Subways are a fast, easy, and inexpensive way to get around the city. Trains run 24 hours a day, with waiting time between trains normally just a few minutes, depending on the time of day. The 714-mile New York City subway system has 468 stations serving 24 routes - more than any other system in the world. It operates 24 hours a day, is safe, and is used daily by more than 3.5 million people.

Subways traverse Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx; Staten Island is served by the Staten Island Railway, with connections to the Staten Island Ferry from the St. George station. The SIR trains run 24/7; the fare is the same as for bus/subway.

Routes are identified by letters, such as A B C and by numbers, such as 1 2 3. The different lines are different colors. Free subway maps are available in the Official NYC Guide, at NYC's Official Visitor Information Center, and at any subway station booth.

The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA; 718/330-1234, non-English 718/ 330-4847) is the source for route and schedule information for subways and buses throughout the five boroughs.

Tips
Subway Entrances: Subway entrances in New York are usually found on street corners, marked with a staircase descending to the station. The stop will have a large green ball outside (indicating a booth inside where you can buy tokens or MetroCards) or red ball (no token booth inside; you must have fare available to enter).

Uptown/Downtown: Directions will usually be to take either an uptown or downtown train; there are also several crosstown shuttles. Many subway entrances specify Uptown Only or Downtown Only, meaning trains on the platform accessed by that specific entrance will be going in only one direction. A platform with trains running in the opposite direction will most likely be across the street behind you - an entrance across the street to your left or right will most likely have trains running in the same direction. Generally, subway stops for uptown are on the east side of the street, downtown on the west. Streets ascend in number as they run north. For example: If you're at 14th Street and your destination is 50th Street, you'll be going uptown (to get to midtown).

Cost: The cost is $1.50 per ride, no matter how far or how many times you transfer (as long as you don't pass through the turnstile gate; if you do, another fare must be paid). Purchase either tokens (coins for each ride) or a MetroCard, which can save you money on multiple rides. Options include the $4 one-day Fun Pass; the 7- ($17) and 30-day ($63) unlimited ride cards; and a pay-per-ride card ($10 for 11 rides but you may put any amount onto a MetroCard).

Please note that in May, subway and bus fares will be raised to $2. Monthly unlimited-ride MetroCards will also rise to $70, from $63, with insurance for lost cards; weekly cards will increase from $17 to $21; one-day "fun passes" will go up to $6 or $7 from the current $4; and express bus fares will jump from $3 to $4. But riders will get a free ride for every five purchased at the regular price, instead of the current bonus for every 10 rides.

Transfers: If you pay your fare with MetroCard, you may transfer free from bus to subway, subway to bus, or bus to bus within two hours of the time you paid your fare. Unlimited Ride MetroCard includes all transfers, at no charge.

Where to Get a MetroCard: There are 3,500 MetroCard merchants throughout the city including NYC's Official Visitor Information Center and many subway stations and hotels.

Getting Information in the Station: There is a Passenger Information Center bulletin board near the main booth in every station, with subway map and map of the area immediately surrounding the station. Station booth agents can give you directions and a free subway map.

Going Through the Turnstiles: Slide your MetroCard through the slot in the top of the turnstile or deposit your token in the turnstile and walk through. You might need a little practice sliding your MetroCard. Insert as directed on the card: Make sure the black stripe is facing you; slide with the M of MetroCard going through first; slide the card not too quickly and not too slowly. There will be a text message on the turnstile saying if entry is granted ("GO") or not. If entry doesn't happen, follow instructions to slide the card again at that turnstile (you'll lose the fare if you switch turnstiles) or to put more money on the card. People in wheelchairs may pay their fare by alerting the station booth agent that they are about to enter the system. They can then pay their fare and the station booth agent will open the special entry gate for them. Autogate is a place near the turnstile where mobility-impaired customers can enter the subway with a special Autogate MetroCard.

Boarding the Right Train: Follow the signs displaying the subway route you want to take. At the platform edge abovehead you'll find signs that tell which trains stop there and the direction the trains are going, such as Uptown (northbound), Downtown (southbound), or Brooklyn-bound. The front and side of every train display the route number or letter. In many instances, more than one train route stops at a platform so you'll want to be sure to read the route number before you get on.

Knowing When to Get Off: Conductors make announcements so you'll know the next stop along the line. To be sure you're traveling in the right direction, check the subway map. Every subway car has a map posted on the wall by a door; new cars have route maps suspended from the ceiling with scrolling announcements of each stop.