{"id":71237,"date":"2022-01-07T11:36:37","date_gmt":"2022-01-07T15:36:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/?p=71237"},"modified":"2022-01-07T11:36:37","modified_gmt":"2022-01-07T15:36:37","slug":"6-useful-tips-for-riding-the-subway-in-nyc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/71237\/6-useful-tips-for-riding-the-subway-in-nyc\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Useful Tips for Riding the Subway in NYC"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For a city where traffic is horrendous (3rd most traffic <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ny.curbed.com\/2018\/2\/6\/16979696\/new-york-city-traffic-congestion-second-worst\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">congested city<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the world!) and parking is almost impossible, the subway is a great transit mode you should embrace. Some of its ceilings may be crumbling and it&#8217;s not as fast as in Tokyo, but it still works 24\/7, and it\u2019s relatively cheap. However, if you\u2019re new to New York &#8211; you should definitely know and learn the basics of how to use this iconic subway. So without further adieu, here are a few of our tips for riding the Subway in NYC.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Riding the Subway in NYC: 6 Tips and Tricks<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Get the Map &amp; App<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The subway map may become your most important tool for a successful trip in NYC. Learn the basic lines and routes, and make it handy so you can quickly take a look to find your way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then, download the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=info.mta.mymta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MTA app<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you\u2019re here only for a week or so, you may think it\u2019s a waste of time &#8211; but don\u2019t. You\u2019ll thank me for this tip. This app is a must-have for anyone riding the Subway in NYC, no matter how long you\u2019ll be here. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The app covers the MTA subway, bus and commuter rail services. You can use it to save your favorite or frequent trips, search for subway stations near you, and you\u2019ll even get service updates.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Decide if to go Unlimited or Not<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much time will you be spending riding the subway? If you\u2019re traveling to NYC for a week or so, and plan to see a lot &#8211; you should go Unlimited. What does it mean? I\u2019m referring to the Unlimited MetroCard, which has two options: a 30-day MetroCard (around $127) and a 7-day MetroCard (which is around $33). <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you commit to the Subway with an Unlimited MetroCard &#8211; be sure to check the weather. If it\u2019s a nice sunny week, you might want to rent a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/citibikenyc.com\/pricing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Citi bike<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to drive around.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you don\u2019t take the Unlimited, don\u2019t forget to refill your MetroCard! The worst thing is to run like crazy to catch a train, to make it at the last second, but then to see that your MetroCard is short of funds. Remember to monitor the amount of money left on your MetroCard each time you swipe it.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Know If You\u2019re Going Uptown or Downtown<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before heading to the Subway on the way to your destination &#8211; you should figure out whether you need to go Uptown (usually means going north if you\u2019re staying in Manhattan) or Downtown (usually means going south).&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_71239\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-71239\" style=\"width: 741px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-71239 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Riding-the-Subway-in-NYC.jpeg\" alt=\"Riding the Subway in NYC\" width=\"741\" height=\"486\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-71239\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-71239 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Riding-the-Subway-in-NYC.jpeg\" alt=\"Riding the Subway in NYC\" width=\"741\" height=\"486\" srcset=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Riding-the-Subway-in-NYC.jpeg 741w, https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Riding-the-Subway-in-NYC-350x230.jpeg 350w, https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Riding-the-Subway-in-NYC-696x456.jpeg 696w, https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Riding-the-Subway-in-NYC-640x420.jpeg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 741px) 100vw, 741px\" \/><\/noscript> Know if you&#8217;re going Uptown or Downtown. Photo by Guido Coppa on Unsplash.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why is this important? Because choosing the right platform depends on where you need to go (Uptown or Downtown). Some subway stations in NYC have separate entrances for the trains going Uptown and for those going Downtown. In some cases, it means you\u2019ll have to cross a busy street to get down to the right platform. It can be a hassle, and time-consuming, so know your direction!&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Discover The \u201cSecret\u201d Pedestrian Tunnels&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many first-time visitors make the mistake of exiting one subway station, walking up, crossing the street, just to reach another station to catch another train. In some cases &#8211; it\u2019s a waste of time. Instead, use the \u201cSecret\u201d Pedestrian Tunnels!&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are these tunnels? Well, some NYC subway stations have pedestrian tunnels that connect them to other subway stations. Isn\u2019t that cool? For example, if you exit the subway at Port Authority Terminal and plan to walk all the way east to catch the 7 Train at Times Square station &#8211; find the \u201csecret\u201d tunnel! There\u2019s a pedestrian tunnel connecting the two stations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, when discussing these \u201csecret\u201d tunnels, I can\u2019t avoid talking about safety, which is my next section.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Follow These Safety Tips<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First and foremost, don\u2019t walk between subway cars, and avoid the edge of the platforms! It may sound trivial to you, but according to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.diamondinjurylaw.com\/bronx-subway-injury-lawyer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NYC Subway injury attorney, Ivan M. Diamond<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, hundreds of people are injured (and some even killed) every year in subway accidents. Though there are many instances that could result in your injury such as train collisions, negligent operation of the train, and derailments, one accident you have some control over is a slip and fall.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Attorney Ivan M. Diamond goes on to tell us that there are numerous trip, slip and fall hazards that subway travelers are subject to, these hazards include: uneven surfaces, liquid spills, worn surfaces, broken stairs, defective platforms, slick surfaces, inadequate\/missing handrails, large gaps between the platform and the train, a lack of barriers, inadequate warnings as well as insufficient lighting in the stations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aside from watching out not to fall, you should watch out for the usual dangers that lurk in every big city. Try to enter and exit through the busiest subway entrances and exits (the more people around you &#8211; the safer it is). If you reach a station and it&#8217;s empty, making you feel weird or scared &#8211; use your gut feeling and exit.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you do finally catch a train, get on one of the first subway cars &#8211; as these are usually the most crowded. Again &#8211; you want to be where more people are. If you\u2019re in a subway car and there\u2019s bad energy (drunk guys screaming, for example) &#8211; switch to a different car or get off.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you get off and leave a subway station, remember to walk forward and keep moving &#8211; even if you\u2019re not sure where you\u2019re going. Why? When there\u2019s a ton of people &#8211; they might all walk directly into your back! Stand to the side and let people pass through, you also don\u2019t want to create a traffic jam in the subway\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. Follow other common Tips&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The NYC subway can at times be a cramped space with a lot of people around you. Try to make the journeys a bit easier for yourself and for those around you. If you prefer to stand, walk all the way inside the train instead of stopping right next to the door (this creates traffic jams). If you prefer to sit, don\u2019t put your backpack on the seat next to you &#8211; as that is rude if others want to sit. Instead, put your things on the floor next to you.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Riding the Subway in NYC is a must-do experience, no matter for how long you\u2019re visiting the Big Apple. But &#8211; remember to follow these tips to make your experience a joyful one!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Want to read more of our latest posts? Check out these 3 best <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/71227\/3-best-areas-to-stay-in-new-york-for-long-term\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">areas to stay in New York for long term<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For a city where traffic is horrendous (3rd most traffic congested city in the world!) and parking is almost impossible, the subway is a great transit mode you should embrace. Some of its ceilings may be crumbling and it&#8217;s not as fast as in Tokyo, but it still works 24\/7, and it\u2019s relatively cheap. However, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":150,"featured_media":71238,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[325,3973,752],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-71237","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-new-york","8":"category-public-transit","9":"category-subway-2"},"acf":[],"mv":{"thumbnail_id":71238,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/tips-for-Riding-the-Subway-in-NYC-350x230.jpeg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71237","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/150"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=71237"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71237\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/71238"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=71237"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=71237"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=71237"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}