Getting Around New York

Getting around New York City is easy: the City has a sophisticated transit system that includes buses and subways, as well as thousands of taxis and limousines. There are also ferries, helicopters, bicycles and frequent Amtrak and commuter rail services. In addition, New York City is a walking city--it's flat and much of it is on a grid.

On Foot

One of New York City's great assets is its walkability. Much of Manhattan is laid out like a grid--uptown/downtown streets intersect with crosstown streets, making it easy to navigate even for the first-time visitor. The city is also quite flat, and exploring it on foot is the best way to get a real feel for the different neighborhoods. It's also the least expensive way to get around and sometimes, depending on traffic and distance, the fastest.

By Bus
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Bus operates 4,694 buses throughout the city's five boroughs on more than 200 routes. You are usually within a few blocks of a bus stop.

By Subway

Subways are a fast, easy--and inexpensive way to get around the city. Trains run 24 hours a day, with waiting time between trains normally just a few minutes, depending on the time of day. The New York City subway system has 660 miles of passenger service track, going to 468 and stations serving 26 subway lines--more than any other system in the world. It operates 24 hours a day, is safe and is used by more than 4.9 million people every weekday. Laid end to end, NYC Transit train tracks would stretch from New York City to Chicago.

Subways traverse Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx; Staten Island is served by the Staten Island Railway (SIR), with connections to the Staten Island Ferry from the St. George station. The SIR trains run 24/7; the fare is the same as for bus/subway.

Routes are identified by letters, such as A B C and by numbers, such as 1 2 3. The different lines are different colors on the subway map.

Subway stations have differing sizes and designs because there were three original subway companies: the privately owned Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT) and the Brooklyn-Manhattan Transit Corporation (BMT), and the city-owned Independent Rapid Transit Railroad (IND). The city purchased the IRT and BMT lines in 1940. During a renovation campaign, the MTA made sure to rebuild the distinctive tile mosaics in the stations. In addition, MTA Arts for Transit has commissioned and installed artwork in dozens of stations since 1985.

By Taxi

New York City taxis are yellow and may be hailed on the street or found at taxi stands at major hotels and transportation hubs. On the street, stick out your arm to signal a taxi. A taxi is available when its white rooftop number light is lit. A taxi driver seeking passengers turns on the middle section (the numbered part) only of the roof light. The rooftop light also has the words "Off Duty"; when these are lit, the taxi will not pick up passengers.

By Ferry

Sometimes, surrounded by the daily hubbub of Midtown, it's easy to forget Manhattan is an island. New York is home to an extensive ferry system to get you uptown and downtown, as well as across the rivers to Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and New Jersey.

By Helicopter

You've walked and seen the city by bus, taxi, boat and maybe even bicycle. For something different, take a helicopter tour and see the city from the air. The following services are available:

By Car

New York City's public transportation system is excellent and can be quicker than driving to get around once you're here, but all the major national companies, and a few local ones, offer rentals. Costs are highly variable, with special rates and restricted or unrestricted mileage options. A one-day rental during the week is most expensive, costing between $75 and $100; a one-week rate ranges from $225 to $300. Rates on weekends are less expensive: between $65 (one-day) to $175 (two-day). Contact the companies directly for current rates. The age requirement for most companies is 25, and a driver's license with photo and a major credit card are required. Check with your insurance and credit card company to see if they cover your insurance before purchasing extra insurance from the car company. The normal practice is to return the car with a full tank of gas; if not, the car rental company will fill it and add the charge to your bill.