How the NYC Subway Works
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- Опубликовано: 19 июн 2024
- Daniel explains how to navigate New York City using its robust subway system. Check out our course on Manhattan at www.brighttrip.com/courses/ho...
New York City can be confusing. On one hand you have the neat grid like streets of mid-town Manhattan and above. Go south and all of that order gets thrown out the window. If you think that's bad, have you ever taken a closer look at the city's subway? Daniel explains the history behind the Big Apple's iconic transit system and shows you how it works.
Leave a comment with any questions you have and we’ll make sure to include it in a future video.
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Making this was fun because there is so much to sift through. I heart NYC. I hope this is helpful! I know this is a resource I know i wish i had when i first lived in NYC. I love reading through all your comments so please keep letting me know your thoughts!
Very well done! I laughed out loud at the part about how an announcement could sound (almost drowned out by the racket). :-D
It also gave me so much nostalgia back when I used to live in New York City.
@I'm Joebama and I forget everything raddd! I want one!
Great video def a fan
You may come to China and try out the Beijing Subway. Looking forward to seeing your next video.
Disclaimer, I am a current MTA employee. To add to your info:
-Metrocards can only be swiped 4 times per station. If you have more than 4 people to swipe in get more than one card.
-if you are still lost or need bus information the booth agents are specifically trained to answer those questions.
-Metrocard machines will only allow you to use a credit card twice per 24hours. So don't use them to buy single rides or you will get frustrated wondering why your card doesn't work.
-Metrocard machines can only give $9 change maximum so you can't use a $50 or $20 bill to buy a single ride.
-express trains do not usually run late at night.
-subways are closed between 1am and 5am due to Coronavirus so expect to take a bus during those times.
-read any posted notices on subway platforms carefully because there is always track work or other construction going on which changes train schedules and stops. Ask a station agent for assistance.
Hope this helps.
Very relevant information, thank you so much for sharing it! 🙌
@@ED-ie3et Should or shouldn’t?
Are you a “New York City Transit” employee? Or a MTA Long Island RR employee that knows a lot about the whole MTA system?
Good info
@@silverskyscraper1179 the former.
I was born in and worked in NYC most of my life. No stranger to the subways. Excellent video. Nicely done. Yeah, don't be afraid to ask someone. NYC residents may seem scary to foriegners but they are actually nice people and happy to help for the most part. Avoid the ones talking to themselves...lol
Well said!
Scary, nah? The nicest and best people live here.Born and raised in Greenpoint,Brooklyn. I now live in Sheepshead Bay.I feel us New Yorkers really do look out for one another. When I was a teenage trying to navigate my way thru the subway system,people directed me and even walked me over to the correct platform.
I'm from Australia and my wife and I came to NYC in Sep/19. I found the subway very easy to get around and the signs were clearly marked with the different lines. I stayed near Times Square station and I knew which line to catch to go where we wanted to go, and my wife just followed her "husband map." I did encounter some strangers whilst transferring from JFK to Jamaica station to catch the E line train, so I wrote down what they did so I can explain my experiences to friends back home! I made one mistake by catching a wrong line train on 6th Ave, but quickly realised my error and changed at the next station. In Manhattan, at least 1-3 people per day were asking me for directions in the subway. I was aware that they weren't trying to distract me to steal anything, as I did look the real tourist! Nick...
No doubt on that. Way back - around 1989 or so. Super young, super scared and took a friend's bike out to Coney Island on the Subway, so i could ride it back and explore at the same time. Got a flat almost immediately, had zero idea on how the hell to get back to Greenwich. Super helpful folks navigated me to the B Bridge. To this day, one of the best walks ever in my life. Cafe Wha? Electric Lady, old CBGB location, Twin Towers, the Bull on Wall Street., etc. The more I relaxed the more fun I had.
but sometimes we have a bluetooth or are just singing along in our headphones!
The way you said "if you're interested in going to staten island.....?" 😂😭 love it
I just visited NYC last month for the first time while road tripping and I already miss it so much :(
I thought I was only going to stay for two days and ended up staying for five because I loved it so much. It’s so easy to get around with the subway and so much to see.
Honestly, it’s been the highlight of my trip, which I was not expecting. I can’t wait to go back.
That's amazing! Hopefully you can go back soon 😊
I lived in New York City for five years and I swear that subway system is made to confuse tourists...especially when there’s construction (which is always) and the trains start running on another line 🤣😂
Holy shit wtf, i love your videos
As a local, I love that the system confuses tourists.
@@josheydubs lol
Hi Damon!
It's only confusing because people don't really pay attention
Haha loved the little throwback clip saying "This is a Bronx bound 9 train" which hasn't existed since 2005
@@kiaracabrera Yup! It ran during rush hours as an alternate to the 1 train, going from south ferry in FiDi up to riverdale in the bronx
9 never ran R142 equipment for that announcement. Someone has the files for the announcements 😎
That was the good old days...
