If you were ever asked what is the best way to get around New York City, the answer would inadvertently be “walking”, mainly due to the heavy traffic that is present on the city’s streets 24 hours a day. The subway system is also a convenient option, extending throughout the Manhattan area and into the boroughs of New York. It is highly unadvisable to travel in your own car as traffic tends to be heavy. Taxis are the best way to get around the city from the two international airports. Buses are another inexpensive way to get around the city, but the fact that they have to travel through streets already teeming with slow-moving cars makes the journey less than pleasant. They can also be more of a hassle than a help, as they require multiple transfers, which can lead to traffic jams.
Getting around the city by public transport can be very easy, but it can also be very adventurous for those who know where to look. Let us now take a look at the various means of public transport in New York.
New York Subway
Visitors and residents alike descend underground to take advantage of the metro. Available 24 hours a day, it is an efficient and inexpensive way to get around, with a minimum basic fare of $2.50 per trip. A MetroCard can be purchased at almost any station, and there are machines that accept credit cards. For those planning a longer trip on the New York City subway, a 7-day pass would be a better option, with unlimited travel for a week from the first day of use, costing a minimum of $30.
The New York City subway is relatively easy to understand and travel on. Lines are identified by number or letter, not necessarily by colour. There are a number of helpful route maps at stations that can be consulted to get a good idea of the direction of travel. Commuters are also advised to check if they are boarding an express train. It can be a major inconvenience if you find yourself zooming past your destination.
Map of New York Subway showing different lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Yerevan Metro map in PDF format.
Bus service in New York
At a flat rate of $2.50 per trip, bus travel is a great way for visitors to get an above-ground view of New York City. MetroCard is also accepted on buses and is a better alternative to paying cash as drivers do not accept dollar bills or give change. One of the best aspects of using these cards on MTA buses is that if you need to transfer to the subway or a bus on a different route within two hours of your initial ride, the former is free. The fact that they often get stuck in traffic is one of the more unpleasant aspects of taking a bus in New York City.
Taxi service in New York
The streets of Manhattan are awash with yellow taxis that can be hailed from the curb. Passengers simply need to tell the driver where they are going by pointing to the nearest intersection. The fare starts at $2.50 and rises depending on the distance travelled or the length of the journey. A tip of 15% to 20% is usually expected at the end of the trip.
For those travelling to one of New York’s five boroughs, it is important to have a clear idea of where you are going. Many drivers often claim to be unfamiliar with certain destinations in Queens and Brooklyn, simply because they do not intend to go there. These people are required by law to take you wherever you want them to, so if they refuse, you can simply note down their medallion number and name and report it to the Limousine and Taxi Commission of New York.
Roosevelt Island Tram
One swipe of your MetroCard and you can hop on the Roosevelt Island Tram for an aerial view of Midtown East. The tram runs from Manhattan (59th Street and Second Avenue) down to Roosevelt Island, which lies in the East River between Queens and Manhattan. It began operating in the early 1900s and would carry passengers halfway to the Queensboro Bridge. From there they would have to take an elevator down to the island. However, the service has been expanded and now carries up to two million passengers a week. While on Fridays and Saturdays it runs from 6am to 3.30am, on other days of the week the Island Tram runs from 6am to 2am.
Driving is one thing that everyone should try to avoid in New York. Not only is the traffic terrible, but parking is expensive, if you can find one at all. A petrol station is also hard to find when you need one. The New Yorkers themselves give an indication of the situation by not driving around the streets. And if they cannot get around in their own vehicles, visitors are unlikely to be able to. However, there are car rental agencies at JFK and LGA airports.
For everyone else, New York’s impressive public transportation system is the best way to get around the city.