Subway, trains and taxis
The best ways of getting around New York
The subway and buses with a tap of your card, trains from JFK, Newark and LaGuardia, ferries, taxis and when a rental car makes sense: here is how to get around New York, with honest advice on paying for rides, the real cost of a taxi from the airport and getting to the sights and day trips without stress.
See our 6 picks
The best way of getting around New York is the subway. It runs 24 hours a day, and a ride costs $3. You pay by tapping a contactless card or phone at the gate. From the airports, the cheapest ride is the free Q70 bus from LaGuardia plus the subway. From JFK, the AirTrain plus the subway costs $11.75.
Our 6 picks for getting around
Two private airport cars, a hop-on hop-off bus and three sightseeing passes. All six have free cancellation. The passes cover attractions, not the subway or buses. GetYourGuide shows prices in your own currency.
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from €9 per person Our top pick 1 hour 4.5 (2,060) reviews on GetYourGuide
Private JFK transfer for up to 6
A private car between JFK and Manhattan with 105 minutes of free waiting after you land. Bag limits count for the whole group. GetYourGuide shows a price per person, so check the total for your group before you pay.
Best for Families with bags
Check availability: Private JFK transfer for up to 6 on GetYourGuide -
from €11 per person 1 hour 4.1 (2,039) reviews on GetYourGuide
JFK private transfer with 105 minutes free wait
A private car from JFK with TLC-licensed drivers and live flight tracking. Drop-off is in Manhattan or Brooklyn. Extra waiting time and extra bags cost more.
Best for Late flights
Check availability: JFK private transfer with 105 minutes free wait on GetYourGuide -
from €55 per person Valid 1–3 days 4.2 (6,601) reviews on GetYourGuide
Big Bus hop-on hop-off, 1 to 3 days
Open-top buses with audio commentary in six languages and live bus tracking in the app. The 48- and 72-hour tickets add a guided night tour. Attraction entry is not included.
Best for Sightseeing by bus
Check availability: Big Bus hop-on hop-off, 1 to 3 days on GetYourGuide -
from €133 per person 9-day ticket 4.7 (11,738) reviews on GetYourGuide
New York CityPASS: 5 sights in 9 days
Entry to 5 big attractions, such as the Empire State Building and Top of the Rock. It runs for 9 days from your first use. Transport is not included.
Best for A first visit with 5 big sights
Check availability: New York CityPASS: 5 sights in 9 days on GetYourGuide -
from €79 per person Valid 1 year 4.6 (8,946) reviews on GetYourGuide
Explorer Pass: 2 to 10 attractions
Pick 2 to 10 attractions from over 100 as you go. The pass runs for 30 days from your first visit. It does not include the subway or buses.
Best for A slow trip with a few sights
Check availability: Explorer Pass: 2 to 10 attractions on GetYourGuide -
from €151 per person Valid 1–10 days 4.6 (2,627) reviews on GetYourGuide
New York Pass: 100+ attractions
Entry to over 100 attractions, including Edge, for 1 to 10 days. The more you see each day, the more it pays off. It does not include the subway.
Best for Many sights in a few days
Check availability: New York Pass: 100+ attractions on GetYourGuide
Airport cars, bus and passes compared
| Tour | From | Duration | Pickup | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private JFK transfer for up to 6 | €9 per person | 1 hour | Pickup included | Families with bags | Pickup is included and same-day flight delays cost nothing extra, with 4.5 from 2,060 reviews. |
| JFK private transfer with 105 minutes free wait | €11 per person | 1 hour | Pickup included | Late flights | The driver waits 105 minutes from your real landing time; rated 4.1 from 2,039 reviews. |
| Big Bus hop-on hop-off, 1 to 3 days | €55 per person | Valid 1–3 days | Meet on site | Sightseeing by bus | The most-reviewed sightseeing bus here, 4.2 from 6,601 reviews. |
| New York CityPASS: 5 sights in 9 days | €133 per person | 9-day ticket | Meet on site | A first visit with 5 big sights | The best-rated pass here, 4.7 from 11,738 reviews. |
| Explorer Pass: 2 to 10 attractions | €79 per person | Valid 1 year | Meet on site | A slow trip with a few sights | You choose sights as you go, with 4.6 from 8,946 reviews. |
| New York Pass: 100+ attractions | €151 per person | Valid 1–10 days | Meet on site | Many sights in a few days | The widest pass for a busy short trip, 4.6 from 2,627 reviews. |
Private JFK transfer for up to 6
€9 per person1 hour 4.5 (2,060)
Details
- Pickup
- Pickup included
- Who it suits
- Families with bags
- Why we picked it
- Pickup is included and same-day flight delays cost nothing extra, with 4.5 from 2,060 reviews.
