New York City Subway Travelling Tips

The New York City subway system is not as easy to navigate as some cities, but it remains the fastest way to get around the Big Apple. Unlike many cities (such as London where one is always racing to get the last train home before midnight), the subway system in NYC runs twenty-four hours a day (although there are fewer trains at night and on weekends). The system has gotten much better (the cars are cleaner and air conditioned) and many of the stations have been renovated. The signs can still be a puzzle, but just make sure where you are going in advance and plan your trip using a subway map (available for free at subway stations-just ask for one from the station attendant at the booth).

The fare on subways is two dollars no matter how far you travel. You do not have to deal with fare zones like you do in many cities. Also, if you get off the subway and transfer to a bus you will often get a free transfer. You do not have to ask for this transfer, the card automatically knows what you are doing and shows the next ride is free when you insert your card. For example, you are going downtown on the subway and then change to a bus going cross-town-this ride is free. The Metrocard has replaced the old tokens are the means of paying the fare. You can buy the card at vending booths in the subway stations and these cards can be used on buses, too. The machine takes cash and credit cards. The FunPass for ten dollars is good for five rides and one free ride. The twenty-dollar pass gives you ten rides and two free rides. You can also buy an unlimited pass for a week for twenty-one dollars. Unlike the other two passes, this one cannot be shared. Each person must have one. The vending machine will take up to a fifty-dollar bill and will not take pennies.