NYC Subway Guide – How To Ride Like a Local

NYC Subway Guide – How To Ride Like a Local

The NYC subway system carries 3.6 million riders daily across 472 stations. It runs 24/7, costs $2.90 per ride, and will get you anywhere in the city. Here is everything you need to know to ride it like you have lived here for years.

Getting a MetroCard or OMNY

OMNY (Tap to Pay)

Just tap your contactless credit card, debit card, or phone (Apple Pay/Google Pay) at the turnstile. No MetroCard needed. After 12 rides in a week, the rest are free (automatic fare capping).

MetroCard

Still works but being phased out. Available at vending machines in every station. Options:

• Pay-per-ride: $2.90 per trip
• 7-day unlimited: $34 (worth it if you ride 12+ times)
• 30-day unlimited: $132

Understanding the Lines

Trains are identified by letters and numbers. Color = the trunk line in Manhattan:

• Red (1/2/3): West Side — Times Square, Penn Station, Christopher Street
• Green (4/5/6): East Side — Grand Central, Union Square, Brooklyn Bridge
• Blue (A/C/E): 8th Avenue — Penn Station, World Trade Center, JFK (A train)
• Orange (B/D/F/M): 6th Avenue — Rockefeller Center, West 4th
• Purple (7): Flushing Line — Times Square to Queens
• Yellow (N/Q/R/W): Broadway — Union Square, Times Square, Astoria
• Gray (L): 14th Street crosstown — Union Square to Williamsburg/Bushwick
• Light Green (G): Brooklyn to Queens (never touches Manhattan)

Local vs Express

This is the #1 thing that confuses visitors:

• Local trains stop at every station (1, C, E, 6, R, etc.)
• Express trains skip stations (2, 3, A, 4, 5, D, etc.)
• Express platforms are usually in the middle, local on the outside
• If you miss your stop on an express, ride to the next express stop and take a local back

Uptown vs Downtown

• Uptown: Higher street numbers (going north)
• Downtown: Lower street numbers (going south)
• In Brooklyn/Queens: check the last stop listed on the train to confirm direction

Pro Tips from Locals

1. Stand to the side of doors when they open — let people off first
2. Move to the middle of the car (more space, less crowded)
3. Skip the first and last cars — middle cars are less packed
4. Late night? Ride in the conductors car (middle of train, has the black and white striped sign on the platform)
5. Google Maps and Apple Maps have real-time subway tracking
6. If a train is empty during rush hour, theres a reason (smell). Move to the next car.
7. Weekend service changes are constant — check MTA.info before traveling

Key Stations for Tourists

• Times Square-42nd St: Most connected station (A/C/E/N/Q/R/W/1/2/3/7/S)
• Grand Central-42nd St: 4/5/6/7/S — also Metro-North trains
• 34th St-Penn Station: A/C/E/1/2/3 — Amtrak, LIRR, NJ Transit
• 14th St-Union Square: L/N/Q/R/W/4/5/6 — great transfer point
• Fulton St: A/C/J/Z/2/3/4/5 — World Trade Center area

Getting to the Airports

• JFK: A train to Howard Beach then AirTrain ($8.25) — about 60-75 min from Midtown
• LaGuardia: No direct subway. Take 7 or N/W to Astoria then Q70 bus (free transfer)
• Newark: NJ Transit from Penn Station then AirTrain — about 45 min

Watch our full subway tutorial with real footage on NewYorkNoNavro YouTube.