@@SPcaptor96 what the 8 train ?
@@hugge-ve5gu no it ran on the 1 line it would skip stops like 103 ,110,116
This is very helpful information. When I first moved to NYC, I was so intimidated by the subway system until I downloaded the MTA and bus tracker apps. I tried to take the bus everywhere (because I’m a scenic person and love being above ground), but realized that certain destinations were impossible to get to without using the subway train. I caught on really quickly and was able to get around with ease after a while.
“People are super nice” that made me chuckle 🤪
what it's pretty true, not tourists but us new yorkers
New yorkers are pretty nice if you don’t bother them too much!
@@gentlebabarian definitely
As long as tourists don't stop in the middle of the sidewalk and ask direct questions when need help, I'm very nice to them.
@@shayk4791 Even as a tourist you need some people knowledge who's approachable and who's not so much... There are no rules to that. Just look around and estimate random individuals how they'll probably react. An easy example is women with earbuds in, leave them alone, they get harassed all day their entire life by men and have their skillset for "working" with them. Businessmen in a quick hurry the same. Homeless people obviously... don't open a conversation with them, they may drag you into a mess. A male casual traveler, sure approach them kindly. Et cetera. It's also about how you look and come across like. Just be prepared to be ignored without being butthurt. Also be ready to ignore people who appear to be problematic, walk on and don't respond or you're stuck with them.
1:38 “The yellow line is the N,Q, & R.”
W: *Am I a joke to you?*
I mean the W train did go out of service for 6 years.
@@nyctmtakid8358 but the W is back!
To me, yes. Just use the N/R lines. It doesn't even run on weekends or late nights!
No, this video was posted 2020, he either made this earlier years or now. Cause if he made this video this year- he’s an idiot.
I checked to see the date of this video thinking it was made pre-2017 but then it said “1 week ago”, maybe he was looking at an old map?
@4:11, if after entering the train station and paying your fare, you discover that the train is going in the opposite direction than what you intended, don’t exit the station. Board the train (going in the wrong direction) and get off at the next express stop where you can cross over (underground) to switch directions and thereby avoid paying two fares.
Or you can see if there is a booth across the platform and if there is, you can tell the person inside and they should let you through since they can check your card and see when you last swiped. If there isn't a booth, you could just wait for someone to open the emergency door for you lol and people are usually nice enough
@@jerrywen5333 way too much effort. Just ride to the next Express stop and ride back. None of that other is guaranteed or legal.
Awesome tip, thanks!
Or just hop the turnstile
@@barrybshrekson864 if you wanna get that nice ticket and that paddy wagon ride for that, be our guest. Been there, done that, not willing to go through that again.
This was incredibly helpful! Thank you very much! I’ve ridden the NYC subway without much knowledge. Just decided the potluck approach because walking takes forever in a city with “mile” wide blocks. It was very fun regardless of where I ended up. I’ve had the same card for over 15 years now. Whenever I get up to the NE Penn station, I top it off and just have fun.
That's so cool!
I was born and raised in NYC. Took the subway to school and to work all my life. This video is SPOT ON for anyone visiting the city. GREAT WORK!
You know how you can tell if someone was born and raised in nyc ? They'll be sure to tell you
"Uptown" and "Downtown" are all in relation to Manhattan.
That actually is true. If it was in Brooklyn or Queens they would refer it to manhattan bound or something.
If you're in Manhattan and want to go to Queens, you just need to go to the right subway line and take the Uptown bound train on the "uptown" platform, or if you're heading Brooklyn you can take a downtown bound train on the "downtown" platform, remember to take the right train. Anyways you'll always see the signs saying "Downtown and Brooklyn" or "Uptown and Queens"
@@alejandrotorres5533 Unless you're in Harlem or north of Central Park, in which case you'd have to go Downtown and then transfer to the E, F, or J train to go to Queens.
@@captainbryce1 yea I forgot to mention that, but this info is good for tourists or new residents, and tourists rarely go after Central Park
@@alejandrotorres5533 wow lame tourists 🤣 they missing out
One thing I recall from New York, the people were very nice and understanding if you find the subway confusing. Plenty of people not only told me which subway to get, but tips to get wherever faster and easier (like which tracks are local or express). Just dont stand in the middle of the sidewalk to take pictures. Then they aren't so nice xD
Hahaha this is so true!
@@BrightTripTravel fun little story. I was in NY with my then girlfriend. I told her before hand, to just step to the side and then take a picture. All my teachings were of no good, especially when she wanted to take a picture of some statue, while standing in the middle of the sidewalk. Then this big Brooklyn looking guy yells in a thick Brooklyn accent: The sidewalks for walkin, not for lookin!
