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New York City


 Practical Life

Transport


Public Transportation in New York

Manhattan's grid pattern and extensive public transportation system make it one of the easier cities to get around in the United States. Residents and visitors pack every stop on the system, the largest in North America, spanning a 5,000-square-mile area.

Manhattan Transportation Authority (MTA) is responsible for all of the transportation needs in New York City. Subways, buses, and railroads provide 2.6 billion trips each year to New Yorkers and MTA bridges and tunnels carry more than 300 million vehicles a year. The subway system, which operates 24 hours a day, it is used by 5.6 million passengers daily.

We recommend a good map and access to online maps to help you navigate, as well as NYC Transportation Maps at MTA.info/maps.

Subway in NYC

The Subway is the main form of public transportation in New York City, as well as the fastest and cheapest way to travel around the city.

Because of the massive amounts of people the subway moves, it is not always the cleanest and it can be very crowded during peak hours which can make it uncomfortable, or at the worst, dangerous. However, the system is one of the best in the USA.

Though transportation runs 24 hours, certain lines limit their runs during night time hours. In general, trains run every 2 to 5 minutes during rush hours (6:30 - 9:30 a.m., and 3:30 - 8 p.m., from Monday to Friday), every 5 to 10 minutes during the midday (9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday), every 5 to 15 minutes in the evening (8 p.m. - midnight), and about every 20 minutes between midnight and 6:30 a.m.

The New York City subway includes 472 stations serving 27 subway lines - more than any other system in the world. Routes are identified by letters, such as A, B, C or numbers, and they serve Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens (Staten Island is served by the Staten Island Railway (SIR)).

North-South subway lines are denoted by numbered streets (except in Lower Manhattan where it can be a bit confusing), each being preceded by W for the West and E for the East.

Ask for a map at any ticket window to familiarize yourself with the transportation system or look/download it on-line map at Mta.info/nyct/maps/submap

NYC Subway Fares and Tickets

The subway fare is $2.75 whatever the distance and the payment is made with a magnetic Metrocard (which can be bought as per ride or daily/monthly passes). If you pay your fare with MetroCard, you may transfer free from bus-to-subway, subway-to-bus or bus-to-bus within two hours of the time you paid your fare. Unlimited Ride MetroCard also includes all transfers free of charge.

Up to three children 44 inches tall and under ride for free on subways and local buses when accompanied by a fare paying adult. Reduced fares also apply to seniors 65 or older and customers with disabilities.

To ride the NYC subway, swipe your MetroCard through the slot in the top of the turnstile. Walk through when the turnstile turns green.
Standard MetroCard Fares

Reduced Fares - Apply to seniors 65 or older and customers with disabilities

For more information, call 1-718-330-1234. From 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
Non-English speaking customers may call 1-718-330-4847 and hearing impaired customers may call 1-718-596-8273 (TTY).

Buses in NYC

The bus is usually less crowded than the subway, but it may take longer and can be more complicated to use.

Bus stops are usually located at street corners and have a tall, round sign with a bus emblem and route number. Most stops also include a "Guide-A-Ride," which is a rectangular box attached to the bus sign pole that displays a route map and bus schedule.

There is also the Long Island Bus (LI Bus) which is part of a regional transportation network with bus/rail connections at 48 LIRR stations and service to five NYC Transit subways.

For travel outside the city, long distance passenger buses like Greyhound can get you almost anywhere in the country.

NYC Bus Fares and Tickets

The basic fare is $2.75 and can be purchased with a magnetic Metrocard, or exact change. The fare for an express bus ride is $6.75. If you qualify for reduced fare (seniors 65 or older and customers with disabilities), you can travel for half fare.

If you pay your fare with MetroCard, you may transfer free from bus-to-subway, subway-to-bus or bus-to-bus within two hours of the time you paid your fare. Unlimited Ride MetroCard also includes all transfers free of charge.

Up to three children 44 inches tall and under ride for free on subways and local buses when accompanied by a fare paying adult. Infants (under two years of age) ride express buses free if the child sits on the lap of the accompanying adult.  
In any case, the best way to travel around NYC by public transport is purchasing a MetroCard. You can buy MetroCard in different fares:
Standard MetroCard Fares

Reduced Fares - Apply to seniors 65 or older and customers with disabilities

Trains in New York
Metro-North is in charge of local train service and is a subsidiary of New York State's Metropolitan Transportation Authority. This is one of the nation's preeminent railroads with over 80 million riders per year. There are 775 miles of track and 120 stations in New York State.
The Grand Central Terminal in New York City is the main station. The Grand Central is open to the public daily from 5:30am to 2am.
Amtrak is the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, a government-owned corporation that was organized to provide intercity passenger train service along the United States.

