One of the first questions every tourist asks when visiting an unknown city is: “What is the best way to get from A to B?” In New York, this is relatively easy to answer: “Use public transport, preferably the subway!”
The public transport system of New York City boasts an extensive subway system, a dense bus network, ferries, and regional trains.
For tourists visiting the metropolis from 2026 onwards, there is a major change: the final transition from the magnetic MetroCard to the purely contactless payment system, OMNY.
Farewell to the MetroCard: Welcome OMNY
Since its introduction in 1994, the gold-colored MetroCard was synonymous with mobility in New York City. It replaced the tokens used until then and made free transfers between buses and subways possible for the first time.
The era of the magnetic stripe officially ended on December 31, 2025. From this date, the sale and reloading of MetroCards at vending machines and in retail stores will be discontinued; remaining credit on the card may still be “ridden off” for a certain period.
How Contactless Payment Works (“Tap-and-Go”)
Since January 2026, OMNY (One Metro New York) is the only option for accessing public transport.
For tourists, the somewhat complicated struggle with ticket vending machines is now a thing of the past. OMNY is based on the “Tap-and-Go” principle, where passengers hold their contactless credit card, their smartphone with an activated digital wallet (such as Apple Pay or Google Pay), or a smartwatch up to the readers at the turnstiles. The fare is automatically deducted.
However, there is also a physical OMNY card. It can be purchased and reloaded with cash or credit card at vending machines in stations as well as at over 2,700 retailers, including branches of Walgreens or RiteCheck.
Fares and Prices 2026: Saving with Fare Capping
The standard price for a single trip on the subway, local buses, or the Staten Island Railway is $3.00 (as of January 2026).
For tourists, the “Fare Capping” system, where OMNY automatically calculates the cheapest fare, is particularly exciting. Once a passenger has paid for 12 rides with the same device or card within a seven-day period, all subsequent rides in that period automatically become free. An extremely important point for tourist families: Up to 4 people can go through the same turnstile one after another using one phone/card (simply tap multiple times). However: Only the first person benefits from Fare Capping! Every additional person pays the full fare for every ride.
The introduction of the weekly fare cap for Express Buses starting January 4, 2026, at $67.00 is a good deal for travelers staying in the outer boroughs who wish to use the faster comfort of the commuter coaches.
| Category | Fare as of Jan. 2026 |
| Single Ride (Subway/Local Bus) | 3,00 $ |
| Reduced-Fare | 1,50 $ |
| Weekly Fare Cap (Maximum Price | 36,00 $ |
| Express Bus (Single Ride) | 7,25 $ |
| Express Bus Fare Cap (Weekly) | 67,00 $ 3 |
| Single Ride Paper Ticket | 3,50 $ |
Orientation in the Subway System: Uptown, Downtown & Express
With 472 stations, the New York subway is the largest subway system in the world by area. The trains run 24/7.
Manhattan-Centric: Uptown and Downtown
The most important orientation aid in Manhattan is the North-South axis.
- Trains heading north are designated as “Uptown” and often continue into the Bronx.
- Trains heading south are designated as “Downtown” and frequently continue to Brooklyn.
At many smaller stations, there are separate entrances for each direction that are not connected underground. Entering the wrong platform accidentally means you have to leave the station and pay again, or ride to the next Express station where changing platforms is often possible.
Local vs. Express Trains – The Subtle Difference
A characteristic feature of the New York subway is the presence of three or four tracks in many tunnels. This allows for the simultaneous operation of two train types:
- Local Trains: These trains stop at every station on their line. They are ideal for destinations in residential areas or shorter distances.
- Express Trains: These trains use the inner tracks and stop only at major hubs. They can cover long distances in a fraction of the time.
On official network maps, local stops are marked by black circles and express stops by white circles.