JFK private transfer with 105 minutes free wait
€11 per person1 hour 4.1 (2,039)
Details
- Pickup
- Pickup included
- Who it suits
- Late flights
- Why we picked it
- The driver waits 105 minutes from your real landing time; rated 4.1 from 2,039 reviews.
Big Bus hop-on hop-off, 1 to 3 days
€55 per personValid 1–3 days 4.2 (6,601)
Details
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Who it suits
- Sightseeing by bus
- Why we picked it
- The most-reviewed sightseeing bus here, 4.2 from 6,601 reviews.
New York CityPASS: 5 sights in 9 days
€133 per person9-day ticket 4.7 (11,738)
Details
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Who it suits
- A first visit with 5 big sights
- Why we picked it
- The best-rated pass here, 4.7 from 11,738 reviews.
Explorer Pass: 2 to 10 attractions
€79 per personValid 1 year 4.6 (8,946)
Details
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Who it suits
- A slow trip with a few sights
- Why we picked it
- You choose sights as you go, with 4.6 from 8,946 reviews.
New York Pass: 100+ attractions
€151 per personValid 1–10 days 4.6 (2,627)
Details
- Pickup
- Meet on site
- Who it suits
- Many sights in a few days
- Why we picked it
- The widest pass for a busy short trip, 4.6 from 2,627 reviews.
- Group size is not stated on the booking pages.
- All 6 offer free cancellation.
- Group options: private option for 2 tours (Private JFK transfer for up to 6 and JFK private transfer with 105 minutes free wait).
- Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 24 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
Subway first: the basics
Tap your card, phone or watch on the reader, then wait for "GO". You do not need a ticket. The same $3 fare works on local buses. Use buses, ferries and taxis to fill the gaps.
The subway also gets you to the theatres for your Broadway tickets, so you rarely need a cab at night.
Guides on getting around New York
Airport to the city: JFK, Newark and LaGuardia compared
The cheapest way into Manhattan is from LaGuardia. The free Q70 bus takes about 15 minutes to Jackson Heights. From there, the subway costs $3.
From JFK, the AirTrain plus the subway costs $11.75 in total. The AirTrain plus the LIRR costs $14 off-peak or $16 at peak times. The MTA says the LIRR is faster than the subway.
The LIRR from JFK and the Newark bus both stop at Grand Central. Grand Central sits under SUMMIT One Vanderbilt.
From Newark, NJ Transit trains reach Midtown in 30 minutes for $17.25. The Newark Airport Express bus takes about 50 minutes and costs $23.50 one way.
Pick a hotel near your arrival line to save time. Our guide on where to stay compares the areas.
Taxis from the airports
A yellow taxi from JFK to Manhattan has a flat fare of $70. Fixed extras bring it to $76.75 to Midtown, before tip and tolls. That is our sum of the city’s list of charges.
From LaGuardia, the taxi uses the meter, plus a $5 airport surcharge and other fees. From Newark, taxis use zone prices, such as $65 to West 14th to West 50th Street, plus fees.
JFK warns of pickup delays from construction. It also warns you to say no to people who offer rides inside the terminal. Use the official taxi line.
Route-by-route decision table: which way to go
The table shows the best way for each trip: the subway or train from the airports and the train or bus for day trips. Each line comes from the operator’s own page.
How to get from New York's three airports to Midtown Manhattan and on the main day trips, with times and prices from each operator's own page.
