NYC - Transportation

The main way to get around in New York City is either walking or using the subway. To use the subway, you can purchase a card and load it with money or select a pass (ex: 7-day unlimited for $33) at the subway stations. If you don’t own a subway card or if it has expired, it’ll charge you an extra $1 for a card. Each ride will cost $2.75 if you don’t have an unlimited-use pass. The cards are supposedly being phased out by the end of 2023. With the OMNY readers being completely rolled out at the beginning of 2021, Apple Pay and tapping your credit card on the scanner are accepted at all subway stations! This is super convenient so you don’t have to carry another card around. With this form of wireless payment, the OMNY system implemented a weekly fare cap. After you pay for 12 rides using the same payment method, you’ll get the rest of the rides for free within the week (a “week” is from Monday midnight-Sunday 11:59 PM). Other trains that go through NYC include Amtrak, New Jersey Transit, and Long Island Rail Road.

In terms of getting around the city using public transportation, I would recommend downloading the Citymapper app as it is free and helps you navigate to your destination super easily. You would choose the location you want to go to and they would show all the potential public transportation routes near you (subway, train, bus, walking, etc.), the times they depart, and how long to expect for the commute. It also acts as a map so it will help you navigate and check where you’re going as well.