NYC transit question

[chained2thedesk]

I'm taking the family to New York City for a few days this week and wondered about the transit system.

We've used Boston's T, the Metro in Washington D.C., the TTC in Toronto and the Metro in Montreal and never once felt unsafe.

What is everyone else's opinion of using public transit in NYC? Since we're heading down there via Amtrak, we can either hoof it, take the subway to shell out big bucks for cabs, which I would prefer not to do.

I always expect the worst.

Is my gut feeling correct, or will I be pleasantly surprised?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Moderator1]

I haven't used it extensively but I've never felt unsafe. I never know quite what I'm doing but I always manage to end up close to the right place.

 

[KP]

I've used it a bit as well and never felt unsafe. (Taken it from Midtown up to Yankee Stadium more than a couple other times.)

 

[Baron Scicluna]

The subway is a lot safer than it was about 20 years ago. I've taken it, and been fine.

 

[JackReacher]

The subway in NYC is surprisingly easy to figure out once you ride once or twice and study the map for a few minutes.

I've only felt unsafe a few times, but that was at 4 a.m. after a couple beers.*








Couple = couple dozen.

 

[Smasher_Sloan]

You'll be fine. Depending on how much you'll be using the system, looking into buying the unlimited use Metrocard.

 

[Moderator1]

Speaking of questions - if I fly into Kennedy, can I take that train/bus out of there to the subway or do I have to ride the Long Island train into town?

 

[schiezainc]

The NYC Subway is a bit hectic in terms of the crowds but it's actually fairly easy to navigate and a good way to get around. Bring a subway map with you just to make sure you know what you're doing and as long as you're not by yourself at 4 a.m. on a weekend, you should be fine.

 

[gingerbread]

It's safe, it's clean, it mostly runs on time, it's air-conditioned and, sometimes, you can even understand what the conductor is saying. If you're lost, ask someone for help. NYers are usually happy to help; tourists are less happy, probably because they believe they're being pulled into some scam.

I take the subway from Manhattan to Harlem to Queens and back again, several times a week, and often at odd-hours. I find if you smile at other riders, they'll smile back. There is absolutely no reason not to use the subway as a mode of transportation in NYC.

 

[dreunc1542]

Backing up what everyone has said here. A group of my close friends and my sister live near each other in Harlem. I've been in town 6-7 times during the past year and ridden the subway at all hours throughout the city and never had an issue. Same goes for the people I know who live there.

 

[Brooklyn Bridge]

Subway is clean and easy to navigate once you learn the system. A complete 180 from the 70s and the Death Wish/ original Pelham 123 days.

 

[old_tony]

I lived there in 1984 and had no problem and have been back numerous times since with it being better and better with each trip. Last time was 2007 and it was amazingly clean and safe.

 

[JackReacher]

Speaking of questions - if I fly into Kennedy, can I take that train/bus out of there to the subway or do I have to ride the Long Island train into town?

I've stayed at the JFK Marriott before and remember the Howard Beach subway stop being real close by.

 

[Brooklyn Bridge]

Speaking of questions - if I fly into Kennedy, can I take that train/bus out of there to the subway or do I have to ride the Long Island train into town?

I've stayed at the JFK Marriott before and remember the Howard Beach subway stop being real close by.

The Air Train stops at Howard Beach and takes you (eventually) back into Manhattan.

PS if I'm not mistaken that is Duke Ellington's famous "A" Train.

 

[Frank_Ridgeway]

Weekdays, the subway is unquestionably the fastest mode of transportation in Midtown or downtown. Sometimes traffic can make walking faster than a bus or cab. Late nights, cabs are much faster because public transportation doesn't run as often.

 

[BYH]

It ****ing sucks.

 

[Colton]

It ****ing sucks.

Outstanding.

 

[spnited]

It's safe, it's clean, it mostly runs on time, it's air-conditioned and, sometimes, you can even understand what the conductor is saying. If you're lost, ask someone for help. NYers are usually happy to help; tourists are less happy, probably because they believe they're being pulled into some scam.

I take the subway from Manhattan to Harlem to Queens and back again, several times a week, and often at odd-hours. I find if you smile at other riders, they'll smile back. There is absolutely no reason not to use the subway as a mode of transportation in NYC.

WFW.

 

[The Big Ragu]

Speaking of questions - if I fly into Kennedy, can I take that train/bus out of there to the subway or do I have to ride the Long Island train into town?

Surprisingly I had never done this until a few months ago. ... but the A train (which is really convenient to where I live) goes out to Kennedy and it is a pretty quick trip. When you get there, there is a shuttle train that gets you to the terminals. It's an easy transfer from one to the other and it's a great deal. If I remember correctly, it is $2 for the subway and another $5 for the airport shuttle, which is a lot less expensive than a cab. And no traffic worries.

As for the NYC subway system. ... I live on it. You are perfectly safe if you stay in the places a tourist is going to go. And you are honestly safe anywhere else, too. I've just found that it is hard for people who don't ride it a lot to figure it out, but don't be bashful and ask people questions. They will be more helpful than you would believe.

 

[Boom_70]

Subway is best way to get around NYC. Suggest that you get a subway map and study it a bit prior to riding. It then won't be as daunting as it first looks.