Manhattan’s transportation infrastructure is simultaneously the best and most confusing in the United States. The subway runs 24 hours. The bus network covers every corner of the borough. Citi Bike has thousands of stations. Walking is often the fastest option for short distances. And yet visitors — and many newer residents — spend enormous amounts of time and money on taxis and Ubers when the subway would get them there faster and for $2.90.
This guide covers how Manhattan’s transportation actually works, what to use for which situation, and the specific knowledge that separates efficient movers from people who wait 20 minutes for an Uber to go 12 blocks.
The Subway: The Foundation of Everything
The New York City subway is the fastest way to move more than 10 blocks in Manhattan, runs 24 hours a day every day of the year, and costs $2.90 per ride regardless of distance. A ride from the southern tip of Manhattan to the northern tip costs the same as a ride from one stop to the next. This is an extraordinary deal that most visitors underuse.
The Manhattan subway lines you need to know:
The 1/2/3 trains run up the West Side on Broadway/Seventh Avenue, with the 1 making local stops and the 2/3 making express stops (skipping some stations). These trains serve Times Square, Penn Station, 72nd Street (Upper West Side), 96th Street, and up through Harlem to 137th, 145th, and further north.
The 4/5/6 trains run up the East Side on Lexington Avenue. The 6 is local; the 4/5 are express. These serve Grand Central (42nd Street), 51st Street, 59th Street (Bloomingdale’s area), 68th Street (Upper East Side Hospital row), 77th Street, 86th Street (Yorkville), and 96th Street.
The A/C/E trains run on the West Side roughly parallel to the 1/2/3 but slightly west, serving 42nd Street/Port Authority, 34th Street/Penn Station, 23rd Street, 14th Street, and the Village. The A is express; the C and E are local. The A train also goes to Far Rockaway and JFK Airport.
The B/D/F/M trains run on Sixth Avenue and Broadway through Midtown and the Village, connecting to Brooklyn. These serve 47th-50th Streets (Rockefeller Center), 42nd Street (Bryant Park), 34th Street (Herald Square/Macy’s), 23rd Street, 14th Street, and the West Village.
The N/Q/R/W trains run on Broadway through Midtown and then down the East Side. The N/Q serve 57th Street, 49th Street, Times Square, 34th Street (Herald Square), 28th Street, 23rd Street, and 14th Street Union Square before heading to Brooklyn. The Q also runs up the Second Avenue line on the Upper East Side (96th, 86th, 72nd, 63rd Streets).
The L train runs across 14th Street from Eighth Avenue to First Avenue and into Brooklyn. It’s the fastest way to cross Manhattan at 14th Street and connects to the East Village, Union Square, and the Meatpacking District.
The OMNY System: Tap and Go
As of 2023, the MTA’s OMNY contactless payment system accepts tap-to-pay from any credit or debit card with a contactless chip, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay. You can tap directly at subway turnstiles without buying a MetroCard. The fare is the same ($2.90) and there’s no card purchase fee. If you’re visiting, OMNY is the simplest way to pay — tap your credit card and go. The traditional MetroCard machines still exist for cash payment.
The OMNY system also tracks your rides — after 12 rides in a week, additional rides are free (capped at the weekly unlimited MetroCard price). This makes it cost-effective for heavy subway users without requiring upfront purchase of an unlimited card.
The Bus: Underused and Often Excellent
Manhattan’s bus network covers the areas the subway doesn’t reach directly and provides crosstown (east-west) service that the subway’s north-south orientation doesn’t provide. Key bus routes to know:
The M15 and M15-SBS run on First and Second Avenues up the entire East Side from the tip of Manhattan to 125th Street. The Select Bus Service (SBS) variant is significantly faster — pay before boarding at the street-side machine and show your receipt. The M15 is the most used bus line in the city.
Crosstown buses at major streets (8th Street, 14th Street, 23rd Street, 34th Street, 42nd Street, 57th Street, 66th Street, 72nd Street, 79th Street, 86th Street, 96th Street) connect the East Side and West Side directly. For moving between neighborhoods that are at the same latitude, a crosstown bus is often faster than taking the subway down, transferring, and going back up.
Citi Bike: The Best Option You’re Not Using
Citi Bike has over 1,800 stations in Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs. A single ride (up to 30 minutes for a standard bike, 45 minutes for an e-bike) costs $4.49. An annual membership ($185/year) makes unlimited 45-minute rides free. For visitors, a day pass ($19) provides unlimited 30-minute rides for 24 hours.
For trips of 10-25 blocks on flat terrain, Citi Bike is often faster than the subway (no waiting for trains, no station stairs) and cheaper than a taxi. The e-bikes are particularly useful for longer distances or when you’re not in the mood to arrive sweaty. The Citi Bike app shows real-time availability at every station.
Walking: The Underrated Option
Manhattan’s blocks are small. A north-south block (between numbered streets) is approximately 250 feet — there are about 20 blocks per mile. An east-west block (between avenues) varies but averages about 750 feet — roughly three times the length of a north-south block.
Walking 10 blocks north-south takes about 8-10 minutes at a moderate pace. Walking from Fifth Avenue to Eighth Avenue (three long avenue blocks) takes about 12-15 minutes. These distances feel longer than they are. For trips under 15 blocks north-south or under two avenue blocks east-west, walking is often competitive with the subway when you account for stairs, waiting, and the exit walk.
Taxis and Rideshares: When and When Not To
Yellow taxis and rideshares (Uber, Lyft, Via) are expensive compared to the subway, frequently slower due to traffic, and the right choice in specific situations: when you have heavy luggage, when it’s very late at night on the subway lines that run infrequently, when you’re going somewhere not served by the subway, or when you need to travel with young children and the transit logistics are genuinely impractical.
The congestion pricing zone applies to vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street — there’s a surcharge added to taxi and rideshare fares in this area. This has increased the cost of short Midtown rides significantly. The subway has become even more cost-competitive as a result.
Frequently Asked Questions About Manhattan Transportation
What is the cheapest way to get around Manhattan?
Walking for short distances (under 15 blocks) is free. The subway at $2.90 per ride covers any distance. Citi Bike day passes at $19 provide unlimited 30-minute rides. These three options cover virtually every situation more cheaply than taxis or rideshares.
Is the NYC subway safe?
Yes, for the vast majority of trips. Standard urban awareness applies — be aware of your surroundings, keep valuables out of sight, and stand away from platform edges. The subway carries over 3 million riders daily and is the primary transportation for most New Yorkers.
How do I pay for the subway in NYC?
Tap any contactless credit/debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay directly at the turnstile using OMNY. Or purchase a MetroCard from station machines. Single ride: $2.90. Weekly unlimited: $34. Monthly unlimited: $132.
What is the fastest way to get from Midtown to the Upper West Side?
The 1/2/3 trains from Times Square (42nd Street) to 72nd Street takes about 8 minutes. Walking takes 30+ minutes. A taxi in traffic can take 20-40 minutes depending on conditions. The subway wins almost every time.
Also see: Our free walking tours guide
Also see: Our free parks guide
Also see: our guide to getting around Manhattan on a business trip
