After living in New York City for four months as a student intern, I learned a lot about how to navigate through the city streets using public transportation and, when necessary, taxis. It isn't always easy, but with a few helpful tools anyone can get where they want to go even if they've never been to NYC before. Whether you're visiting the city for a short time, or moving there to stay, below are some tips to getting around in NYC that I picked up along the way.
Tips on Traveling in NYC:
- Always know where you are going ahead of time if you can! I liked to get detailed directions to every location so that I would not stick out as a "tourist" on the subway. Here are two very helpful websites that will explain step-by-step how to use public transportation--
1. HopStop.com is the first place to turn to. It will give you detailed directions on where to pick up the subway, which lines toget on, and how many stops there are before you get off. Additionally, it allows you to customize your trip with a number of different options. For example, if you would prefer to only take the bus and not the subway, you can change your preferences. HopStop will also give you the estimated taxi cost of your trip as well, if you decide you would rather take a cab.
2. If you are more of a visual person, Google Maps will show you the exact route you will be taking. Using its satellite imagery, you can virtually make the trip. Sometimes I liked to see how far away the subway station was from where I was going. This is especially helpful if you are going to an area that doesn't follow the "grid" of NYC.
- When traveling, do not bring a map with you! Try to memorize the directions, or write them in your phone as a note. That way you will blend in with the crowd and no one will notice that you're unsure of where you're going. Of course, if you have a smart phone, you can be looking at HopStop as much as you want!
- If you get lost and need to ask someone for help, try to ask an MTA employee, or someone working in a store. They are more familiar with the surrounding area, and more likely to give you the correct answer.
- Another helpful website is MTA.info, which will tell you if any of the busses or subway lines are currently experiencing delays or undergoing construction.
- When in Times Square or another tourist hotspot, do not stop in the middle of the road or sidewalk! It is annoying to everyone around you. If you want to take a picture, or you just want to stop to look around, move over to the side to allow others to keep walking.
- Taxis can be very expensive (my trip from the city to the Bronx was literally ten times more expensive than public transportation). However, they can be very useful if you are traveling at night, or if you made last minute plans and you don't know where you're going. The yellow cabs you see mainly in Manhattan accept both cash and credit cards, but I recommend having around forty to fifty dollars in cash with you, as some cabs won't take plastic.
- Overall, when you are in NYC, be safe and have fun! Enjoy being in the greatest city in the world!
