Getting around the city

NYC Subway System and Local Buses

1. Cost/MetroCard Options:

• Pay-Per Ride Metro Card
• Base Fare: $2.50
• ***Any time you add $5.00 or more to your MetroCard you will receive a Pay-Per-Ride Bonus of an additional 5% more on your card.
• There is a $1 fee charged for purchasing a new MetroCard at station booth, vending machines or commuter rail stations.
• These MetroCards allow automatic free transfers between subways and buses, or between buses.
• 7 day Unlimited pass (allows for unlimited access to the NYC Subway and Bus system over a 7 day consecutive period)
• Cost: $30.00
• 30-Day Unlimited Pass (allows for unlimited access to the NYC Subway and Bus system over a 30 day consecutive period)
• Cost: $112.00
• Single Ride Ticket
• Cost: $2.75
• ***These tickets are sold in vending machines only. Must be used within 2 hours of purchase; no transfers are included within this price***

Local Buses 

1. Where to Get the Bus: Bus stops are located every two to three blocks. Buses marked “limited” make fewer stops.
2. Express Buses: NYC operates approximately 61 express bus routes, most of these routes run during the weekday rush hour only.

Yellow Taxi Cab

1. How to get a Taxi: One can hail a taxi merely by walking to the edge of the street and lifting ones arm straight up into the air. Additionally, one can also get a taxi by waiting at one of the numerous taxi stands throughout the city.
2. ***Important Note: Only “Yellow” (yellow colored) taxis displaying an emblem on the side of the car are certified NYC taxis*** DO NOT TAKE UNMARKED CARS AT ANY TIME.
3. Cost:

• Standard City Rate
• $2.50 upon entrance into the taxi cab
• $0.50 for each additional unit
• The unit fare is:
• One-fifth of a mile, when the taxicab is traveling at 6 miles an hour or more; or 60 seconds when not in motion or traveling at less than 6 miles per hour.
• There is a night surcharge of $.50 after 8:00PM & before 6:00AM
• There is a peak hour Weekday Surcharge of $1.00 Monday-Friday after 4:00PM and before 8:00PM
• There is a New York State Tax Surcharge of $.50 per ride

Safety Tips for Travelers

• Avoid drawing attention to yourself as a tourist: don't stand on street corners looking at maps and do your best to walk confidently, as this will deter many criminals.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• In crowded subways, keep your wallet in your front pocket, rather than the rear, and keep your purse closed and held in front of you or on the side.
• Don't flaunt jewelery, cameras, your smart phone or cash in public. If you need to organize your wallet, duck into a store.
• Use caution when using ATMs and don't carry too much cash around with you -- most places accept credit cards and there are ATMs everywhere.
• After dark, stick to main streets if you don't know where you are going.
• If you feel uncomfortable or lost, approach a police officer or a friendly store owner to get your bearings or directions.
• When in doubt of your destination or the safety of a neighborhood, take a cab, especially late at night.
• Many business districts are desolate at night -- keep this in mind when deciding whether to walk or take a cab.
• If taking the subway late at night, stand near the "During off hours trains stop here" sign or in view of the Metro-Card booth. Ride in cars with more people and preferably in the conductor's car (you will see him look out the window of the train when it stops).

That all said, should you find yourself the victim of a crime, contact a police officer. In case of an immediate emergency, call 911. Otherwise, contact 311 (free from any pay phone) and you will be directed to an officer who will be able to take a report. 311 calls are answered 24 hours a day by a live operator.