What is the difference between the subway and the train in New York City?

The system is operated by a subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The subway system is usually just referred to as the trains. Locals say I can take the train to your place to generally mean that they take the subway. The subway is never referred to as the metro, underground, or tube.



In New York City, the term "subway" refers to the massive, 24/7 rapid transit system operated by the MTA New York City Transit, which primarily serves the five boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island). It is characterized by its uniform fare (currently $2.90), high frequency, and "tap-to-pay" OMNY system. In contrast, the "train" (or commuter rail) refers to the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad, which are designed to carry passengers from the city center to the surrounding suburbs in Long Island, Westchester, Connecticut, and New Jersey (via NJ Transit). These "trains" operate on a schedule, utilize distance-based "zone" pricing, and offer a more comfortable, "seated" environment compared to the standing-room-only nature of the subway. While the subway is the "veins" of the city, the commuter trains are the "arteries" that connect the broader tri-state area. Knowing the difference is crucial for navigating, as a "subway" ticket will not work on an LIRR train, even if they both depart from the same massive hub like Grand Central or Penn Station.

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Usually 'subway' when we're talking about the system in general, such as when we don't know what lines we're going to take Hey, want to take the subway or catch a cab? If we know the lines, then we just use the name/number We can take the L to the N/R or we can catch a cab.

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For New York, I have mostly seen subway, for DC it's metro, for Boston and Pittsburgh it's the T, for Chicago it's the L. 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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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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There is practically no difference; subway (or metro or underground) is a an underground rapid transit rail system (mainly US and Canadian usage) as per Wikipedia. JR (former Japan National Railways) also have a similar rapid transit rail system around major cities; some go underground.

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Metro is an abbreviation for the word Metropolitan. When used in conjunction with transportation it can mean anything from a bus line, train system, thoroughfare, subway, etc. It is simply a local preference in vernacular. A subway denotes under such as the NYC subway system or under passes in Los Angeles.

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The name “SUBWAY” comes from its shape resembling a submarine! Did you know that the name “SUBWAY” comes from the word “submarine,” which means underwater vessel?

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Tap to pay your fare with your contactless credit/debit card, smartphone, or OMNY card, or pay with a MetroCard.

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The New York City Subway is a rapid transit system that serves four of the five boroughs of New York City, New York: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens.

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Cost per swipe: $2.90. You put a dollar value on the card and pay $2.90 at the beginning of each trip. The minimum balance for new cards is $5.80, the cost of two swipes. A new card costs $1. You can combine time and value on the same MetroCard.

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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.

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A subway ride is $2.75 per person. A taxi has an immediate base fare of $2.50, then you pay for the mileage. Better off with the subway generally. But...if you are four people, don't have unlimited subway cards, and are going a short distance...TAXI!

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There are plenty of ways to get to Brooklyn and the other boroughs in NYC, including Staten Island across the harbor.
  1. NYC Transportation Guide | How to Get Around NYC.
  2. NYC buses.
  3. Rail service in NYC.
  4. Bike rental in NYC.
  5. Ferries in NYC.
  6. Taxi/Uber/Lyft.
  7. Walking.
  8. Tram.


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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.

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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. Subway is generally used for underground train systems and metro for above ground.

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They are the same: electric multiple-unit rapid transit trains. Metro train can run in subways (tunnels), at grade level, or on elevated trackways—referred to as el's in North America. Metro systems are thus frequently referred to as the subway or the underground, the el, or just the train.

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