By Adam Guy
The New York City subway is the fastest and most affordable way to get around the city, but it can seem daunting, especially on your first visit here. All those letters, numbers, and colors… I get it. Here’s a quick primer on the subway system to help you.
Meet OMNY
OMNY, which stand for One Metro New York, is the system to pay for subway rides. It’s simple to use. A single ride costs $2.90, whether you are going one stop or 50 stops. There are scan pads at the turnstiles like the one you see below. Just tap with a contactless credit/debit card that has the little 3 Cs symbol ))) on it. Or if your phone has Apple or Google Pay enabled, you can just hover it above the reader to pay. A card or phone can be used four times at any stop. Tap, get the Go signal, then pass through the turnstiles. With multiple people (e.g. kids), I suggest having one person be the scanner/tapper and tap each person through one at a time. Remember, you only get four taps per card/device, so remember to save one for yourself.
NOTE: One inconvenient quirk to the system is on the FIRST TAP. This is important for visitors. When you first tap an OMNY reader with a card or device, you can't use it to pay for other riders on the same trip. Your bank needs to approve the transaction before you can pay for other fares. You should use a different payment method for each person on your first trip.
This can be frustrating and yes, inconvenient. You will need to use a second or third card for now. Or you can buy a yellow swipe card (see below) and load enough money for the immediate rides you need. All subsequent multiple-tap rides moving forward after your first ride (and bank authorization) should work fine.
When going from bus to subway or vice versa, you need to tap the same card you used on the first purchase. The transfer will be free. The system will recognize your transfer ride and you will not be charged.
While there are no "unlimited" or "week-long" options when using the OMNY system, once you’ve taken 12 paid rides in a seven-day period, you ride FREE for the rest of the week. In other words, take 12 rides and the 13th ride and beyond are free during a week.
NOTE: The 13th ride unlimited benefit applies per credit card and per person. Meaning, if you are using the same card to tap your family into the subway, only the FIRST tap is credited against the ride count. So it's not like if you have four people and you use the subway 3 times tapping in everyone with the same credit card, you've reached the "unlimited" level. That will only count one of the rides toward the twelve.
Subway swipe cards
You can buy subway cards (through 2025) from machines in any station and pre-fill it with a $$ amount. A single card can be shared but must be swiped for each ride. $2.90 will be deducted with every swipe. If you run out of money on the card, you can simply refill the cards at the same machines. The machines take credit, debit, or cash. Unlimited ride passes for a week or month are also available, but they cannot be shared. Each person needs to buy their own.
Note for international visitors: When purchasing swipe cards from the machine, you will be asked for a billing zip code (postal code). It only accepts U.S. ones. To bypass this, simply press the # symbol to proceed. If this doesn't work, try 99999 ( five 9s) and then # and you should be fine. (It's an outdated system.)
NOW... to use your card, swipe it steadily and evenly-paced through the turnstile reader - not too fast, but not too slow. Make sure to look at the green digital screen to verify the card was accepted. It will say "Go." Then walk through. If it says "Swipe Again, Too Slow" or Swipe Again, Too Fast," adjust your swipe and try again. If you do this too many tines, you may get a message that says "Card Already Used," it means one of your swipes worked, but you didn't go through. This will be frustrating. Try swiping at another machine. or wait 18 minutes, and it will work again. If the reader says "Insufficient Funds," you'll need to refill moeny to your card at a payment machine.
Finding your way
So you are looking at the map and it feels daunting. I get it. Just remember this simple idea: “where am I and where do I have to get to.” If you can identify those two things, you can figure out how to navigate using the map.
The subways stop everywhere there is a dot. At the stations where subway lines meet, you can transfer from one line to the next inside the station (there are a few exceptions) without paying again. You are simply switching trains.
So, look at the map. Find where you are. Find the stop nearest to the location you need to go. Trace the line from one to the next. If your stops are on two different lines, figure out by tracing your finger from one to the next which line or lines you need to switch to (you may need to switch twice).