I was crying from laughter
I can back this up. I got on the wrong train one time and when I realized it I got off and asked a dude for help. He was super nice and told me exactly what to do.
Yeah. Don't do that. Or open up a map all the way while standing in the middle of the sidewalk. GETOUDDAHERE! ;-)
It's simple, just don't stand on the middle of our ways, I understand if is your first time here and you wanna take a lot of pictures, but don't stand on my way while I'm going to work/home, we have a pretty fast lifestyle.
I was surprised how helpful people were! Hats off to New Yorkers, you guys made our subway experience great.
Wow. I've been on and off in NYC for almost three years. I found the subway so frustrating that I now stopped using it and opt for the bicycle even for longer rides. I looked for videos that helped me to understand and use the subway better this whole time and was always disappointed, so now I'm very happy that you decided to make this video because it is THE ONE that I've been looking for all this time! Seriously, amazing job, congratulations.
Also mta.info is your friend. You'll find any changes to the train routes on there and if there are delays and whatnot (pro tip: there are always route changes, and there are always delays lol).
Oh wow! We're so glad
As a fellow New Yorker, this was a beautifully explained video! ✅ One thing (03:46) was extremely helpful to know is about finding the station that goes in the right direction. It's happened to me where I entered a local train stop but in the wrong direction. PRO TIP: Instead of getting out the wrong station, going to the right station, and paying the fare again, ride until you get to an express stop and then switch platforms and go the right direction! 😊
Thanks for the tips! And the compliments 😊
Also feel free to ask the train conductors that are in the middle of the train cars, they usually have all the up to date info!
When I first moved to New York I had learned to do that really quick, coz it gets very expensive to have to pay for another fare. Just go up or down in the direction you are going and back track to stations with a center express platforms and get off there to catch the express train.
This has happened to me before at least two times. And every single time I make the mistake of exiting the station to go to the right one because I didn't want to waste extra time, waiting for the train, going somewhere else and then coming back. The trips were often job-related too.
Anytime that happens i usually just hop the turnstiles, sorry not sorry 😬🤷🏾♂️ lol.
After watching this I'm never going to complain about the London Underground. 😆
😂
"Mind the Gap".
Underground is old and outdated with no ac in the summer
@@etbn1080 the S stock trains (servicing the Metropolitan, District, Circle and Hammersmith and City lines) have air conditioning. All other lines have some form of ventilation. TfL invest a lot into the tube and London’s transport infrastructure as a whole, something I imagine their New York Counterparts aren’t so keen on.
@@etbn1080 the oldest trains on the network are the bakerloo line 1972 stock, which are a full 8 years newer than the oldest NY subway trains.
Well done! I live in nyc and know the system well. If you DO go through the turnstile and then realize you’re on the wrong side of the track and can’t switch, instead of having to go out and pay again, you can just head in the wrong direction and turn around at the next express station.
4:31 Also, usually the train usually will announce the next borough when moving through them. So if your train, for example, is a 4 train going to Woodlawn which is in the Bronx, if you are in Brooklyn it will say “Manhattan-bound” and in Manhattan “Bronx bound”. If you are in the borough that the final destination is in, it will just say the name of the final destination, like “Woodlawn bound”. This can be confusing but becomes useful once you know which borough you are going to.
Good point!
Used to think "How the hell am I gonna learn which trains go to where?" and then I ended up learning the subway system by playing Grand Theft Auto IV and using the system there 😂
I plan on going to New York in the spring, and I decided that I will be using public transportation to get myself around the city. This video was a lot more helpful than the last one I watched. I like how you explained that the middle track is usually the express train, and explaining how the trains follow the same system that the streets follow. That makes it much easier to understand and the last video I watched didn’t explain any of that. I live in Chicago. We have a very good public transportation system as well, so I’m used to public transportation in a big city, but the public transportation here is nowhere near as complicated as New York’s is. Thank you for this video.
I would make a whole day out of just riding light rails and subways.
Thank you for the explanation of NYC's subway. I'm from Australia and my wife and I came to NYC in Sep/19. I'm pretty good with maps and I did watch a RUclips video beforehand, which helped me with the uptown/downtown/express/local trains that you explained in your video. All signs were clearly marked and I could navigate to each line without a problem, even the busy Times Square station with multiple lines. I did get on a train on 6th Ave and headed out east into Queens instead of west and north towards Central Park. My one and only mistake and realised the error pretty quickly but managed to change over and head back in the correct direction. I also did go to Japan in 2014 and was the only one in my family to work out the train systems in Kyoto and Tokyo. In NYC, at least 1-3 people per day were asking me for directions in the subway. I was aware that they weren't trying to distract me to steal anything, as I did look the real tourist! Nick...
