Public Transportation in New York City - New York MetroCard

The Big Apple is exactly that - big! Getting around New York can be complicated, but it doesn't have to be. Read our handy guide to New York's transportation system and you'll have easy access to all the best New York attractions in no time.

For public transportation in New York City, you have two main options. They work on the same system with the same tickets, so you can combine the two for the same price. 

• The subway: Almost always the fastest way to get anywhere, except late at night when taxis can – and do – fly through the city streets. 

• Bus system: Not often used by visitors to the city, but a handy option in certain situations. Great for going up and down the avenues, or for people who can’t deal with lots of stairs.

The New York subway system can feel a bit intimidating at first, and the locals do rush around. So you might feel the pressure of someone right behind you in line getting impatient. But don't worry, you'll soon get the hang of it.

New York MetroCard prices

A new MetroCard costs $1.00 for the card itself. A single ride is $2.90 and tickets are sold at vending machines in the stations.
A 7-day MetroCard costs $34.00 and is a popular New York subway pass option.
You can also tap and go to pay your fare using a contactless credit/debit card, smartphone or OMNY card. If you take 12 subway trips in a week, you'll cap out at the same price as a 7-day MetroCard.

Please note: MTA Tickets are not sold online and are not part of The New York Pass®.

Riding the subway with New York MetroCard

To enter, swipe your MetroCard through a reader and then wait for the display to say 'Go.' It can be tricky at first, but if you can’t get it working, just remember you're not alone. Try watching some other people, and copy what they do.

When planning your New York trip, make sure to use a NYC subway map to check each journey.

Safety on the NYC Subway

For many decades the New York City subway system had a reputation for being dirty and dangerous. The famous graffiti is long gone, but the stations and carriages can still sometimes suffer from people being unable to find the abundant trashcans. 

The bigger issue is safety, and fortunately, there is good news there as well. The amount of crime being reported throughout the system is way down from its peak, but that’s not to say you shouldn’t still be careful.

You can never be too cautious, so we recommend following these common safety tips at all times when using the subway: 

• Research your route before you set off. 

• Use the busiest subway entrances and exits. 

• Travel with a group when possible. 

• Stand well back from the platform edge. 

• Keep a close eye on your belongings – hide any valuables and put your wallet and phone somewhere safe and out of sight. 

And remember, it’s especially important to be aware of your surroundings when traveling on the subway at night.  

Hop-on hop-off buses: an alternative to NYC public transport

We honestly believe that a ticket on a sightseeing bus gives a greater return for your money than almost any other expenditure you can make while traveling. It will save you loads of time and reveal many other sights and things to do in New York that you might never have found otherwise.

There are many good sightseeing options in New York, but we recommend Big Bus Hop-on Hop-off tours, available with The New York Pass®. These tours are an incredibly convenient and affordable way to see all the biggest and best attractions New York has to offer.  

Big Bus New York offers two main loops – the Downtown Loop and the Uptown Loop – and the stops cover all of the major NYC Attractions.

Each loop gives you a unique view of the city and access to different attractions. Local guides provide commentary as you travel around the city, teaching you about the culture and history of the sights as you go past. 

The hop-on hop-off feature allows you to jump off the bus to explore a specific sight, and then hop back on the next bus to continue your journey. This gives you the flexibility to organize your sightseeing schedule, customize your experience, and enjoy total freedom during your visit. 

Some of the most popular stops include: 

• Times Square 

• The Statue of Liberty and Battery Park 

• Central Park 

• Chinatown 

• Grand Central Station 

• W 42nd Street and Broadway 

• Empire State Building: 5th Avenue and 32nd Street 

Jump off and explore wherever you can to get a real flavor of the city.  

Experience everything New York City has to offer with The New York Pass®

Planning your New York trip? With a New York attraction pass, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots, and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you'll enjoy savings of up to 50% compared to buying individual attraction tickets.

✈️ Buy The New York Pass® ✈️