Exploring Nyc: Best Routes For An Unforgettable Journey

New York City is a bustling metropolis with a variety of transportation options for getting around. The city's extensive public transit system, including the iconic subway, buses, commuter trains, and ferries, offers an affordable and convenient way to navigate the city. Walking is also a great option, providing a more immersive exploration experience, especially in Manhattan with its easily navigable grid layout. For those seeking comfort and convenience, ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available, along with the famous yellow taxis that are synonymous with the city. Each mode of transportation has its advantages and drawbacks, and choosing the best route depends on factors such as time constraints, budget, and personal preferences.

Walking in NYC

There are plenty of walking trails to choose from, and some of the most popular include the famous Central Park loop, which offers a beautiful, mostly flat walk through nature in the heart of Manhattan. The High Line is another unique option, an elevated rail track-turned-park with wildflowers, greenery, and art installations.

For those looking for a longer walk, the Hudson River Greenway is a paved trail that follows the river and is good for all ages and abilities. Brooklyn Bridge is another fun and scenic walk, offering views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan Bridge.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can even walk every block of NYC, as one person did over 12 years, clocking in at nearly 10,000 miles.

When walking in NYC, it's important to be aware of your surroundings. The sidewalks can get very crowded, and it's easy to collide with someone if you're not paying attention. It's also important to follow sidewalk etiquette and only walk two people abreast to avoid blocking foot traffic.

Walking is a great way to explore NYC, but it's also good to be mindful of the weather. Winters can be chilly, and summer may be better suited to the subway or other forms of transport.

Taking the subway

When navigating the subway system, it is important to refer to the various lines by their letter or number, not the colour, as trains with the same colour can have very different routes. Look out for helpful maps at the stations, and note that most trains are marked as going "Uptown" or "Downtown". Be mindful that some trains are express trains, which skip certain stops, so ensure you are not on one of these if you need to get off at a particular stop.

If you plan to ride the subway multiple times during your visit, it might be worth purchasing a 7-Day pass for $32, which offers unlimited rides for seven days from the first day of use. You can buy a MetroCard at any station, and many machines accept credit cards. However, a word of caution: if your card doesn't seem to work the first time you swipe it, do not move to another turnstile. Continue swiping at the original turnstile, as moving to another one will nullify your card or charge it again.

To make your subway experience easier, there are many free smartphone apps available, such as MYmta, which is frequently updated with information on each line and is a handy tool for trip planning. Google Maps is also great for plotting your course, as it has integrated service information, as well as details on stations, schedules, and the onboard experience.

• Hold on to something, especially if you're standing. The way the trains stop and start can be unpredictable, and you don't want to end up in a stranger's lap.
• If you're standing, take your backpack off your back to create more space for those around you.
• Avoid empty train cars, as they may be empty due to a mess or a bad smell. It's usually better to wait for the next train if necessary.
• When boarding, stand to the side to let people off before you get on.

The New York City subway is a great way to get around the city, offering an efficient and affordable means of transportation to explore all that the city has to offer.

Getting a taxi

Firstly, it's important to know how to tell if a taxi is available. On the roof of every taxi is a small panel displaying the taxi's medallion number. The centre light being lit indicates the taxi is available, no lights means it's occupied, and the entire panel being lit means the cab is off-duty. If an off-duty taxi driver asks you where you're going and it's on their route, they may still pick you up as their last fare.

When hailing a taxi, it's best to go to a corner and make sure you're hailing in the direction you're headed. Stay far enough from traffic, and confidently extend your arm as if you do it every day. If there are lots of people trying to hail cabs in the same block, try walking a few blocks in the direction you're headed or to a side street.

When you get into the taxi, tell the driver your destination. It's best to give a landmark or a street intersection, e.g. "the corner of Canal Street and Broadway", rather than a specific address. You don't need to give an address if you can help it, as drivers will usually know popular destinations and can rely on GPS if needed.

Taxis in New York are metered, with fares starting at $2.50, plus $0.70 per 1/5 mile if travelling above 12 mph, or per 60 seconds in slow traffic or when the vehicle is stopped. There are also various surcharges depending on the time and day of the week, and any tolls for crossing bridges or tunnels. The total fare will be displayed on the meter, and you should not let the driver tell you a different price.

You can pay with cash or credit card, but drivers are not required to accept bills larger than $20. The credit card machine is located in the passenger section of the cab, so you don't hand your card to the driver. It will tell you the total fare and suggested tips (usually 15-20%).

