You’re planning a trip to New York and have your itinerary squared away but are missing one important piece: how to get around. New York is home to over 8 million people and welcomes 65 million visitors each year, so there are a lot of options for getting around the city. If you’re visiting New York or are new to the city, it can be difficult to make sense of all the options and decide how to get to where you need to be.
Not to worry, we’re sharing everything you need to know – from how the city is laid out to what your transportation options are to how to choose a transportation method.
Understanding the Layout of the City
Most of Manhattan is laid out in a grid-like pattern. City developers tore down trees and hills to design this satisfyingly organized layout.
Here’s a basic rundown: Streets run from east to west and avenues run from north to south. The lowest numbered streets start in lower Manhattan and move uptown. The lowest numbered avenues start in East Village and move west (but there are a few named avenues mixed in between 1st and 3rd Avenues like Park, Lexington, and Madison).
So if you’re on 5th Ave and 34th Street trying to get to 7th Ave and 40th Street, you’ll be heading 2 blocks West and 6 blocks North.
Things get a little tricky below 14th Street, which doesn’t fall into the neat grid system. In Greenwich Village, SoHo, Little Italy, Chinatown, Financial District, most streets have names instead of numbers so you may need to rely on a map to orient yourself.
Transportation Options in New York City
Train
Cost: $2.75/ride
When to Use: 9/10 times
The train is the fastest and most convenient way to get around the city. There are 24 lines that are either numbered or lettered (and if you’re wondering why certain letters are skipped).
Each train has an express or local line. The express line makes less frequent stops making it much faster. Usually, people will take an express train to the closest location to their stop and either walk the rest of the way or switch to a local train (which is across the platform).
When entering the train, pay attention to the entrance signs. Whereas other train systems have a single entrance for trains going in different directions, in New York, you’re not always able to access both directions from the same entrance. The signs will note which side you’re on (for example, a train going toward Uptown and the Bronx is going north and a train going toward Downtown and Brooklyn is going south). These are usually located on opposite sides of the street so if you’re on the wrong side, check the opposite side of the street for the correct entrance.
You can purchase your MetroCard ticket or refill your card at the train station or pay with Apple Pay at the turnstile.
Bus
Cost: $2.75
When to Use: When going crosstown
The bus system has over 250 local routes and over 70 express routes covering all of the boroughs. These routes fill in many of the subways gaps, especially when trying to move crosstown. In contrast to the train, which runs underground, a bus ride offers great city views but comes at the expense of speed and efficiency. Bus rides can be heavily delayed depending on the city’s traffic. However, many of the crosstown lines have dedicated bus lanes, making it a faster ride.
Bus stops are located on the corners of street corners with a red sign and the bus route number. To catch the bus, stand near the stop and stick out a hand as the bus is approaching (although they’ll usually stop if you’re standing right by the sign).
You can pay for your fare with a prepaid MetroCard or with cash on the bus.
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Bike
Cost: $3.99 for 30 minute ride and $0.23 per additional minute
When to Use: In good weather, when traveling a longer than a walkable distance
New York has made large strides over the past years to make biking a more accessible mode of transportation. It’s not only a good way to add some movement to your day but is also great for the environment.
Most New Yorkers don’t even own bikes but rely on Citi Bikes which have over 1,500 stations throughout the five boroughs (this man visited all of them!). If you plan to bike regularly, an annual membership is more affordable than paying per ride, but for casual rides, you can rent a bike for 30 minutes for $3.99.
Many streets now have bike lanes to accommodate bikers, but you can follow this official map from the New York Department of Transportation to create your bike-safe route.
Taxi
Cost: $2.50 + $0.50 per 1/5 mile + 20% tip
When to Use: When taking short rides in the city
New York’s iconic yellow cabs make up for a large portion of the city’s vehicles, making it a reliable transportation option. To hail a cab, simply stand on a corner, raise a hand, and an available driver will pull over for you. Pay attention to the lights on the top of the cab, a yellow light indicates it’s available while an unlit light means the driver is completing a ride.
Fun fact: only taxis are allowed to pick up passengers off the street by being hailed, all other car services require to be ordered ahead of time. Once in the taxi, tell the driver your destination. This is usually done by giving cross streets (for example, if you’re going to the Plaza Hotel, your directions would be 5th Ave and West 59th Street).
Be warned, this is probably the most expensive option, with a $2.50 base charge and $0.50 for every 1/5 mile. There are additional charges for rides during rush hour or overnight. Additionally, the rider covers any tolls if traveling over bridges.
This is a good option if you need to get someplace quickly, are taking a short ride, or have a lot of bags/something heavy and just need to grab a car.
Uber/Lyft
Cost: Varies
When to Use: When taking a longer ride or at unusual times
There are a lot of ridesharing services in New York, with drivers usually only a few minutes away. This is a more affordable alternative to the yellow cabs, especially if using something like UberPool which allows you to share a car with other passengers for a lower cost.
This is a good option if you’re going somewhere far or have time to spare and are willing to share a ride with somebody. It’s also a good option if you’re taking a ride early in the morning or late at night.
Walk
Cost: Free
When to Use: When not in a rush and taking a short-medium length trip
There’s something to be said about traversing the city by foot. Believe it or not, it’s the most popular way New Yorkers get around and often the fastest for short trips.
In a way, the sidewalks are like highways and New Yorkers can be ruthless as they charge past others walking too slow, walk into dangerously close traffic, or cross in the middle of streets.
If you have time to spare, it’s a lovely way to experience the city. You’d be surprised how quickly 20-30 minutes can pass when there’s so much action happening around you. Just don’t follow the queues of New Yorkers whizzing past you, and make sure to pay attention to signs and lights for your own safety!
Ferry
Cost: $2.75
When to Use: When traveling to the edge of the city
In recent years, the city has introduced a ferry service that travels the edge of the city and, like trains and buses, a ride costs just $2.75. While it’s probably not the most necessary or practical mode of transportation for most travelers, it’s a very scenic ride (especially during sunset).
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There are so many ways to get around the city for any preference or comfort level. We hope this guide encourages you to explore the city more and try out different transportation methods too!