How the NYC Subway Works

New York City can be confusing. On one hand you have the neat grid like streets of mid-town Manhattan and above. Go south and all of that order gets thrown out the window. If you think that's bad, have you ever taken a closer look at the city's subway? Daniel explains the history behind the Big Apple's iconic transit system and shows you how it works.

Leave a comment with any questions you have and we’ll make sure to include it in a future video.

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[DanielsimsSteiner]

Making this was fun because there is so much to sift through. I heart NYC. I hope this is helpful! I know this is a resource I know i wish i had when i first lived in NYC. I love reading through all your comments so please keep letting me know your thoughts!

[GhostOfGor]

Disclaimer, I am a current MTA employee. To add to your info:
-Metrocards can only be swiped 4 times per station. If you have more than 4 people to swipe in get more than one card.
-if you are still lost or need bus information the booth agents are specifically trained to answer those questions.
-Metrocard machines will only allow you to use a credit card twice per 24hours. So don't use them to buy single rides or you will get frustrated wondering why your card doesn't work.
-Metrocard machines can only give $9 change maximum so you can't use a $50 or $20 bill to buy a single ride.
-express trains do not usually run late at night.
-subways are closed between 1am and 5am due to Coronavirus so expect to take a bus during those times.
-read any posted notices on subway platforms carefully because there is always track work or other construction going on which changes train schedules and stops. Ask a station agent for assistance.
Hope this helps.

[damondominique]

I lived in New York City for five years and I swear that subway system is made to confuse tourists...especially when there’s construction (which is always) and the trains start running on another line 🤣😂

[davebartosh]

I was born in and worked in NYC most of my life. No stranger to the subways. Excellent video. Nicely done. Yeah, don't be afraid to ask someone. NYC residents may seem scary to foriegners but they are actually nice people and happy to help for the most part. Avoid the ones talking to themselves...lol

[SheilaRamseySoprano]

This is very helpful information. When I first moved to NYC, I was so intimidated by the subway system until I downloaded the MTA and bus tracker apps. I tried to take the bus everywhere (because I’m a scenic person and love being above ground), but realized that certain destinations were impossible to get to without using the subway train. I caught on really quickly and was able to get around with ease after a while.

[smokedsalts]

I just visited NYC last month for the first time while road tripping and I already miss it so much :(

I thought I was only going to stay for two days and ended up staying for five because I loved it so much. It’s so easy to get around with the subway and so much to see.

Honestly, it’s been the highlight of my trip, which I was not expecting. I can’t wait to go back.

[SPcaptor]

Haha loved the little throwback clip saying "This is a Bronx bound 9 train" which hasn't existed since 2005

[plushynoob]

1:38 “The yellow line is the N, Q, & R.”
W: *Am I a joke to you?*

[Azivegu]

One thing I recall from New York, the people were very nice and understanding if you find the subway confusing. Plenty of people not only told me which subway to get, but tips to get wherever faster and easier (like which tracks are local or express). Just dont stand in the middle of the sidewalk to take pictures. Then they aren't so nice xD

[dodgingtheworld]

The way you said "if you're interested in going to staten 😂😭 love it

[MrFooliofocker]

I was born and raised in NYC. Took the subway to school and to work all my life. This video is SPOT ON for anyone visiting the city. GREAT WORK!

[danita]

@4:11, if after entering the train station and paying your fare, you discover that the train is going in the opposite direction than what you intended, don’t exit the station. Board the train (going in the wrong direction) and get off at the next express stop where you can cross over (underground) to switch directions and thereby avoid paying two fares.

[smr]

"Uptown" and "Downtown" are all in relation to Manhattan.

[BlondeInTheAir]

As a fellow New Yorker, this was a beautifully explained video! ✅ One thing (03:46) was extremely helpful to know is about finding the station that goes in the right direction. It's happened to me where I entered a local train stop but in the wrong direction. PRO TIP: Instead of getting out the wrong station, going to the right station, and paying the fare again, ride until you get to an express stop and then switch platforms and go the right direction! 😊

[adamturnupseed]

I was surprised how helpful people were! Hats off to New Yorkers, you guys made our subway experience great.

[jenniferbangs]

Well done! I live in nyc and know the system well. If you DO go through the turnstile and then realize you’re on the wrong side of the track and can’t switch, instead of having to go out and pay again, you can just head in the wrong direction and turn around at the next express station.

[socialistsolidarity]

After watching this I'm never going to complain about the London Underground. 😆

[memphoscorpio]

I’ve been visiting nyc since the 90s and I learned most of this by trial and error on my own. We did not have you tubers in the 90s unfortunately. The same trial and error process was used for my trips to Shanghai, Tokyo, London, and Paris. It’s more difficult when you don’t know the language, but like you said studying the map plus understanding a general layout of the area helps. Osaka is one of the more confusing systems and like nyc it’s a combo of different systems, somewhat similar to Tokyo. Thanks again for the video. U are hella cute btw 😁

[DejaunWright]

4:31 Also, usually the train usually will announce the next borough when moving through them. So if your train, for example, is a 4 train going to Woodlawn which is in the Bronx, if you are in Brooklyn it will say “Manhattan-bound” and in Manhattan “Bronx bound”. If you are in the borough that the final destination is in, it will just say the name of the final destination, like “Woodlawn bound”. This can be confusing but becomes useful once you know which borough you are going to.

[melissavredline]

Thank you for the explanation of NYC's subway. I'm from Australia and my wife and I came to NYC in Sep/19. I'm pretty good with maps and I did watch a YouTube video beforehand, which helped me with the uptown/downtown/express/local trains that you explained in your video. All signs were clearly marked and I could navigate to each line without a problem, even the busy Times Square station with multiple lines. I did get on a train on 6th Ave and headed out east into Queens instead of west and north towards Central Park. My one and only mistake and realised the error pretty quickly but managed to change over and head back in the correct direction. I also did go to Japan in 2014 and was the only one in my family to work out the train systems in Kyoto and Tokyo. In NYC, at least 1-3 people per day were asking me for directions in the subway. I was aware that they weren't trying to distract me to steal anything, as I did look the real tourist! Nick...