Wow, you're a natural!
@@BrightTripTravel Thank you for your time to read :-) While were we in the US we did travel on a few other subways/metros:
1) In Dallas, we caught a train from downtown Dallas to the airport DFW - more like a lightrail system
2) In Washington DC, we travelled to and from our hotel in Arlington to downtown Washington DC
3) In Boston, we travelled to and from our Air B'n'B in Jamaica Plains to downtown Boston - or the Boston Commons
By far, NYC's subway is the most complicated but also the most fun to travel on - together with London's Tube and Tokyo's Metro they all have their pros and cons. In Melbourne Australia where we live, we only have one complicated Metro with all lines going through 5 stations (2 above ground and 3 below), and we are finally building another Metro tunnel with another 5 stations! (wow) Another complicated suburban loop system may be built in future, but I may be dead and gone by the time that happens... Nick..
I’ve been visiting nyc since the 90s and I learned most of this by trial and error on my own. We did not have you tubers in the 90s unfortunately. The same trial and error process was used for my trips to Shanghai, Tokyo, London, and Paris. It’s more difficult when you don’t know the language, but like you said studying the map plus understanding a general layout of the area helps. Osaka is one of the more confusing systems and like nyc it’s a combo of different systems, somewhat similar to Tokyo. Thanks again for the video. U are hella cute btw 😁
Thank you for the comment 🙌
How were these other metros compared to NYC? Some say they are better, some say they are worse.
@@jaykobwalson1941 I guess it’s what u like. Tokyo is the cleanest, safest city I’ve ever been in and absolutely love it. Shanghai is growing by leaps and bounds but it’s a bit too commercial for my taste. It’s becoming like nyc as one giant outdoor mall with tall buildings. Paris is dirty, pretentious and parts of it are downright unsafe which nyc has those areas too.
@@jaykobwalson1941 I am from Australia and my wife and I have travelled in London's Tube in 1993, Paris Metro in 1993, Japan's metro in Kyoto and Tokyo as well as the Shinkansen (bullet train) in 2014, and NYC Subway in 2019. In London's Tube you can get to almost anywhere with 2 different tube lines(this was common when we travelled around), as their lines travel north/south and east/west. In Paris we only caught 2 lines in one trip as we weren't there for long. In Japan, their efficiency with their train systems is incredible. We caught 3 trains from Narita airport in Tokyo to Kyoto (about 5hr trip total, includes 3.5hr with a Shinkansen) with ease. Tokyo's above ground system is about the same size as their below ground subway system, and is run by different companies. Luckily they introduced one Metro card that could be used on all systems the year before we were there, so everything was very easy to get around. In NYC it was very easy to get around with the subway, as we were near Times Square station and we mainly travelled from mid Manhattan to lower Manhattan and some of Brooklyn, other than transfers to JFK. Manhattan is mainly north/south so we walked several blocks east/west, and signs were very easy to navigate around. Nick...
@@melissavredline1264 I've been on all of these.
5:18 - L and 7: "Am I a joke to you?"
Yes, the 42nd street shuttles only job is to go across town, but the 7 and L do it with much more range. The Q and F can also get you a little across town, and the E can go very far across town as well.
Haha 😂 thanks for pointing it out!
But if you're in the 42nd street GCT mezzanine you're better off with the shuttle. It's on the same level as themezzanine. The 7 is two levels down.
@@413smr the shuttle platform at Times Square is being renovated since 2019 and the shuttle doesn't always run in Jan. 2021 so the 7 is the only alternative.
@@413smr It also has less people
This was a good refresher for me for an upcoming visit to the city. I've navigated the NYC subway before, but it's been a while! Thank you!
This video is so helpful. I went to new york recently and took the subway system for the first time. I am so glad I watched this video before going. Although using google made it easy to navigate, knowing some the information that you spoke of in this video made everything 1000X more easier to navigate through the city. Thank you!
I'm also an retired NYC subway conductor. Good stuff, some adds:
Most of Manh. is a numerical grid, as are large portions of Qns. ,
Yeah, but ya gotta be careful in Queens. "On 63rd" could mean 63rd Drive, Road, Place, or Circle. :-)
@@davidthaler7018 I've seen that Road and Drive are associated with Avenue(63rdDr. or 45thRd.), while Place supplements Street. Lots of the former, little of the latter. Queensboro Plaza is not the boro gov't seat. That's out in Kew gardens. All the other boro halls are close to Manhattan.
@@JoseNunez-hh1yr There are probably one or two "Circles" too.
@@davidthaler7018 Come to think, awfully few and probably in Queens. As for traffic circles, a bad idea we did NOT pick up from Europe. Even Columbus circle and Grand Army Plaza have a shitload of red lights.
