Getting Around New York City: Transport Apps & Your First 48 Hours
New York has the most extensive transit system in the country, it runs 24/7, and you tap to ride with the card already in your pocket. The traps are small and mostly about paying the smart way.
The short version
- The subway is the best and cheapest way to get around, and OMNY is how you pay. The subway, buses and more all run on one tap-to-ride system from the MTA.
- Tap a contactless bank card or phone — that's OMNY. Same fare as a MetroCard, no card to buy.
- One flat fare: a subway ride is a flat $3.00, with up to two free transfers within two hours.
- It caps automatically: once your taps hit about $35 in a week, the rest of the week is free.
- The subway runs all night, every day — unusual among world cities.
Do you need a MetroCard?
No — and you mostly can't get one anymore. The MetroCard has been retired: as of 2026 it's no longer sold or refillable, and the city has moved to OMNY, its tap-and-go system. So the simplest way to ride is to tap a contactless credit or debit card, or your phone, straight on the reader. No contactless card? Buy a reusable OMNY card for $2 at a station vending machine and load it. The weekly cap replaces the old unlimited pass: once you've paid about $35 in a 7-day window with the same card or device, every ride after that is free.
Protect your weekly cap
Tap the same card or device every time. Switching between your physical card and the same card on your phone reads as two separate cards and resets your progress toward the cap.
Getting around: the basics
The subway is the backbone — fast, frequent and running 24 hours a day. It's backed by buses (local, Select Bus Service and express), plus ferries and the PATH train to New Jersey. One OMNY tap covers the subway and local buses, with up to two free transfers within two hours. Two things first-timers should know:
- Express vs local trains. On many lines, express trains share the tracks with local trains and skip most stops. Check your station is served before you board, or you'll sail right past it.
- Uptown vs downtown. Some stations have separate entrances for each direction, and you may not be able to switch platforms without exiting. Check the sign before you go down.
The cheapest reliable option
OMNY with the weekly cap is the cheapest reliable way to get around — it charges single fares but never more than the weekly cap, so it can't overcharge you. Stretch it further by walking (Manhattan's grid is very walkable and numbered) and using free subway-to-bus transfers. Two budget extras worth knowing: the Staten Island Ferry is free and passes the Statue of Liberty, and Citi Bike is cheap for short hops with a day pass and dense across Manhattan and Brooklyn.
The apps worth installing
Here's the NYC surprise: for fares, you barely need an app — your bank card or phone is the ticket. What helps is a planner and a ride app.
| App | What it does |
|---|---|
| MTA (official) | Subway/bus routes, live service changes and delays |
| Google Maps / Citymapper | Clear door-to-door routing across all transit |
| Uber / Lyft | Ride-hailing, widely available citywide |
| Curb | Hail and pay for licensed yellow cabs by app |
| Citi Bike | Unlock and pay for bike-share |
One planner (Google Maps or the MTA app) plus tapping to ride is genuinely enough. Add one ride app for late nights. Driving and parking in Manhattan isn't worth it for visitors.
Arrived launches soon. Get the right transport setup the moment you land.
Join the waitlistFrom the airport
New York has three major airports, and the smart route is different at each. Only the JFK and LaGuardia routes use OMNY; Newark is in New Jersey with its own ticketing.
| Airport | Best value option | Time to Midtown | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| JFK | AirTrain + subway (or LIRR) | ~35–75 min | AirTrain (~$8.75) takes OMNY; LIRR is faster, costs more |
| LaGuardia (LGA) | Q70 bus + subway | ~45–70 min | Closest airport, but no train — bus-to-subway or a cab |
| Newark (EWR) | AirTrain + NJ Transit to Penn | ~30 min | Best-value train; separate NJ Transit ticket, not OMNY |
A few specifics that trip people up. JFK: the AirTrain links every terminal to the subway (A train at Howard Beach, or E/J/Z at Jamaica) or the faster LIRR; the flat yellow-cab fare to Manhattan is $70 plus tolls and tip. LaGuardia: no subway or AirTrain, so it's the free Q70 bus to a subway line, or a taxi/rideshare. Newark: the AirTrain to NJ Transit reaches Penn Station in about 30 minutes and is excellent value — but for 2026 the Newark AirTrain is suspended on weekday daytimes for construction, with free shuttle buses replacing it, so allow extra time.
