Tips for New York City - Transportation

Now that I've recounted my New Year's Eve in New York, in a not so modest way...here's my useful blog about tips for New York City. I believe only someone who's lived there can truly explain how the shuffle of the Big Apple works, but I can at least give you a general idea. Then you can either figure out the rest yourself, or find someone who lives there.

Transportation:
Walk. Subway. Bus. Taxi. Done.

Ok, more detail? You can walk NYC til you're dead on your feet. Manhattan is over 22 square miles. Out of the city's 5 boroughs (Manhattan, Queens, The Bronx, Brooklyn, and Staten Island) chances are you'll only visit Manhattan. So, walking is the cheapest option, but if you're covering a lot of ground you'll get tired. Keep in mind for walking (and for your general orientation):

• Avenues usually run north and south, Streets run east and west

• Avenues are usually a bit wider

• Walking along a street you are walking "long blocks", walking along an avenue you are walking "short blocks" (on the map below you can see if you are walking down 56th Street between 5th Avenue and Avenue of the Americas, it's a long block)

• The Avenue numbers do go in order, but not necessarily consecutively (see below)
• The major streets of Manhattan going east to west (increasing as you go west) are (and it wouldn't hurt to memorize the order of these avenues):
• 1st Ave
• 2nd Ave
• 3rd Ave
• Lexington Ave
• Park Ave
• Madison Ave
• 5th Ave
• Avenue of the America's (6th Ave)
• 7th Ave
• 8th Ave
• Streets go in order, increasing as you walk north.

If you wanna catch a taxi, stand on the side of the street and stick your arm up. And: 

• Empty cabs will have the number on the top of the car lit up. An off duty light will be lit if the cabbie is...off duty
• Make sure the cab you're getting into is yellow, those are the only ones allowed to stop on the street for passengers
• Try to catch a taxi already driving in the direction you need to go, that way they don't have to charge you for driving around a block to turn around
• Give the driver an intersection or address, not the name of a place
•  It is customary to tip the taxi driver 15-20%
• You are charged a flat rate as soon as you get in (about $2.50, and then charged per mile while at above 6 mph, or per two minutes when driving below 6mph)
• Taxi drivers drive like a bat out of hell...might wanna close your eyes

If you prefer the subway or bus:

The large green ball means you can
 purchase metrocards here

• Subways and buses don't take cash or coins, you must have a swipable metrocard
• If there's a large green ball outside the subway entrance, you can buy your metrocard there. If there's a large red ball, you must already have your metrocard before entering
• If you're going to be on the subway or bus a lot you can buy a seven day metrocard pass here and it will save you money
• The fare for a single subway or bus ride is $2.50
• Subways are best for long distances
• Don't stand near the edge of the subway platform...have you watched the news lately? There are pushers - also for safety don't be in an empty or nearly empty subway car, stairwell, or platform
• Find a bus or subway map and figure out which route you need to take before you get on the subway or bus - the map should also explain all the colored dots and letters you'll see
• There may be different entrances for different subways, so before you swipe your card to go through the turn-style, make sure you're at the right one

Check back for tips on sightseeing, dining, and more!