JFK airport to Midtown Manhattan4 options
| Option | Time | Cost | How often | Hassle | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train | about 20 min on the LIRR from Jamaica to Penn Station or Grand Central, plus the AirTrain ride | $14 off-peak, $16 peak, AirTrain ($8.75) included | AirTrain every 5–15 min; LIRR frequency not stated by the MTA | Medium: AirTrain to Jamaica, then one change to a westbound LIRR train; the fastest rail option | MTA: How to get to Manhattan from JFK Airport |
| Subway | not stated by the MTA; slower than the LIRR | $11.75 ($8.75 AirTrain + $3 subway) | AirTrain every 5–15 min; subway runs 24/7 | Medium: AirTrain to Jamaica (E train) or Howard Beach (A train), one change; E stops at 34 St-Penn Station and 42 St-Port Authority | MTA: How to get to Manhattan from JFK Airport |
| Taxi | not stated by the TLC | $70 flat fare + $0.50 state surcharge + $1 improvement surcharge + $2 airport access fee + $2.50 congestion surcharge + $0.75 congestion zone charge = $76.75; $5 more weekdays 4–8 p.m.; tip and tolls extra | on demand at the official taxi stands | Low: door to door, flat fare to anywhere in Manhattan; extra charges are fixed | NYC taxi authority (TLC): taxi fare |
| Tour | about 1 hour (listing) | see price on GetYourGuide (private car for up to 6) | booked for your flight; 105 min free waiting | Low: driver meets you, no queue or changes | GetYourGuide: Private Transfer JFK airport to/from Manhattan |
Train
- Time
- about 20 min on the LIRR from Jamaica to Penn Station or Grand Central, plus the AirTrain ride
- Cost
- $14 off-peak, $16 peak, AirTrain ($8.75) included
- How often
- AirTrain every 5–15 min; LIRR frequency not stated by the MTA
- Hassle
- Medium: AirTrain to Jamaica, then one change to a westbound LIRR train; the fastest rail option
Subway
- Time
- not stated by the MTA; slower than the LIRR
- Cost
- $11.75 ($8.75 AirTrain + $3 subway)
- How often
- AirTrain every 5–15 min; subway runs 24/7
- Hassle
- Medium: AirTrain to Jamaica (E train) or Howard Beach (A train), one change; E stops at 34 St-Penn Station and 42 St-Port Authority
Taxi
- Time
- not stated by the TLC
- Cost
- $70 flat fare + $0.50 state surcharge + $1 improvement surcharge + $2 airport access fee + $2.50 congestion surcharge + $0.75 congestion zone charge = $76.75; $5 more weekdays 4–8 p.m.; tip and tolls extra
- How often
- on demand at the official taxi stands
- Hassle
- Low: door to door, flat fare to anywhere in Manhattan; extra charges are fixed
Tour
- Time
- about 1 hour (listing)
- Cost
- see price on GetYourGuide (private car for up to 6)
- How often
- booked for your flight; 105 min free waiting
- Hassle
- Low: driver meets you, no queue or changes
LaGuardia (LGA) to Midtown Manhattan3 options
| Option | Time | Cost | How often | Hassle | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | about 15 min on the Q70 to Jackson Heights, then the subway | $3 (Q70 free, subway $3) | Q70 about every 8–10 min | Medium: free Q70 LaGuardia Link from Terminals B and C, one change to the subway at Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Av/74 St | MTA: Getting to Manhattan from LaGuardia Airport |
| Train | Q70 to Woodside, then the LIRR; train time not stated | $5.25 off-peak, $7.25 peak (Q70 free) | Q70 about every 8–10 min; LIRR frequency not stated | Medium: free Q70 to Woodside, change to the LIRR to Penn Station or Grand Central; ticket separate from subway fare | MTA: Getting to Manhattan from LaGuardia Airport |
| Taxi | not stated by the TLC | metered ($3 start, 70¢ per 1/5 mile or per minute in slow traffic) + $5 LGA surcharge + $2 airport access fee + $0.50 + $1 + $2.50 congestion + $0.75 zone charge; tip and tolls extra | on demand at the official taxi stands | Low: door to door, but no flat fare, so traffic sets the price | NYC taxi authority (TLC): taxi fare |
Bus
- Time
- about 15 min on the Q70 to Jackson Heights, then the subway
- Cost
- $3 (Q70 free, subway $3)
- How often
- Q70 about every 8–10 min
- Hassle
