Master New York's transit system — from the 24-hour subway and city buses to ferries, bikes, and walking tips. Everything you need to navigate the city like a local.
A City Built for Public Transit
New York City has one of the most extensive public transportation networks in the world. Unlike many American cities where a car is essential, New York is best explored on foot and by transit. The subway alone carries millions of riders daily, reaching every corner of the five boroughs. Understanding how to navigate the system will save you time, money, and stress — and it's easier than you might think.
Check the New York weather forecast before planning your day — rainy days make the subway even more appealing, while sunny weather is perfect for walking and cycling.
The Subway: Your Best Friend
The New York City subway is the backbone of the city's transit system. It operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with 472 stations across 36 lines. The system uses a numbered and lettered line system — the 1, 2, and 3 trains run along the west side of Manhattan, while the 4, 5, and 6 serve the east side. Express trains skip local stops and are much faster for longer journeys, so always check whether you need a local or express train.
A single ride costs $2.90. If you're staying for a week, the unlimited 7-day MetroCard at $34 is an excellent deal and pays for itself after about 12 rides. You can also use OMNY, the contactless payment system, by tapping your credit card, debit card, or phone at the turnstile. OMNY automatically caps your spending at the weekly unlimited rate.
Trains run frequently during peak hours — typically every 2 to 5 minutes — and less frequently late at night, when you may wait 10 to 20 minutes. Download a transit app for real-time arrival information, as scheduled times don't always match reality.
Buses
New York's bus network fills the gaps that the subway doesn't cover. Buses are especially useful for crosstown travel in Manhattan, where subway lines mostly run north-south. The fare is the same as the subway, and transfers between bus and subway are free within two hours when using a MetroCard or OMNY.
Local buses stop every two to three blocks and are marked with an M (Manhattan), B (Brooklyn), Q (Queens), Bx (Bronx), or S (Staten Island) prefix. Select Bus Service routes, marked with a plus sign, are faster because you pay at the stop before boarding rather than onboard.
Walking
Walking is one of the best ways to experience New York. Manhattan's grid system makes navigation straightforward — avenues run north-south and streets run east-west. Most blocks are short, and what looks like a long distance on a map is often a pleasant 15 to 20 minute walk. Some of the city's best experiences — crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, strolling through Central Park, exploring the High Line — are walking experiences by nature.
Comfortable shoes are essential. New Yorkers walk fast, so keep to the right on sidewalks and avoid stopping suddenly in the flow of pedestrian traffic. Use the WFY24 Route Planner to estimate walking distances between attractions.
Ferries
The NYC Ferry system connects Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx along several waterfront routes. A single ride costs $4 and offers spectacular skyline views that no subway ride can match. Popular routes include the East River ferry between Wall Street and DUMBO, and the Rockaway route to the beach in summer.
The Staten Island Ferry is completely free and runs between Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan and St. George Terminal on Staten Island. The 25-minute ride passes directly by the Statue of Liberty and is one of the best free experiences in New York.
Taxis & Rideshares
Yellow cabs are an iconic part of New York's streetscape. They charge a metered fare starting at $3.50 plus distance and time. Taxis are most useful for short trips when the subway isn't convenient, late at night, or when you're carrying luggage. You can hail a cab by raising your hand — the rooftop light indicates availability.
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are widely available but often more expensive than taxis, especially during surge pricing. In Manhattan traffic, the subway is almost always faster than any car.
Cycling
Citi Bike, New York's bike-share system, has thousands of docking stations across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Jersey City. A single ride of 30 minutes costs $4.49, or you can buy a day pass for $19 that includes unlimited 30-minute rides. The city has an expanding network of protected bike lanes, making cycling increasingly safe and practical.
Cycling is especially good for exploring waterfront paths along the Hudson River Greenway, through Prospect Park, and across the bridges connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Getting To and From the Airports
JFK Airport is connected to the subway system via the AirTrain, which links to the E, J, and Z lines at Jamaica Station and the A line at Howard Beach. The AirTrain costs $8.50 plus your subway fare. LaGuardia Airport has limited transit options — the Q70 bus connects to the subway, and there is now a LaGuardia AirTrain connection. Newark Airport in New Jersey is accessible via NJ Transit trains from Penn Station.
Taxis from JFK to Manhattan cost a flat rate of $70 plus tolls and tip. From LaGuardia, expect $30 to $50 depending on traffic and destination.
Transit Tips
Always have a charged phone for navigation and real-time transit updates. The subway can be confusing at first, but after a day or two it becomes second nature. Avoid rush hours between 7:30 and 9:30 AM and 5 to 7 PM if possible, as trains are extremely crowded. Late night service is less frequent but the system never closes, making New York one of the only cities where you can take the subway home at any hour.
Check the current time in New York when planning airport transfers and early morning departures, and explore New York's geographic layout to understand how the five boroughs connect through the transit network.
