Is the NYC Subway safe?

Question

Is it okay to ride the subway late at night by yourself?

Answer 1

Yes - don't believe the hype, bring a book to read while en-route so that you don't have to make eye contact or talk to any weirdos and don't worry. If it was so dangerous millions of people would find another way to get around. Just be aware of your surroundings.

It's a fairly easy grid system, easy to navigate.Just figure out where/which line you should take and you will be fine.

If you are still full of worry, and it's very late - just take a cab - they are plentiful, and it will be worth it to feel secure . Sometimes if it's cold or where you are is a long walk from a subway stop, that's your best bet.

Answer 2

The NYC Subway is safe in general, but late at night by yourself is taking a chance. I have done it a few times, but I felt a little nervous. Just don't make eye contact with anyone; and if there are any freaks around, try to be invisible.

Answer 3

I have literally taken it hundreds of times between 10pm and 5am because I worked odd night shifts. I never had a problem but I usually took a very safe train only 2 stops from the East Village (Manhattan) to Brooklyn. I was/am a small to medium sized girl in my 20s. I tried to always get into the car with the most people. Sometimes a problem may arise when you are waiting for the train at that time. The trains don't run as often late at night and you might find yourself waiting 45min to over an hour in a desolate subway station. In most areas, it's rare that you will be the only person down there. There are usually a few drunk people going home from a bar/afterhours all the way past 5am.

The longer you are on a train and the further away from Manhattan it takes you, chances are you may be left in an empty car. Some trains go through 'bad' neighborhoods and dangerous people might get on at night. Unless you feel you can risk it and take care of yourself, it's sometimes better to take a cab if you live in a weird area.

For years, a friend of mine (very tiny girl who looks much younger than 22) used to take a combination of a bus and the 4, 5 or 6 train from a northern area of the Bronx all the way down to the East Village, every night at 1:30 or 2am to get to work by 3am. It's a long ride and she was always ending up in empty cars. She's had at least (no joke) 10-15 masturbaters with a few who tried to get physical. She fell asleep once and a man tried to put his penis in her face. Another tried to punch her when she stood up to run. The worst thing that happened to her was that a guy ran up and punched her in the face and broke her nose but that was on the street, in the Bronx, while she walked from the bus to the subway for her transfer. She said she encountered her worst problems on the 'green' line (4,5,6) from the Bronx down to above 42nd St. in Manhattan around 2 or 3am. But that is HER, I've never had a problem with any train but I don't ride them alone through too many 'bad' areas late at night.

Answer 4

it's pretty safe, but still feels kinda scary late at night when you're alone at a station, especially for a girl riding alone.

Answer 5

It's best to be cautious in most cities after dark, especially unfamiliar ones. But like any other location, some neighborhoods are safer than others.

Answer 6

It's not safe to walk around late at night anywhere but ppl still do it.

Answer 7

It's safe to go on... NOT at anytime later than 10 pm...

Answer 8

babe, in this crazy a$$ world we call society today, your own home isnt safe anymore, let alone a public transit system that transports millions everyday...

Answer 9

IT IS SAFE TO A CERTAIN EXTENT. MAKE SURE YOU ARE AWARE OF WHO IS AROUND YOU , MAKE MENTAL VISUAL PICTURES IN YOUR MIND. BE VERY CAREFUL.