NYC Subway Survival Guide (Watch Before You Go!)

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We'll break down how to ride the NYC Subway in this guide for tourists and newcomers alike!

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How To Ride the NYC Subway Chapter List:
00:00- Intro
00:23- Buying a Metrocard
00:43- Using OMNY (Contactless Payment)
01:34- Traveling with a Group/Family
02:01- Traveling with Small Children
02:18- Unlimited Cards
03:11- Phone Apps- Google Maps & City Mapper
03:49- Subway Color vs Subway Lines
04:31- Anker Sponsorship
05:34- Express vs. Local Stations
05:54- Insider Tip #1 (Running)
06:01- Manhattan Uptown vs Downtown
06:20- Station Timetables
06:35- Entering and Exiting Stations
07:52- Insider Tip #2 (The Heat)
08:12- Transferring within Stations
08:30- Subway Safety Tips
09:54- Subway Accesbility
10:19- Sample Ride

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"More About Here Be Barr"
I'm Jon Barr, an ex-sportscaster turned travel vlogger. If you're looking for waste no-time ,incredibly informative videos loaded with useful travel tips, you've come to the right place! My vlogs are made for the savvy traveler. Subscribe to learn all of my travel tips, tricks, and secrets that have helped me visit 33 countries. Based out of NYC but always on the go.

[HereBeBarr]

UPDATE: As of August 20th, fare capping has been updated to count for any 7 day period, it's no longer Monday to Sunday only.

[arodin]

Trying to get on the subway too fast and not stepping aside to let passengers get out first has to be one of the worst and easiest mistakes to make.

[TheMrDwillison]

Something I learned from experience visiting NYC and getting lost on the subway is that most people will absolutely help you. Long before I discovered Jon, I was lost at a station and a random dude asked me where I was going, taught me how to read the signs, and explained to me that I got lost because I got on an express train. The locals aren’t your tour guide, but if you’re confused about a station or where you’re at just respectfully ask someone.

[zbeebs]

My biggest challenge was finding the subway entrance. The iconic "stairway on the street" wasn't an issue, but if the entrance was inside a building or shopping center I could easily walk straight past it. I wish transit apps had an option to click the station entrance to see a picture so I know what the heck I'm looking for.

[harrypimentel]

I’ve been riding the NYC Subway system for 20+ years and I still get lost🤣

[stepheneson]

Well done Jon! As the comments indicate, every experienced rider watching this wants to jump in with their own tips-- it's impossible to create a video that covers it 100%. As a plug for residents, I'll even throw in one more tip: Look for a friendly face and ask someone! New Yorkers aren't rude! They're just busy. They'll almost always be happy to help you, but pay attention because they're only going to tell you once!

[THH]

The "multiple stations with the same name but different lines" is an important point. That happened to me once in New York when I knew I was technically at the wrong entrance but based on my experience in Europe I assumed these stations with the same name are effectively one big station and there would be a way to get to the correct line with a little walk underground but I was wrong, I had to leave again to get to the correct station.

[Dumptheclutchevo]

Also, the red globes on poles (as opposed to green), means Subway exit only, you cannot get in that way, but useful to know for your ride later.

[ezb]

NYC local here. Great tips. Here are a couple more: 1. Never refer to the subway lines by color, only by number or letter (the A train, the 6 train, etc.) The colors correspond to the routes in the middle of Manhattan, but some are express and some are local, and they split and diverge also. 2. If you have to wait for the train to arrive, think about which pare of the train will be closest to the exit you want, and use your waiting time to get to that part of the platform. For example, if I am taking the R from Union Square to Carnegie Hall, I wait at the uptown (16th St.) end of the platform and go straight to 57th Street, rather than 14th/55th. Most trains are about 2 short blocks long, and the station exits may be at the front, middle and/or back of the trains.

[ssadvweld]

I would also recommend people stand against the back wall while waiting for their train to avoid being pushed on the tracks.
I'm proud to say that I have never felt intimidated riding the subway but I did have to learn a lot of your tips in this video the hard way.

[georgiasmith]

Don’t forget about the bus system. That can sometimes be an easier way to get somewhere especially within Brooklyn. For instance I took a bus from where I was staying in Williamsburg to the Brooklyn Museum. Much more direct than the subway which is more geared for people commuting into Manhattan.

[kaparinga]

Another common mistake is for people to take one step on the car and stop when there is a line of people behind them waiting to get on. Move in to the car to make room for the people behind you - you won’t be stuck inside at your stop as long as you pay attention. This is one that locals can be bad with too.

[Mrbeahz]

That "Sample Ride" was excellent! Perfect choice of station: Uptown/Downtown, upper/lower levels, choice of express/local. and two trains running on both express and local.

[tiufamily]

Took the N all the way to Coney Island. 1 hour one-way. Success! Thank you for all your NYC subway guides past, present and future.

[cathycraft]

Bravo! I don’t think you get how informative, yet entertaining you are! I love your videos. This was a perfect, confusing explanation of nyc subways. We always use them when visiting and you’re right about the card thing and m-f thing. I’m sending this to my son who takes us to the Bronx, flushing, etc on the subway. We are now doing bus and subway ‘cause sometimes you can get closer using bus too.

[argetech]

Helpful video for even a born in Brooklyn NY'er, who remembers Subway Tokens costing 20 cents. This is very helpful to know. The subway has drastically changed. New lines added, service changes etc. When I come back to visit, a video like this is a go to! Thanks again Jon! ☺💯

[mhorn]

When I visited last year in May, I sticked closely to the tips of one of your older subway guides.
I never got lost, never took any wrong train and never had a bad experience in the subway.
Citimapper also guided me through my week perfectly.

2 weeks ago I visited Paris, which also owns one hell of a public transport system, in my eyes even more complicated than the New York one

Having mastered NYC subway, Paris metro was also easy, also thanks to Citimapper

[DanaDane]

Thank you, Jon! I opted for the busses on my May 2023 visit. The posted routes & simple fact that they are on the city streets made it easier for me to figure out their routes, where I was & where I was going. I did try the subway & found both affordable, I was just better oriented on the bus.

[susanst.sauver]

We watched your NYC subway video, before visiting one week ago. Thank-you for all of the helpful hints and suggestions. We got the hang of it in one day. We actually loved taking the subway. All of the locals that we met were also friendly and helpful.

[bebrothertonla]

I just came back from NYC last night and used Google Maps and worked like a charm