How to Talk about the New York City Subway
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The New York City subway system is usually the most efficient and fastest way to get around the
city. (However, don’t be surprised if your subway is not running on the weekends (construction) or if
there is a delay).
The Basics about the NYC Subway System
The MTA runs the NYC Subway system, and they provide a free, official NYC Subway Map.
Most of the subway lines in Manhattan go north and south. It’s more
difficult to go east and west; only the S (Shuttle) and the L go east and
west in Manhattan.
You use MetroCards to ride the subways and buses, and they can be
purchased from a machine (only some stations have actual humans in
ticket booths). Tickets machines are at the entrance of most subway
entrances, and they accept cards and cash.
You can transfer for free to other lines and buses within a limited amount of time.
How to Talk about NYC Subway Lines
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New Yorkers refer to the subway lines by their number or letter (not their color).
We typically don’t say the word “train” or “line” when talking about the subway lines, but there are
exceptions.
Examples
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“You can take the two (2) or the three (3) uptown to the Upper West Side”
“Take the A. It’s an express, so it’s much faster.”
“The F train is down for construction. Take the G instead.
How to Get Directions or Ask for Help on the Subway
Despite their reputation, New Yorkers are kind and generous people, and they are happy to help you
if you need directions. They are also accustomed to offering directions to tourists from all around the
world.
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Use this language to ask for directions:
“Excuse me. Does this train go to Brooklyn?”
“No. This goes uptown, and you need to take the downtown train across the platform.”
“Excuse me. How do I get to Times Square?”
“Take the 2 and get off at forty-second street.”
“Excuse me. Does this train stop at 23rd Street?”
“No, this is an express. You need the local. Take the C.”
How to Use your MetroCard (ticket)
1. Slide your MetroCard through the ticket
reader at the turnstile.
2. Quickly make sure the turnstile read your
ticket correctly. If not, you may get one of
these error messages:
“Please swipe again”
You will not be charged another fare even if you swipe several more times or move to another
turnstile.
“Swipe card again at this turnstile”
If you move to a different turnstile, you may be charged another fare with Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard
or be prevented from entering the subway for 18 minutes with Unlimited Ride MetroCard.
“See Agent”
This message tells you there’s probably something wrong with your card and that you should see the
station agent.
“Just Used”
This message tells you that the card has already allowed one person to go through and you will have
to wait 18 minutes for the next person to be able to use it.
Source: http://www.mta.info/metrocard/easyuse.htm#sub
Notes about the NYC Subways
The subways in New York are not as clean as in other cities, though the MTA’s subway renovations
through the Capital Program have made a huge difference.
On NYC subways, there are often homeless people asking for money or entertainers working for
money. If you commute every single day, it’s not that uncommon to hear someone with a mental
illness talking to themselves or to their “invisible friends”.
Just like driving, if you’re riding on the subway during rush hour, don’t expect to get your own seat
on certain lines.
With all that being said, the New York City subway really is the best way to avoid traffic and get
somewhere fast, and it’s generally safe!
Don’t forget…
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Always let riders get off (exit) the train first, before you get on [board]. Stand to the side to let them
get off fast.
The conductors get really angry if you hold the subway doors open or don’t let them close! There
could be a train waiting behind yours that you are delaying.
If you sit on the subway looking at your open map or tourist guidebook, you will be spotted right
away as a tourist. Typically, this is not a problem–NYC is generally a safe city, and there are tons of
tourists all year long in NYC! But this could make you a target for theft, too. Non-New Yorkers are
easy to spot.
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