New York City Subway System Map

The New York City Metro, also known as the Subway, is a public transportation system serving the city of New York, USA. It has an average daily ridership of 5,080,000. The fare for a trip on the subway is $2.

The subway operates 24 hours a day, every night, on 20 subway lines, SIR, PATH. It is air-conditioned, but does not allow you to walk between platforms. The subway does not have driverless trains.

There are plans to install screen doors on platforms for the new Second Avenue Line. The subway is operated by the New York City Transit Authority (NYCTA).

New York City Subway Map

Map of New York City Subway showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the New York City Subway map in PDF format.

How to Ride the New York City Subway: Quick Video Guide

Lines and Stations

The New York City Subway system has a total of 472 stations. The lines and stations are divided across four boroughs: Manhattan, Queens, The Bronx, and Brooklyn. The lines in each borough are as follows:

Manhattan

This borough has 151 stations. Its lines are the following: Second Avenue Line, Sixth Avenue Line, Eight Avenue Line, 42nd Street Line, 63rd Street Line, Broadway Line, Broadway-7th Avenue Line, Canarsie Line, Concourse Line, Flushing Line, Lenox Avenue Line, Lexington Avenue Line, Nassau Street Line, Queens Boulevard Line (53rd Street Crosstown).

Queens

This borough has 81 stations. Its lines are: 63rd Street Line, Archer Avenue Lines, Astoria Line, Crosstown Line, Flushing Line, Fulton Street Line, Jamaica Line, Myrtle Avenue Line, Queens Boulevard Line, Rockaway Line.

The Bronx

This borough has 70 stations. Its lines are: Broadway-7th Avenue Line, Concourse Line, Dyre Avenue Line, Jerome Avenue Line, Pelham Line, White Plains Road Line.

Brooklyn

This borough has 170 stations. Its lines are: Fourth Avenue Line, Sixth Avenue Line, Eighth Avenue Line, Brighton Line, Broadway-7th Avenue Line, Canarsie Line, Crosstown Line, Culver Line, Eastern Parkway Line, Franklin Avenue Line, Fulton Street Line, Jamaica Line, Myrtle Avenue Line, New Lots Line, Nostrand Avenue Line, Sea Beach Line, West End Line.

The New York City Subway system is complex and dynamic, with its own unique nomenclature. Routes change due to new connections and services, time of day, and system maintenance. In the New York City Subway, a line is a track or group of tracks, considered the physical component of the system. Lines are designated by a name. Routes are the logical and dynamic component of the system and are built on top of the lines. Routes use lines to link terminals in the system. A route (also known as a service) is named by a letter or a number. Each route has a color and a local or express designation.

The New York City Subway consists of two divisions, A Division (IRT) and B Division (BMT/IND), and has 24 train services. Some are exclusively local trains: 1, 6, 7, C, G, L, M, and R. Others are both local and express trains: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, A, B, D, E, F, N, and Q. The J train has a local service but works with the Z train in peak direction during rush hours. There are also shuttle services: S trains – Franklin Avenue Shuttle, Rockaway Park Shuttle, and 42nd Street Shuttle.

Please note that the routes and divisions are extensive, each covering a wide array of stations and boroughs. For detailed information about each route’s coverage, it’s best to consult a specific New York City Subway map or guide.

Rail Connections

The New York City subway system connects with several transportation agencies, including PATH, AirTrain JFK, Amtrak, Metro-North Railroad, Long Island Rail Road and New Jersey Transit. Connections are also available to ferry services such as the New York Waterway, Staten Island Ferry and New York Water Taxi. Bus connections are available at the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal and the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

Connection to the Airport

John F. Kennedy International Airport, located in the borough of Queens, is the main international airport serving New York City. The quickest way to get to Manhattan from the airport is to take the AirTrain, which is available at all airport terminals. Then transfer to the New York City Subway at either Jamaica Station or Howard Beach Station.

Schedule, Timetables, and Hours of Operation

The New York City Subway operates multiple schedules on its 24 lines. The service operates 24 hours a day, but the frequency varies between peak and off-peak times. For example, trains run every few minutes on some routes, such as the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 lines. At peak times, trains often run every 2-3 minutes, and at off-peak times every 10-15 minutes.

Fare, Tickets, and Cards

A single ticket for the metro or regular bus costs $2.75. An express bus ticket costs $6.50. Senior citizens aged 65 and over and the disabled get a 50% discount. An adult paying for a ticket can bring up to three children under 45 inches tall for free. If an adult pays for an express bus ticket, they can bring children up to two years old for free, as long as they are sitting on the adult’s lap.

The primary method of payment for travel on the New York City subway is the MetroCard. The MetroCard offers several options, including the Pay-per-Ride MetroCard, which allows you to purchase a desired number of rides, and the Unlimited Ride MetroCard, which offers unlimited bus and subway rides for a fixed price.

