Last updated October 13, 2026
New York’s subway runs 24 hours a day across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx, with lines named by letters and numbers. A ride costs $3, paid by tapping a phone, contactless card or OMNY card at the turnstile, and you’ll never pay more than $35 in any seven days if you use the same payment method. The keys to riding it are knowing whether you’re going uptown or downtown, and whether you need a local or an express train.
How are subway lines named?
Each service is a letter or number, such as the A, the L or the 6. Services that share the same main route through Manhattan share a color on the map: for example, the 4, 5 and 6 are all green because they run along Lexington Avenue, and the A, C and E are blue along Eighth Avenue. The color tells you the route; the letter or number tells you exactly which train to board, since trains of the same color can go to different places at either end.
What do uptown and downtown mean?
In Manhattan, uptown means north and downtown means south. Station entrances and platforms are signed “Uptown” or “Downtown,” often with the borough the train is heading to, such as “Uptown & The Bronx” or “Downtown & Brooklyn.” Outside Manhattan, signs usually name a borough or the last stop.
Check before you tap in. At many smaller stations, the uptown and downtown platforms have separate entrances on opposite sides of the street, with no connection underground. Enter the wrong side and you’ll have to exit, cross the street and pay again.
What’s the difference between local and express trains?
Many lines have both. Local trains stop at every station. Express trains skip stops and only stop at major stations, which is much faster for long trips. On the map, local-only stops are shown with a black dot and express stops with a white one. If your stop is local-only, an express train will fly right past it, so check the sign on the train and the map before you board.
How do you pay for the subway?
Tap to pay at the turnstile using OMNY, the MTA’s contactless system. You can tap:
- A contactless credit or debit card
- Your phone or smartwatch wallet
- An OMNY card, which costs $2 and can be loaded with cash at vending machines and retailers
The MetroCard, New York’s old swipe card, has been phased out, and OMNY is now the way to pay.
| Fare | Price |
|---|---|
| Subway or local bus ride | $3.00 |
| Reduced fare | $1.50 |
| Weekly fare cap (subway and local bus) | $35 in any rolling 7 days |
| Reduced-fare weekly cap | $17.50 |
| Express bus ride | $7.25 |
| New OMNY card | $2 |
How does the $35 weekly fare cap work?
There are no monthly passes anymore. Instead, OMNY tracks your rides automatically: once you’ve spent $35 on subway and local bus fares within any rolling seven days, every additional ride in that window is free. To get the cap, always tap the same card or device. If you switch between your phone and a physical card, they count separately. If you pay for a friend with your card, their ride doesn’t count toward your cap.
Does the subway really run 24 hours?
Yes, every day. But late at night and on weekends, service often changes for maintenance: some express trains run local, some lines are rerouted, and trains come less often. Always check for service changes in the MTA app or on signs posted in stations before you travel late or on a weekend.
How do you get to the airports by subway?
- JFK: take the A train to Howard Beach, or the E, J or Z to Jamaica, then transfer to the AirTrain to the terminals. The AirTrain charges a separate fee when you enter or exit at Howard Beach or Jamaica.
- LaGuardia: there’s no subway to the airport. Bus connections run from nearby subway stations.
- Newark: it’s in New Jersey and served by New Jersey Transit and Amtrak trains from Penn Station, not the subway.
What are the unwritten rules of riding the subway?
- Have your phone or card ready before you reach the turnstile.
- Let people off before you board, then move into the car instead of blocking the doors.
- Take your backpack off in crowded trains.
- Stand to the side when checking your map, not at the top of the stairs.
- If a car is empty on a crowded train, there’s usually a reason. Choose another one.
- Stay aware of your surroundings, keep your phone secure near the doors, and use the conductor’s car (usually in the middle of the train) late at night.
What mistakes do new riders make?
- Entering the wrong direction’s platform at a station with separate uptown and downtown entrances.
- Boarding an express when their stop is local-only.
- Switching payment methods and missing out on the weekly fare cap.
- Not checking weekend and late-night service changes.
- Following the line color instead of the letter or number, and ending up on a different branch.
Frequently asked questions about the New York subway
How much is a subway ride in New York?
$3, since January 4, 2026. With OMNY, you’ll never pay more than $35 in any seven days.
Can you still use a MetroCard?
No. The MetroCard has been phased out. Pay with a contactless card, your phone or an OMNY card.
Is there a monthly subway pass?
Not anymore. The $35 rolling weekly fare cap replaced unlimited passes.
Does the New York subway run all night?
Yes, 24 hours a day, every day, though service is less frequent and often rerouted late at night.
What is the difference between a local and an express train?
Local trains stop at every station. Express trains stop only at major stations and are faster for longer trips.
Sources
- 2026 fares, weekly cap and OMNY changes: CBS New York; NY1; West Side Spirit
- Official fare information: MTA, fare and toll changes
