The New York City subway is a sprawling network, essential for navigating the city. As one of the world’s oldest and largest public transit systems, with millions of riders daily, understanding its basics is crucial for both newcomers and tourists. This guide provides a comprehensive introduction to using the “trains,” as locals call them.
What Exactly is the NYC Subway?
The NYC subway is the primary mode of public transportation in New York City. Managed by a subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), it boasts an extensive network of stations. New Yorkers commonly refer to it simply as “the train.” For example, they might say, “I’ll take the train to your place,” meaning they’ll use the subway. It’s important to note that locals never use terms like “metro,” “underground,” or “tube” to describe the subway.
The subway operates extensively throughout Manhattan, largely underground, and extends into other boroughs via elevated tracks. With few exceptions, the NYC subway system operates 24/7, 365 days a year, only shutting down for extreme circumstances like hurricanes.
What the NYC Subway Isn’t
While the subway is vital, it’s not the only rail transport in the NYC area. Several other systems exist, and it’s important to differentiate them:
- AirTrain JFK/Newark
- Amtrak
- Long Island Rail Road (LIRR)
- Metro-North Railroad
- New Jersey Transit
- Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH)
With the exception of the AirTrains, these are often termed “commuter trains,” facilitating daily commutes to and from the city’s outskirts. This guide doesn’t cover these systems. Locals often specify these systems by name: “Taking Metro-North this weekend,” or “Coming in on the PATH train.”
Understanding New York City Geography for Subway Navigation
New York City comprises five boroughs, with Manhattan serving as the central hub for most tourist attractions. In fact, Manhattan is often simply called “the city” by locals.
The NYC subway serves Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. It does not extend beyond New York City limits. To travel outside the city, you must use one of the commuter trains previously listed.
Borough names also denote direction when using the subway:
- Manhattan-bound: Trains heading toward Manhattan.
- Queens-bound: Trains heading toward Queens.
- Brooklyn-bound: Trains heading toward Brooklyn.
- Bronx-bound: Trains heading toward the Bronx.
The Staten Island Railway operates independently on Staten Island. While included on the subway map, it lacks a direct physical connection. Access to Staten Island requires either the Staten Island Ferry (free) or the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge by car. Notably, the Staten Island Railway uses the same fare system as the subway. Transfers between the two systems are free within a two-hour window.
Navigating Manhattan’s Street Grid
Manhattan’s streets are famous for their organized grid system. Streets run east-west, while avenues run north-south. (Although the grid isn’t perfectly aligned.) Street numbers increase as you go north, and avenue numbers increase as you go west.
However, this grid has exceptions. For example, 4th Ave is known as Park Ave along much of its length, and the grid is absent below 14th St for historical reasons.
The rectangular blocks created by streets and avenues are often used to gauge distance. You might hear, “The subway station is two blocks east” or “I walk three blocks to work.” Blocks vary in length, with shorter blocks running north-south along avenues and longer blocks running east-west along streets. Longer blocks are also known as “crosstown blocks.” Expect to walk a short block in about a minute and a long block in 3-4 minutes. Knowing this will help you locate subway stations and read maps.
Understanding Uptown, Midtown, and Downtown
Manhattan is generally divided into three regions:
- Uptown: North of 59th St.
- Midtown: Between 59th St. and 14th St.
- Downtown: South of 14th St.
While Uptown, Midtown, and Downtown refer to geographical areas, the terms “uptown” and “downtown” also describe the direction of travel on the subway. Heading north (toward the Bronx or Queens) is going “uptown,” while heading south (or toward Brooklyn) is going “downtown.” Locals rarely say “north” or “south” for direction. However, “east” and “west” are common directions within Manhattan (“walk two blocks east”), even though it’s not entirely precise. Traveling east and west is also called “crosstown,” as in “take a crosstown bus through Central Park to reach the Upper East Side”.
By understanding these fundamentals, you’ll be well-prepared to navigate the NYC subway like a seasoned New Yorker.
