Public transportation

Public transportation in New York

Unfortunately, the use of public transportation is not included in any of the New York passes. You can find out how you can easily use the subway and buses in New York on this page.

Select City Pass

How does public transportation work in New York?

New York's public transportation system includes subway, bus and ferries. Tourist passes (e.g. New York Pass, CityPASS; valid from first use for the booked duration) are not valid as a ticket for bus and train - so you also need a MetroCard or have to pay contactless via OMNY. Many passes include a hop-on hop-off bus tour. Ferries are also part of public transport: the Staten Island Ferry is free, the NYC Ferry costs around $4 per trip.

Ein Zug der Linie 7 in Queens auf einer Hochbahntrasse, mit der Skyline von Manhattan im Hintergrund.

Practical use

The easiest way to travel is with MetroCard or OMNY. One trip costs $2.90 and allows one free change within 2 hours. The 7-day Unlimited MetroCard ($34) is worthwhile for several days. MetroCards are available from vending machines in the stations. Swipe your MetroCard at the subway barrier or hold your credit card up to the OMNY reader until "Go" appears; you can also use MetroCard or OMNY on the bus. Hop-on hop-off sightseeing buses work separately - just show your pass when boarding. Checks on public transport are rare; on SBS buses you must show your ticket at a checkpoint.

Timetable and public transport app

The Subway runs around the clock (24/7). Trains run every few minutes during the day and every 15-20 minutes at night. Construction work on weekends often leads to detours - the MTA app will inform you about them. The official MTA app offers route planning, live departure times and disruption reports and is free for iOS and Android available.

Important lines for tourists

  • From the airport to the city: JFK: AirTrain + LIRR (approx. 35 min) or AirTrain + Subway (line E, approx. 60 min) to Manhattan; each plus $8.50 AirTrain. LGA: Free Q70 bus to Jackson Heights, then subway connection. Newark (EWR): by NJ Transit (train/bus) to Manhattan.
  • Direct connections to attractions: Statue of Liberty: Subway line 1 to "South Ferry" (ferry to Liberty Island). Empire State Building: Station "34 St - Herald Sq" or "34 St - Penn Station" nearby.
  • Important transfer hubs: Hubs such as Grand Central, Times Sq - 42 St or Fulton Street allow transfers between many lines.
  • Recommended routes: Take Line 1 from Central Park to Downtown (South Ferry) and then take the Staten Island Ferry (skyline views); or take Line A/C to Brooklyn (High St) and walk back across the Brooklyn Bridge.
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