I hope you enjoyed reading this guide as much as I enjoyed writing it. Don't expect to fully remember everything in this guide and perfectly navigate the system. You will make some mistakes, but hopefully you are now better equipped and more confident in taking the trains.

I started this guide in 2013 after seeing so many people struggle with the system (and also remembering the struggle I had when I first moved to the city). The guide has grown over time with lots more information and I continue to iterate on it on a regular basis. I want to thank the countless people who have helped review and suggest changes and corrections. If you have found any mistakes/incorrect information (especially on prices that are often subject to change), please let me know. If you have found this guide to be useful, please help me by sharing this guide with other travelers and on social media.

What's next?

• Check out this photo album with lots of random pictures I took in preparing this guide.
• If you have any questions or feedback for this guide, feel free to leave a public comment.
• You can tip me via Venmo at @enderminh or PayPal/Google Pay/Zelle me at [email protected].
• If you want to support the subway and fight for a better and more equitable transit for all New Yorkers, I highly recommend joining and supporting the Riders Alliance.
• Check out my curated list of things to do with children in NYC.
• Lastly, I welcome you to reach out to me via e-mail for anything else.

Despite some of my gripes about the New York subway, I do think it's one of the most valuable subway systems in the world. It certainly provides the most bang for your buck. It's impossible to think of New York City without picturing the subway. The subway system brings a lot of jobs to the city, and is the one place where you encounter people of all races, ethnicities, genders, types, and income brackets. New York wouldn't be this great of a city were it not for its subway system.

Happy traveling!
Minh T. Nguyen
(he/him/his)
[email protected]