Transportation in New York
New York is composed of five boroughs, each one of which would constitute a sizeable town in its own right. Manhattan Island is the hub of the action. NYC consists of five boroughs. Manhattan (central), the Bronx (north), Brooklyn (southeast), Queens (east) and Staten Island (southwest). Manhattan Island, which is tall and thin, is divided into three: Downtown (south of 14th Street), Midtown (14th to 59th Street) and Uptown (north of 59th Street). Fifth Avenue runs the length of Manhattan, south to north. Anywhere to its east has an "East" address, anywhere west has a "West" address.
Read more about transport from and to the airport
Subway
The subway is the fastest way to get around and, having been turned into an icon on the page, in song and on film, is an attraction in itself. It connects all five boroughs and runs efficiently 24 hours a day. Routes are identified by letters, numbers and colours.
Foot
A great way to get around since most of New York's attractions are easily found on Manhattan's grid system. One common mistake, however, is to underestimate the sheer vastness of Manhattan. A walk from Battery Park to Central Park for a curious sightseer can take up an entire day.
Bus
The 3,700 blue and white MTA buses are a slower, more scenic alternative to the subway. They are a wonderful way to get a feel for the city and its streets. If you happen to get stuck in traffic, you may wish you took the subway.
Taxi
Yellow cabs can be hailed on the street if the light is on. Ranks are located on the main arteries of the city (Canal, Houston, 14th, 23rd, etc) and outside major hotels. All taxis have meters and drivers usually get a 15% tip on top of the final fare.
Rent your car
There's no right-hand turn at red lights in New York and unnecessary horn-honking can incur a US$100 fine. Most streets are one way, and yellow/amber lights change fast, so hold back or you’ll face irate drivers for adding to the gridlock. You can expect to pay upwards from US$7.50/hour to park.
Transportation Tips
Rush hour is 7.30am-9am and 4.30pm-6.30pm - some will say it is around the clock! A one-day, seven-day or 30-day MetroCard pass is available at all subway stations, for unlimited travel on subway and bus. On city buses payment – a flat fee of US$2 – can also be made with tokens or in cash (although drivers require exact change).
