Does the NYC Subway cost money?

Riding the subway is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to get around the city. For most riders, the subway fare is $2.90. Reduced fares are available for people 65 and older, people with disabilities, and low-income New Yorkers. Learn more about fares.



People Also Ask

Subways and local buses Get free rides after 12 fares within seven days using the same device or contactless card with fare capping. Learn more about how to get free rides with OMNY.

MORE DETAILS

The base fare for subway, local buses and paratransit increased 15 cents, from $2.75 to $2.90. The 7-Day Unlimited Ride pass increased from $33 to $34, and the 30-Day Unlimited Ride pass increased from $127 to $132.

MORE DETAILS

You can use cash, credit, or debit cards to make your purchase. New York City subway fares are $2.75 per trip. For visitors staying more than a couple of days you can buy a one week unlimited MetroCard for $33 or an unlimited monthly MetroCard for $127.00.

MORE DETAILS

The New York City subway is a core part of the infrastructure and transportation in the city. The subway is owned by the city of New York and leased to the New York Transit Authority. It is one of the oldest subway systems and one of the largest in the world, with about 472 stations in operation.

MORE DETAILS

With a regular Pay-Per-Ride card, every subway ride costs $2.90 (plus a $1 fee for a new card if you don't already have one). With a Pay-Per-Ride, you get one free transfer to a bus within 2 hours. If you decide to go with a Pay-Per-Ride you can skip buying a MetroCard and use the OMNY Tap-To-Pay option.

MORE DETAILS

You don't have to sign up or download an app to use OMNY; simply use your contactless credit or debit card, smartphone, wearable device, or OMNY card to tap and go.

MORE DETAILS

About bus fares OMNY is accepted on all New York City buses. Fares can also be paid with a MetroCard, coins, or SingleRide ticket. Some buses are fare-free: Q70-LaGuardia Link to and from LaGuardia Airport.

MORE DETAILS

About bus fares OMNY is accepted on all New York City buses. Fares can also be paid with a MetroCard, coins, or SingleRide ticket. Some buses are fare-free: Q70-LaGuardia Link to and from LaGuardia Airport.

MORE DETAILS

Tap and go: Pick your payment method
  1. Tap your contactless card. Check if your contactless credit, debit, or reloadable prepaid card has the contactless symbol on the front or back. ...
  2. Tap your phone or smart device. Add a payment card to your digital wallet, then tap your device at an OMNY reader and GO. ...
  3. Tap an OMNY card.


MORE DETAILS

The New York City subway system began rolling out Apple Pay Express Transit back in May 2019, and it was available at all stations by the end of 2020.

MORE DETAILS

Since MetroCards are still available until the end of 2024, so until then, it may not be worth buying an OMNY card, which costs $4 more than a MetroCard. On the other hand, if you use a pay-per-ride MetroCard, you do not get to take advantage of the OMNY fare cap mentioned above.

MORE DETAILS

Maneuver Manhattan's train system like a local Here, Archer Hotel New York's consummate host offers timely tips on navigating the New York City subway (aka train) system like a boss. LOCAL TIP: New Yorkers typically call the subway “trains” (not underground or metro) or by their alpha name (the C or the Q).

MORE DETAILS

Yes, celebrities do ride the New York City subway from time to time. Although many celebrities may prefer to travel by private car or use other means of transportation, some have been spotted on the subway in the past.

MORE DETAILS

The subway carried 1,793,073,000 riders in 2022. On October 29, 2015, more than 6.2 million people rode the subway system, establishing the highest single-day ridership since ridership was regularly monitored in 1985.

MORE DETAILS

The A provides the longest one-seat ride in the system—at 32.39 miles (52.13 km), between Inwood and Far Rockaway—and has a weekday ridership of 600,000.

MORE DETAILS

  • The most crowded line at peak appears to be the 2/3 Uptown. ( 4.38 passengers standing per meter squared)
  • The highest throughput individual train is the L (23,987 passengers)
  • The highest throughput line is the B/D/N/Q section through midtown ( 43,550 passengers)


MORE DETAILS