You’ll probably get to wherever you want in New York one way or another, but to make it easier, we listed the most used and efficient transportation options for you below.
As a side note, if you’re a first-time traveler to this metropolitan city, make sure you have your belongings securely with you all the time since there may be moments where you may not be able to check yourself in a rush.
Taxi
Yellow taxis of New York are an iconic part of the city used by thousands of passengers every day. According to the official website of the state administration, current standard taxi fares start initially from $2,50 plus 50 cents per 1/5 miles. The overnight charge between 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. is plus 30 cents. The charge fees may vary due to destinations beyond NYC or other counties.
Each taxi carries a roof box indicating whether it is available or not. If the roof box is illuminating, it means the cab is available, and if not, you may wait for another one. Just wave your hand on the street side to make yourself visible to the taxi drivers.
Subways
One of the easiest ways to get around in New York is via the subways. The city has a very elaborate subway system that connects every vital point, and it’s available 24/7. The cost per ride by MetroCard is $2,75. You can buy a MetroCard by using a MetroCard ticket machine located in the subway stations. To refill the MetroCard through station booths, mobile sales buses, or local retailers.
You can also find the live subway map on the official Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which guides you through each subway line and train arrivals.
Buses
Buses are a perfect option for a tour around the city to get a sight of attractive spots. You can use your MetroCard to take the buses conveniently. Most of the buses in New York are available 24/7, but it may depend on the route. The buses mainly operate every five to 15 minutes, but the intervals may get longer than expected due to high traffic.
You can get information on the current bus stops from the official MTA website or scan the QR code available in each stations’ stop pole via your smartphone.
Car
Although this option may not be so practical as others, driving a car in New York is an exciting experience. If you are not familiar with locations, you can use Google Maps or other navigation apps. There are also useful apps to learn about the designated parking spaces available in the city.
If you’re landing in the JFK Airport, La Guardia, or Newark, there are car rentals stationed in each one for a quick ride.
