In a nutshell
- The subway in New York City is the best and cheapest way to discover the city.
- The MetroCard will be completely replaced by the contactless OMNY system by the end of 2025. Instead of vending machine tickets, you’ll use a credit card, smartphone, or smartwatch. However, there is also a rechargeable OMNY card.
- After 12 journeys on 7 consecutive days, the Weekly Fare Cap applies. This means you pay a maximum of $34 and can travel on New York’s public transport as often as you like.
- You can find all the details, instructions, and our personal tips in the article on how to ride the subway in NYC and how to pay.
New York City Metro Map
You’ll find the standard subway map in every New York City station. It shows all the subway lines and stops across the five boroughs. Bus routes aren’t included – there’s a separate map for the bus network in New York.
To have it with you at all times, download the subway map as a PDF. That way, you can easily check it on your phone when you’re on the go.
How to ride the subway in NYC
To navigate the subway in NYC and find all lines, entrances, and exits, we recommend using Google Maps.
It provides clear route suggestions – including subway, bus, and walking connections – usually with real-time updates and easy-to-follow directions.
You can also save your hotel in New York, making it easy to find your way back at any time.
As for pretty much every city with subways and streetcars, there is also a metro network app for New York City, but we find it rather complicated and not very intuitive to use.
As with most cities that have subways and trams, there’s also a dedicated metro network app for New York City – but we find it a bit complicated and not very user-friendly.
How to Pay for the Subway in NYC
In New York, there is basically only one centralized ticketing system for the subway and buses: OMNY (One Metro New York).
The classic MetroCard will be completely abolished by the end of 2025. It’s already worth switching to OMNY – because it’s easier, faster and more flexible.
You can now pay for your journeys with these three options:
- Contactless payment with smartphone/smartwatch (e.g. via Apple Pay)
- Credit or debit card with NFC function (e.g. a travel credit card)
- Rechargeable OMNY card (OMNY Card from a vending machine)
We will now explain OMNY in detail.
How OMNY works
OMNY is part of the digitalization of everyday travel. In other words: OMNY makes using the subway faster, easier, and completely contactless.
OMNY readers – small devices with a display that says “OMNY Tap Here” – are being installed step by step in every subway station and on all New York City buses.
You can pay with:
- Credit card
- Smartphone
- Smartwatch
- OMNY Card (more on that in a moment)
Simply hold your payment method up to the display. The $2.90 for a single ride is charged, the display turns green and shows “GO,” and your ride begins.
No paper ticket, no waiting in line at a ticket machine. So simple. So good.
Buy & use the OMNY top-up card
If all this digitalization feels like too much, and you’d rather hold a real subway ticket in your hand, you can also get an OMNY refillable card.
You’ll find the small plastic card at OMNY machines in selected subway stations (including right after the AirTrain from JFK Airport), as well as at Walgreens and 7-Eleven stores.
It costs a one-time fee of $5 and can be topped up with any amount you choose – either directly at the store or by yourself at a machine.
We recommend loading it with $34. That’s the exact amount needed to reach the Weekly Fare Cap—the 7-day pass, which we’ll explain next.
Once topped up, just use it like a credit card or smartphone: tap it at the OMNY reader in the subway or on the bus, and you’re good to go.
Weekly Fare Cap instead of 7-Day MetroCard New York
The 7-Day MetroCard used to be the go-to option. Now, OMNY’s Weekly Fare Cap has replaced it.
You no longer need to buy a weekly ticket in advance – just pay for each subway ride with the same card or device.
Once you’ve taken 12 rides within seven days (no matter the type of transport), all additional rides during that period are free. So you’ll pay no more than around $34.
The seven-day window starts with your first tap – any day of the week, not just Monday.
You don’t need to download an app or sign up for anything. Just make sure to always use the same payment method.
The Weekly Fare Cap works automatically – even with the OMNY Card. So the easiest option is to load $34 onto the card right away.
