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.