Getting Around New York: Public Transportation

By Kari Hoerchler, BOOKitCHEAP Assistant Editor

Getting around New York City is part of its glory. No other big city in the United States is easier to get around on foot. And no other city has such a comprehensive and efficient public transportation system. And, let's face it, no other city has its cabbies. Public transportation hits all 5 boroughs of New York with a special concentration in Manhattan, where most of the sights are located.

The following is a brief description of the different ways to get around town:

Put on your walking shoes.

First and foremost, the best way to get around New York is on foot. It's the most convenient, the cheapest, and the most interesting. Plus, it's exercise!

TIP: One block, North and South, is roughly 1/20 of a mile and takes about one minute to walk. Walking East and West, between the avenues, takes much longer.

Plan on walking - a lot. Why is it more interesting than other forms of transit? Take this example: You're at Union Square (14th and Park Avenue) and you want to get to Times Square (42nd and Broadway). You could just hop in the subway and be there in about 15 minutes. Or, you could stroll up Broadway and walk the 28 blocks yourself, passing through the Garment District, Herald Square, Macy's, and the Fashion District before arriving in the neon lights of Times Square. The walk would take about 30 minutes. If you have the time, and the distance isn't too overwhelming, walk!

TIP: If you're afraid to be about town in tennis shoes, fear not! Sneakers are acceptable attire during the day, even in shops, restaurants and museums. If you feel funny about this, take a tip from New York businesswomen, who race to work in sneakers before pulling heels out of their purses at the office door.

The New York City Subway System

The New York City subway system is the oldest in the world. Age hasn't stopped it from running 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, with 722 miles of track and 468 stations. Millions of New Yorkers zoom daily through the city on the subway. Don't be afraid of the rush hour crush. Come on, jump in!

The subway's most crowded hours coincide with packed streets and jammed traffic. Getting a taxi is nearly impossible during rush hours and, if you do score one, you'll probably end up sitting around in backed-up traffic watching the meter run. It's much faster, and usually less frustrating, to take the subway.

Subways and buses are run by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) which has been hiking the prices up about every six months. (Don't get us started.) Subway entrances are marked with lighted "SUBWAY" signs shining green (meaning: station entrance open 24-hours) and red (meaning: station entrance not always open). Maps are available in the stations, displayed on walls in the stations, and within the cars.

Don't be afraid. Traveling in the subway is safe and has come a long way since the 1970s. That does not mean, however, that you won't have some stories to share with the folks back home. The subways pack in New Yorkers, and among them, are any number of interesting types who give the city its character. But listen, for every run-down guy with a talking bird sitting next to you, there are thousands of everyday citizens. And, c'mon, admit it, you want to see the bird man, don't you? That's why you are planning a trip to New York.

Currently, the one-ride fee for the bus and subway is $2. To pass through the turnstiles in the subway, you must buy a MetroCard (tokens are a thing of the past). MetroCards offer greater flexibility, as you can transfer once for free between stations or between subway and bus. You can buy a MetroCard for any amount you choose with a minimum of $4 (two rides). If you buy 5 rides, you get the sixth for free. The Fun Pass MetroCard for $7 gives the buyer unlimited rides on buses and subways for one day. Fun Passes can be purchased from machines in subway stations, but not from token clerks. Tourist information centers also sell them as well as some tourist information centers.

The Weekly Metro Card for $21 buys unlimited rides for a week, starting the moment you first use it. The $70 Monthly MetroCard gives you the same deal for 30 days. If purchased with a credit or debit card, it is guaranteed against theft. (Just about everyone we know in the city has a monthly pass.)

TIP: If you're planning on staying one or two days in the city, buy a Fun Pass. If you'll be spending three or more days, buy a weekly. Twenty-one dollars is a great deal for a week's worth of unlimited transportation. Don't bother with individual rides, as they quickly add up to be much more expensive than the passes.

New York City Buses

Buses are slower than the subway, but they are a great way to see the city while you get around, especially for short distances. The bus system offers more cross-town bus lines (buses going East and West) than the subway does, which mostly runs North and South.

The driver does not handle money. You will have to board with either a MetroCard or exact change to put in the machine. If you need a transfer, be sure to ask the driver upon boarding the bus. Bus stops are indicated by a blue sign-post and number on a glass-walled shelter. Once inside, to request a stop, simply push the strip along the inside of the bus and a light (and a bell) will signal the driver. Free maps are available inside the bus.

New York Taxis

Taxis are so New York. Even if you don't need to take a taxi during your stay in the city, you should force yourself to take one, just for the fun of flagging one down in the street and taking, what might be, the ride of your life. Drivers hail from all over the globe, some speaking only a bit of English, and many having a tendency to drive, well, a bit crazy. But remember: These are professionals. Don't try this back home.

All jokes aside, taxis are a convenient way to zoom about, especially when traffic isn't overly congested. During normal daytime and evening hours, nothing beats simply hailing a cab and getting zipped off to your destination. It's simple. Plus, you can use your cell phone in the cab.

The time not to take a taxi is during heavy traffic hours and when it's raining. Why? You won't get one. On some nights, such as New Year's Eve, it's not unusual to see 20 people on every street corner hopelessly trying to hail a taxi. It can be amusing...unless you're standing with them.

New York City taxis are required by law to take customers anywhere they want to go within the city's five boroughs, including the airports. Don't be afraid to tell the driver to slow down if it's too much to handle.

New Yorkers have recently been subjected to a nearly-prohibitive taxi fare hike. (Bring up the subject in a bar some night and you'll get a reaction.) The initial fare is $2.50 with a charge of 40 cents for every 1/5 mile traveled and 20 cents for every minute in stopped or slow traffic. The rush-hour surcharge is $1.00 per trip between 4 and 8pm and a 50-cent surcharge per trip from 8pm-6am. The metered fare does not include tip, between 10 and 15 percent. Confused? Let's just say, it adds up.

Other Forms of Transportation

Pedi-cabs are a fun way to slow down and look around the city in the open air. Pedi-cabs, three-wheeled cycles pulled by strong men and women, seem to be all over Fifth Avenue transporting gleeful, photo-snapping visitors.

Horse-drawn carriages linger about to the South of Central Park (59th Street and Fifth Avenue) and offer lovely, if expensive, private rides through Central Park, day and night. (These are absolutely required if you plan to propose marriage while visiting New York.)

Biking the streets of Manhattan isn't such a hot idea, even for accomplished cyclists. Remember that scary taxi ride we warned you about? Imagine being on a bicycle. An enjoyable (and sane) place to ride a bicycle is along the Hudson River Project path that runs along the West Side Highway from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan and connects to a path in Riverside Park on the Upper West Side. Riding around central park is also fun and safe.

We hope this overview of New York transportation helps you prepare for your trip to New York.

QUICK LINKS:

New York City Hotels Homepage

New York City Neighborhoods