Finally, taxi drivers are required to take you to any destination in New York City, so if you come across a driver who refuses, you can report them to the TLC (Taxi and Limousine Commission).

Using a ride-hailing app

Uber

Uber is the most well-known and popular ride-sharing app. It has provided 5 billion trips worldwide and is available in over 600 cities in more than 65 countries. Uber allows users to select a destination and request a ride, with nearby drivers then being able to choose to pick them up. Uber also offers a carpooling option called Uberpool, as well as the ability to schedule rides in advance. One unique feature is Ride Pass, which, for a monthly fee, guarantees lower fares during periods of high demand. Uber is also pursuing other avenues of business growth, including electric scooters, bike-sharing, and even self-driving vehicles.

Lyft

Lyft is the second-most popular ride-sharing app and is available throughout the US and in 9 cities in Canada. Similar to Uber, it allows users to select a destination and request a ride, with the option to carpool with others. Lyft has also been exploring other mobility options, including electric scooters, bike-sharing, and self-driving vehicles.

Waze Carpool

Waze began as a crowd-sourced navigation app but now offers a ride-sharing feature. Drivers can opt to pick up other people heading in the same direction, and set a price for the ride. It is currently available in the US, Brazil, Mexico, and Israel, with drivers limited to two carpools per day.

Curb Mobility

Curb Mobility provides taxi services in cities across the US. Riders can hail a taxi or schedule a trip up to 24 hours in advance through the Curb Rider App. One benefit of Curb is that riders know they will be driven by licensed taxi drivers.

Via

Via is a ride-hailing app that allows passengers to request a ride from a smartphone app. It also allows commuters to pay for their journeys via "commuter benefit" schemes. It currently only operates in select cities in the US and worldwide. One unique feature is ViaPass, which offers unlimited rides within Manhattan for a monthly fee.

Other Ride-Hailing Apps

There are several other ride-hailing apps available, including Arro, RideAustin, BMW's ReachNow, Safr, HopSkipDrive, Wingz, and Flywheel. These apps offer various features such as female driver options, flat-rate pricing, and the ability to schedule rides in advance.

Taking a bus

Taking the bus is a great way to get around New York City, especially if you want to enjoy the view or need a rest from walking. The city's buses are run by the Metropolitan Transport Authority (MTA) and there are nearly 6,000 vehicles in the fleet.

Tickets and Fares

MTA buses are inexpensive and easy to use. A single-ride ticket costs $2.90 and can be purchased with a MetroCard, a contactless credit or debit card, or exact change in coins (no notes or pennies). If you're paying in cash, make sure you have the exact fare ready, as bus drivers cannot provide change.

If you plan to use the bus a lot, it might be worth buying a MetroCard. These can be purchased in subway stations, bus stations, and local stores, as well as online. With a MetroCard, each bus ride will cost you $2.75. You can choose between a Pay-Per-Ride card, which you can load with as many rides as you like, or an Unlimited Ride card, which offers unlimited rides for a week or 30 days.

Bus Routes and Schedules

Buses run on a grid system and cover uptown, downtown, and crosstown routes, with stops on every corner or every other corner. There are local buses with frequent stops, as well as express lines that eliminate local stops for a quicker journey. The Select Bus Service (SBS) is even faster but requires prepayment before boarding.

Most buses run 24 hours a day and are usually on time and frequent. However, some routes only operate during peak hours or weekdays, so be sure to check the schedule for your desired route.

Onboarding and Rules

When boarding the bus, always use the front door. This is where you'll find the machine to insert your MetroCard or coins to pay your fare. If you need to speak to the driver, do so quickly to avoid holding up the bus. Use the central or rear doors to exit the bus.

Keep in mind that the first few seats are reserved for senior citizens and people with disabilities. If the doors don't open automatically, simply push along the yellow lines and they will open towards the outside.

To request a stop, press the red STOP button or pull the yellow cord along the windows. Between 10 pm and 5 am, you can ask the driver to let you off at a specific place along the route, even if it's not an official stop.

Transfers

If your journey requires a transfer to another bus or the subway, you can get a free transfer ticket. This is valid for two hours from the time of your original fare. Simply tell the bus driver that you need to make a transfer, and they will give you a single-use MetroCard to use when you board the next bus or train.

Accessibility

All MTA buses are accessible for riders who use a wheelchair. The bus driver can lower the bus or deploy a ramp or lift to assist passengers in boarding, and there is priority seating available for seniors and passengers with disabilities.

Frequently asked questions