What is the best app for NYC subway times?

NEW YORK'S MOST ACCURATE TRANSIT APP. MyTransit is the most reliable NYC Subway, Bus, LIRR Long Island, Metro-North and MTA transit tracker app with maps, live arrival times, schedules, directions, and alerts.



The best app for New York City subway times in 2026 is a toss-up between the Official MTA App and the community-favorite Subway Time NYC. The official MTA app is the most reliable "source of truth," as it provides real-time data directly from the transit authority, including service alerts, elevator/escalator status, and live bus tracking. It also allows you to plan trips across the LIRR and Metro-North. However, many locals prefer Subway Time NYC for its speed and simplicity; it offers a clean interface with "countdown" clocks for nearby stations and highly accurate arrival estimates down to the second. For those who want more advanced routing and "multimodal" options (like combining the subway with a Citi Bike or Uber), Citymapper remains a top-tier choice for its "best carriage" feature, which tells you exactly where to stand on the platform to be closest to your exit.

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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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Trains on the same track cannot pass each other like buses can, and so to increase speed, changes can only be made in terms of headway, or in which stations are served. Skipping stations increases the average speed of trains, thus making journeys quicker and more appealing to commuters.

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The MTA has announced that MetroCards will be phased out by 2024 and replaced by the OMNY payment system, which allows riders to make a contactless payment with their phones in lieu of swiping.

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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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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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The most crowded train in the NYC Subway system is often considered to be the 4, 5, and 6 trains during peak hours. These lines, collectively known as the Lexington Avenue Line, serve a significant portion of Manhattan and the Bronx, and experience high ridership due to several reasons: 1.

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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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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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While a single ride costs $2.90, the Unlimited card saves you money because the more you use it, the cheaper each ride is. If your stay is 30 days or longer, consider a 30-day unlimited card for $127 ($63.50 reduced fare). Important rules that apply to Unlimited MetroCards: It can only be used by 1 person.

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Changes to New York City Transit fares 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.

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To board a Select Bus Service bus, you will need to insert your MetroCard or bus transfer at the MetroCard Fare Collector machine and obtain a proof-of-payment receipt. You may enter the bus at any door. Please be sure to hold on to your proof of payment receipt while riding the Select Bus Service.

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Based on which trains had the highest crime rate per every 100,000 trips, the top nine most dangerous subway lines were:
  • Forest Hills/71st Avenue Station (IND Queens Boulevard Line) – E, F, M, R train. ...
  • 149th Street/Grand Concourse Station (IRT Jerome Avenue Line/IRT White Plains Road Line) – 2, 4, 5 train.


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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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