In a nutshell
- The right apps make your New York City trip so much more convenient and stress-free — something we’ve experienced ourselves on every visit.
- The best apps for New York save you time, cut through the confusion, and help you navigate the city with confidence — from entry and attraction tickets to getting around by subway, ferry, or bike.
- This is our personal lineup of NYC apps we actually use ourselves — no filler, just the ones that genuinely make a difference on the ground.
App for Entry: CBP MPC
The CBP MPC app is incredibly helpful if you want to enter New York quickly and without any hassle.
CBP MPC stands for “Customs and Border Protection Mobile Passport Control.”
The app was officially developed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to give international travelers a faster, easier way to enter the United States.
With this entry app, you can fill out your customs and entry information in advance, saving you a lot of time on arrival.
Once you’ve completed the form, you can join a dedicated line in New York for international travelers using the MPC app, which allows for a significantly faster passport check. For us, it only took 15–20 minutes instead of the usual wait time.
Really great: You can fill out the information for multiple people — for example, your partner or your whole family. Up to 12 people can be added in the app at once, even if you don’t all share the same last name.
Important to know: MPC does not replace your ESTA — it’s simply a handy extra tool to help you get through the checkpoint faster.
Does it work for your first entry too?
Check in the app whether your airport is supported. If it is, it’s always worth filling out your information ahead of time. For us, it worked without any issues on our very first entry. There can apparently be occasional hiccups, but don’t worry: if needed, you can fill everything out on the spot as well.
CBP MPC app for iOS
CBP MPC app for Android
Apps for New York City Passes: GoCity or My CityPASS
Thinking about getting one of the New York City passes? There are great apps for that too.
We’re big fans of these passes ourselves and love using them when we travel — they’re genuinely one of the smartest ways to save money on a NYC trip.
We especially recommend the New York Pass — particularly if you’re planning to visit at least four or five attractions.
The best part: all the passes are available as apps too. Whether it’s Go City or CityPASS, you can load your pass directly onto your smartphone. That way you have everything you need at your fingertips and can jump straight into sightseeing. No printouts, no PDFs, no digging through your email.
Plus, the apps often let you reserve time slots directly or check opening hours and attraction locations.
GoCity for iOS / My CityPASS for iOS
GoCity for Android / My CityPASS for Android
Apps for Tickets: GetYourGuide & Tiqets
We swear by GetYourGuide and Tiqets and use both apps ourselves on every trip.
Both are great for quickly and easily grabbing tickets for New York attractions and entry to New York museums. You can also book boat tours in New York through either app.
This way you skip the long lines and can make the most of your time in the city.
GetYourGuide for iOS / Tiqets for iOS
GetYourGuide for Android / Tiqets for Android
App for Navigation: Google Maps
For getting around, Google Maps is our go-to app — no question.
It lets you navigate New York with ease. Whether you’re on foot or taking the subway, the app always shows you the best route — for example, from your New York hotel to the next attraction.
Especially handy: Google Maps now also tells you which subway entrances and exits to use so you come out exactly where you need to be. You can also see the subway line, departure time, and direction you need to travel to get smoothly from A to B.
On Android devices, Google Maps comes pre-installed. If you have an iPhone, you can download the travel planning app for free from the App Store.
e-SIM App: Saily
If you want mobile internet in New York without paying expensive roaming charges, it’s seriously worth looking into eSIM apps — Saily is our top pick.
With an eSIM, you no longer need a physical SIM card. Instead, the data plan is loaded digitally onto your phone, right through an app.
That’s exactly what makes Saily so convenient: you pick a suitable data plan for the USA before or during your trip, activate it directly through the app, and you’re online immediately once you’ve landed.
Super handy for New York, because you can start using Google Maps, Uber, WhatsApp, and more right after landing — no need to hunt for Wi-Fi.
Use the discount code “22places” to get 10% off all plans!
View all Saily plans
And: you keep your own SIM card and phone number — the eSIM simply runs alongside it.
Apps for Trains & Buses: NJ Transit & OMNY
If you’re getting around New York and the surrounding area by train or bus, NJ Transit and OMNY are incredibly useful.
NJ Transit is the perfect app for anyone traveling to or from New Jersey. It shows you connections within New Jersey as well as routes from Manhattan to New Jersey. In the app, you can easily buy tickets for trains and buses (Apple Pay, PayPal, or credit card) and check the schedule.
For getting around within New York City, you ride the subway with OMNY. This isn’t a traditional app-based system — it’s a contactless payment system. You don’t need to register, download an app, or create an account. Just tap your credit card, smartphone, or smartwatch on the OMNY reader at the station and you’re on your way. It’s that simple.
OMNY is set to fully replace the MetroCard for the Subway & MTA buses by the end of 2025.
With these two tools, you have everything you need for public transportation in the area — conveniently and flexibly.
NJ Transit for iOS
NJ Transit for Android
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Apps for Ride Services: Taxi, Curb & Uber
If you want to take a taxi or a rideshare in New York, Curb and Uber are your best options.
With the taxi app “Curb”, you can easily hail a regular yellow New York City taxi. The app shows you in real time where the nearest available cab is, and you can pay for your ride directly through the app — no cash needed. Note that the app isn’t available outside the US, so just download it once you arrive in New York.
The Uber app works similarly but also gives you the option to choose from different vehicle types. Through the app, you can quickly book a ride, check prices, and pay for your ride at a fixed price by credit card, Apple Pay, or PayPal.
Both apps are a simple, stress-free way to get from A to B anywhere in the city.
Curb for Android / Uber for Android
Apps for Ferries: NYC Ferry & NY Waterway
For ferries in New York, the NYC Ferry and NY Waterway apps are super handy.
NYC Ferry covers all ferry routes on the East River in New York. With the app, you can quickly browse the various routes and stops, check current departure times, and buy tickets (credit card or Apple Pay).
You can also use the app to navigate from your current location to your destination.
NY Waterway is the app for ferries to New Jersey. It works similarly to the NYC Ferry app, but for routes on the Hudson River. You can check the schedule, plan your route, and buy ferry tickets directly.
NYC Ferry for iOS / NY Waterway for iOS
NYC Ferry for Android / NY Waterway for Android
App for Bikes: Citi Bike
With the Citi Bike app, you can easily rent bikes and e-bikes in New York and the surrounding area — at over 1,700 stations throughout the city, in New Jersey, and beyond.
The app shows you exactly where the nearest bike stations are and helps you find a bike or e-bike that’s currently available.
Once you’ve found a bike, you can pay for it directly through the app using a credit card, PayPal, or Apple Pay. You then have the bike for 30 minutes — perfect for a ride through Central Park, for example.
When you’re done, return the bike at any station and use the app to find the nearest rental station for your next ride.
Citi Bikes for iOS
Citi Bikes for Android
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