What's The Deal on Transport in New York?

First things first, getting to and from the airport. There are a few options from rideshares like Uber and Lyft, to taking the train. For the cheapest option, go for the AirTrain, which costs $7.75 ($1 for a new Metrocard, the official transit ticket of NYC) and connects the terminals at JFK to the MTA. From there you can catch a train into the city for $2.75 one way.

Once you’re settled, walking is always the best way to get where you’re headed. If you’re not in a rush and the distance is doable, it’s often more scenic than waiting underground for the trains, and offers flexibility when it comes to last minute changes – sitting in an uber stuck in traffic, not so much.

That said, the MTA will get you where you need to go for a $5.50 round trip if you know where to look. Before riding the subway, you’ll want to make sure you have the My MTA app downloaded – it has schedules and live updates across subway, bus and rail. Google Maps is decent for general, all-round travel but this app will catch if your train is running on different tracks for the weekend (happens more frequently than you’d think). For spring and summer travel, the ferry is a fast (and surprisingly chill) way to see the Statue of Liberty up close, get to the beach or cross over to Jersey. For schedules and tickets (one way will cost you $2.75), download the NYC Ferry app.

If you’re looking for speed but something more sustainable, biking is a great alternative. Citibike is probably the most popular choice ($3.50/trip or $15/day) and you can access bikes that are charged up and ready to go throughout the city through apps like Lyft. These bike rentals don’t come with helmets so you’ll want to make sure you’re alert, especially when riding in particularly busy areas like Soho or Williamsburg.

If you're planning to visit New York City, check out our local guides to discover the best places to go.