Quick Facts
- Opened
- 27 October 1904
- Operator
- MTA New York City Transit
- Stations
- 472
- Services
- 28
- Daily riders
- ~3.5 million
- Network
- 394 km (245 miles)
- Hours
- 24 hours / 7 days
- Payment
- OMNY (contactless), MetroCard
The New York City Subway is one of the world's largest and most complex rapid transit systems. Opened on 27 October 1904, it now operates 472 stations across 245 route miles (394 km) of track, running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — one of the very few subway systems in the world that never closes.
The subway is operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and serves the five boroughs of New York City: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island (via Staten Island Railway, a separate system). Services are identified by letters and numbers and colour-coded into groups that share track corridors.
Unlike most metro systems, the NYC Subway charges a flat fare of $2.90 regardless of distance. There are no zones, no peak surcharges, and no time-of-day pricing. The easiest way to pay is OMNY — tap your contactless Visa, Mastercard, Amex, or phone at the turnstile. OMNY automatically applies a weekly fare cap: once you've paid for 12 rides in a Monday–Sunday week, all subsequent rides that week are free.
The iconic MetroCard is still accepted at all stations but is being phased out as OMNY expands. Unlimited-ride MetroCards (7-day $34, 30-day $132) remain cost-effective for frequent riders who haven't switched to OMNY.
The subway runs express and local services on the same corridor. Express trains (marked with a diamond ◆ on maps) skip local stops and are significantly faster — the 4/5 express versus the 6 local on the Lexington Avenue line is the classic example. Always check the service indicator on the platform before boarding.
Getting to JFK Airport requires a combination of subway and the AirTrain shuttle. Take the A train to Howard Beach or the E/J/Z to Jamaica station, then board the AirTrain to your terminal. Total journey from Midtown is 60–75 minutes and costs $2.90 subway fare plus $8.50 for AirTrain — far cheaper than a taxi or rideshare.
How to Pay
Payment methods: OMNY (contactless Visa/Mastercard/Amex/phone) · MetroCard (being phased out) · 7-day Unlimited MetroCard · 30-day Unlimited MetroCard.
💡 OMNY auto-caps at 12 rides per week (Mon–Sun) — all further rides that week are free. Tap your contactless card or phone; no MetroCard needed.
Peak hours: No peak pricing — flat $2.90 fare at all times, 24/7 — fares are higher during these times. Travel off-peak where possible to save money.
New York City Subway Lines
Key Stations on the New York City Subway
Ticket Prices
Payment methods: OMNY (contactless Visa/Mastercard/Amex/phone), MetroCard (being phased out), 7-day Unlimited MetroCard, 30-day Unlimited MetroCard.
💡 OMNY auto-caps at 12 rides per week (Mon–Sun) — all further rides that week are free. Tap your contactless card or phone; no MetroCard needed.
| Journey | Off-Peak (USD) | Peak (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Single ride (OMNY / MetroCard) | $2.90 | $2.90 |
| 7-day Unlimited MetroCard | $34.00 | $34.00 |
| 30-day Unlimited MetroCard | $132.00 | $132.00 |
| Express Bus (single) | $7.00 | $7.00 |
| AirTrain JFK (add-on) | +$8.50 | +$8.50 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pay for the NYC Subway?
Tap your contactless Visa, Mastercard, Amex card or phone (Apple Pay/Google Pay) with OMNY at any turnstile — $2.90 per ride. OMNY automatically caps your fare at 12 rides per Mon–Sun week, so rides 13 onwards are free. MetroCards still work at all stations but are being phased out.
Does the New York Subway run 24 hours?
Yes — the NYC Subway runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It is one of the only metro systems in the world that never closes. Night services are less frequent (trains every 20–30 min overnight vs every 2–5 min at peak).
What is the subway fare in New York?
A single ride costs $2.90 with OMNY or MetroCard. There is no zone system or peak pricing — the fare is the same no matter how far you travel or what time you ride. A 7-day Unlimited MetroCard costs $34 and is worth it if you take more than 12 rides in a week.
How do I get from JFK Airport to Manhattan?
Take the AirTrain from your terminal to Jamaica station ($8.50), then board the E, J, or Z subway to Manhattan ($2.90). Total journey to Midtown is about 60–75 minutes and costs $11.40. Alternatively, take the AirTrain to Howard Beach and board the A train (slower but good for Lower Manhattan).
What is the difference between local and express trains?
Express trains (marked with a ◆ diamond on maps and signage) skip local stops and run significantly faster. For example, the 4 and 5 are express on the Lexington Avenue line while the 6 is local. Always check the service indicator above the platform before boarding.
Is the NYC Subway safe for tourists?
The subway is generally safe and used by millions of New Yorkers daily. Avoid empty carriages late at night, stay near the conductor car (usually the middle of the train), and be aware of your surroundings. Keep your phone out of sight in crowded stations.
Can I use my credit card on the NYC Subway?
Yes — any contactless Visa, Mastercard, or Amex card taps directly at OMNY turnstiles. No MetroCard or pre-purchase needed. Apple Pay and Google Pay also work. OMNY applies the weekly 12-ride cap automatically across all your taps on the same card.
How many subway lines does New York City have?
The NYC Subway has 28 services (lettered and numbered lines) operating over a network of 472 stations and 394 km of track. Multiple services often share the same tracks — coloured line groups indicate which trunk corridor they run on.
Source: Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and Wikipedia. Always verify fares with the official operator.