Boat/Ferry in New York City

The Staten Island Ferry is the only non-vehicular mode of transportation between Staten Island and Manhattan. It is also one of the most popular tourist attractions in New York City as it provides unsurpassed views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and lower Manhattan for free. Over 20 million people a year take the 25 minute ride between St. George on Staten Island and Whitehall Street in lower Manhattan.

The New York Water Taxi offers commuter and sightseeing service to points along the East and Hudson River. During the warmer months, the New York Water Taxi also operates a Hop-on/Hop-off service on weekends only primarily for tourists ($37 for one day pass).

The Liberty Water Taxi is another water taxi service that operates in New York between the World Financial Centre in Manhattan and Jersey City (New Jersey). Round Trip costs $14.

NYC Airports

Queens is home to New York City's two major airports:

Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey is also an airport frequently used for travel in and out of New York.
All airports are connected to public transport, but there are several options to get from the airports to the city.

John F. Kennedy International Airport

JFK airport is the busiest airport in the United States serving around 58 million passengers annually.

To get to and from JFK airport, there are several options:

LaGuardia Airport

LGA is the smallest of the three airports, yet it still receives 30 million passengers per year. Most flights from LaGuardia go to destinations within the US and Canada, as well as service to Aruba and the Bahamas.

To get to and from LGA, there are several options

For a map of the terminals, bus stops and taxi pick-up zones visit: Mta.info/nyct/service/pdf/ and Laguardiaairport.com/

Newark Liberty International Airport

Newark (EWR) is the tenth busiest airport in the United States and the nation's fifth busiest international air gateway serving around 36.3 million passengers. This was also the first major airport in the New York area opening on October 1, 1928.

To get to and Newark Airport, there are several options:

Be careful with yourself and your belongings and ignore offers of transportation from solicitors in the terminal. Go to ground transportation information counters, bus stops, and taxi dispatchers for safe and legitimate transportation. Ignore non-uniformed persons offering to assist with baggage.

Taxis in NYC

The yellow cab is a trademark of New York City and it is as vital an experience as any of New York's other attractions. The downside with having an abundance of cabs is the traffic that results. Most traffic-jams in mid-town are speckled with many of the over 13,500 registered yellow cabs that service the city.

Taxi Stands are located at major transit hubs, hotels, office and retail centres, and hospitals throughout Manhattan. At these locations, on-duty taxi drivers have the right to wait to pick up passengers. Rates signs are posted on the front doors of each taxicab.

The Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) is in charge of regulating licenses, setting and enforcing the fare rate in taxis, limiting taxi lease rates, and overseeing the sale of taxi medallions. Moreover, its responsibilities also include protecting public safety and consumer rights.

Fares and Charges for Taxis in NYC

Cabs are relatively expensive for a single person, but they can actually be a bargain with 3 or more riders. Travelers can pay for a taxi ride in cash or by credit or debit. If paying in cash, it is recommended to bring small change because drivers can't usually break anything higher than $20.

Just like most services in the US, tipping is expected. 15-20% is normal, and if the driver helps you with bags, it is also polite to tip at least a dollar per bag.

Take your receipt to record any problems or note the taxi identification number. For compliments, complaints or lost Property, call 311 (if outside NYC call: 212-NEW-YORK), check its website on: Nyc.gov/site/ or go online at visit 311 Online. For Taxicab Rider Bill of Rights, check out the government website: Nyc.gov/site/tlc/passengers/passenger-rights

Standard Metered Fare

Car Rentals in New York

Most car rental companies have outlets at airports, as well as points throughout the city. To book your rental car, you can find the best deals by reserving online. Most companies also offer a phone number to help customers with any questions they may have while also taking reservations by phone. Companies will require a major credit card to reserve a car.

To rent a car internationally, it is necessary to have an international driver's license or a country license and an international permit.

Basics on renting and driving a car in America:

On a day-to-day rental, a car will cost (without insurance) about $55.

Major Rental Companies:



8/09/2021

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