Use this to orient yourself before you get on the street.īuying a Subway Ticket. There is also a map of the entire NYC subway system and a street map for local area on a wall near the exit (usually closest to the attendant booth). They may also have free MTA bus maps (these can sometimes be found on the bus as well). When you enter the subway station with a manned booth you may ask the attendant for a free subway map. But no one will be referring to the LIRR or Path unless you are heading to NJ or Long Island.

If you are asking for directions and are unsure what 'train' they are referring to, ask for clarification! There is also a subway system which services New Jersey known as the PATH train, it's operated by New Jersey Transit and does connect into Manhattan. Please keep in mind that the Long Island Railroad (aka LIRR) is also 'a train' but never known as the 'subway' and New Yorkers don't tend to refer to it as 'the train' but rather the L-I-R-R.

Many New Yorkers also refer to the subway as 'the train'. Although the NYC subway system may run above ground in some places New Yorkers still refer to it as the 'subway'. The subway system runs 24/7 but not all entrances are open 24/7. The red light may also be an exit only - in other words you take your chances using a red light access point. Red light entrances will be open limited hours (usually daytime hours) and will not have an attendant nearby, and will not likely have machine for purchasing tickets (more on that later). The green light indicates that the entrance is open all times and will likely have an attendant available. Some entrances will have a green light at the entrance while others a red light. A subway train can be up to 2 city blocks long and may have multiple entrances. This NYC subway guide will help get you acquainted with the MTA system before you arrive, so you'll feel more comfortable and confident using the New York City subway. For the visitor it can feel intimidating and daunting. The NYC subway is generally the quickest, most efficient and cheapest way to get around Manhattan and to your next NYC Photo Safari workshop. This is quick guide to the MTA Subway system.

Mta subway schedule