There are also Easy Pay MetroCards, which are linked to your debit or credit card and automatically top up when your balance runs low. This type of card offers convenience and the ability to check your balance by phone.

Obtaining a MetroCard in New York City

If you live in New York City, MetroCards can be purchased at a variety of locations. These include vending machines, station kiosks, buses, local stores or even directly from your employer.

Using the MetroCard for subway access:

To access the subway, swipe your MetroCard with the name of the card facing you at the appropriate machine. If the display shows “Go”, enter the tube. However, if the display says “Swipe again”, try again – no fare has been deducted. If the display says “Swipe card at this machine”, do not change turnstiles as a fare will be charged. If “Ask for help” is displayed, contact Metro staff for assistance as there may be a problem with the card.

Methods to check your MetroCard balance:

Booth reader: Station vestibules are equipped with card readers that, when swiped, display your remaining balance, available time and card expiry date.
MetroCard machine: Special machines are available that display your balance when you insert your card.
Turnstile: The available balance is displayed on the screen when you swipe your card to enter the metro.

Using the MetroCard for bus fares:

When boarding the bus, insert your MetroCard with the black stripe facing you. The fare will be deducted and the card will be displayed. The screen will show the following

For Pay-per-Ride cards, the amount paid is displayed.
For time-based cards, the expiry date is displayed.

Acceptable Usage Locations for the MetroCard:

Pay-per-Ride MetroCard: Valid on regular and express buses and the MTA New York City Transit subway. In addition, the card can be used on NICE Bus (Nassau Inter-County Express), MTA Staten Island Railway, Roosevelt Island Tram, All Path Stations, MTA Bus Company, Westchester Bee Line Buses and JFK AirTrain.
Unlimited Ride MetroCard: Can be used on regular buses and the MTA New York City Transit subway. Also accepted on: NICE Bus (Nassau Inter-County Express), MTA Staten Island Railway, Roosevelt Island Tram, MTA Bus Company and Westchester Bee Line Buses.
7-Day Express Bus Plus: Valid only on New York City private express buses, MTA buses and New York City Transit express buses.

New York City Subway Regulations

Noise levels exceeding 85 dB are prohibited.
Open containers of liquids are not permitted.
Accommodation for the disabled must be provided on request.
Smoking is strictly forbidden on the metro.
Disturbing other passengers by sleeping will not be tolerated. Radios and other multimedia devices must be used with headphones or earphones.
Consumption or possession of alcohol (in an open container) is permitted only if the subway is near a bar or restaurant.
Photography and video recording are permitted provided no tripods are used.
Animals are not permitted unless they are in a cage or are used to assist a disabled person.

Future Subway Line Extensions

The Second Avenue Subway line in Manhattan is set to undergo the most significant expansion. Planned extensions to this line include

East Harlem: 116th Street and 106th Street stations to be completed between 2027 and 2029.
East Harlem/Harlem: 125th Street station expected between 2027 and 2029.
Turtle Bay: 42nd Street station.
East Midtown: 55th Street station.
Kips Bay: 23rd Street station.
Murray Hill: 34th Street station.
East Village: Houston Street and 14th Street Stations.
Financial District: Seaport and Hanover Square Stations.
Chinatown: Grand Street and Chatham Square Stations.

New York City Subway Tips

Rush hours are usually between 7am and 10am and again between 5pm and 8pm. Avoid these times to avoid crowded trains.

Trains are categorised as either local or express. Local trains stop at every station for a slower journey, while express trains skip several stations for a faster journey. New travellers should consider the local option. Experienced riders with a map of Express stops can choose the faster option.

To help navigate, download a map to your smartphone and bookmark the New York City Subway website (http://www.mta.info) to plan your route. Given the long distances and numerous stations, careful planning can help avoid getting lost.

A single MetroCard can be shared by several people, making it a viable option for groups. Note that the Unlimited Rides card requires a 20-minute interval between uses, whereas Pay-per-Ride cards can be used multiple times without waiting. Plan accordingly if you intend to share a card with family or friends.

