IMDonehere

It is either called the subway or the train. No NY'er will know where to send you if you ask for the Metro. It is similar to asking for the green or orange line, it is simply a way to distinguish things on a map, as opposed to how it used in every day language. Metrocard is a governmental agency's name for something not how it used by in the every day jargon.

It is not pedantic, it is instructive and helpful.

The same if some asks for Greenwich, they will think you mean the tony town in Connecticut, not Greenwich Village.

It is the same as asking for 6th Avenue as opposed to Avenue of the Americas.

Neo, you are not being helpful to visitors, you are confusing them.

nytraveler

When they switched from tokens to passes for the subway they decided to call them Metro passes - god knows why. But it's been the subway since the 1880s and is not nor ever will be a "Metro".

Not correcting this is like letting people in London ask for the "subway" - and underground passage under major intersections - vesrsus the "underground" or the "tube" - the (mostly) underground transit system.

And agree to remind visitor not to ask for a subway line by color - one must use either the official letter or number designation - A train or 5 train - or the local descriptor - "Lexington Ave local" or whatever.

nytraveler

And asking about a Metro CARD will not get you sent to a deli - but might well get you sent to the many other places that sell them - news stands, etc.

Asking where the Metro is will often just draw a blank look. Unless near Grand Central - when you might be sent there for a metro north train.

aussie_10

Thanks everyone.

We have a booked airport pickup from JFK into the city when we arrive. After 23 hours of flying it seems the best option.

Thanks for the costings of the metro pass it sounds really good value. Much cheaper than a similar pass would cost in Sydney Australia.
So the card can be used on both subway and buses? But not ferries?

Can you purchase or obtain for free a subway map?

NeoPatrick

Geez, after 23 hours of flying, I'd book an ambulance! LOL

Will you have a smartphone? I can't survive in NYC without a link on mine to the MTA subway map. Or you can download and print one before you go.

nytraveler, I'll remain in disagreement with you. If the poster had asked about how to take the Metro, it would be one thing -- but instead the request was all about getting a Metro pass or Metro card. There was NO reason for correcting THAT request. No one suggested they were going to ask anyone "where is the Metro" -- except YOU. OK?

IMDonehere

The Staten Island ferry is free.

You cannot use your Metro card for the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Theoretically free subway maps are available at the manned booths at subway stations. Whether they will have them or not is a different matter. I have no idea what the official name for the booths maybe. But most call them token booths, since they sold tokens for the subway for its first 100 years or so.

TDudette

DH and I decided to go to Ellis Island instead of SoL and we had to go through an pretty extensive security line. Is that still true? If so, allow plenty of time before your actual reservation time--45 minutest? Others please clarify.

There used to be a discount ticket place in the South port area--it was not busy at all on the day we were there. I vote for broadwaybox.com though.

doug_stallings

It's the same exact line and ferry, so it's really irrelevant if you get off at the Statue or continue to Ellis Island. Security is long and onerous, and you need to allow plenty of time before your reservation. 45 minutes seems about right.

There is a TKTS booth in the South Street Seaport (which is not anywhere near the ferry to the Statue of Liberty). The notable thing about that booth is that it sells matinee tickets the day before. It can still be busy but is rarely as busy as the one at Times Square.

NewbE

<Asking where the Metro is will often just draw a blank look. >
I call baloney. I haven't tried it, but I bet nyt hasn't either. And I also bet that New Yorkers, seeing a tourist before them, would be clever enough to ask "You mean the subway?"

NewbE

Oh god, then I scrolled up and read THIS:
<No NY'er will know where to send you if you ask for the Metro. >
More utter nonsense! It's one thing to say one should know what the locals call the underground transit system--I mean, duh, who's arguing otherwise??

But to claim that NEW YORKERS--not known for their slow-wittedness--would be at a loss when confronted by a tourist using the wrong term is madness. You think that's never happened?

Why New Yorkers would indulge in this sort of pointless hyperbole is beyond me, but I think they underestimate their fellow citizens. And happily for all of us visitors, their fellow citizens are nothing near as unhelpful.

IMDonehere

Give it up Neo. Of course you know more than anybody, especially people who have lived in NY all there lives. There's confirmation. Now find something else to do.

Christina

You can sometimes get free subway/bus maps in the tourist centers. I got a bus map there once, which is very helpful. There is one around Times Square somewhere. Here is their webpage, and it gives all their locations and promises maps!

http://www.nycgo.com/articles/nyc-tr...getting-around

Not a bad idea to stop in early if you are near one. Their website also does give useful information on the metro card, etc., as well.

I'm sure you can get one of those laminated maps, also, like Streetwise, etc., perhaps at home before you go? I find those very useful, although I think they are only good for subway lines. I get them sometimes on amazon.com but my local bookstore also has them, if you are lucky.

aussie_10

Thanks everyone.

I will look into the smartphone app.
I am a bit of a paper map or guide person.

The Staten Island ferry is on the list.

Thanks for the link Christine - lots of great information there.

In mid September what time is sunset?

NeoPatrick

IMDonehere, I know you love making snarky remarks to me, but it would be helpful if you explained what I have said that is wrong. Are the cards really called Subway cards and not Metro cards for example? If so, then I apologize for my mistake -- again -- please correct anything I've said that is wrong! My post, including the suggestion to do a phone app or print out for the subway map was meant to be helpful -- what was the purpose of your post -- especially if I've only spoken true facts?

nytraveler

Newbe-

Well if you haven;t tried it - how do you know.

I heard some Scandinavian kids from a hostel in my area ask the clerk in the drugstore about the nearest Metro and he was just puzzled. When I said you mean subway they stared. So I said you have to call it the subway they weren;t sure.

Also, have seen a Londoner stumped when an American asked for the subway - and tell them there wasn't one nearby. Until another passerby said you mean the tube.

Reinforcing the correct local names only makes life easier for everyone. Why promote confusion?

IMDonehere

For the benefit of the OP. For the purposes of clarity, it helps to ask the right question.

If you use the words subway or train there is no ambiguity. If you use the word Metro people will ask if you are referring to the subway. There is no other reason besides custom and usage.

There are so many regional language differences including how to order coffee and soda drinks. Using the correct words simply facilitates one's trip and makes life simpler when one's day is filled with small and large differences. One of the reasons for travel.

The only reason people would urge a visitor to ask ambiguous question is simply because they contentious passive/aggressive children. And that is not hyperbole.

NeoPatrick

I agree wholeheardedly, the right word is important, which is why when the poster said "Yes I will need to investigate the Metro pass", I failed to understand the confusion that could be caused by telling them not to use the word Metro but subway. But if you and nytraveler want to insist they call it a SUBWAY pass", then by all means rant on telling them to. I apologize if indeed "true" New Yorkers will get confused if you ask about Metro passes or cards rather than Subway passes or cards.

Oddly enough, I have to say I AM DONE HERE.