New York Metro Ticket for Families
If you are in New York with kids, there’s one important thing to keep in mind: with OMNY, each person traveling needs their own card or payment method.
For families, it’s best to get a separate OMNY Card for each member. That way, everyone benefits from the Weekly Fare Cap and costs stay manageable.
And good news: children under 3.67 feet (about 112 cm) ride for free.
Is OMNY Valid for All Public Transportation in New York?
OMNY is valid for:
- Subway in New York
- Buses in New York
- AirTrain JFK to JFK Airport (single trip costs €8.50, so top up your card with more credit)
OMNY is not valid for:
- AirTrain Newark to Newark Airport
- PATH train to New Jersey
For the train to Newark Airport you need a separate ticket for NJ Transit or Amtrak, and for the PATH train to New Jersey you need either a SmartLink card or a Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard.
Below, we’ll take a closer look at alternative ways to get around New York.
For more in-depth details about OMNY, keep reading further on the official OMNY website.
How to Ride the Subway in NYC: What Else You Need to Know
Riding the subway in New York is definitely an experience – though it can be a bit more stressful than in many other cities around the world.
The New York subway was built between 1904 and 1940, so many stations are quite old and can feel run-down. Summers often make the stations hot and stuffy.
The trains themselves aren’t the newest, but they’re well air-conditioned – sometimes even a bit chilly. So even in summer, it’s a good idea to bring a light jacket.
Here’s everything else you need to know about the New York subway:
Large luggage on the New York Subway
If you’re traveling with a lot of luggage, the subway might not always be the best choice. Most stations don’t have elevators or escalators.
Getting through the narrow turnstiles with large suitcases can also be tricky.
If needed, you can use the service or emergency entrance – this applies to baby strollers as well. Usually, you just need to speak with a Metro employee on site.
But don’t worry: standard-sized suitcases generally fit through without problems.
Pay attention to the direction
It’s important to know which way you want to go. At Manhattan subway stations, signs outside always indicate whether the train is heading uptown (north) or downtown (south). So, be sure to enter through the correct entrance.
It’s easier than you think to end up on the wrong platform – especially if you only realize it after passing through the turnstiles.
OMNY has a cut-off time to prevent abuse
If you tap in again with the same card or device at the same station within 15 to 20 minutes, you’ll be charged for another ride. This stops people from repeatedly checking in and out to reach the weekly fare cap too quickly and ride indefinitely.
Pay attention to your station
Some of the newer subway cars have station displays, but many don’t. So it’s important to stay aware of where you are.
There are announcements, but they’re not always easy to understand. However, the station signs on the platforms are always clear.
Express and local trains
On some routes, you’ll find both express and local trains – you can tell them apart by the signs on the train (e.g.,“6 Local”).
Always take a local train unless you specifically want to ride an express.
Express trains stop only at select stations, letting you get from A to B faster.
But if you accidentally board an express train, it might skip your stop.
Finding seats
New York subways are rarely empty. Your best chance to find a seat is usually at the very front or back of the train, as the middle cars tend to be the most crowded.
If you can, try to avoid peak hours between 7:00–9:00 AM and 4:00–6:00 PM.
Alternatives to the New York Metro
While the New York subway isn’t exactly modern, it’s still very practical. That said, there are some alternative options that can be worth considering.
PATH New York
PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson) is an express train system that connects Manhattan with New Jersey – e.g. to Hoboken, Jersey City or Newark. It’s not a direct alternative to the subway but serves a different area of the region.
You’ll need a separate ticket for PATH, as OMNY isn’t accepted. Instead, use a SmartLink card, which you can buy at PATH stations in both New Jersey and Manhattan. A single ride costs $3.
AirTrain
The AirTrain is a special feeder train that connects JFK and Newark (EWR) airports with New York’s transit network. It shuttles you from the terminals to the nearest subway stations.
The AirTrain JFK is already integrated with OMNY, so you can use the new system without any issues. A single ride costs $8.50, while rides within the airport are free.
