Can you breif me on how to use a subway system?

Question

I'm going to tour nyc by myself this w/e. I'm afraid to do it by myself.. but everyone else is going to a football game.

Is it hard to learn? Should I attempt it as a first timer?

Please tell me how to use one and not get lost!

Answer 1

I rode the train all my life to school and the important thing you need is a metro card either get the unlimited 24 hour one or the 7 day ones if you're going to use the train for the whole week. Or you can get one filled with 10 dollars.

There's usually police around the train or on the platforms don't worry and their is usually personal at the booths in the station. There's also information on each booth.

Also if its the weekday and you going towards mahattan prepare to stand next to alot of people. Smart thing to do don't start your ride early in the morining or around 4 or 5 PM because thats when everyone leaves work.

Most train have train maps in each train cart and each time a train makes a stop a little announcerment will be like this *Next Stop Is ...*

When the train is moving hold on a handle bar so you don't fall especially when it brakes believe me I have fallen.

If you fell unsure about whats going ask someone around you all new yorkers aren't mean.

never run for train theirs always going to be another one after that. Keep personal good with you don't and if you see shady people don't flash valueables

All Train carts are air conditon or heated. And the ride is usually smooth and if you want to change carts wait for the train to stop.

Here's some Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ooG8lCIYFU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUXRL-S3Rnw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKzD6dfoxnw

You'll be fine don't believe in tv and movies I rode the train for high school in the deep Bronx and I was the shrimpy guy and nothing happend.

And bring a newspaper to read it makes you fell all business like ^_^

Wait I forgot something a lot of people used to tell me the middle of the train is the safest and usually where most people go so you won't be lonely

Answer 2

Using the Subway:

The key to their use is planning your trip in advance on a subway map. You can buy subway maps or get them for free at most stations & every station & train car has multiple map boards. You can even print them out from the NYtransit web site. [www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap] You start by looking for the stop closest to your destination. The maps show which trains stop there. (trains have either numbers or letters) Then look at the stop closest to your starting point. If the same train stops at both, congratulations. Then you need to know whether your destination lies North ("uptown) or South ("downtown"). Most Manhattan trains run "uptown" or "downtown" & keep their same letter designation or, if they run E/W off the island they'll carry a destination name. (Uptown=Harlem and Bronx; Downtown=Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn) If the same train does not stop at the beginning & ending station, you'll need to look for a station where both lines intersect so you can transfer. (Transfers cost nothing. Once in the system you can ride all day) You may find yourself traveling a bit out of your way to find a crossover. Before making your final pick of stations, read the key to the symbols at the station. All trains on the same line do not stop at all stations at all hours. NYC has "express" lines at some stations that have their own platforms & skip some intermediate stations. Some trains skip some stops outside of rush hour. Once inside the station, signs & arrows will direct you to the proper line & then to the uptown or downtown platform.

All trips are paid for by using cards, which you can by at a vending machine inside the station. They use a touch screen menu & you can feed them cash or a credit or debit card. You can buy a single trip, multi-trip, all day pass or weekly pass, by just tapping the menu selection on the screen. The same card is used for buses &
trains.

Go to: http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/maps/submap.htm -- for map & schedules.

Oh, and don't be afraid to ask strangers for help or directions. Most NYers love to help strangers.

Answer 3

Get a metro card and get on. Most stations have attendants too....but wither way, check the map on the wall of every station to find where you're going. Remember uptown trains go north into the bronx or queens and downtown trains take you into downtown or the financial district and into brooklyn.

Remember, dont go above 125 or below bowling green if you want to stay in manhattan.

Answer 4

The subways are well organized. The trains are numbered and colored. Just get a map. When you go into bigger stations like 14th Street Union Square or Canal Street, you'll have to walk depending if you are transferring to certain trains. The signs nevertheless are clearly visible.

Answer 5

It's easy to learn. I can't guarantee that you're going to not going to get lost. The subway uses letters and numbers for lines instead of colors like most other places, the letters and numbers are color coded and that represents the avenue in Manhattan that they service.

I would say yeah attempt it it's not as hard as it seems.

Answer 6

the subways are real easy to navigate, very good signs to direct you. you can always ask someone if you're not sure someone might even walk with you to make sure you get to the right place. Just please use the letter or number designations for the train you want , if you ask about the red, green etc line we won't know what you're talking about.
Enjoy, Have a good time, then go home

Answer 7

NYC subway is idiot proof.
First, take a map and know where you wanna go, decide on station to alight, the purchase a ticket.
purchasing a ticket is easy cuz its all 1 flat rate of 2USD no matter if its 1 station or 10 stations that u're alighting after. :)

Answer 8

No. subway system in NY is very friendly (not necessary safe tho). Get a subway map and mark where you start, mark the place that you want to go. Stop and change trains whenever the color changes.

Answer 9

It can seem confusing, but, despite what you may have heard, you can always ask someone. New Yorkers are always very happy to help. It's almost a matter of pride to be able to tell someone the best way to get someplace.