New York Subway: Map, Lines, Fares, Schedules, and Much More
The New York Subway is one of the largest and oldest transportation systems in the world. Opened in 1904, it operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, connecting the five boroughs of the city through more than 470 stations.
Here you will find all the information you need to navigate like a local through the network of lines and stations that make up the New York Subway.
New York Subway Fares
The cost of a ride on the New York Subway is $2.90 for most users. It is also possible to transfer for free within a two-hour period between subways and buses, as long as you use the same payment method. If you opt for an express bus, the cost is $7. Additionally, children under 1.12m in height can travel for free when accompanied by a paying adult. For frequent travelers, there are options like the 7-day or 30-day unlimited cards, offering significant savings.
Accepted Payment Methods
To pay your fare, you can use OMNY, a contactless payment system that works with credit/debit cards, smartphones, or rechargeable OMNY cards. You can also opt for the traditional MetroCard, available at stations and retail locations. Both options allow for pay-per-ride or unlimited fares, depending on your transportation needs in the city.
New York Subway Schedules
The New York Subway operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, making it one of the most accessible transportation systems in the world. There are exceptions, and some services have reduced hours during the nights and weekends. Main lines usually have trains every 2-10 minutes during the day and less frequently at night. Local lines have a more consistent schedule, while express lines offer faster service during peak hours. Additionally, it’s important to be aware of potential disruptions or schedule changes due to maintenance or planned work, although they are usually announced in advance.
New York Subway Map
The official New York Subway service (MTA) offers various subway plans that can help you based on your needs, such as a real-time map, the traditional map, the night map, the accessible stations map, and many more. Follow the link to view the different available maps.
Uptown or Downtown?
Your first few days using the subway can be a bit confusing, even when you figure out which line you need to take, as you’ll need to reference a map to know which direction to go. In the New York Subway, the directions uptown and downtown indicate which part of the city the train is heading to. Uptown refers to the direction toward the north of Manhattan, meaning Upper Manhattan, including areas like Harlem or the Bronx. If you’re traveling downtown, your train is heading south, passing through areas like Lower Manhattan, and it may continue to Brooklyn or Queens, depending on the line. It’s important to pay attention to the signs at the stations and the posters inside the trains to make sure you’re traveling in the right direction. The station names or the letters/numbers of the lines usually indicate if the train is going uptown or downtown.
Details of the New York Subway Lines
The New York Subway system consists of 24 different lines, each with its own unique route and color, covering Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, with Staten Island not covered, which can be reached by road or ferry. Below is a description of each subway line:
- Line 1 (Red): Travels from South Ferry in Lower Manhattan to Van Cortlandt Park–242nd St in the Bronx, passing through Upper Manhattan. It is a local and very busy line.
- Line 2 (Red): An express line connecting Flatbush Avenue–Brooklyn College in Brooklyn to Wakefield–241st St in the Bronx, passing through Downtown Manhattan.
- Line 3 (Red): Similar to Line 2, Line 3 is express between New Lots Avenue in Brooklyn and Harlem–148th St in Manhattan, connecting to important transportation areas.
- Line 4 (Green): Connects Woodlawn in the Bronx to Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall in Manhattan, offering express service in several areas.
- Line 5 (Green): Travels from Eastchester–Dyre Avenue in the Bronx to Bowling Green in Manhattan, with express service in some parts.
- Line 6 (Green): A local line traveling from Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx to Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall in Manhattan, passing through the Upper East Side.
- Line 7 (Purple): Connects Flushing–Main Street in Queens to 34th Street–Hudson Yards in Manhattan, being the only line in its color.
- Line A (Blue): Travels from Inwood–207th St in the Bronx to Far Rockaway–Mott Avenue in Queens, being an express line covering areas like Harlem and Midtown.
- Line B (Orange): Connects Bronx Park East to Broadway Lafayette in Manhattan, providing express service.
- Line C (Blue): Similar to Line A, Line C is a local line connecting 168th Street in Manhattan to Rockaway Park–Beach 116th St in Queens.
- Line D (Orange): Travels from Fordham Road in the Bronx to Stillwell Avenue in Coney Island, Brooklyn, being an express line.
- Line E (Blue): Connects World Trade Center in Manhattan to Jamaica Center–Parsons/Archer in Queens, mainly a local service.
- Line F (Orange): From Jamaica–179th St in Queens to Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn, it is a local line crossing many Brooklyn neighborhoods.
- Line G (Green): A line entirely within Brooklyn, connecting Court Square in Long Island City to Culver Terminal in Coney Island.
- Line J (Brown): Travels from Broad Street in Manhattan to Jamaica Center–Parsons/Archer in Queens, covering areas in Brooklyn.
- Line Z (Brown): Similar to Line J, it connects Broad Street in Manhattan to Jamaica Center–Parsons/Archer in Queens, providing an express service.
- Line L (Gray): One of the busiest lines, it connects 8th Avenue in Manhattan to Rockaway Parkway in Brooklyn, crossing neighborhoods like Williamsburg and Bushwick.
- Line M (Orange): Connects Forest Hills–71st Avenue in Queens to Middle Village–Metropolitan Avenue in Brooklyn, a local line.
- Line N (Yellow): An express line traveling from Astoria–Ditmars Blvd in Queens to Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn, covering various points in Manhattan.
- Line Q (Yellow): From Astoria–Ditmars Blvd in Queens to Coney Island–Stillwell Avenue in Brooklyn, an express line.
- Line R (Yellow): Connects Astoria–Ditmars Blvd in Queens to Bay Ridge–95th St in Brooklyn, a local line covering several areas in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
- Line S (Silver): A set of bus and train lines that operate with limited services, mainly in areas of Manhattan and Staten Island.
- Line W (Yellow): Travels from Astoria–Ditmars Blvd in Queens to Whitehall Street–South Ferry in Manhattan, covering Midtown and Lower Manhattan.
