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Is the NYC subway the same as the metro?

We don't have a metro we have a subway, but to confuse things, you use a Metrocard to ride the subway. The subway is the internal train system within 4 of the 5 boroughs of NYC (Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx).



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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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Cost: $34 (7-day) or $132 (30-day). You have unlimited swipes on the subway and local buses for either 7 or 30 days. Your MetroCard can only hold one Unlimited Ride refill at a time. You can't pause an unlimited ride card once you've started using it.

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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.

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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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A subway is not technically a train, but the tunnel and track where the subway train runs—similar to how a monorail train is a type of train, but a monorail is not a train, but the thing the monorail train runs on. Some people use the word “subway” to mean subway train, though.

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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).

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In terms of strict dictionary definitions, both terms imply underground trains. Subway is a generic term, but metro is more localized to certain cities.

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Remember, ?Even = East?: All Avenues run north (uptown) to south (downtown). Streets always run east to west (crosstown). With the exception of large cross-streets that run in both directions, even-numbered streets run one-way towards the east and odd-numbered streets run one-way towards the west.

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The key is to look at the signs above each station, indicating which subway lines it services and the direction each train is headed. Note: subway lines are either numbers or letters. Usually, there are two entrances on either side of the same street. Each entrance puts you on a different track.

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Buses are your best option if you are traveling from East to West across the city. If it's a pleasant day try to rent a bike or ride a NYC ferry. You will see more of the city and have fun. NYC has many ride sharing options.

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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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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.

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