A quick word on safety
The subway is generally safe, including late at night, and millions ride it around the clock without issue. Common sense covers most of it: stick to busier, well-lit cars and platforms, keep your phone and bag secure on crowded trains, and trust your instincts. For rides, use a yellow cab (hail one with its roof light on) or a booked app, and skip anyone offering a ride from an unmarked car.
Taxis and ride apps
Easy, but rarely the cheapest. Yellow cabs can be hailed on the street or at ranks, are metered, and charge the flat $70 fare from JFK to Manhattan. Uber and Lyft are everywhere and show your price upfront with tolls included, but use surge pricing at peak times. Curb lets you book a traditional yellow cab by app. Add your payment details before you travel so you're not fumbling on arrival.
What to skip in your first 48 hours
- Mixing your card and phone — tap with the same one every time, or you'll break your weekly cap.
- Boarding an express train by mistake — check your stop is served before the doors close.
- Assuming the subway stops at night — it runs 24/7, so you rarely need a pricey late-night cab.
- Taking the Newark AirTrain on a weekday afternoon without checking — it's replaced by shuttle buses during daytime construction in 2026.
- Accepting a ride from an unmarked car — use a yellow cab or a booked app instead.
- Downloading five apps — a planner plus one ride app is plenty.
Best option by travel style
| You are… | Default option | App | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget traveler | Subway and bus on OMNY; Citi Bike for short hops | MTA | The weekly cap guarantees the cheapest fare automatically |
| First-time visitor | Subway for distance, walking the grid | Google Maps | Tap-to-ride is simple, and Manhattan is easy on foot |
| Traveler with luggage | AirTrain + train from JFK/EWR, then a short ride | Uber / Lyft | Fast airport rail plus an easy final hop to the door |
| Late-night arrival | The 24/7 subway, or a booked ride | Uber / Lyft | Trains always run; a ride app covers door-to-door ease |
| Mobile-first | Tap in with your phone; plan in an app | MTA + one ride app | Your phone is the ticket, and capping works on it |
| Wants the easiest option | Ride apps door to door | Uber / Lyft | Tap, ride, arrive — no transit to learn |
| Wants few apps | Contactless tap plus one planner | Google Maps only | No fare app needed — your bank card does the work |
Fares, caps and routes change — confirm current details on the official MTA, Port Authority and airport websites before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a MetroCard in New York?
- No. The MetroCard has been retired and is no longer sold. Just tap a contactless bank card or phone (OMNY), or buy a $2 OMNY card if your card isn't contactless.
- What's the cheapest way to get around NYC?
- OMNY pay-as-you-go with the weekly cap. It charges the flat $3.00 fare but never more than about $35 in a week, after which rides are free. Walking and the free Staten Island Ferry help too.
- Does Uber work in New York?
- Yes. Uber and Lyft are widely available, and Curb lets you hail a yellow cab by app. Yellow cabs can also be flagged down on the street.
- How do I get from JFK, LaGuardia or Newark to Manhattan?
- From JFK, take the AirTrain to the subway or LIRR. From LaGuardia, take the Q70 bus to a subway line (there's no train at LGA). From Newark, take the AirTrain to NJ Transit into Penn Station — the best-value option, though it uses separate NJ Transit tickets.
- Is the New York subway safe at night?
- Generally yes, and it runs 24/7. Use common sense — busier cars, secure belongings, well-lit platforms — and take a cab or rideshare late if you prefer the convenience.
- Do I need cash for the subway or buses in New York?
- No. Buses and the subway are tap-to-ride with OMNY, and ride apps charge your linked card. You rarely need cash to get around.