Line Check: The Most Important Connections
Lines are identified by numbers and letters, not primarily by colors. The color on the map merely indicates the trunk line shared by several lines (e.g., lines 1, 2, and 3 use the red line under Broadway/7th Avenue), but their paths diverge in the outer boroughs.
| Trunk Line (Color) | Line Designations | Important Connections |
| Green (Lexington Av) | 4, 5, 6 | Grand Central, Brooklyn Bridge |
| Red (Broadway-7th Av) | 1, 2, 3 | Times Square, Penn Station |
| Blue (8th Av) | A, C, E | Port Authority, Howard Beach (JFK) |
| Orange (6th Av) | B, D, F, M | Rockefeller Center, Coney Island |
| Yellow (Broadway) | N, Q, R, W | Canal Street, 5th Av/59th St |
| Puple (Flushing) | 7 | Grand Central, Hudson Yards, Citi Field |
Taking the Bus in NYC: Select Bus Service & Co.
When the subway reaches its limits, especially for East-West connections (“Crosstown”) in Manhattan, the bus is the preferred choice. The New York bus system is one of the most extensive worldwide. However, there are some important points to note.
Select Bus Service
The Select Bus Service (SBS) is a rapid bus system with reserved lanes and fewer stops. If you want to ride here, note the following:
- With OMNY: Passengers can board at any of the three doors and tap their card or device directly at the reader inside the bus. No trip to the sidewalk machine is necessary.
- With Cash: Passengers must pay at the ticket machines on the sidewalk before the trip and keep the receipt (“Proof of Payment”). This receipt must be shown during random checks by MTA inspectors. Anyone without a valid receipt risks a fine of $100.
Regular Buses
For normal local buses, boarding is exclusively through the front door. Payment is made to the driver using the OMNY reader. As of 2026, coin payments on buses have been completely abolished. Cash is then only accepted at sales points for OMNY cards.
Airport Connections: JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark
New York’s three major airports are well connected to the transport network.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
FK is connected to New York’s public transport via the AirTrain. Use of the AirTrain is free within the airport (connecting terminals, parking lots, and rental car stations).
However, those wishing to transfer at Jamaica or Howard Beach stations to get into the city pay a fee upon exiting. The standard AirTrain fee is $8.50.
| Station | Connection | Travel Time to Manhattan | Cost (approx.) |
| Jamaica | LIRR (train) | 20-30 Min. | 13,50 $ – 15,50 $ |
| Jamaica | E, J, Z (Subway) | 50-60 Min. | 11,40 $ |
| Howard Beach | A (Subway) | 60-70 Min. | 11,40 $ |
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
LaGuardia has no rail connection but offers one of the city’s best free transit links with the Q70 LaGuardia Link SBS. The bus shuttles between Terminals B and C and the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue station in Queens. From there, travelers have access to lines 7, E, F, M, and R, which take them to Midtown Manhattan in about 15 to 20 minutes. Alternatively, the M60 SBS bus connects the airport directly to 125th Street in Harlem and the Upper West Side in Manhattan at the standard fare.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Newark is located in New Jersey and is primarily served by NJ Transit. Travelers use the AirTrain Newark to the “Newark Liberty International Airport Station” and transfer there to a train to New York Penn Station. OMNY is currently not accepted for through-travel on NJ Transit; you must use the NJ Transit App or buy a paper ticket at a vending machine. The ticket includes the AirTrain access fee of $8.50. A single ticket to Manhattan costs approx. $16.00 to $18.00.
Sightseeing at a Bargain Price: Tramway & Staten Island Ferry
Two modes of transport in New York offer exceptional added value, as they provide breathtaking views for the price of a single trip (or for free).
Roosevelt Island Tramway
This aerial tramway floats over 75 meters above the East River and connects 59th Street/2nd Avenue in Manhattan with Roosevelt Island.
- Price: $3.00
- Payment: OMNY
- The ride counts toward the weekly Fare Capping.
- Tip: The ride at sunset offers one of the best views of the Chrysler Building and the UN Headquarters.
Staten Island Ferry
This legendary ferry is free for all passengers. It operates 24/7 between the Whitehall Terminal in Lower Manhattan and the St. George Terminal on Staten Island. The trip takes about 25 minutes and passes directly by the Statue of Liberty. It is the cheapest way to experience the panorama of Lower Manhattan from the water without booking expensive sightseeing boats.
Important Conduct Rules & Accessibility
The New York transit system faces the enormous challenge of making infrastructure that is over 120 years old barrier-free. The plan is to make over 95% of all stations accessible to wheelchair users by 2029.
