Published 7/16/09 4 months ago | Views 65 Grade C Travel / Travel Tips

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Visiting New York for the first time is an interesting experience. New Yorkers are like no one else. They often do not make eye contact, they rush to their destination, and rarely talk to strangers. While visiting New York for the first time, you will probably be using the subway. If you are not careful, you might not ever get to your destination. The subway in New York is one of the largest subway systems in the world, and unlike any other.

Step 1

Log on to the MTA website, look at the map, and find your departure and arrival stations.

Step 2

Make sure you have the appropriate fare. The current 2009 fare is $2.25.

Step 3

Estimate the time it will take to arrive at your destination - by looking at the subway map. It will take you 2-4 minutes for every twenty city blocks, plus 5-20 minutes for every time you have to wait for a train. A simpler method is to leave at least 45 minutes before you must be where you are going. However, the longest trips can take up to an hour and a half - so be careful.

Step 4

At your departure station, you can ask the station agent for a map so that you have a portable guide. However, carrying a map on the subway is like tattooing "TOURIST" on your forehead. Nearly all train cars and stations have maps on the walls, so a map is not absolutely necessary.

Step 5

Buy a MetroCard from either the station agent (cash only) or the vending machines (cash/credit/debit). All ticket machines accept debit and credit cards, but only some (the larger ones) accept cash. The lowest amount you can put on a regular refillable card is $4.50 (though you can buy a single ride for $2.25). Refillable cards allow for one free transfer from subway-to-bus, bus-to-subway, or bus-to-bus within 2 hours of the first swipe; single rides do not allow for transfer and must be used within 2 hours of purchase. If you put $7 or more on your card you will get a 15% bonus ($7 will get you $8.05, or 4 rides). Your best bet may be to buy a weekly or monthly unlimited depending on your length of stay--daily passes are also available. Metrocards are valid for both subway and bus service 24/7/365.

Step 6

Getting on the right train is the hardest part. Make sure you get the right number or letter, and check if your arrival station is a full-time station. One thing that makes the NYC Subway a bit different from other systems is the Uptown/Downtown directional indicators. Rather than denoting direction by destination (as in London, Paris, etc.) entrances and platforms in Manhattan will say "Uptown and the Bronx/Queens" or "Downtown and Brooklyn" although sometimes just "Uptown" and "Downtown" for trains terminating in Manhattan. Be sure to know whether you are traveling up or down before entering (few trains travel crosstown).

Step 7

One of the mistakes many people make is getting on an express train when they should have taken the local train. Local trains (typically) stop at every stop along a line, while express trains skip some stops.

Step 8

Before boarding your train, wait for the disembarking passengers to fully egress before you enter the subway car.

Step 9

If you are wearing a bag or pack, remove it from your back or shoulder and carry it in your hands.

Step 10

If you want to sit, take the first available seat.

Step 11

If you are to stand, move all the way into the car and stand on either side, not in the middle. Face the seated passenger with your feet perpendicular to the seat bench and hold on.

Tips

Make sure you have all information for your trains down before you leave. Just because two trains are the same color does not necessarily mean that they are interchangeable.
Make sure to bring enough fare. Bring more than enough, in case you get on the wrong subway and have to take another or the fare is more than you think.
If you are heading for a local station but want to travel faster, you could take the express train to the last express station before your destination and transfer to the local train.
Remember to give up your seat as a courtesy to elderly, pregnant, or disabled passengers.
If you have a backpack, please remove it and hold it in your hands before entering the train.
If you feel uncomfortable due to another rider(s), trust your gut instinct and move to the last door of the car. When the train arrives at the next station, get out of that car and into the next car. DO NOT GO BETWEEN CARS. It is dangerous and against the law.
MEN: Keep your wallet in your front pocket.
WOMEN: Keep your wallet on the bottom of your bag or even better, if you can, put it in your pocket.
Smile and relax. If you look nervous, you may attract the wrong type of attention.
Mind your manners. Say "please" and "excuse me". Believe it or not, the majority of arguments occur because one person wasn't polite.
Don't be afraid to ask strangers for directions. Most New Yorkers are friendly and love to show off their knowledge of the subway.
Hop Stop is another great website to check out. It's the "mapquest" for the subway system. Also try onNYturf which overlays the lines on a maps so you can see exactly where the entrances and lines run.
If it is rush hour, there is a reason that car looks empty.
Use a hand cleanser after riding the subway.
When getting on an escalator remember, if you intend on standing, stay on the right. Leave the left clear for those who want to climb up or down.
If you will be riding the subway enough, you can buy a Fun pass (unlimited rides all day) for $7. This only makes sense if you will be taking more than 3 rides. However, you can only swipe them once every 18 minutes in the same station, so you cannot share the unlimited ride passes with another person. You can also buy 7 day unlimited ride cards or 30 day unlimited ride cards.
The MetroCards are very fragile. Bending, heating, or getting them wet will damage or ruin them. If your card doesn't work after several tries, take it to the station agent.

Warnings

Transit fares have just changed. Check www.mta.info for the latest fare information.
You will only have a few seconds to find a seat, since the subway starts off fast!
If you can't get a seat, hold on to the railing so you don't fall.
Look at a seat before sitting in it. Sometimes there's a reason that it's empty.
Do not stare or make prolonged eye contact with another individual. You might convey the wrong image.
Go to http://www.mta.info/nyct/service/advisory.htm to check for any service disruptions or changes will affect you.
Be aware that many stations have separate platforms and entrances for trains going in opposite directions. You will have to pay twice if you use the wrong entrance or if you missed your stop and try to backtrack from one of these stations. This warning is less likely to apply to transfer and express stations.
If you need to stop and get your bearings, make sure to do so out of the flow of foot traffic and away from staircases. Otherwise, you may be buffeted and possibly hurt.
If you are riding late at night, try to find a populated car, ideally the conductor's car (you will see the conductor look out his window as the train rolls in to the station).
Keep your reading material in check and close to your person. Don't open the New York Times - keep it neatly folded. If it is too crowded, read your paper later.
Keep your belongings on your person at all time.
MetroCards are magnetic. Do not place them near any electronic device (Cell Phone, iPod, etc.) as this may demagnetize the MetroCard, resulting in the gates not opening when you insert your MetroCard into the machine. If your Metrocard has been demagnetized, see the station agent.
Don't put your bags or packages on an empty seat even if the train is empty. NYC Transit police can and will issue tickets for that. You will find yourself with a court apearence and expect to pay up to a $500 fine.
Take some extra money for emergencies. This is something you do if you're going to be in any big city, NYC or not, and even if you won't be riding the subway. The city is a nice place, but there is crime there and someone can steal your money. To be safe, keep an extra $20 to $50, in a very safe place, like your shoe or your bra.