where to buy a transit pass
 

We are going to NYC the last week in August for 5 days. (2 adults and 2 almost adults, 18 & 20) We are familiar with the subway and plan to use it. We are staying in Time Square. Where do we buy subway passes for 5 days near Time Square?

They have automated machines at the subway stations or you could also wait in line at the station and buy it from one of the ticket people too. Have fun!

You can buy the passes in any subway station at the automated machine.

Are these multiday passes or do you need to buy one every morning? Do you know if they take bank cards or credit cards or do you need cash?

Agents only take cash. Machines take credit/debit/atm cards and sometimes cash.

A ride per person is $2. The different kinds of passes are described on the MTA website: http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/metrocard/m....htm#unlimited

You can also buy passes:

At the newstands near the baggage claim area of LGA & JFK airports

At the NYC Visitors Center at Times Square. It's on the EAST side of Broadway, just south of 47th St

At a transportation museum in Grand Central ... located on WEST side of building just outside the main hall - near a cheesecake retailer

These are sold "by hand", not from a vending machine.

An unlimited ride card is either a week's pass for $24 or a day pass for $7 but can only be used by 1 person.

A regular metrocard for any amount of money from $4 on up can be used by all 4 of you and you can add money to it. That's what I would chose for you unless each of you think you will each take more than 12 rides during your stay. I think you will do a lot of walking from your TS base.

Four of us went in July for 5 days and we bought the 7 day pass for $24. We used it more than 12 times, I think it was 18 (I'd have to read my trip report for the exact number). However, we stayed on the upper west side.

Your best bet would be weekly (7 days, there are no 5 day unlimited cards)unlimited Metrocards which sell for $24 each and can be purchased in most subway station vending machines. The machines accept cash, credit and debit cards. They can also be puchsed at the token booths but not all stations have manned booths these days. The cards expire at midnight on the 7th day of card use. In the subway the cardreader will only read "go" when you go through the turnstile, on the bus it will say "ok" or "transfer" but will also give the expiration date of the card. Or you can check the expiration date on the card reader located in the station (not at the turnstile) The cards allow you unlimited rides on all NYC buses and subways with the exception of the interborough express buses. Please keep in mind that there must be 18 minutes in between uses of the card. For example, if you enter the turnstile using the card and remember you wanted something outside the station and you exit, you must wait 18 minutes before you can enter the turnstile again. One more tip if you swipe your card and the card reader has the message "please swipe agin at this turnstile" make sure you use the same tunstile opr a fare will be deducted if you move to another turnstile and you won't be able to enter for another 18 minutes. Sometime the card's magnetic strip can be dirty and the reader can't read it it. Juat give it a little wipe on your clothes, that usually does the trick.

I live in NY and I use the monthly metrocard which is a steal at $76 for 30 days of unlimited rides, considering the fact that one ride on the bus or subway is $2.

I hope this information helps. Come and enjoy our city, we love company!