- Medium: free Q70 LaGuardia Link from Terminals B and C, one change to the subway at Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Av/74 St
Train
- Time
- Q70 to Woodside, then the LIRR; train time not stated
- Cost
- $5.25 off-peak, $7.25 peak (Q70 free)
- How often
- Q70 about every 8–10 min; LIRR frequency not stated
- Hassle
- Medium: free Q70 to Woodside, change to the LIRR to Penn Station or Grand Central; ticket separate from subway fare
Taxi
- Time
- not stated by the TLC
- Cost
- metered ($3 start, 70¢ per 1/5 mile or per minute in slow traffic) + $5 LGA surcharge + $2 airport access fee + $0.50 + $1 + $2.50 congestion + $0.75 zone charge; tip and tolls extra
- How often
- on demand at the official taxi stands
- Hassle
- Low: door to door, but no flat fare, so traffic sets the price
Newark (EWR) to Midtown Manhattan3 options
| Option | Time | Cost | How often | Hassle | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train | 30 min to Midtown (NY Penn Station) | $17.25 one way, AirTrain Newark included | not stated by the airport | Medium: AirTrain Newark to the airport station, then NJ Transit (Northeast Corridor or North Jersey Coast Line); not every train stops at the airport | Newark Liberty Airport (Port Authority): public transportation |
| Bus | about 50 min | $23.50 one way, $39.50 round trip | all-day service; frequency not stated | Low: Newark Airport Express from Terminals A, B, C to Port Authority, Grand Central (41st St) and Bryant Park; traffic can slow it | Newark Liberty Airport (Port Authority): public transportation |
| Taxi | not stated by the airport | $65 to W 14th–W 50th St, $70 to W 51st–W 96th St (estimates), + $2 access fee, + $10 at rush hour, + $5 East Side, + $6.75–$15.75 congestion and other fees, + $1 per bag; tolls and tip extra | on demand from the Taxi Dispatcher at the official stand | Low: door to door; take the dispatcher's receipt and show it to the driver | Newark Liberty Airport (Port Authority): taxi, car and van service |
Train
- Time
- 30 min to Midtown (NY Penn Station)
- Cost
- $17.25 one way, AirTrain Newark included
- How often
- not stated by the airport
- Hassle
- Medium: AirTrain Newark to the airport station, then NJ Transit (Northeast Corridor or North Jersey Coast Line); not every train stops at the airport
Bus
- Time
- about 50 min
- Cost
- $23.50 one way, $39.50 round trip
- How often
- all-day service; frequency not stated
- Hassle
- Low: Newark Airport Express from Terminals A, B, C to Port Authority, Grand Central (41st St) and Bryant Park; traffic can slow it
Taxi
- Time
- not stated by the airport
- Cost
- $65 to W 14th–W 50th St, $70 to W 51st–W 96th St (estimates), + $2 access fee, + $10 at rush hour, + $5 East Side, + $6.75–$15.75 congestion and other fees, + $1 per bag; tolls and tip extra
- How often
- on demand from the Taxi Dispatcher at the official stand
- Hassle
- Low: door to door; take the dispatcher's receipt and show it to the driver
New York City to Niagara Falls4 options
| Option | Time | Cost | How often | Hassle | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train | 9 h 45 min (Moynihan Train Hall 7:15 a.m. → Niagara Falls, NY 5:00 p.m.) | varies by date (Amtrak) | 1 train a day each way; back 11:40 a.m. → New York 9:16 p.m. | High: no same-day return, plan at least one night | Amtrak: Maple Leaf timetable |
| Bus | from about 9 h 10 min | from $63.98 one way | 19 departures a day (Greyhound count) | High: very long ride from Port Authority or Midtown (31st St) to 120 Old Main St, Niagara Falls; overnight needed | Greyhound: New York to Niagara Falls |
| Car | not stated by the park | your fuel and rental; South Grand Island Bridge toll on I-190 | any time | High: I-90 → I-290 → I-190 North, a full day's drive each way; park lots fill early on weekends | Niagara Falls State Park: maps and directions |
| Tour | 2 days (listing) | see price on GetYourGuide | dates on GetYourGuide | Low: pickup in NYC, overnight stay near the falls, no driving | GetYourGuide: Niagara Falls 2-Day Tour from NYC |
Train
- Time
- 9 h 45 min (Moynihan Train Hall 7:15 a.m. → Niagara Falls, NY 5:00 p.m.)
