How safe is it to ride the NYC subway?

According to the NYPD, subway crime rates have significantly decreased over the years. So, while there's always a chance of encountering some petty theft or occasional subway scuffles, it's generally not an episode of The Purge down there. All aboard the Nostalgia Trains!



In 2026, the NYC Subway is statistically safer than it has been in decades, following a record-breaking drop in crime. Official NYPD data released in early 2026 shows that subway crime plummeted by 4% in 2025, reaching its lowest levels since 2009 (excluding the pandemic years). Most notably, transit robberies reached their fewest ever in recorded history. While high-profile incidents still occasionally dominate the news cycle, the "perceived" danger often outweighs the statistical reality for the millions of daily riders. To enhance safety, the MTA has flooded the system with visible police presence and upgraded thousands of "live" AI-monitored security cameras across platforms and cars. For riders, basic urban awareness—like staying in populated cars and using the "Conductor" car (the middle of the train) at night—remains the standard advice, but the system today is far safer than the "dangerous" reputation it held in the late 20th century.

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We're talking a very marginal difference, of course, because both are extremely safe and there's very little crime in either location, but yes, the subway is safer.

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A New York Times analysis of M.T.A. and police statistics shows that the possibility of falling victim to violent crime in the subway remains remote, even as the rate of violent crimes — murder, rape, felony assault and robbery — per subway ride has more than doubled since 2019, before the pandemic's disruption.

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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.

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Is the Subway the best way to get around NYC? Generally, yes. The subway is the cheapest and most efficient way to get around New York City IF you know what you are doing. It usually gets you from one part of the city to another faster than taking a taxi or uber.

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Riders on the L line, however, are getting the cleanest ride, according to the group, the Straphangers Campaign, which released its findings on Tuesday. It concluded that the fruits of a New York City Transit program to assign additional cleaners to the L and the No. 7 lines helped the L line pull ahead.

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Because if there is a front-end collision or a rear-end collision, the damages will be greater at those locations. The middle of the train is by far the safest for persons.

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Times Square is a lively and fairly busy area both day and night. It is also a magnet for pickpockets and other petty thieves who blend into the crowded streets. Always be aware of your surroundings and keep your valuables tucked away and out of reach. Check out our posts ranking the 70 hotels in Times Square.

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subways are as safe as any form of transport at night. just be aware, as much as you would be on the street. the most prevalent crime is petty theft from sleeping or distracted passengers. 2) there is LESS crime on the subway late at night than there is earlier.

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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.


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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.

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What does “OMNY” mean? OMNY, which stands for One Metro New York, is based on the concept of unifying fare payments and ticketing across multiple modes of transportation. We believe that transportation is an essential service that connects communities and brings the diversity and energy of New York together.

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The back of a chair is an easy target for a thief. Never carry a wallet in a rear pocket, use a front trouser or an inside coat pocket. Be particularly aware of your purse/wallet in crowded situations, such as rush hour trains and buses. If you are jostled in a crowd, be aware that a pickpocket might be responsible.

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A: Some of the safest neighborhoods in NYC include Battery Park City, Tribeca, Chelsea, and Murray Hill. Those aren't the only ones, though! Read on to explore our other top picks.

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Tap OMNY or swipe a pay-per-ride MetroCard as each person enters. Tap a contactless card or a digital wallet at OMNY readers to pay the fare. Swipe your MetroCard with the logo and the black barcode facing you and the clipped corner on the upper right.

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What percentage of people use the subway in NYC? In 2021, our total subway ridership was 760 million, reaching 45% of our 2019 ridership numbers. Total bus ridership was 312 million, back to 56% of our 2019 ridership numbers.

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Hate people? Then you might want to avoid the most crowded part of Times Square, dubbed “The Bow Tie.” It spans between Broadway and Seventh Ave from 41st to 47th Street.

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