@@JoseNunez-hh1yr I’ve heard modern roundabouts are pretty efficient though
I lived in Moscow, Russia for 5 years. But since day one I could use the Moscow Metro without making mistakes such as getting on wrong lines/trains, despite all the signs and announcements being in Russian only, back in 2015. Now after watching this, NY Subway seems to be a wild, confusing adventure into some dystopia.
You'd like it even better now. New lines, new trains, applepay payment.. Announcements about stations and transfers are now duplicated in English, free WiFi Inside each train… It has become even cleaner, this is very lacking in the metro NY.
Modernization and cleanliness comes with an Orwellian cost, such as security cameras that weren't needed 30 years ago but are needed today because of the War on Terror hoasex by our Hebitchrew overlords, tracking where you are going where you've been by electronic payments, can't magnetize a camera outside a subway train to film the tunnel without being treated like a terrorist by cops that just want to have fun with you and act like you stuck a bomb to the train because they can't wait to live out a Hollywood hero scenario where they save the day from a terrorist which don't exist. Eventually facial recognition will be used to deny you access based on you not wanting to take a poison vaccine for the epidemic hoasex or your social credit score is too low because you were racist on the Internet or something.
@Jack Snyder What makes you laugh? That you're trying to decide where I should live?
@Jack Snyder Did I say that the New York system is bad?! It is very simple and intuitive. But this subway needs deep modernization and replacement of trains with more modern ones.
As older the system, as more primitive it was build, which appears confusing today. Moscow hasn't started with directly "under the surface", tracks, but with deep tunnels. So there is always the intermediate level, of going down, and deciding where to go underground. While on old systems, like some lines in Berlin or Budapest, you just go one staircase (4 meter/15foot) down and you are directly on the platform. NYC is partially like this.
I was born and raised in the NYC subways. But I wouldn’t have been able to explain it as clearly and concisely as you did lol. Excellent video and much recommended to any novice to the NYC subway system.
Awesome! Thank you!
I'm sorry but with that analogy, what are you, a ninja turtle?
@@Puffle573 I’m an elderly rat
@@cardead316 Understandable, have a nice day
You were born in the subway? Wow.
It's been a few years since I last visited NY so I needed a refresher. Your site was PERFECT! Thanks so much!
The subway map hasn't been updated in ages for the simple fact that the map features labels of nearby destinations. When there was worse crime in the subways during the 70's and 80's, having a map show what's outside a particular station was helpful to escape potential danger.
What a cool fact!
I liked the tip about asking people and don’t being afraid of asking. I remember when I was in nyc with my girlfriend, just arrived, and lot of people offered their help: either to help with the luggage or open up the doors while I had to swipe the card. Everyone was super friendly and helpful!
That's so nice!
i spent 6 years in NYC from '91-'97. I learned so much about the bus system and the train/subway system! public transportation going in/coming out or traveling within is tremendous tool when experiencing, living the city!
Great video! Probably the best one I've seen about the NYC Metro system. Cheers.
As someone who lives in New York and is constantly taking the train it is super easy to get the ropes once you’ve been here long enough (and as he has said most people will help you out if you’re looking to go to a specific place)
as someone from Toronto where our map is a "U" with a line through it, this was so confusing.
I've used Singapore and Hong Kong metro lines and they're pretty simple to figure out despite having lots of stations. NYC sounds intense
Intense is a way to describe it 😬
SG is so organized compared to NY tbh. All platforms are accessible from all entrances, most if not all lines are exclusive right-of-way (I.e. one service per platform only), stations are numbered with codes, lines are named descriptively, etc.
As long as you follow the signs, listen to the announcements, it’s easy.
honestly, the signs are very helpful
thank you for this. very well put together. good points.
Glad you enjoyed it!
The production of this channel's videos is epic! It's like, "if Vox and cheddar had a child..." kind of thing.
Anyway, videos like this make room for topics you cant find elsewhere being talked about in youtube.
We're so happy to read this, thank you!
Researched, thorough and helpful. Very impressive, Daniel!
Thank you so much!
“This is a bronx bound A local train”
The A train doesn’t go to the Bronx though
A via the D: exists
Everyone: the A doesnt go to the bronx-
@@-inactive-noobydanger4278 yes but did you hear it say “via the d line”
@@Sonaholic it does not say that until it gets to the D line tracks
@@-inactive-noobydanger4278 fair point, I know that’s obviously where they got the announcement but it’s a little misleading considering it doesn’t go to the Bronx normally and this video is targeted at people that don’t know the system
@@Sonaholic true
This is awesome. I wish I watched this before I moved there. I learned all this slowly and wrote about it in my diary because i didn't want to ask for help. so hyped for the people who will watch the video when they move to new york and can act all jaded and stuff
Thank you for making this video, this is so helpful!