Unfortunately, the AirTrain Newark doesn’t yet accept OMNY. You’ll need an NJ Transit ticket, also $8.50, best purchased via the NJ Transit app.
There’s no AirTrain or direct train service to LaGuardia Airport. Instead, take the free Q70-SBS (Select Bus Service), which runs nonstop to two key subway stations:
- Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue (lines E, F, M, R, 7)
- 74 St-Broadway / 61 St-Woodside (lines 7 LIRR)
The bus is free for all passengers, so you don’t have to pay with OMNY – although the Q70 is always equipped with OMNY. Just get on and ride along.
Read more about the trains from the airport to New York City here
Busses in New York
On some routes, taking the bus is faster than the subway. We recommend checking your quickest route with Google Maps or a similar app.
Local buses in New York now have OMNY terminals as well. Express buses, however, aren’t really relevant for most tourists – you can safely ignore them.
Ferries in New York
Ferries in New York offer a quick and convenient way to travel between Manhattan, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and New Jersey. Often, they’re the fastest option – especially if you’re staying in New Jersey, for example.
The Staten Island Ferry is the most famous and one of the best free things to do in New York, providing stunning views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline.
For other ferries – like those to Brooklyn or New Jersey – you’ll need a ticket. OMNY isn’t accepted, but you can buy tickets right at the ferry terminals. Prices usually range from $4 to $9, depending on the route.
Yellow Caps and Uber in NYC
The iconic yellow cabs are a famous part of New York’s cityscape – and taking a cab here is surprisingly affordable.
The base fare is $3, plus about $2.75 per mile (around 1.6 km). Cabs can be a great alternative, especially for short trips or when traveling with several people.
Like in many other cities, ride-hailing apps like Uber are also very popular in New York.
UberX fares start at $8, with a rate of about $2.50 per kilometer and a flat fee of 35 cents per minute.
Hop-on Hop-off New York
New York also has the classic double-decker buses that take you to all the main tourist spots in NYC on different routes, with short explanations in several languages.
The hop-on hop-off bus is a great way to get an overview of New York City – we recommend trying it on your first day.
Read our full hop-on hop-off guide for New York here
Citi Bike New York
Citi Bike is New York City’s bike-sharing system. You can rent a bike from one of the many stations across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, and return it at any other station.
A single ride costs between $4.25 and $4.75 and must be under 30 minutes (otherwise there’s an extra charge). A day pass costs $19.
You can rent Citi Bikes easily via the app or directly at the kiosk, choosing between a regular bike or an e-bike.
FAQ about the Subway in NYC
Finally, here are some answers to common questions about riding the subway in NYC.
Is riding the subway in New York dangerous?
Riding the subway in New York is generally no more dangerous than in other big cities.
However, like anywhere else, you should be careful on public transportation. Keep an eye on your valuables, especially on crowded trains, and be careful when traveling late at night or in less crowded areas.
At night, try to avoid these stations:
- Times Square-42nd Street
- 34th Street-Herald Square
- Bedford-Nostrand Ave
Is the New York Metro included in a New York Pass?
No, the New York Passes do not include travel on the subway in New York.
Which app should you use for the New York subway?
We recommend that you simply use Google Maps. The app is simple, straightforward and reliable.
It shows you subway routes, times and transfer options in real time, so you can easily choose the best route.
How to get from JFK to the ferry terminal for a cruise?
From JFK Airport in New York, there are several ways to get to the cruise terminal, depending on which terminal you need to get to.
To get to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, first take the AirTrain JFK to Jamaica Station and then the E line (blue) towards One World Trade Center. Get off at the 14th Street/8th Avenue station. From there it is about a 10 minute walk to the terminal.
The journey to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal is the same. The only difference is that you get off at Carroll Street station on the E-Line. From there you can take a cab or a bus to the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.
These were our tips on how to navigate the subway in NYC
Do you have a tip or a question on how to ride the subway in NYC? Feel free to leave us a comment – we’d love to hear from you!