- Cost
- varies by date (Amtrak)
- How often
- 1 train a day each way; back 11:40 a.m. → New York 9:16 p.m.
- Hassle
- High: no same-day return, plan at least one night
Bus
- Time
- from about 9 h 10 min
- Cost
- from $63.98 one way
- How often
- 19 departures a day (Greyhound count)
- Hassle
- High: very long ride from Port Authority or Midtown (31st St) to 120 Old Main St, Niagara Falls; overnight needed
Car
- Time
- not stated by the park
- Cost
- your fuel and rental; South Grand Island Bridge toll on I-190
- How often
- any time
- Hassle
- High: I-90 → I-290 → I-190 North, a full day's drive each way; park lots fill early on weekends
Tour
- Time
- 2 days (listing)
- Cost
- see price on GetYourGuide
- How often
- dates on GetYourGuide
- Hassle
- Low: pickup in NYC, overnight stay near the falls, no driving
New York City to Washington DC5 options
| Option | Time | Cost | How often | Hassle | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Train | about 2 h 55 min–3 h 15 min (Acela) | varies by date (Amtrak) | weekdays roughly hourly, about 6:50 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Low: Moynihan Train Hall (Penn Station) to Union Station, no change; the fastest way | Amtrak: Acela timetable |
| Train | about 3 h 20 min–3 h 30 min (Northeast Regional) | varies by date (Amtrak) | several departures a day (see timetable) | Low: same stations as Acela, a little slower and usually cheaper | Amtrak: Northeast Regional timetable |
| Bus | 3 h 30 min–5 h 50 min | from $23.38 one way | 11 buses a day | Medium: from 34th St/Hudson Yards to Union Station Bus Terminal or Dupont Circle; traffic decides the time | OurBus: New York to Washington DC |
| Bus | not reliably stated on the route page | from $32.98 one way | 74 departures a day (all New York stops) | Medium: from Port Authority and other stops to Union Station | Greyhound: New York to Washington |
| Tour | 14 hours (listing) | see price on GetYourGuide | dates on GetYourGuide | Low: guided day trip by bus with the main monuments; long day | GetYourGuide: Washington DC Day Trip by Bus from New York City |
Train
- Time
- about 2 h 55 min–3 h 15 min (Acela)
- Cost
- varies by date (Amtrak)
- How often
- weekdays roughly hourly, about 6:50 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Hassle
- Low: Moynihan Train Hall (Penn Station) to Union Station, no change; the fastest way
- Source
- Amtrak: Acela timetable
Train
- Time
- about 3 h 20 min–3 h 30 min (Northeast Regional)
- Cost
- varies by date (Amtrak)
- How often
- several departures a day (see timetable)
- Hassle
- Low: same stations as Acela, a little slower and usually cheaper
Bus
- Time
- 3 h 30 min–5 h 50 min
- Cost
- from $23.38 one way
- How often
- 11 buses a day
- Hassle
- Medium: from 34th St/Hudson Yards to Union Station Bus Terminal or Dupont Circle; traffic decides the time
Bus
- Time
- not reliably stated on the route page
- Cost
- from $32.98 one way
- How often
- 74 departures a day (all New York stops)
- Hassle
- Medium: from Port Authority and other stops to Union Station
Tour
- Time
- 14 hours (listing)
- Cost
- see price on GetYourGuide
- How often
- dates on GetYourGuide
- Hassle
- Low: guided day trip by bus with the main monuments; long day
New York City to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets4 options
| Option | Time | Cost | How often | Hassle | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bus | not stated by Coach USA | $42 adult, $21 child (5–11), round trip | frequent daily departures from Port Authority Bus Terminal | Low: one bus from Port Authority; buy from Coach USA (the outlets sell no bus tickets) | Coach USA: Woodbury Common trips |