This is the best explanatory video I've ever watched. You did such a good job... well spoken and clear :O
Wow, thanks!
I live in NJ and occasionally go into the city. I swear I have to relearn everything every time because it's confusing to anyone that isn't a local. While this is helpful, in reality it will just take time and trial/error to get used to it.
This is genuinely such an interesting video, thank you!
Man great video!! Thank you!!!
Love this. Well done. I love transit so much and you had a lot to say!
Thank you so much!
Also, the metro card works on the air train from JFK to Jamaica (but not on Long Island railroad). And transfers BETWEEN bus and rail are free within a certain time frame and there are certain train transfers which can only happen above ground. In these specific instances there are free transfers between trains. These specific points are indicated on the map.
Keep in mind the Metrocard is almost out of time!! It is being replaced by OMNY which allows you to pay with contactless credit cards (think Apple Pay Samsung pay etc) as well as a physical smart card. This will eventually work on all MTA services including LIRR and Metro North which the metrocard doesn’t work on,
Nicely done!!
Loved this!! I've lived in NY for 7 years now and use the train all the time, but there were little things I didn't even think about like the fact that express trains are likely in the center. Nice
As a New Yorker/Railfan, this was highly informative amazing quality .
Great job on this! A tip about the pay per ride cards- the max amount of people for 1 card is 4 so keep in mind how many are in your group.
Thanks for the info!
Thanks! This is very thoughtful!
We're really happy to read that!
I live in the southwest US - never been to NYC but was curious about how the transportation system works - as we really don't have much of one out here. Excellent video! Very well organized and informative! Will scour the channel to browse! Thanks!
Cool video dude. Dont know when ill ever go but i love such vids
Yay 🙌
Makes the underground map look easy
Thank you so much for this video!
Really good video. Super Helpful.
I dont know why im watching this. I dont even have a visa to go to new york but because i like subways I continued to watch
Hahaha, thanks for watching!
The Unlimited MetroCard lockout is actually 18 minutes 😂
Ups!
I thought it was an hour?
@@professional.commentator nope. 18 mins!
Yes. It is 18 minutes. A couple of times my card said just used and i had to wait 18 minutes.
The Hell they pull 18minutes out from?....Tis a petty middle number that just screams, "yea, we could have chosen 15mins or 20mins, but ehhhh....you could have an important meeting to get to and throwing off your timed schedule is our guilty pleasure " lol.
I just love the way you explain everything. Super clear instructions. Going to NYC for the first time in a few months, and you've already helped a lot! cheers!
Thank you so much! Hope your trip is amazing
Ive lived in New Jersey 6 miles from the George Washington bridge my entire life....this is was the most informative and helpful video on the subways I’ve ever watched.
Oh wow, we're so glad!
This is super useful. I can't wait to visit New York after the Pandemic calms down! My husband has been there and said the New York subway system is difficult to navigate compared to London. Thank you for making this guide 😀👍
Glad it was helpful!
And if you ever on the 4,5,6 (Better on the 6), you have the chance in seeing some train statins no longer in service. 18th Street (Between 14th street-Union Square, and 23rd Street), Worth Street (Between Canal Street and Brooklyn Bridge). Also if you did take the 6 train to the last stop in Manhattan (Brooklyn Bridge, try to see if you can stay on the train because you will be able to see the original City Hall station when it loops back to the uptown tracks. There's also some interesting train stations like Broadway Junction and Queensboro Plaza (Both are multi level elevated train stations).
@@BillyMartin4Life thank you 😊
Awesome place, enjoy your stay
I'm always surprised that people find it difficult but then, I was born in NYC. :-)
This is the best subway video I have seen so far 💖
Awwww, you're making us blush 😊
I just went to NYC last week for the first time. The subways were crazy for me at first. So many folks in a hurry, but it grew on to me. It was a lot of fun taking the subways. And now seeing this video, man it makes so much sense.
Oh yes, it's not only in the subways. We can't help it, we're just used to walking fast and getting to where we need to go, LOL
I’ve been going to nyc for a few years now and you couldn’t have explained this better, very well done 👏🏼👏🏼
Good video to explain subway to tourists. Growing up in NYC, we all got used to taking the subway. The system is not as complicated as Tokyo's. Their system is still split between different complanies. Luckily, Google map was really good at showing what to take and transfer for tokyo metro. So easy to navigate tokyo.
Well said!
