I'm Jen with The Travel Woman and today I will be your guide sharing my 25
crucial things you need to know about the New York City subway and the number
one mistake both visitors and locals alike make and how to save money
avoiding it. Before you watch this awesome helpful video don't forget to
click the subscribe and bell button so you don't miss a video. First of all I
want to say the subway is not called the train, the metro, the underground; it's
just the subway even when it's above ground it's called the subway. The subway
is one of the fastest ways to get around New York City, but it can be very
confusing. Both visitors and locals get lost or accidentally get on the wrong
train at some point in time. As a local who grew up just outside the city and
has now lived in Manhattan and Brooklyn for the past five years I still get on
the wrong train sometimes so just know you are not alone. I will also go over
taking a subway with luggage which can be tricky since many subway stations do
not have elevators or escalators you might have to carry luggage up or down
stairs and use my trick to get luggage properly through the turnstile. Okay
getting back on track here are the 25 things you need to know about the NYC subway.
#1 Subways go by letters and numbers but not colors,
colors just show related trains that run along some of the same tracks. In Boston
for example they say the Green Line but if you said where's the Green Line to a
New Yorker you would get a funny look before you clarified the four, five or six train.
#2 There are no zones just one swipe and you can hop on the
subway anywhere it doesn't matter how far or how long you ride the subway the
fare is the same. A one-minute ride just one stop costs the same as a two-hour ride.
#3 there are 472 subway stations so there are some repeat subway
station names for example there are 4 stations named
96 Street so be specific if you ask how to get to 96 Street Station
clarify which one: is it off the 1 2 3 or B C or 6 or Q lines
#4 The original New York City subway was a system of elevated trains until the
Great Blizzard of 1888 showed the need for an underground system today 60% of
the subway system is underground with many trains outside of Manhattan going
above ground but no matter where it is still called the subway.
#5 Cabs are not always faster look up directions in apps like
Google Maps because often times during rush hour taking the subway is faster than driving
#6 Most subway trains go uptown or
downtown in Manhattan but many do not go across to go cross-town in Manhattan
there are limited options including the L train along 14th Street to
Williamsburg or the 7 or S which stands for shuttle along 42nd Street. There is
no way to get across Central Park from the Upper East Side to the Upper West
Side so you will need to take a bus, cab or car
#7 one of the biggest mistakes that visitors and locals alike make is getting on the wrong train or
going through the wrong entrance going downtown instead of uptown for example
so make sure you pay attention to the signs, when you see this that says downtown only you cannot go down here and change to
the Uptown direction. You have to walk across the street to find the Uptown
entrance so please please please don't make that
mistake even locals make the mistake because we get to confidence we're like
okay this is the subway entrance we walk in we swipe but if you swipe into the
wrong entrance you're gonna have to go back up again and reswipe and repay
and no one wants to repay so make sure you pay attention ahead of time make
sure you're going in the right direction and another really helpful tip is that
some platforms have both Local and Express trains on the same track so make
sure that you're paying attention if a 2 train comes by and you're waiting for a
1 train check which train that you're getting on to make sure it's the right train
#8 Maps: since you might not have service below ground my best
advice to visitors and locals is to know where you are going before you get into
the subway stop screenshot the directions in your phone so you can show
someone if you get lost and download a subway map PDF or image on your phone
that you can zoom into. There are also maps in the entrance of each subway
station and posted in subway trains for reference #9 Check signs if a
station is unusually empty and there are signs for construction you might have to
take a cab or bus depending on the situation so pay attention to signs
before swiping this is usually an issue on the weekends #10
Escalators: stand on the right pass on left the right is right, left is wrong
that's how I remember it if you have luggage hold it on the step in front of
you or on the step behind you but leave space on the left for New Yorkers who
are known for being in a rush so they can keep moving and when you get off the
escalator keep walking if you need to stop and look at a map avoid standing in
the way of foot traffic stand to the side
#11 Children under 44 inches or 112 centimetres
no matter what age do not need a MetroCard and can walk under the
turnstile to ride the train for free if they are with a fare paying adult
#12 Now let's talk about which MetroCard you should buy. Do not get a single-use
MetroCard it is not cost effective there are two main types of Metro cards:
Unlimited ride cards where you add time and the Regular MetroCards also known
as pay-per-ride cards where you add value. First try to count how many times you
will need to take the subway to and from different places. if you plan on swiping
your card 12 times or to and from six different locations then get a 7-day
unlimited ride MetroCard to save money. If you are visiting for a full month
there is also an unlimited monthly pass. If you are only visiting for a few days
or a weekend and you will not need as many as 12 swipes you can add value to a
pay-per ride card based on how many swipes you think you might need, the more you
add the more you save you can also always add more value or money to the
card if you need more swipes later if you want to share a metro card with
family or friends a pay per ride Metro card can be shared with up to four
people but an unlimited pass cannot be shared since you must wait 18 minutes
between swipes for exact costs I will rate the current prices in the
description box below. #13 Subway cards cost one dollar this is new. They
used to be free but now you pay for them in addition to each swipe so do not lose
it. #14 you can pay for your
MetroCard with credit card, ATM card or cash unless it says something like no
bills accepted. #15 there are two types of turnstiles if you have
luggage and you have the choice find the full height larger turnstiles or try
putting your luggage near the exit door swiping in and then opening the door or
if you only see waist-high turnstiles lower your luggage handle roll it in
front of you with your hands still on it just a few steps away from the metal so
the metal turnstile doesn't hit your luggage thus preventing your luggage
from getting stuck in the turnstile like this guy.
#16 Swipe slowly you can tell who is a visitor by how many times they
swipe their card. This is how not to swipe your card. This is how to swipe
your card you swipe with the yellow front facing you, black stripe down and
swipe slowly it might take a few tries to get used to it but keep trying.
#17 While waiting to board a train please do not block subway doors by
standing right in front of the doors with nowhere for others to exit the
train stand on the side of the door to let people off the train before getting
on. #18 Do not get on an empty train car if the cars next to it are
full there is usually a reason it is empty like a bad smell or broken
air-conditioning. #19 Be careful not to hit others with your backpack
take it off on the crowded train #20 Don't play music loudly on the train
always remember to bring your headphones #21 if you're sitting down stand
up for the elderly or pregnant or if someone looks like they need a seat.
#22 Do not lean on the pole it's rude and prevents others from holding
onto the pole. #23 Don't put your feet on the
seat it's technically a crime for which you can be arrested and please don't man
spread you know when one person manages to take up two to three seats #24
you have a free transfer within two hours of a swipe which is helpful in
case you need to go above ground to transfer to another subway or bus
#25 Subway exits: There are often multiple
subway exits to save time pay attention to which exit is closest to your
destination if you're going to 20th Street and you get off at the 23rd
Street Station exit toward 22nd instead of 23rd Street
save time walking a block. I'm Jen with The Travel Women thank you so much for
taking this ride with me through the top 25 things you need to know about the New
York City subway while you're here don't forget to check out my other helpful New
York City videos and click the subscribe and bell button so you don't miss any
future videos as always say yes to new adventures and I'll see you next time
Bye!