Question:
Is taking the nyc subway difficult?
Gaby
2008-07-13 15:43:59 UTC
I've never been to new york and I wanted to know if i should get a cab or use the subway, since it's cheaper. Also, is it really as dangerous as it's made out to be?
Ten answers:
Girth McGarnagle
2008-07-13 21:10:56 UTC
its safe, cheap, and easy to figure out..
msmobo
2008-07-13 16:03:50 UTC
It's not nearly as dangerous as the last answerer made it out to be. Mostly the problems depend on when you're traveling. The weekends can be annoying and confusing, but rarely perilous. If you can read a map you can negotiate the subways. Know where you want to go and the orientation of the island and boroughs and you're almost done. You are probably better off asking a fellow traveler for directions than the people paid to help you, but be sure to ask for a second or third opinion. The MetroCard machines are fairly self explanatory. Don't let anyone hurry you. Take your time, check out the map and try to listen to the loudspeakers announcing changes in the routes. The worst thing that can happen is that you get on the wrong train. Then you'll just have to turn around and get it right. As long as it's not an emergency you'll get there eventually.
honky275
2008-07-13 15:51:07 UTC
It's not difficult, but the important thing is to look like you know what you're doing. If you're standing around, looking at a map, or unsure how to use the fare cards, someone could pick up on that and try to take advantage of you.



Some ways to stay safe:

Study the map in advance, and not out in the open.



Familiarize yourself with a main route, and maybe a back-up plan in case the first one doesn't work.



Buy fare cards in advance if you can - you can use cash or credit cards at a farecard machine in the stations, either a one-day pass, or a weekly pass, or by individual fares, depending on how long you'll be in town.



Don't keep wallets or valuables in back pockets, keep cameras or cell phones inside purses or out of sight.



Don't stand close to the platform edge. Watch the gap between the platform of the subway, and don't ride between cars or change cars while the subway is moving.



Statistically, crime is down in NYC, but you should always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.



Subways are cheaper and generally easy, but of course there's always the possibility of complications - stuck trains, construction work.



Cabs are more expensive, especially during high-traffic periods, or if you seem too much like a tourist a cabbie could take you the "long way".
2008-07-14 04:51:39 UTC
no take the train as much as possible, its really simple and its oftentimes even faster than takin cabs all the time.



The subway really isnt as dangerous as you might think. There are pickpockets and ish like that so watch ur pocketbook & ur wallet, but other than that you're good. At night, however, it can get a lil bit dangerous depending on tha neighborhood you're in, and trains dont run as frequently. Best bet is to take a cab after midnight. If you must take the train, then stay as close to the conductor's car as possible.
MomSezNo
2008-07-13 17:26:46 UTC
Go on-line to the Transit Authority website and familiarize yourself with the subway system, at least in Manhattan, and get an idea of what's "up" and "down", etc. You can always ask someone whether you're in the right spot - just be careful whom you ask.



Also check for NYC guidebooks or the websites of various attractions for directions and for which subway station is nearest to what you want to see.



The system is pretty easy to use and is safe, at least during the day and early evenings. Get a Metrocard to save even more money.



You might also be interested in CityPass.com. You can get a ticket for various tourist attractions. You'll need to calculate whether or not it will save you any money, depending on what you're interested in doing.
bluishpostit
2008-07-14 08:38:27 UTC
Don't take a cab, with the gas prices as they are, you'll really regret it. Just be sure to know where you're going and LEAVE EARLY because there's always a good chance the subways will be delayed. I suggest you check out hopstop.com or mta.info to find out the right trains to take (both sites even tell you what to do if certain lines will be out of service b/c of scheduled repairs).
2008-07-14 00:55:03 UTC
Most people I know get confused figuring out which train is which and knowing the difference between uptown/downtown and all of the different transfer options to get from point A to point B.



But the subway is rather interesting and it is definitely cheaper. Try this website (www.hopstop.com) it details start and end points of your trips and even takes into account all of the different other routes you can take in case of construction or the other problems other people have mentioned.



Most of all, be careful and if you get lost, you should ask for help. :-) Hope you enjoy it here!
?
2008-07-13 15:54:06 UTC
Use the train. You will save money, it's funner than a cab, and it's easy. Get a map at any of the stations. If it's difficult for you to read ask someone. Have you ever had a bad job? I look at the trains like a bad job. You have wierdos that you don't like, you have your back stabbers, you have the quiet ones,and then the big mouths. Just watch your back because you never know who is who. If you can handle a bad job, you'll be fine on the trains.
FamousNYLover
2008-07-14 08:34:08 UTC
It's never diffucult if you learned to use it.

Most NYC buses and subways run 24-hour daily, including Staten Island Railway.



Get a subway map and bus map.



On the front side will be subway system with bottom right hand corner divided into four columns of Rush Hour, Midday, Evening and Nights (meaning Late Night).

On the left of it, there will be regardding subway change or construction info.



Major subway station/bus station has sign what bus will be available at those stations. Buses route name with airplane symbol means it connect to airport.



On weekends, sometimes shuttle bus can be used, or go-backward to go-forward or take alternate train or LIRR depends.



If MTA was using shuttle bus, please remember shuttle buses provided by SUBWAYS are free. Subway shuttle bus used regulalr buses.



Here's important tip to be safe and be aware of pickpocket.



Never put your wallet/valuables in back pocket.

Never flash your jewerly.

Do not walk between subway/Staten Island Railway cars.

Do not put your foot or luggage on empty seat of subways/buses.

Stay AWAKE when ridding subways/buses. That's your top prioty.

Never run on escalator, trains, or subways, stairs or buses, mostly on rain or snow.

When doors are closing on subway, wait for next train.

Also on subway stations, overhead sign will tell you what to do depends on subway lines and hours.



On buses, following abbreciation is used.

B: Brooklyn.

Bx: Bronx.

Q: Queens

M: Manhattan

S: Staten Island

On Queens Bus Map, Long Island Bus in Nassau County follows MTA system, with "N." Bee-Line used BL/W symbols except for BxM4C express.

X: Express bus.

BM/QM/BxM: Same symbol with express bus.

(+) means Bx12 +Select Bus Service.

Select Bus Service is new high-performance bus that change red to green light or extend green light when bus approach, well as dedicated bus lane. Preboarding fare and you must paid at Coin Fare Collector outside Select Station or MetroCard Fare Collector inside, then obtain valid reciept.



In subway stations, there are two turnstiles. Turnstiles and HEETs.



Also before the entrance, there will be red globe which means EXIT, NO REENTRY or METROCARD ONLY. BUY METROCARD OR ENTER HERE WITH METROCARD.



On subway shuttle buses, check the destination like "A train to 168th St when shuttle bus are replacing, yellow sign and construction sign will be posted to divert passenger to connecting shuttle bus. Late Night, when (3) does not operate also.



On city, Bee-Line and Long Island bus, check the bus route and destination of buses.

Express buses $5 only pickups Outerborough passengers and Drop-off in their boroughs, then pickup, then inbound to Manhattan drop-off only.
F
2008-07-13 18:08:32 UTC
i never hesitate to take the subway during the day, and i have taken it at night, but it might be safer not to at night. (i never even looked at the maps; i just always asked, "which train do i take to get to...?")


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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