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Getting around the city is likely to take some getting used to; public
transit here is on the whole quite good, extremely cheap, and covers
most conceivable corners of the city, whether by bus or subway. Don't
be afraid to ask someone for help if you're confused. You'll no doubt
find the need for a taxi from time to time, especially if you feel
uncomfortable in an area at night; you shouldn't ever have trouble
tracking one down - the ubiquitous yellow cabs are always on the prowl
for passenger.
THE SUBWAY - DOWNLOAD A SUBWAY MAP PDF
The New York
subway is
intimidating and initially incomprehensible. It's also the fastest and
most efficient way to get from A to B in Manhattan and the outer
boroughs, and it is safer and more user-friendly than it once was. Put
aside your qualms: Six million people ride the subway every day, quite
a few for the first time.
 Any subway journey costs
$1.50
, payable by
token
purchased at any booth, but if you are going to be take more than a couple of rides, it's more efficient to purchase a
MetroCard
. This allows you to transfer (for free) from subway to bus, bus to
subway or bus to bus within a period of two hours. It's available, from
token booths and vending machines, in several forms: cards can be
bought for $3 to $80; $15 purchases allow eleven rides for the cost of
ten, and $30 purchases allow 22 rides for the cost of twenty.
Unlimited-ride cards allow unlimited travel for a certain period of
time: a seven-day pass for $17, a thirty-day pass for $63 and a daily
"Fun Pass" for $4.
BUSSES - LOWER MANHATTAN MAP (PDF) or MANHATTAN MAP (PDF)
The
bus system is
simpler than the subway, and you can see where you're going and hop off
at anything interesting. It also features many more crosstown routes.
The major disadvantage is that they can be extremely slow - in peak
hours almost down to walking pace, and extremely full to boot. In
response to cries of overcrowding along several routes, the MTA
recently introduced "accordion buses" - two buses attached with a
flexible rubber accordion, which helps the big vehicle turn corners.
However, because these run slightly less frequently than the ones they
replaced, they still get crowded.
Bus maps, like subway maps, can be obtained at the main
concourse of Grand Central or the Convention and Visitors Bureau at
53rd Strett and Seventh Avenue.
Anywhere in Manhattan the
fare is $1.50
, payable on entry with either a subway token, a
MetroCard
(the most convenient way) or with the correct change - no bills.
TAXIS
Taxis are always worth
considering, especially if you're in a hurry or in a group or late at
night. Always use medallion cabs, immediately recognizable by their
yellow paintwork and medallion up top; gypsy cabs, unlicensed,
uninsured operators who tout for business wherever tourists arrive,
should be avoided.
Up to four people can travel in an ordinary medallion cab. Fares
are $2 for the first fifth of a mile and 30¢ for each fifth of a mile
thereafter or for each ninety seconds in stopped or slow traffic. The
basic charge rises by 50¢ from 8pm to 6am. Trips outside Manhattan can
incur toll fees; not all of the crossings cost money, however, and the
driver should ask you which route you wish to take.
The tip
should be fifteen to twenty percent of the fare; you'll get a dirty
look if you offer less. Drivers don't like splitting anything bigger
than a $10 bill, and are in their rights to refuse a bill over $20
WALKING
Few cities equal New York for street-level stimulation. Getting around
on foot
is often the most exciting - and tiring - method of exploring. Figure
fifteen minutes to walk ten north-south blocks - rather more at rush
hour. However you plan your wanderings you're still going to spend much
of your time walking. Footwear is important (sneakers are good for
spring/summer; winter needs something waterproof). So is safety: a lot
more people are injured in New York carelessly crossing the street than
are mugged. Pedestrian crossings don't give you automatic right of way
unless the WALK sign is on - and, even then, cars may be turning, so be
prudent.
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City Transportation 
