Public Transportation

Public Transportation in New York

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

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Public Transportation

How does public transportation work in New York?

New York's public transportation system includes subway, bus, and ferry services. Tourist passes (e.g., New York Pass, CityPASS; valid from first use for the booked duration) do not serve as tickets for bus and subway - so you need an additional MetroCard or must pay contactlessly via OMNY. Many passes include a Hop-on-Hop-off bus tour. Ferries are also part of public transit: The Staten Island Ferry is free, the NYC Ferry costs about $4 per trip.

A Line 7 train in Queens on an elevated track, with the Manhattan skyline in the background.

Practical Usage

The easiest way to travel is with MetroCard or OMNY. One trip costs $2.90 and allows a free transfer within 2 hours. For multiple days, the 7-day Unlimited MetroCard ($34) is worthwhile. You can get MetroCards from machines in the stations. At the subway turnstile, swipe your MetroCard through or hold your credit card to the OMNY reader until "Go" appears; on buses, you also use MetroCard or OMNY. Hop-on-Hop-off sightseeing buses work separately - simply show your pass when boarding. Ticket checks in public transit are rare; on SBS buses you must show your ticket during an inspection.

Schedule and Transit App

The Subway runs 24/7. During the day, trains come every few minutes, at night about every 15-20 minutes. Weekend construction work often leads to detours - the MTA app provides information about these. The official MTA app offers route planning, live departure times, and service alerts and is available for free on iOS and Android.

Important Lines for Tourists

  • From the airport to the city: JFK: AirTrain + LIRR (about 35 min) or AirTrain + Subway (Line E, about 60 min) to Manhattan; plus $8.50 AirTrain fee each. LGA: free Q70 bus to Jackson Heights, then subway connection. Newark (EWR): via 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: Junction points like 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 over the Brooklyn Bridge.