On the platform
Wait back from the edge and leave room for people to exit. Step to the side of the doors. If a car is full, let it go and check the next train.
Trip planning / Subway
How to ride the NYC subway
A first-time NYC subway guide with official maps, OMNY fares, local and express trains, passenger etiquette, accessibility and what to do if you feel unsafe.
Start with the right map
Use the subway map to choose a route, then check live service before leaving. Construction and late-night changes can affect which stops a train serves. A text map is useful when you want to check a single line’s stations and transfers.
Official subway map Text maps by line Live service status and trip planner Accessible stations
If you feel threatened or someone needs help
Call 911 in an emergency, including an immediate threat, assault, or serious injury. Give your station or last stop, the line and direction, and the car number if you can see it safely.
If you feel unsafe, give yourself distance. If it’s safe to do so, move toward other riders or staff, or step off at the next station and use the platform to change cars or find help. Avoid confrontation and stay away from the platform edge.
On a platform, look for the blue Help Point. Its red button is for emergencies and its green button is for information. You can also ask an MTA employee or police officer. For non-urgent incidents, use the reporting instructions below once you’re somewhere safe.
MTA safety and incident reporting NYPD reporting instructions
After you’re somewhere safe
For harassment, assault, or another incident, the MTA and NYPD provide reporting options. When reporting, share the time, station, direction, and what happened. If you witness an emergency, call for help from a safe place and tell the dispatcher where responders can find the person.
Pay and find the right platform
- The standard subway fare is $3 for most riders as of November 9, 2026. Tap a contactless bank card, a phone or watch, or an OMNY card at the turnstile. Follow the reader’s confirmation before walking through.
- For the rolling seven-day fare cap, use the same card or device on every ride. A physical card and the same card in your phone’s wallet count separately. OMNY lists a $35 cap for eligible subway and local bus rides.
- Check the entrance sign before tapping. Some entrances serve only one direction. In Manhattan, uptown generally means north and downtown means south. On the platform, match the train’s letter or number and its destination to your route.
- A local train serves the local stops on its route. An express may skip yours. Check the exact stop list and any service notices instead of relying on line color.
Passenger habits that make the ride easier
Inside the car
Move away from the doors, hold a rail when standing, keep bags close, and leave priority seating for people who need it. Keep phone audio in headphones and avoid blocking aisles.
At transfers and exits
Read signs before following a crowd. Check the cross street at your exit. If you miss your stop, get off at a station where you can change directions safely.
Accessibility, bags and travel disruptions
Check accessible entrances and elevators at both ends and at every transfer. If an elevator is out, replan using an accessible station or bus. With luggage or a stroller, allow extra time and keep doors and passageways clear. If the train stops unexpectedly, listen for crew instructions. If an item falls onto the tracks, leave it there and tell an MTA employee.
Check elevator and escalator status MTA lost and found Airport connections
A first ride from Midtown
Going from Times Square to Jackson Heights? Use the official map to find the 7 train toward Queens, then check that your train stops at 74 St–Broadway. This is a good example of why it pays to check the stop list for the train you’re boarding.