| Bus | about 1–1½ h | round trip from $45 + booking fee | out 8:30, 9:30, 10:30, 11:30 a.m.; back 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:30, 6:30, 7:30 p.m. | Low: from 1651 Broadway at W 51st St, reserved seats; winter times may vary | Woodbury Bus |
| Car | about 1 h | your fuel and rental; Thruway tolls | any time | Low: NY State Thruway (I-87) to Harriman, Exit 16, then Route 32 in Central Valley | Woodbury Common Premium Outlets: travel here |
| Tour | 1 day (listing) | see price on GetYourGuide | dates on GetYourGuide | Low: reserved seat, round trip from NYC | GetYourGuide: Woodbury Common Premium Outlets Shopping Tour |
Bus
- Time
- not stated by Coach USA
- Cost
- $42 adult, $21 child (5–11), round trip
- How often
- frequent daily departures from Port Authority Bus Terminal
- Hassle
- Low: one bus from Port Authority; buy from Coach USA (the outlets sell no bus tickets)
Bus
- Time
- about 1–1½ h
- Cost
- round trip from $45 + booking fee
- How often
- out 8:30, 9:30, 10:30, 11:30 a.m.; back 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:30, 6:30, 7:30 p.m.
- Hassle
- Low: from 1651 Broadway at W 51st St, reserved seats; winter times may vary
- Source
- Woodbury Bus
Car
- Time
- about 1 h
- Cost
- your fuel and rental; Thruway tolls
- How often
- any time
- Hassle
- Low: NY State Thruway (I-87) to Harriman, Exit 16, then Route 32 in Central Valley
Tour
- Time
- 1 day (listing)
- Cost
- see price on GetYourGuide
- How often
- dates on GetYourGuide
- Hassle
- Low: reserved seat, round trip from NYC
Read from the operators' own pages on 24 October 2026. Fares and timetables change; check before you travel.
Subway and bus: OMNY, fares and the weekly cap
- $3
- a subway or bus ride
- $35
- most you pay in any 7 days
- Free
- transfer within 2 hours
You pay for the subway and buses with OMNY, the tap-to-pay system. A ride costs $3, the fare since January 2026.
Your fares stop at $35 in any 7 days. After that, rides are free for the rest of the 7 days. This only works on the same card, phone or watch each time.
A phone with a card in its wallet counts as a different payment than the plastic card. So pick one and stick with it.
You get a free transfer between subway and bus within 2 hours of your first tap. We found no day pass on the MTA and OMNY pages.
Tips for groups and families
One card can pay for up to 3 more riders. But only the first tap counts toward the $35 cap. So each adult should tap their own card or phone.
Children 44 inches tall or shorter ride free, up to 3 with each paying adult.
No MetroCard? Get an OMNY Card
You can no longer buy or refill a MetroCard since January 1, 2026. If you have no contactless card, buy an OMNY Card at a station machine.
It costs $1 now. The fee rises to $2 once the MetroCard stops working.
Ferries, taxis and ride-hailing
Ferries are great for views, and taxis are best late at night or with heavy bags. Ride-hailing apps give you a price before you ride.
New York ferry: Staten Island Ferry and NYC Ferry
The Staten Island Ferry is free and runs 24/7 from Whitehall Terminal. Boats leave every 15 to 20 minutes at weekday rush hours, and every 30 minutes at other times.
It sails past the statue but does not stop there. To land on Liberty Island, see our guide to Statue of Liberty tours.
NYC Ferry costs $5 a ride (since 19 October 2026). A ten-trip pass costs $30. NYC Ferry is not listed among the rides that count toward the OMNY cap.
New York taxi fares: the rules of the city taxi authority (TLC)
A yellow taxi starts at $3 on the meter. Then it adds 70 cents for each fifth of a mile, or each minute in slow traffic.
Extras apply at night and at weekday rush hour, and in Manhattan’s busy zones. There is no extra charge for more people, bags or paying by card. Drivers must take cards.
A cab takes 4 people, or 5 in a 5-seat cab. Everyone must wear a seat belt.