Interesting Facts

Subway stations in New York are marked with either green or red lights. Green means the station is open 24 hours a day, while red means the station is closed at night.
New York City’s subway is the busiest in the United States, carrying more than 1.5 billion passengers a year. Yet it ranks only seventh in the world in terms of annual ridership, surpassed by the metro systems of Tokyo, Seoul, Moscow, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
There is an interesting correlation between the cost of a New York City subway ticket and the price of a slice of pizza in the city’s restaurants. An increase in the price of a slice of pizza usually heralds an increase in the cost of a subway ticket.
Tokens were accepted as subway fares from 1953 and were gradually replaced by the MetroCard. However, tokens could still be used well into the 2000s, despite the widespread availability of MetroCards.
If subway delays cause you to be late for work, the Tube Administration is willing to provide a letter to your employer explaining the delay.
Grand Central Terminal is the largest railway station in the world in terms of the number of platforms.
Despite its name, about forty per cent of the ‘subway’ is either at ground level or on elevated lines.
Art permeates the subway system, with permanent installations, decorative designs and an abundance of musicians.
The 70s were marked by rampant muggings and graffiti in the subway, problems that were largely remedied in the 90s.
Some subway stations had to be rebuilt following the devastation of the September 11 attacks and Hurricane Sandy.
The original construction of the subway involved digging at street level to create the tunnels, which were then filled in. This method caused significant traffic problems. Modern tunnel boring machines now create the tunnels underground, eliminating the need to disrupt street traffic.
The subway system has undergone numerous expansions over the years, including the introduction of the IND Sixth Avenue line in 1940 and the 7 subway extension line in 2015.

Attractions Nearby

From Terminal 1 of John F. Kennedy International Airport, you can take the subway to visit the following tourist attractions:

Central Park: The trip takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes. From the airport, take the train to the JFK AirTrain-Jamaica Station ($5). Then take the World Trade Center train from the Sutphin Boulevard-Archer AV/JFK E/J/Z/LIRR station to the 7th AV station ($2.75). Transfer to the Bedford Park Boulevard train and get off at the 103rd Street B/C stop. Central Park is a sprawling green oasis that contrasts with the concrete landscape of the city.

Statue of Liberty: The trip takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Take the train to the JFK AirTrain-Howard Beach station. Then take the 207th Street-Inwood train to the Fulton Street A/C station. From there, it’s a half-mile walk southwest to the Statue of Liberty, the tallest statue in the world, with many guided tours to its top.

Broadway: The trip takes about 1 hour. Take the train to the JFK AirTrain-Jamaica Station ($5). Then take the World Trade Center train from the Sutphin Boulevard-Archer AV/JFK E/J/Z/LIRR station to the 7th AV station ($2.75). The streets of Broadway are lined with theatres featuring famous and classic plays performed by top actors.

Empire State Building: The ride takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes. From JFK AirTrain Terminal 1, take a train to JFK AirTrain Jamaica Station ($5). Then take the World Trade Center train from the Sutphin Boulevard-Archer AV/JFK E/J/Z/LIRR station to the 34th Street-Penn Station C/E stop ($2.75). Walk half a mile southeast to the Empire State Building, one of New York City’s most famous landmarks. It attracts many tourists who want to enjoy the view from the top of the building.

Fifth Avenue: Travel time is approximately 1 hour. From the JFK AirTrain Terminal 1 station, take a train to the JFK AirTrain Jamaica station ($5). From the Sutphin Boulevard-Archer AV/JFK E/J/Z/LIRR station, take the World Trade Center train to the Union TNPK-Kew Gardens E/F/LIRR station ($2.75). Transfer to the Stillwell AV-Coney Island train to the 42nd Street-Bryant Park B/D/F/M station. Fifth Avenue is the ultimate shopping destination in New York, home to flagship stores of famous brands such as Apple and Cartier.

Metropolitan Museum of Art: Travel time is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. From JFK AirTrain Terminal 1, take a train to JFK AirTrain Jamaica Station ($5). Then take the World Trade Center train from the Sutphin Boulevard-Archer AV/JFK E/J/Z/LIRR station to the Lexington Avenue-53rd Street E/M station ($2.75). Follow the signs to 51st Street Station 6. Take the Pelham Bay Park Express train to the 77th Street Station 6, then walk half a mile northwest. The museum has a collection of over a million items, with a focus on American history.

Times Square: The trip takes about 1 hour. From JFK AirTrain Terminal 1, take a train to JFK AirTrain Jamaica Station ($5). Then take the World Trade Center train from the Sutphin Boulevard-Archer AV/JFK E/J/Z/LIRR station to the 42nd Street-Port Authority Bus Terminal A/C/E station ($2.75). Walk 0.1 miles east. Home to The New York Times, Times Square is lined with giant billboards and offers a variety of shopping and theatre options.

Rockefeller Center: Travel time is approximately 1 hour. From JFK AirTrain Terminal 1, take a train to the JFK AirTrain Jamaica station ($5). Then take the World Trade Center train from the Sutphin Boulevard-Archer AV/JFK E/J/Z/LIRR station to the Fifth Avenue-53rd Street E/M station ($2.75). Walk 0.2 miles southwest. Home to NBC-TV, Rockefeller Center also offers a stunning view of the city from the Rock Observation Deck.