Getting around New York doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Aside from driving, there are a number of options available to make your way through NYC’s bustling streets.
MTA Bus and Subway
Tram
Taxi
Bike
Ferry
Helicopter
MTA Bus and Subway
If walking is not a plausible method to get to your destination in NYC, then mass transit would be the next best solution. The MTA New York City Transit system is fast, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly. Best of all, you can sight see while en route! The MTA buses and subway run throughout all five NYC boroughs. The buses and subway runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
MTA buses accept tokens, exact change, or MetroCards, but do not take bills. MetroCards are the safest way to travel, since you don’t have to handle cash and they make transfers easier. You can purchase a MetroCard at subway stations, either at the MetroCard Vending Machines or the station booths. The advantage of using the vending machine is you can use cash, debit or credit cards, whereas the booth attendant will only accept cash. A single subway or bus ride costs $2.75 (although the base fare for pay-per-ride cards is $2.50). Riding on an Express bus costs $6. The following outlines the benefits of MetroCards.
Unlimited Ride MetroCard
The more you ride, the less each ride costs.
Free transfers are included
Refill as often as you need, until the card’s expiration
Can only be used by one person at a time
Cannot be used again at the same station or same bus route for 18 minutes
Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard
5% bonus on purchases of $5 or more
Free subway-to-bus, bus-to-subway, or bus-to-bus transfer within 2 hours of paying your fare (with some exceptions)
Refill as often as you need, until the card’s expiration
Can pay for up to 4 people at a time
The more you ride, the more you save. The following will help you to determine which type of card you need to get the biggest bang for your buck.
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Click here for more information on fares and MetroCards.
If this is your planned mode of transport, play it smart and plan your route in advance. For bus schedules and maps, click here and click here for a map of the subway system. When taking the subway, be sure you’re standing on the right side of the tracks. Look for signs over the entrance steps to the platform.
Also, be careful of getting on any express lines, unless you know exactly where it goes. There are many different routes that run along the same streets, so pay attention to which bus you are getting on and if you are unsure, ask!
If you would like to plan a customized route, use the Trip Planner. Simply enter your starting location and your destination, the time you would like to leave or arrive and other options and, Voila!, you have a few itinerary options displayed for you. Can’t get any easier than that!
Aside from walking and biking, the MTA transit system is the most economical way of getting around NYC.
The Roosevelt Island Tram
Lose yourself in breathtaking aerial views of Midtown East, as the tram takes you from 59th Street and Second Avenue in Manhattan to Roosevelt Island. This unique mode of transport has been in effect since the early 1900s. The tram runs 7 days a week, from 6-2am, Sunday through Thursday and from 6-3:30am on Friday and Saturday. The tram accepts MetroCards and tranfers are available to the subways and buses. Click here to learn more about the Roosevelt Island Tram.
Taxi
While buses and the subway are some of the most cost efficient mode of transport, taking a taxi is the easiest. To hail a taxi, look for one with the sign illuminated on the top, wave your hand, and yell, “taxi”. Most taxi drivers know the streets of NYC like the back of their hand, but there is the occasional newbie, so it’s best to always be prepared and at least know the nearest cross streets of your destination.
Fares
Start out at $2.50 – increases in increments of 50₵ for every fifth of a mile
50₵ New York state tax surcharge for each ride
$1 prime time surcharge Monday through Friday, 4-8pm
50₵ surcharge, Monday through Friday, 8pm-6am
Any tolls will be added to the meter
Standard 15-20% tip is usually given
All taxis accept cash and many even accept credit cards.
To learn more about taxi service in NYC, visit the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission.
Bike
Go green and forego fossil fuel powered modes of transport by biking! Good for both mother earth and your body, biking is cost effective and often times faster than other ways around the city. While it’s a real treat to bike through Central Park, Riverside Park, and Prospect Park, there are also many bike paths, as well the whole city is easily traversed on a bike. To figure out the fastest or safest route to get to your destination, you may want to explore Ride the City. Also Transportation Alternatives provides a wealth of information about biking through New York.
Ferry
New York has an excellent ferry system that can take you from uptown to downtown, from the Bronx, to Staten Island, and even up to New Jersey.
NY Waterway
This commuter ferry will take you to several locations between Manhattan and New Jersey. They have several routes, including Hudson River Ferries, East River Ferry, and Belford Ferry. Fares vary per ferry and children under 5 ride for free, while discounts are given for children ages 6-11 and for seniors. Visit NY Waterway to learn more and view the schedules.
Many daily commuters take the Staten Island Ferry and it is a great way of sightseeing this beautiful city. You can ride from Staten Island to Whitehall Ferry Terminal in Manhattan for free. Along the way, you will get excellent views of the New York Harbor and Lower Manhattan, as well as the infamous Statue of Liberty.
New York Water Taxi offers several options for getting around New York, from their Hop On/Hop Off to the Freedom Tour, Statue by Night, specialty cruises, boat charters and more. All day passes are available and you can even choose the Bike & Boat option for optimum efficiency.
Helicopter
Get a bird’s eye view of the city and create memories that last a lifetime by touring New York by air in a helicopter. There are several options for taking this amazing adventure:
New York Helicopter Charter, Inc. offers the Central Park Tour, Liberty Tour, and the Grand Tour.
Liberty Helicopters offers several tour options
Helicopter Flight Services, Inc. provides custom tours and charters, as well as aerial photography
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