Most subways work like roads – if the traffic is headed a certain direction and you enter a subway station on that side of the street, the train is headed in the same direction as traffic. Just look for the signs as indicators: Downtown to Brooklyn or Uptown to the Bronx or Queens – that’s the direction you are headed. Some stations, especially big ones like Times Square or Grand Central, don’t have this direction modality. You can go into the station on either side of the street. Once in, find the signs to whichever train you want.
Local vs Express
Trains are either “local” or “express.” Local means they make all the stops on the line; express means they skip a bunch to only the bigger stops. It’s good to learn which line is which… and often you switch from one to the other to get to a place (like you take the 2 or 3 to get from Times Square to downtown. But switch to the 1 at Chambers Street to get to the Staten Island Ferry stop – simply switch by walking directly across the platform.) Nothing to be afraid of.
While being on express versus local can make for a quicker ride, the most important thing you need to know is at which line stops at the station YOU need. For example, if you are headed downtown from Grand Central, the 4 and 5 trains (express) and 6 trains all arrive and depart from there. If your destination is by Union Square then it makes sense to use the 4 or 5 train since they stop there and skip many stops in between. If you got on the 6, no problem. You will just make a few more stops. But if you needed to get out at Astor Place, only the 6 train stops there. If you get on the 4 or 5 trains, that stop is skipped. Look closely at your destination on the map to identify the number or letter of the train or trains that stop there.
Apps and more...
There are tons of subway apps to download, some free, some not. I recommend Citymapper or the MTA’s subway app.
On weekends and late nights, trains often switch lines, are rerouted, or can even be closed due to maintenance. It’s a pain for everyone. Use the app to find alternate routes.
Safety
We have seen an uptick in violence in the past bit. Don’t be scared. Just be vigilant. I feel safe every day, but I do keep my head about me a bit more. Here are a few tips to help:
Stay far away from the platform edge on the subway platforms
Stay together, especially at crowded stops.
Ask info booth attendants for help if you need it.
Avoid the people you know you need to. Move to other cars. Walk away. Just don’t engage. And don’t stare at people.
Use common sense. If you feel uncomfortable, leave the station and walk to another or jump in a cab.
Protect your valuables.
And New Yorkers are the friendliest people in the world! Ask for help if you need it.
Tips For First Timers
Here’s a few additional tips that will be helpful, especially for first-time riders.
If a subway car is empty, usually there’s a reason. Sometimes the air conditioning is out. More often you’ll find a pungent smell from someone who may be in need of assistance from city services. This is especially more frequent during cold months. It’s sad, but a reality for many. Simply make your way to a different car.
Avoid eye contact and chit chat with other riders. New Yorkers are very friendly, but you are in a confined space and people prefer to be left alone while riding. You want to avoid offending anyone and never know what might set someone off.
You may encounter acrobats and musicians on board. If you enjoy them, feel free to tip them a dollar or two. But do not feel at all obligated to do so.
Be mindful of your space and don’t block the doors. This is just a matter of courtesy. Trains can be crowded and getting off and on amid crowds can be hectic. Blocking doors nad not moving out of the way will only lead to unwanted conflict.
There’s more, but that’s enough Subway 101 to get you started. Come join me on a tour, and I’ll turn you into a subway-riding pro! We’ll do a lesson on reading the map, navigating the station, and using the turnstiles, all to ease your worries about using the subway system during your visit.
Subways are the only way I get around on my tours, aside from the occasional ferry or tram. It’s part of the whole I Know A Guy NYC Tours experience. Neighborhood tours with me are private, personal, and fun. Or at least that’s what past families and groups have said!
I also give plenty of tips like this on the I Know A Guy NYC Tours Facebook or Instagram pages. Follow along!
Thanks for reading this blog! If you would like to chat about your upcoming trip and possible tour ideas, please contact me at aguy@iknowaguy.nyc. I'm quite friendly!
© All photos by Adam Guy
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