The system itself is not complicated at all. In my opinion, as someone who has been to New York several times in my life and other cities where metro system are equally massive, the confusing thing about the NYC subway system is the map. The NYC subway is possibly the hardest to read among major cities.
yidingcao it’s simple nothing hard about the map
December 2003, 1st time travelled to New York and New Jersey, visited my cousin, it was memorable. I am from Toronto and our subway lines consist of only 4 lines, very easy. A week before arriving in New York via Port Authority, I downloaded the map, and got overwhelmed. My cousin guided me to travel from Port Authority to Journal Square (New Jersey) using MTA Subway and Path via 33rd, and happy was able to travel without problems, and learned a lot, started to love New York because subways can really take you anywhere easily and save money. Good thing to I love maps & have sense of direction/navigation. New York subway looks overwhelming at first, but its not as bad. So in 2003, when I arrive at Port Authority at 6am via Greyhound Bus, and took subway A Uptown to Columbus Circle, change to downtown subway B (Express) to Herald Sq/34th St, walk to 33rd to take Path to Journal Square. Funny thing is, the MTA driver raised the voice to wake-up sleeping passengers & not pass their station "Hello, arriving in Rockefeller Centre !!!" :-D
Why did all that when you could have walk to NRWQ trains at 42st and go one stop over to herld sq
@@williamerazo3921 First time visiting New York that time, December 2003, I didn't know those were so close... plus, I arrived at 6am. When I returned in 2004 and 2014, I just walked around :-D Thank you.
Hahaha this is funny!
@@BrightTripTravel "Hello everyone!!!! Welcome to ...." and I totally saw the people sleeping inside the subway car wake up on shock...well its 6am hahahahaha... My cousin was laughing when I told her the story. It was memorable. Thanks again for this video.
useful and summarized explanations!
Thank you so much for breaking down the key points and details. Good videos
Glad it was helpful!
Lol I have never been to NYC nor do I foresee myself going anytime soon. But I watched every second of this.
This was great info!
Haha, thanks!
Last thing: read those signs! More importantly, listen to the announcements, they supersede
Even though I already know how the subway works, it's fun to watch people explain it in their own way. Nice job
Crazy production! props
Expert tip:
For any line, that line will be the same color all the way through.
You can look at the last stops at each end and figure to figure which way you’re going. (Every train has a sign of the last stops)
I’m sharing this ‘cause theres not always a clear indication of ‘downtown, uptown, east, west etc.’ (mainly east to west)
So smart!
That’s what I love about NY, bro you can literally go wherever you want to by only taking trains and buses 🙌🏽♥️
Thank you. This will be helpful for our next trip to NY!
Tysm this is amazing❣️😁🎉
It’s 2020, 4 years since the W came back and 15 since the 9 died lol
I had forgotten all about the 9. When the narrator said "9", I thought, we have a 9 train?
Sad V noises
And ... George Pataki with the gold meteocard ??? How long since him?
@@ejb7969 well that was just a relic ad lol, the MetroCard is still relevant today
OK, but that plus the 9 reference ... I got confused when this video was made! I left NYC in 1999 and I recognized those. (I knew the 9 was ended a few years after I left.)
When I moved to NYC subway token was 35 cents, the cars were covered with graffiti, and when the 1 train stopped at 103 St it smelled like a toilet when the doors opened.
4:20 - If you swipe into the wrong station, you can also get on the train and then get off and switch at a station with an underpass to get to the other directions.
Also, not all express stations still allow you to switch. 86th street on the 4, 5, and 6 for example, the express trains are below the locals, so uptown and dowtown trains are on seperate sides that you can only switch between on the street (Though the next express stops in both directions, 59th or 125th will let you switch directions in fare control). Another trick is if the station has multiple lines from different colors, it often lets you switch between uptown and downtown, and if it has colors and numbers, it always has a chance for you to switch directions. There are some local stations where you can switch directions as well, such 125th on the 1.
Very cool tips, thank you!
Some have an underpass and other don't: you have to climb the stairs and cross over, e.g., Hunters Point on the 7.
I've lived near NYC my whole life, but I still loved watching this video. I'm likely going to be living part-time in Montreal, so I'm gonna search your site for info on that metro system. Great stuff!
We don't have one yet, but that's a great idea! 🙌
Thanks for the video. The tip about using the map and the MTA website was very relevant to me. As a tourist in 2018, the MTA site saved my life. I was train hopping like a pro. Of course I visited the Information booth too and yes, the staff was always friendly and helpful. 🇹🇹
We’re so happy to ready that you enjoyed it 😊
How could anyone have disliked this? He did a great job! Nice job sir!
We appreciate that!
Already, this is so informative
- I get that express trains would run in the middle (kinda like at home), but I never put two and two together
- The bit about local stations, where you have to exit the station to change directions (uptown vs downtown) is a shock to me and good to know
- The part about a lack of east-west connections I would have never noticed, even with the map right in front of me… though I guess that also checks out when Manhattan island is skinny east-west (kinda)
-..
