Travel to NYC, Part 4: Getting Around the City of New York
- 6 days ago
- 9 min read
Part 4: Getting Around the City of New York
Those of us who live within the five boroughs or even in the tri-state New York City metropolitan area take traveling within this region for granted. We travel around almost by instinct, skirting around visitors who look overwhelmed, confused or even a little frightened. But, contrary to Tik Tok videos and Instagram posts, we're not rude, just usually in a hurry and our brusqueness is all bravado: ask us how to get somewhere and we'll tell you.
Newcomers to New York City sometimes have heard rumors about the traffic in our city. In fact, traffic can be bad. So bad that there is now a congestion pricing policy in place in the busiest areas of Manhattan, 24 hours a day. However, politicians and environmentalists would have you to believe that it is because that traffic does not move in certain areas and that stagnation of vehicles was causing the air to be bad (to talk in elementary terms). However, real New Yorkers know it was to raise money because the MTA did not want to raise the fares (much) on the buses and subways, so the drivers are picking up the slack. I am sure that the air is cleaner but honestly, the news is always full of how much money they are raising. By the way, the money goes to the public transportation system, so the drivers are being penalized for not taking public transportation.
This blog will advocate for visitors to New York to use public transportation when navigating their way around New York, especially Manhattan, but there are times when a car is necessary to go into the congestion pricing area: emergencies or situations to assist families members is the main reason or those for whom public transportation. might be more hazardous than convenient. We have more on that in Tip 5.
When you have to navigate parts of Manhattan with a car or you're in a car, there are only two pieces of advice: if you do not have an easy pass, know that you will be billed by mail or the toll will be added to your car service fare. And pay attention to parking restrictions. You will be towed. Bring lots of money for a parking lot or garage. Parking on the street is extremely limited and metered spaces are now governed by the Park NYC app. There is no adding extra time. Once you enter the number of a parking area, you can only stay for the time indicated and then you will have to move.
So, with all of that being said, let's get to talking about how to get around New York City.
Alternately amusing and annoying, it’s always to see tourists trying to navigate their way around town. Although there’s tons of apps and GPS, we’ll be honest: it can get a bit overwhelming. And I'll let you on a little secret: even locals get confused when they are out of familiar areas. The jokes you see on social media about people not knowing how to navigate outside of their home borough or job area are real. Most people are fine with Manhattan because many of the streets are numbered, in a reasonable order. Outside of that, use a GPS and public transportation app and you will be fine.
Arriving to NYC and getting to your lodging is one thing. Getting around to see the sights is another. As you will read in many, many guides, the best way to see the sights is to use mass (public) transportation and then, once you reach your stop or station, walk. Here are our tips for getting around the City of New York, meaning in all 5 boroughs. Use the official MTA app so that you will know which subways are accessible. If the walk is too far, try using buses. They will lower down a ramp for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
If you are touring Long Island, up past the Bronx or towns near New Jersey, some of these places are accessible by LIRR, Metro North or PATH, but the ultimate destination might be a little ways from the station. For many sights, you can take one of the trains to these areas and take a car service to your destination. Again, renting a car might be feasible.
BONUS Tip #1: Visit the NYC official tourism website and the MTA website for safety tips.
BONUS Tip #2: Be aware of your surroundings, do not take your valuables out in crowded locations. Take your carfare or ticket out in a secure location and keep it in a front pocket to use when you get close to your destination. Better yet, download the MTA app for regional railroad tickets. For the bus or subway, you can tap your phone or card.
BONUS Tip #3: Put a strap on your camera/phone. Use a phone case that keeps it secure.
BONUS Tip #4: Carry bags that can closed up completely and securely, can be put close you, like a crossbody or waist pack and are RIFD secure. Try to carry credit/debit cards rather than cash. Even better, make sure your electronic version is set up in your phone. Carry photos of your passport and keep the original in the safe in your lodging. You will need to carry one physical piece of ID.
Here are your transit options for getting around the City of New York
1. Car: as we mentioned in Part 3, Arrival to NYC, driving in many parts of the City of New York is only for the most experienced and bravest of drivers (and this goes for all 5 boroughs). And it may not be because of navigation, but because of traffic, tolls and parking. Manhattan Island is only 22 miles in length and it can take you more than an hour to get from the Battery to the end at Broadway and West 220 Street, probably two. If you drive to NYC, invest in parking the car for your stay. If you drive a rental to NYC from another state, return it to the airport and then rent it again to return home. There are those temporary car rentals, such as Zip car locations around. If you have an account, check out the details. But don't forget to remember our NYC Traveler Tips for Your Trip about parking, tolls, etc!!
