Getting around New York City is very easy, as shown in this list. It’s the most populated area in the U.S., and there are plenty of options for commuters.
Over twenty million people live in the five boroughs of New York City, and it’s easy to see how convenient it is to get around the area by public transportation.
Taxis
One of the most popular ways to get around the city is by using the yellow taxi. This type of vehicle is easy to recognize, as it has a yellow light on its roof and is the only mode of transportation allowed to pick up passengers in response to a street hail.
The yellow light of a taxi is used to show its availability. It indicates that it’s available for hire, and passengers can easily hail a ride by waving at the drivers.
Once the taxi sees you, it will stop at a safe location to pick you up. The fare will increase as the distance and time pass, and tolls will be added. In New York City, cash or a credit or debit card are accepted as payment.
Buses
The MTA has over 6,000 buses in New York, and they cover over 300 routes. With that in mind, you can easily find a bus route that will meet your needs.
New York City buses are categorized as express or local. The former focuses on serving commuter routes that go through more busy areas of Manhattan.
These buses only stop at designated stops, usually located two to three blocks apart, and they often have shelters.
In New York City, you can stand at the stop and signal to get on the bus with your hand. The standard bus fare is $2.75 for adults, while the express bus is $6.75. You can pay for your ride with cash or MetroCard, or the OMNY contactless payment system. When using cash, make sure to provide the correct change.
The Subway System
Getting around New York using the subway is popular. It’s also a great way to avoid traffic.
The New York City subway system has 472 stations. It’s considered to be the most extensive public transportation system in the world, and it’s one of the busiest. It runs twenty-four hours and serves four of the city’s five boroughs.
You can easily find the nearest subway station by looking for one with an entry sign. These signs will help you identify the routes served by the system. Most stations also have a map that will help you plan your trip.
The Railway
Aside from the subway, various passenger railway lines operate in and around New York City. Most of these are focused on bringing people into the city from areas further away. These include the Long Island Railroad, New Jersey Transit, and the Staten Island Railway.
Unless you’re planning on visiting a distant part of the city or have a hotel reservation that will take you a long way from New York, you’re unlikely to need to use these railways.
However, if you plan on using these railways, you’ll have to purchase a ticket for the trip. You can also use an e-ticketing application called eTix. This app for iPhone and Android allows you to buy tickets for the Long Island Rail Road or Metro-North Railroad.
The Ferry
Due to the abundance of water in the city, there are various ways to get around New York using boats. These include the Staten Island Ferry and the New York City Ferry.
The New York City Ferry is a relatively new addition to the city’s public transportation system. It was launched in 2017 and has six lines. It connects Queens and Brooklyn with Manhattan. There are over 20 terminals and 28 boats operating in the system.