There’s a live MTA map? Ya serious? Hell yeah, maybe that would help with the 123, because I don’t think the map was as clear about which trains do express and which don’t (vs… the 6 line in The Bronx)
Yeah!
Very useful video!
Thanks so much for sharing this helpful information! My friend in Astoria had me using Google Maps when I last visited, and you are right that they really have a good handle on the subway now. It didn't stop me from entering the subway station going the wrong way when both entrances were on the same side of the street! A helpful New Yorker told me about the 15-minute waiting period for weekly MTA cards.
It’s kinda funny watching someone who wasn’t born in Ny talk about the subway system
Honestly I find transplants know more abput the entirety of the system then locals. Mpst locals just take the train to school/work or sometimes to downtown. I never took the J or Z trains until I was a grown adult 😅
Well it looks like somebody wasn’t allowed outside cuz by the time I was in high school I know my way around the subway system.
@@raulcaraballo9261 Nah I just had no reason to be in Queens lol
@@stevenasante8662 The J train, fmrly the BMT 15/Jamaica Local, is the NYCTA's most familiar line to me, having ridden that the most, while living back there in 50's & most of 60's. From there, i learned to connect/transfer to other lines..
Never been more grateful to live in Paris, the metro here is so simple yet so convenient it takes you absolutely everywhere in Paris and even outside the city. I feel like even if you're from another continent you can't get lost ahah cause everything is explained so well
I must try the Paris metro when I visit! I’m planning to in 2024 once I graduate
After I saw someone shitting inside the subway in Paris I never took it again during my tour lol
the paris metro map looks like a bowl of spaghetti. Lines everywhere lol. lucky all you need to know is your location and your target location and there is probably a line that goes there. (specially true as a tourist, going from a hostel to a tourist landmark)
@@jaehongsong4904 AHAHAH yeah things like this happen lol
@@peepeetrain8755 yes !!! no need to walk 30mins inside the city to find a station near u
Thank you soooo much. I have lived in NY for a year and a half now ( a whole year quarantined because of COVID) but honestly I was still super confused about the trains. This clears up so much!
Glad it was helpful!
I moved out of NYC in 2015. The sound effects brought back so much nostalgia!
This makes us so glad that we have a London underground. Simpler map. More trains going left to right and don’t have to worry about vehicle direction or waiting 15 Minutes to swipe again.
Simpler map? That's a topic for debate I think.
Underground fares are based on distance traveled; the NYC subway requires a single fare so you can go from Coney Island to the Bronx or from Washington Heights to Far Rockaway for just $2.75.
And maybe no re-swiping/re-tapping is necessary, but some Underground riders have to tap their Oyster cards at certain stations to prove they're not traveling through Zone 1 (central London), lest they be charged more.
To the Underground's credit, it goes direct to LHR; the NYC subway doesn't go direct to JFK.
@@davidthaler7018 But you can transfer to NJ Transit at Penn Station and have it drop you off right at EWR.
@@Default78334 Yes...and no. The EWR RailLink station is off-airport, but...it's a much shorter ride from it to the terminals than from either of the AirTrain stations serving JFK (Howard Beach or Jamaica)
@@davidthaler7018 The EWR RailLink is just the same monorail that takes you between terminals and the parking garage.
@@Default78334 Yes…but the STATION is off-airport.
You stated that only the shuttle between Times Square and Grand Central goes cross town. That’s not true. The 7 and L trains do as well. The L at 14th street is particularly effective, stopping at 8th, 6th, 4th, 3d and 1st avenues. The 7 is more limited but goes from Hudson Yards (10th ave), Times Square, 5th ave, Grand central - so further west than the L but only as Far East as 6/7 avenues
The 7 is much easier to get to than the Shuttle at Grand Central and comes more frequent and less crowded. So take the 7 instead of the shuttle.
@@lie01234 Not really. The 7 is actually two levels down below the 4 5 6 and the shuttle runs one level up at the end of the mezzanine. If you wanna hop on the 7 you gotta go through the mezzanine, then down to the Lexington Avenue lines, then go down two flights of stairs and an escalator. The 7 is deep below Grand Central
@@lie01234 But yea the 7 is more frequent than the shuttle
Thank you for this.
This is a super clear and helpful video! Thanks Daniel!
We’re so happy to read that 😊
Bro this is the best video in a short time manner thanks for doing so lmao
Glad you enjoyed!
These are good suggestive tips. However if someone does end up going the wrong direction instead of leaving the station, they can take the train (1-4 stops) to switch over within the system
Thanks!
I have been in NYC for almost two years and left there last fall. I super missing the subway station although it is old and sometimes I need to pay attention to the construction or station stop conditions. Thanks for your videos.
This explained a lot for me. Seems simple and clear with your tips.