How To Use The NYC Subway

Updated as of January 2026

There are a bunch of different ways to get around New York City. Although not always the fastest depending on where you’re going, the subway, or as us New Yorkers simply call it the train, can get you where you need to go in 4 out of 5 boroughs. There is plenty to know, but I’ll try to keep this as simple as possible for the next time you decide to venture around NYC.

NYC Subway Fare and How to Pay with OMNY

As of January 2026 the current price is $3.00 per ride. A 7-day fare cap of $35 applies, meaning after 12 rides, the rest of the week is free. Express buses now cost $7.25 and reduced fares are $1.50. 

You can pay in several different ways:

• Tap a contactless credit or debit card
• Tap a smartphone using Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay
• Tap an OMNY card (a physical card you can buy and reload if you don’t want to use your phone or personal card)

Every subway station and bus is now outfitted with OMNY readers, so there’s no swiping anymore, just tap and go. If you use the same card or device for every ride, OMNY also offers fare capping, which means it works like an automatic unlimited pass, no need to pre-purchase.

OMNY Cards (MetroCard Replacement)

For those who don’t want to use a phone or personal credit/debit card, OMNY cards are available.

• OMNY cards can be purchased at vending machines in many stations and select retail locations
• Cards can be reloaded and reused
• OMNY cards function similarly to the old MetroCard, but use tap-to-pay instead of swiping

MetroCards have been phased out, so if you still have one, it’s no longer accepted.

Using OMNY at the Turnstile

Using OMNY is straightforward:

• Look for a turnstile or bus reader with the OMNY logo
• Tap your card, phone, or OMNY card on the reader
• A green light and confirmation sound mean you’re good to go
• A red light means there’s an issue (payment didn’t go through, insufficient funds, etc.)

You may run into a turnstile like the above. If you have a stroller, cart, or large luggage, there are still accessible gates and doors available. Some stations also still use full-body turnstiles. They look intimidating, but all you need to do is push through.

What No Longer Applies (Good to Know)

• There is no swiping anymore
• You don’t need to worry about swipe speed
• You don’t need to check balances at a booth, your bank or OMNY account handles that
• People offering to “swipe you in” are now irrelevant, and still not worth engaging with

How to Get Around the NYC Subway System

Once you have a destination in mind you need to know how to get there. The best ways to figure that out is to either research what trains are the closest to the destination, check out the map in the train station, ask someone, or you can use my favorite app, City Mapper. This app tells you where to catch the train, when it is coming, service changes, etc.

It is important to read the signs and know which direction you need to go in. That will determine which platform you need to be on. In the event you get on the train going the wrong direction or miss your stop you can always get off at the next stop and just catch the train going back the other way. There are maps on the platform as well as on the train itself. The train also has announcements and a sign that tells you what the next stop is.

TIP: Although trains are color coded, don’t use colors to figure out how to get around or to ask someone. Use the number or letter associated.

Before even entering a train station it is important to read the signs. Some entrances will only be able to take you to a platform that goes in one direction only. Meaning in order to get to the other side you will have to cross the street to get to the proper entrance. If you go into the wrong entrance and there is no underpass to get to the side you need to be on, you just lost your money.

Please keep in mind not every station and entrance has an elevator or escalator. Many only have stairs. Not all trains are underground some are elevated. There are also local and express train stops. When looking at a subway map the black dots indicate that particular train will stop at every stop. A white dot indicates it will only stop at certain stops. You can also listen to see if the conductor says its an express or local or simply ask those already on the train is this an express or local before you get on.

NYC Subway Tips for Riding the Train

Trains can get very crowded, especially during rush hour. It can be very hard to get on and off a train and people will push to make sure they can either get off or stack in like sardines. Always let people get off the train before you attempt to get on. If you don’t get a seat, there are poles you can hold on to, don’t lean on them. If someone’s bag is occupying a seat, you can politely ask them to move it if they don’t automatically do so.

TIP: If you see one empty car and the rest are packed, there is a reason that car is empty, so don’t . Usually it is because it smells horrible, there is no air conditioning or heat, or something else.

If you are checking the map on the train and someone is sitting in front of it, don’t stand right over them. Either tell them you would like to see the map or stand on the side and look at it. If you are awaiting a seat on a packed train, most people won’t get up till the train stops at their stop, not before. When that happens, that is your chance to play musical chairs and try to grab a seat before someone else does.

TIP: The walls and columns at every station tells you what stop you are at. This is very helpful if you can’t hear or see much, but can see out the windows.

It is also important to keep in mind that after about 10/11pm the trains take longer to come. You could wait awhile before the next one comes. Service changes are also important to note. Usually they are signs that will alert you to any service changes. Using the City Mapper app with also alert you to that as well. Service changes can disrupt your travel plans. Trains may not run to certain stations or at all causing you to have to figure out another way to get to your destination or the place you need to transfer.

TIP: In the summer train cars are very cold and the platforms are disgustingly hot!

Exiting the NYC Subway at Your Stop

The same way you went into a turnstile you will have to go back through them. Keep in mind some people may be trying to swipe threw as well creating all types of back and forth traffic of people. It is important to stay to the right if you are taking an escalator so that everyone else in a rush can walk up or down on the left.

There are typically several exits, especially depending which part of the train you got off of. Same rules apply when going up or down the stairs, you get to the side not in the middle! Also don’t stop in the middle of the stairs. There are several exits to go up to the street level. There are signs indicating what corner you will pop out on.

There is so much information about the subway I could be here writing forever. This is pretty much the basics of navigating the subway. It is overall pretty easy to use. It is important to keep alert, not just for safety purposes, but so that you don’t miss your stop. Many stations now have free wi-fi and areas your phone can get service. You may also get some entertainment on the train in the form of dancing, singing, and instruments being played. It also important to keep in mind Staten Island does have public transportation you just can’t take the subway there.

Have you ever taken the NYC Subway? What was your experience like?