Uber and Lyft
Each app shows its price before you ride. App rides also pay a $1.50 congestion charge per trip in lower Manhattan. Taxis pay 75 cents.
Walking, hop-on buses and passes
Walking is the best way to see one area up close. Then take the subway to the next one.
On the West Side, walk the High Line north to the Vessel at Hudson Yards.
Hop-on hop-off buses suit people who want the sights without planning routes. The sightseeing passes are attraction passes. They do not include the subway or buses, so budget for your $3 rides.
The New York Pass includes the Big Bus hop-on hop-off tour among its attractions. Check what your pass covers before you buy a bus ticket.
Day trips on your own: train, bus or car
Washington DC and Woodbury Common are easy trips on your own. Niagara Falls is not a day trip. Amtrak fares vary by date. Times come from timetables dated October 2026.
For tours with transport, see our guide to day trips from New York City.
- Washington DC: Acela train, about 3 hours. OurBus buses from about $23.
- Woodbury Common: Coach USA bus, $42 for adults. Woodbury Bus trips from $45.
- Niagara Falls: Amtrak Maple Leaf train, 9 hours 45 minutes, one train each way a day. Greyhound buses from about $64.
Do you need a rental car in New York City?
No, you do not need a car in the city. The subway goes almost everywhere, and driving into Manhattan costs a toll.
Cars pay a congestion toll to enter Manhattan at 60th Street and south. With E-ZPass, the toll is $9 at peak times through 2027. It rises to $12 in 2028. Tunnels and bridges into the city charge their own tolls.
In the 2026 New York City Travel Cost Study, 6 car rental sites quoted average daily prices from $74 to $143 for a rental car in New York, read on 23 October 2026, before insurance, fuel, tolls and parking.
Garages are costly. We found no official price list. A car makes sense for Niagara Falls or the outlets on your own schedule.
To drive yourself, rent a car at JFK:
Getting around with a wheelchair or limited mobility
More than 150 subway stations are accessible. Check the elevator status on the MTA site before you go, or call 511.
Every accessible station has at least one AutoGate, a wide gate for wheelchairs, strollers and big bags. Tap OMNY to open it.
People 65 and over, and riders with a qualifying disability, pay a reduced fare of $1.50. In a taxi, a rider who cannot get into the back may sit in the front.
Tips for getting around New York
One card each
Each adult taps their own card or phone. Only then does the $35 weekly cap work for everyone.
Same card every time
Tap with the same card, phone or watch on every ride. A different card or phone starts its own count.
Use the official taxi line
At the airports, take a cab from the official stand. At Newark, keep the dispatcher’s receipt.
Check peak times
The LIRR and taxis cost more at rush hour. Travel outside peak times to save.
Getting around New York: questions and answers
How much is a taxi in New York City?
How do I hail a taxi in New York City?
Does the subway run all night?
Do I need a rental car in New York City?
How do I stay safe on the subway?
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Browse all on GetYourGuideSources (27), facts checked on 24 October 2026
- MTA: riding the subway
- MTA: fares and tolls
- MTA: passenger tariff (January 2026)
- OMNY: fare cap
- MTA: MetroCard help
- MTA: JFK Airport to NYC
- MTA: LaGuardia to NYC
- JFK Airport: AirTrain
- JFK Airport: taxi, car and van service
- LaGuardia Airport: public transportation
- Newark Airport: public transportation
- Newark Airport: taxi, car and van service
- Coach USA: Newark Airport Express
- NYC taxi authority (TLC): taxi fare
- NYC taxi authority (TLC): passenger FAQ
- NYC taxi authority (TLC): roof light rule
- Staten Island Ferry
- NYCEDC: NYC Ferry fares
- MTA: Congestion Relief Zone
- MTA: subway accessibility
- Amtrak: Maple Leaf timetable
- Amtrak: Acela timetable
- Greyhound: New York to Niagara Falls
- OurBus: New York to Washington DC
- Coach USA: Woodbury Common trips
- Woodbury Bus
- Woodbury Common Premium Outlets: travel here
Written by the Things to Do in NYC editorial team.