2. Subway: subways run in all five boroughs. Staten Island has a subway line that runs on the island only. To get to and from another borough involving SI, you must take a bus or ferry (or car...). The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), has a website and an app, which has been upgraded. You can enter your starting point and destination and it will tell you how to get there (and how long it may take). Simply tap a phone or debit or credit card (make sure your card can be tapped) on the subways or buses and you're on your way to getting around the City of New York. The metro card has been retired. It is being replaced by OMNY and they will sell temporary cards for you to load up and use if you don't want to use your phone or card. The old metro card did not tap, it was only a swipe. However, we old school New Yorkers are wondering why they just didn't upgrade the metro card and keep the name. Go figure.
3. Subway lines are color coded and use numbers (1-7) and letters (A-G, J, L-N, Q, W, Z). The letter S trains are shuttles and there are 3. Visitors most likely will use the 42nd street shuttle to go from Port Authority to Grand Central. The MTA has gotten much better with the signage but larger transfer stations can still be a little confusing until you learn your way around. Try to stand to the side of traffic while you look for the correct way to go. Don't stand in the middle of a walkway, people might be a wee bit annoyed (to say the least). And try not to stop walking. Someone will be right behind you and it won't be pretty when they slam right up on you.
4. Bus: The buses are great for shorter trips. There are now "bus only" lanes. The nice part about riding a bus in any city is that you can see the city. It's like getting a tour without paying a high price. Use the MTA website and app to plan your trip. Beware of express buses. You may have to purchase the ticket at the machine at the bus stop before you board. Express buses are best for going from one borough to another or to LaGuardia Airport.
5. Cabs and car services: cabs can be hailed (waved down in the street) in Manhattan, called by phone in the outer boroughs, caught by standing on line at the cab stand at the airports or ordered via an app. Car services work the same way as any other place. Local cars, such as the "dollar vans" are used by locals (if you happen to be traveling with one) and they take cash (only). This may be necessary for those who need more options for mobility such as wheelchairs, mobility scooters or complicated strollers. Many subways have elevators, but it can be complicated, crowded and sometimes a bit hazardous. Buses are a better option, but sometimes a car is needed, particularly a van. Be prepared to pay the fees for tolls.
6. Walking: For all the glamour that is in NYC, everyone walks, even rich folk, even famous people. Try getting off the bus or subway a couple of stops from your destination and walk the rest of the way. If you're stuck in traffic, it might be best anyway. Have a good map app on your phone. For the outer boroughs, there may be no rhyme nor reason with the layout of the streets. Ditto for Lower Manhattan. But if you are in Manhattan from about 14th Street up to even the 200's, there is some type of order. Streets run uptown and downtown (north and south) and avenues run crosstown (east and west). And we do say uptown, downtown and (a)cross town.
Addresses that are on avenues and named streets are best to find by looking up on a map. They will tell you what the cross street is.
There is a general rule that can be used for places located between 14th Street and 125th Street. For many places on those streets, there is actually a system. First of all, determine if your street is east or west. The streets between 6th Avenue and 12th Avenue (toward the Hudson River) are on the west side (and will say so, West 23 Street for example). The streets between 5th Avenue and York/1st Avenues (toward the East River) are on the east side and will say so, East 23 Street.
The addresses will go higher as they go toward the rivers. 1 East 14 Street will be near 5th Avenue. 500 East 14 Street will be near 1st Avenue. Not bad, huh? Or you can just use the GPS and map apps. Even easier.
7. Cycling: Bicycling around town increased tremendously in NYC during the pandemic, if that is even possible. There were many cyclists, already. but now there are even more. It can be a great way to see the city. However, if you are using it as a method of transportation, there are a few guidelines:
~You must ride in the streets and follow all traffic laws, including stopping at red lights.
~You cannot ride on the sidewalk (only very small children).
~You must go with the traffic, have a bell and have lights for dusk and night.
~Children under 16 must have a helmet and adults are strongly urged to wear one also.
~You should have 3 locks: one for the frame to the parking place (trees, poles, fences and street lamps are illegal) and one each to lock each tire to the frame. Look for official bicycle posts to lock up your bike.
~Bike maps are free in bike shops.
~You can rent a bicycle from a bike shop or use Citi Bike and return it to a kiosk when you reach your location.
-If you are not used to cycling on city streets with traffic, it's best to just cycle in the parks, such as Central Park, Prospect Park, Cunningham Park, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Van Cortlandt or the many parks in Staten Island if you are not experienced with urban cycling.
8. Tour buses: you will see people in red jackets selling you tour rides in sightseeing buses. Hop on, hop off buses are great ways to see the sights and they plan the route for you. Some tickets include a location, like the Empire State Building. Since it is difficult to determine who is legitimate or not on the streets, it is best to buy your ticket online or through your travel consultant. Check with your hotel concierge.
9. Private tours are also available. Make sure you research very carefully consult your travel consultant or hotel concierge.
10. Local friends and family: asking a friend about getting around NYC can be valuable and you may end up with a tour guide. Many times, locals have not been to all of the sightseeing places and it could be fun for both of you.
Happy Travels!
The NYC Traveler Presents Tips for Your Trips
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All photos and videos created and copyrighted by Marcia Crayton, unless otherwise noted.
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