NYC Transportation
 

We're going to be in NYC for just about 48 hours and hope to see a few landmarks while there (Central Park, Ellis Island, Times Square) and also hit the Union Square Green Market one morning. In the evenings we have specific dinner plans in different parts of the city. Our question is, what's the best way to get around? I'm going to assume that taxis are easiest, but we're on a budget. How expensive is it to take subways, are the routes difficult to figure out, and are they safe at night (Meat District, Times Square, Greenwich Village)? A friend who was there on vacation recently recommended signing up with one of the bus tours where you can "get on, get off" in order to get a good overall view of the city. Would that work for transporation to most places, or would it be way too slow to get from point A to point B?

Any help will be greatly appreciated!\

NYC subways are fast, easy, safe,inexpensive.
Hop on/hop off buses, which some people like as an overview tour are not meant for or practical for transportation. They are much more expensive, slow, and they may be so crowded that you have to wait to get on one.

Taxis aren't always easiest since they can be hard to get at certain times and locations, and can end up pretty expensive if you get stuck in a traffic jam. You may want to splurge on a couple of cabs rides very late at night or when you are just exhausted, but the subways (and occasionally a regular city bus) will do you fine.

If you have specific routes you want us to recommend, let us know where you plane to be and where you need to get to.

Hopstop.com is a great website for NYC public transportation routes.

HOw many people is "we"? If there's 3 or 4 of you traveling together, sometimes it's cheaper (and definitely faster) to take a cab, esp for short'ish distances.

Hailing taxis around rush hour can be difficult IMO.

And cabs sit in traffic, while subways don't!

Since you only have 48 hours, you might want to rethink visiting Ellis Island on this trip -- it will take at least half a day between getting to the boat, the boat trip there and back, and the museum visit. It's a great place, and I highly recommend visiting, but maybe when you have more time.

You will surprised how many people are on the subway at 9, 10,11 o'clock at night. And from Thursday night to Sunday 3 AM, the East Village, West Village, and Meatpacking have many people on the streets.

Agree with all the advice you've been given. Subways are fastest but not always the most practical depending on where you're going. For crosstown travel, sometimes a bus is the best option. Hopstop.com, http://www.mta.info/ and maps.google.com all will help with directions.

Hop on/off buses are for touring and NOT a good idea for transportation (and they're expensive!) If you're moving around a lot, buy a fun pass for each of you for each day you're here. It allows you unlimited use of subways and buses for the day. http://www.mta.info/metrocard/mcgtreng.htm#unlimited

Going to Ellis Island is very time consuming. If you're determined to go, make sure you buy your ferry tickets in advance and try to go on the first ferry of the day for shortest wait time. statuecruises.com

All of the above are correct. Best transit choices depend on the # of people, time of day and locations.

Subway is cheap, fast and safe - but mobbed at rush hour.

Hop o/?off buses are bad idea for touring and are NOT transit - they run every 30 minutes or so versus every 4/5 minutes for regular city bus or subway except small hours (midnight to 6 am.) It would take hours to get anywhere taking them.

Like everyone else is suggesting, the subway and bus are your best bet. Cabs are most convenient late at night when you don't want to wait for the subway, but if you want to be economical don't take it unless there's 3 or 4 passengers (they will not take more than 4; they can get their permits revoked). Those meters click click click, even when you just sit in traffic!

And if you plan your itinerary well based on locales, you can always walk! Walking 15-20 blocks is not as bad as it sounds and honestly during rush hour, I find it easier to walk then hop on the subway for a two/three stop ride.

When you get here, buy a metro card, you can get daily or weekly cards and they will save you some time and money. If you use it on the subway, then you get a free transfer to the bus.

Also you can use the card for more than one person and the transfer will automatically register.

If you $20 on a card you also get a discount.

THe subway is by FAR the fastest way to get around the city. especially if you can use the express subway lines. I live way uptown, and just off the A train and I can be midtown in 15 minutes.

I think a healthy mixture of walking, a couple of taxis, and buses are the best bet.
Subways should be left for long distances, they are ok, but of course if you are a tourist it is more fun to be looking around.
Taxis are reasonable.

"When you get here, buy a metro card, you can get daily or weekly cards and they will save you some time and money. If you use it on the subway, then you get a free transfer to the bus. ... Also you can use the card for more than one person and the transfer will automatically register."

"Unlimited" daily or weekly MetroCard cannot be shared by more than one person.

Only "Regular" pay-per-ride MetroCards can be shared by up to 4 people, and you earn 15% bonus on the amount you add to the card.

If you don't get a metro card, don't make the same mistake I did. The bus only takes quarters. The subway is pretty easy. You need to know whether you are going downtown or uptown. Also, check out the website hopstop.com for directions.
Have a great time.

I always use a metro card on the buses but I thought the exact fare could be a combination of any coins but pennies.

"a combination of any coins but pennies." yes, no pennies, but even dollar coins work—exact change is required. And NO paper currency can be used.