What app do I need for NYC Subway?

Our flagship apps, MYmta and TrainTime, make it easy to find your best transit option, whether you're traveling on the subway, bus, Long Island Rail Road, or Metro-North Railroad. Our apps include tools that help you easily navigate your trip.



For navigating the New York City Subway in 2026, the official MTA app is the gold standard, providing real-time arrival "countdown clocks," service alerts, and a comprehensive trip planner that accounts for weekend construction and delays. Another highly popular choice for 2026 is Citymapper, which many locals prefer for its "step-by-step" navigation, telling you exactly which subway car to board to be closest to your exit and offering alternative routes like buses or ferries if a train line is suspended. If you are looking for a simple, high-quality map, the New York Subway MTA Map app by Mapway is a frequent favorite for its offline capability. For 2026 travelers, it is also essential to have Apple Wallet or Google Pay set up on your phone; New York has fully transitioned to the OMNY system, allowing you to "tap-and-go" at every turnstile without needing a physical MetroCard. By using one of these apps alongside a digital payment method, you can navigate the complex 472-station system with the confidence of a seasoned New Yorker, ensuring you spend less time squinting at signs and more time enjoying the city.

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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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In fact, 88% of the time, OMNY is cheaper than a 30-day MetroCard if I average 10 rides a week. Let's see if we can generalize this to other weekly averages: As you can see, up until I average 11 rides a week, OMNY is usually better. More often than not, I'll save money if I stick with it and skip the Unlimited card.

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OMNY can currently be used to pay fares at all New York City Subway and Staten Island Railway stations, on all MTA buses, and on the Roosevelt Island Tram; when completely rolled out, it will also replace the MetroCard on Bee-Line buses, NICE buses, and AirTrain JFK.

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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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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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Creating an OMNY account is not required. However, there are many benefits available to you by registering for an OMNY account. For example, you can access a secure, personalized dashboard, where you can view up to 12 months of your trips and charges. Register for an OMNY account today.

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Purchase and use of this OMNY card constitutes your acceptance of the OMNY Terms of Service and the OMNY Privacy Policy at omny.info/terms-of-service and omny.info/privacy-policy. This OMNY card costs $5 to purchase and must be loaded with a minimum of $1 or a fare product at the time of purchase.

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The MTA's OMNY payment system could reveal your trip history to anyone who has your credit card number — and cybersecurity experts said Wednesday the setup might threaten your privacy.

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You can use your iPhone to pay for your fare with a payment card in Apple Pay or a transit card stored in the Wallet app .

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OMNY readers are point-of-sale terminals, allowing you to pay your fare and enter the system – all in a split second. Just like you swipe or dip your MetroCard at MetroCard readers, you can tap your contactless card, your smart device, or an OMNY card at OMNY readers.

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Where can I use OMNY? All subway stations, MTA buses and Roosevelt Island Tram stations have OMNY readers. In the coming months, we plan to expand fare options across subway, bus, paratransit, and commuter rail.

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Reduced-Fares. Reduced-fare MetroCards and One Metro New York (OMNY) are available for riders who are 65 or older or riders who have qualifying disabilities. The reduced fare is half the base fare.

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Benefits of OMNY include: Free transfers – Use the same card or device for both legs of your trip to get a free transfer. Free trips – Pay for 12 rides using the same card or device in a 7-day period, and all additional rides within the week are free. Learn more here.

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Nearly half of all subway riders are using OMNY to tap into the system with two million riders using OMNY every day. OMNY has processed cards from all of the 195 countries that issue bank cards and 68 percent of OMNY transactions are made by customers tapping digital wallets in phones and wearables.

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