Accessibility
Tourists who rely on wheelchairs or walking aids should strictly plan their routes according to “ADA Accessible Stations.” These stations have elevators and wider turnstiles (AutoGates).
- AutoGates: These gates can be opened with OMNY.
- Buses: All city buses have ramps and special spaces for wheelchairs. Drivers are trained to help secure the equipment.
- Real-Time Status: The status of elevators can be checked in real-time in the MTA app or on the website, which is important as short-term outages are not uncommon.
Unwritten Rules
In New York, there are some unwritten rules when using public transport. Disregarding them not only earns angry glares but also disrupts the highly efficient flow of traffic.
The Escalator Rule
A strict regime prevails on escalators in New York: Stand on the Right, Walk on the Left. Standing on the right allows New Yorkers, who are usually in a hurry, to pass on the left. Blocking the left side by groups standing next to each other is considered grossly rude.
Behavior on the Platform and in the Train
- Let people off first: Before entering a train, stand to the side of the doors and let all arriving passengers exit.
- Move to the middle: After boarding, you should immediately move to the middle of the car to make room for people following you. Remaining standing directly in the door area is frowned upon.
- No luggage on seats: In crowded trains, you should claim only one seat. Backpacks belong on the floor between your legs, not on the seat next to you or on your back.
- Avoid eye contact: Locals often maintain the “thousand-yard stare” or look at their smartphones to maintain personal distance in the confined space. Staring is considered aggressive or rude.
Riding the Metro Safely in New York
Orientation on the Platform (Night & Off-Peak)
In the late evening hours, the huge, often deserted stations can sometimes seem intimidating.
- The Yellow Area: Look for signs reading “During off hours trains stop here” or yellow markings on the platform edge. If you wait here, the conductor’s car (in the middle of the train) will stop directly in front of you.
- Safe Areas: Many stations have yellow-marked “Waiting Areas,” which are often under video surveillance or located near an occupied booth.
Proper Behavior in the Car
- Find a conductor: If you feel uncomfortable, board the middle car. The Conductor sits there and operates the doors. You can recognize the car because the conductor sticks their head out of the window when entering the station to point at a black-and-white striped board on the platform.
- Avoid changing cars: Never walk through the connecting doors between cars while the train is moving. This is forbidden in New York, dangerous, and is often punished with high fines (except in an emergency).
Valuables and “Street Smarts”
- Discretion: Avoid wearing expensive cameras loosely around your neck or handling large bills conspicuously.
- Smartphone Safety: Especially at the doors, you should have a firm grip on your phone. A classic theft trick is “snatching,” where thieves rip the phone out of passengers’ hands just as the doors are closing and jump onto the platform.
Help in an Emergency
- Blue Light Pillars: In almost every station, there are “Help Point” pillars with a blue light. The green button gives you information; the red button connects you immediately to the emergency center.
- Staff: Officers of the NYPD Transit Bureau patrol the larger stations. Do not hesitate to speak to them.
The “Empty Car” Rule
An important safety tip for tourists: If a train arrives during rush hour and a single car is completely empty while all other cars are overcrowded, you should avoid that car. In 99% of cases, there is a reason for this—usually a broken air conditioner in high summer or an extreme odor nuisance caused by a homeless person or biological waste. Trust the instinct of New Yorkers; if they aren’t going into the car, you shouldn’t either.
Regional Trains: LIRR and Metro-North for Excursions
For tours outside the city limits, such as hiking in the Hudson Valley (Metro-North) or visiting the beaches of Long Island (LIRR), the regional trains are ideal. Prices for LIRR and Metro-North are tiered by zones and distinguish between Peak (rush hour) and Off-Peak.
- Peak: Weekdays mornings to Manhattan, afternoons out of Manhattan.
- Off-Peak: All other times and the entire weekend.
- Onboard Surcharge: Buying a ticket on the train from the conductor costs a surcharge of $8.00. It is strongly advisable to use the TrainTime App.
Since 2026, the City Ticket for trips within the city (e.g., from Penn Station to Flushing or Jamaica) has been permanently introduced. It costs $7.25 during peak times and $5.25 during off-peak times, often representing a faster and more comfortable alternative to the subway.
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