierge ask them. It's their job. If you are not staying at a hotel, go to the closest store, restaurant or whatever and ask there. The people of NYC are some of the most helpful on the planet. One time, a gentleman told me where to get on and off the subway for a theater in the Village as he was running to catch a bus. Don't be afraid to ask. <BR>

People who say it is simple have no conception about how intimidating New York and its complicated subway system are to people who have had no experiences with such a place or such a system. <BR> <BR>I have been there many times and I still make mistakes, like getting on trains that do not stop at the station I want. I was with a group last winter that included a number of older people from small town America who had never seen a subway system, and even with detailed instructions, they were scared. Even the simple act of swiping the MetroCard correctly was difficult, and it got more difficult as more irate New Yorkers piled up behind them. <BR> <BR>Having said that Lynn, it is worth figuring out how to do. Get your maps in advance, study them, get your instructions at the hotel, don't panic if you make a mistake because all mistakes are recoverable from.

I agree that the NYC MTA system is very easy but I also acknowledge that it could be a trifle intimidating for a first timer. I strongly recommend buying one of the wallet sized subway maps that's printed on "permanent" paper. These maps fit in a wallet or shirt pocket, are unobtrusive, dureable and best of all one won't stand out too much when it's unfolded to peruse it. Definitely buy a "FunPass" or weekly pass - it saves money and the passes (including the per-ride regular MetroCard) allow a free transfer to the bus (or vice-versa; you can start on the bus and transfer to the subway). Just abide by the previous advice about checking carefully to be sure you're getting on the correct train (uptowon or downtown). Also note that stops on the map marked with a black dot are where express trains stop. If you get on one by mistake and it goes past your desired stop (this has happened to me many times), just get off at the next stop, walk upstairs and cross over to come back the other way. I have riddent he metro's in Montreal, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, and Toronto and find NYC to be the simplest to negotiate of all (except Toronto, which is still the best).

I quickly defer to resident New Yorkers, and all I know about the subway is joyfully riding it several times during my several trips to the city. I was given the admonition, however, not to ride it after dark, so I'll offer the same advice to you. <BR>

Hi <BR>You have heard some very good advice from NYC residents. We recently returned from our first visit to NYC. Since we are from a small town and are not used to using public transportation, I just wanted to offer encouragement to you. Do not be afraid to take the subway and do ask for help. The people at our hotel were very helpful. <BR>We took the subway from Midtown to World Trade Center and did not have any problems. <BR>Just two suggestions to add: <BR>When you are the subway, they will be announcing each stop (sometimes it is hard to understand them). There should be a subway map in your train car that shows which line you are on. Listen to the stops and watch the subway map to make sure that you are going in the right direction. If not, get off, go around and buy another token and get on the train you want. <BR>Also, when you get off the subway, pay close attention to where you are getting off so that if you want to return the same way, things will look familiar and you will know you are heading in the right direction. <BR>Hope this is helpful to you.

Just pay VERY close attention to the subway map. We thought it stopped places, but didn't...Look at the map, and the one in the train...

Another thought - try to sit or stand in a spot wher you'll be able to see the signs at each station stop. the previous poster was correct in stating that it's difficult (often impossible) to clearly hear the station stops as they're announced. Also note that if a given stop has separate street entrances for uptown and downtown they'll be designated as such by signs on the entrance. Several people have mentioned that the subway toll booths are often sold out of the one day "FunPass". I buy mine at small stores where Metrocard is sold (they're all over the city) and I never have a problem finding them. I disagree with the person who suggested not riding after dark but I do suggest 11PM as a good cut-off time and also suggest that you stick to the main routes and don't go beyond midtown or downtown after dark (meaning don't ride out to the boroughs and don't go north of 90th Street). During the day you should feel comfortable going anywhere.

Not to worry--the subway is easy to use,and there are attendants in the subway ticket booths who are happy to help you. Get a MetroCard (you can get it through a machine that's like an ATM machine) so you can ride the bus or the subway. We even rode the subway at night, but I must confess we were a little leary at first--if there are people around, you'll be OK.