Getting around New York: transport tips for newbies

New York’s public transport system is run by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and consists of subways and buses, with many lines operating 24 hours a day.

Ⓜ️ The New York City Subway has a whopping 472 stations across 24 lines, identified by either letters (A, B, C, etc.) or numbers (1, 2, 3, etc.). These routes serve Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens, but not (due to there being a large body of water in the way) Staten Island. There are stops close to all the New York attractions you might conceivably want to visit, especially in Manhattan. And here’s one for the trivia fans: it’s the largest rapid transit system, by number of stations, in the world.

Indeed, so extensive and essential is the New York City Subway, that we’ve dedicated a whole other blog to it, which you can find right over here.

🚌New York’s MTA bus system is the largest in North America, boasting more than 300 local routes and 75+ express bus routes that, between them, cover all five boroughs. Bus stops are located at street corners and have tall, circular signs bearing a bus emblem and the route number. Different service types fulfil different functions: Select Bus Service (SBS) route and Limited (LTD) buses skip stops and use dedicated lanes for faster transit, while Express services connect Manhattan to the outer boroughs and are mostly used for longer commutes. Buses tend to be a good option for traveling between neighborhoods that aren’t connected by subway (so, especially used outside of Manhattan) and for anyone who has difficulty with stairs.

• Use OMNY for straightforward contactless payments on bus and subway services. Just use your existing credit/debit card, smartphone or smartwatch to tap in and out of stations and buses. You’ll automatically be charged the correct fare and – best of all – once you reach 12 paid rides within a 7-day period, you won’t be charged for any further subway and bus rides for the rest of the week. Just remember to always use the same device/card to tap in and out. NB: a prepaid OMNY card is also available at station vending machines and can be preloaded direct from your bank account.
• Take advantage of free transfers. OMNY allows you to transfer between buses and subway trains for free within two hours of your first tap-in.
• Subways run around the clock. But remember that services late at night and in the wee small hours will be less frequent, so plan accordingly and check your route in advance.
• Take the right train. Local trains will stop at every station, while express services skip stops – ideal for traveling out of Manhattan into Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx.
• Go even further. The MTA also runs daily train services between NYC and Long Island, Westchester, the Hudson Valley, and even Connecticut. 
• Get app happy. Download the MTA app to plan routes and check for service updates. Citymapper is also great for finding the best routes to and from your destination in real time. And, of course, don’t forget your Go City app for all your attraction bookings, maps and more in one place.

The NYC Ferry isn’t part of the MTA, so you’ll need to plan your routes and buy tickets separately. Naturally, there’s an app for this too: the NYC Ferry app allows you to plan trips, view real-time schedules, buy digital tickets and receive service alerts on the go.

It’s a scenic alternative to the subway and covers multiple routes along the East River, docking at neighborhoods including Wall Street, the Upper East Side, Long Island and Astoria. It’s also the best way to get to Governors Island, where your Go City NYC pass gets you two hours’ hire of a surrey bike. Then, of course, there’s the (free!) Staten Island Ferry – an essential rite of passage for newbies, with stellar starboard views of the Statue of Liberty on the way out. The ferry also unlocks access to Staten Island attractions including the Staten Island Museum and zoo and the Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden.

Want to hop off at Liberty Island and Ellis Island for close-up views of the Green Goddess and a super-cool history lesson at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum? You’ll need the Statue City Cruises ferry service for that.

While it’s not the fastest or cheapest way to travel, the ferry is one of the most scenic options and works well for longer trips across the city. It’s also the main way to reach Governors Island, while the free Staten Island Ferry offers views of the Statue of Liberty.

This one’s a bit of a no-brainer, perhaps especially if you’re a) a New York newbie and/or b) only in town for a short time. The Big Bus New York sightseeing tour does exactly what it says on the tin, cutting right to the chase by taking you straight to all of the Big Apple’s main attractions. Use the Uptown and Downtown routes to snap Times Square selfies to your heart’s desire, visit the Empire State Building, Central Park and One World Trade Center, and to cruise the cultural mecca that is Museum Mile. And that’s just for starters: the tour gives you the flexibility to hop on and off at around 20 different stops all around Manhattan, over two whole days. Subway? Who needs the subway?

It’s true what they say: walking really is one of the best ways to get to know a city. The grid of New York streets makes it near-impossible to get lost and getting from A to B on foot is likely to throw up a few surprises and photo ops that you just wouldn't get on the subway. Many of the places you’ll want to see in Manhattan are closer than the maps make them look. Times Square, the Rockefeller Center, MoMA and Central Park? A relatively easy loop for even the most exercise-averse.

But yeah, of course you’ll cover more ground on a bike. These are readily available to rent via Citi Bike, NYC’s main bikeshare system. With hundreds of bikes available in Manhattan and Brooklyn, they’re a great (and eco-friendly) option for short rides. Use the Citi Bike app to find docking stations and unlock bikes. Alternatively, rent bikes by the day near Central Park and the Brooklyn Bridge for the freedom to explore at a more leisurely pace. There are hundreds of miles of bike lanes across the city, and the likes of Central Park and the Hudson River Greenway are particularly scenic and safe places to cruise on two wheels.

Getting an iconic yellow cab in Manhattan is as easy as sticking out your arm, yelling ‘TAXIIIIIII’ and making sure nobody steals your ride before you can get in. Of course, you’ll pay a premium (and move more slowly through traffic) during rush hour. But hey, what price that essential yellow-cab NYC selfie, huh?

You can also get hold of any number of ridesharing services via their respective apps – Uber, Lyft, Curb and so on – which can often work out cheaper than your standard NYC cabs, especially for longer rides. These services really come into their own out in the burbs where official NYC cabs are far fewer and further between.

So, now you’re ready to navigate New York like a pro, dive in and find out how much you can save on Big Apple attractions, tours and other experiences with Go City’s NYC pass.