Images of New York City in popular culture would not be complete without pedestrians flagging down the familiar yellow taxi of iconic lore. These days, however, tourists and locals have quite a few more NYC transit options than just taxis. Depending on your circumstances, there may be better ways to get from point A to point B in modern New York. Here’s how best to use the various NYC transit options to get around the city.
New York’s Subway
New York has one of the oldest, most iconic subway systems of any major city. All the boroughs are connected via the subway system, making reaching a trendy bar in Queens just as accessible as a big Manhattan skyscraper for a business meeting. The subway may not be the most glamorous mode of travel in the Big Apple, but it’s certainly the cheapest and the most authentic. If you’re strapped for time to make it somewhere during rush hour, the subway may be the best NYC transit option for you.
Taxi
The famous archetype, the New York cab driver, is likely not going anywhere soon. While other modes of NYC transit have made headway in recent years, New York still sees a high volume of taxis. It’s a great way to get around without the hassle of worrying about finding parking or getting worked up cruising the chaotic streets, and they’re an option that’s usually just a wave away.
Rideshare Apps
Rideshare apps, like Uber and Lyft, have made some headway in New York, although they have not completely taken over as they have in some other cities. Thanks to political negotiations, there is a limited amount of these rideshare cars on the roadways. In the future, New Yorkers may enjoy more widespread access to these services, but for now, their numbers are restricted.
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Car Rental
Vehicle rental is a popular option for any traveler. However, traveling by car is not the best way to get around NYC. You might be best off by foregoing a car rental, because of the unique nature of New York traffic. First of all, parking is extremely expensive and difficult to locate in some areas of the cities. The driving habits of New Yorkers are infamous for their lack of etiquette. Finally, navigating New York roadways in busy afternoon traffic could prove to be a nightmare. For the experienced or daring, though, car rental could be a good option. In order to stay safe, it helps to know the most dangerous time of day to drive. It’s something you may want to take into consideration when planning on travelling in the city.
Have you visited the Big Apple? What NYC transit option did you use?
