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Fares shown are standard adult Oyster/contactless rates. Updated for TfL March 2026 timetable.
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Popular New York Metro Routes
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New York City Subway Fares and Ticket Prices
The New York City Subway has run 24 hours a day, seven days a week since 1904 - a fact that still sets it apart from almost every other metro in the world. It serves 472 stations across 27 lines in all five boroughs, covering 245 miles of track. Around 3.6 million rides are taken on a typical weekday, making it one of the busiest transit systems in the Western hemisphere.
New York City Subway Operating Hours
How to Pay on the New York City Subway
The easiest way to pay is OMNY - tap your contactless bank card, Apple Pay or Google Pay directly on the orange OMNY reader at the turnstile. No registration needed, no card to buy. Your fare is charged instantly.
If you prefer a physical card, buy an OMNY card from a vending machine inside any station and load money onto it. The MetroCard was retired at the start of 2026 and can no longer be bought or refilled - OMNY has fully replaced it.
Every trip costs $3.00, no matter how far you go or how many times you transfer. Free transfers between subway lines and local buses are allowed within 2 hours using OMNY.
Lines are identified by letter or number and travel colour-coded corridors. The key distinction to understand is Express vs Local. Express trains (solid circle on the map) skip many stops; Local trains (hollow circle) stop everywhere. Both run on the same tracks, so check the front of the train before boarding.
Uptown means north, toward higher-numbered streets. Downtown means south. Knowing this one rule removes most of the confusion about direction.
Download the official MTA app or Citymapper before you travel. Service alerts, delays and reroutes are common - particularly on weekends when maintenance work redirects or replaces lines.
Travel Tips for New York
Weekend service is frequently disrupted. Lines get rerouted, stops get skipped and buses replace trains on certain stretches - every weekend. Always check the MTA website or app on Friday evening for weekend advisories.
OMNY has an automatic weekly cap: after 12 paid rides ($35.00) in any rolling 7-day window, all further subway and local bus rides are free. The 7-day window starts with your first tap - no pass to buy, just use the same card or phone every time.
Keep a hand on your bag in busy stations like Times Square, Grand Central and Union Square. Pick-pocketing happens, mainly in crowded carriages and on packed platforms.
The A train is the quickest way to get to JFK: take it to Howard Beach, then transfer to the AirTrain (a separate $8.50 fee). Total time from Midtown is around 60-70 minutes. A taxi from Midtown to JFK has a flat rate of $70 plus tolls and tip.
Late-night service runs on all lines but less frequently. Between about 01:00 and 05:00, trains on most lines come every 20-30 minutes rather than every few minutes. If you are out late, check the next departure time on the platform clock or in the app.
Subway platforms have no air conditioning. In summer the platforms can be extraordinarily hot - carry water and be prepared for a warm wait. Train cars are air-conditioned.
Accessibility
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the New York City Subway cost?
A single ride costs $3.00 with OMNY (tap your bank card, phone or an OMNY card) as of January 2026. There is no daily cap, but OMNY caps your spending at $35.00 in any rolling 7-day window - after 12 paid rides, the rest of the week is free automatically. The old 7-day and 30-day Unlimited MetroCards have been retired.
Does the NYC Subway run 24 hours?
Yes. The New York City Subway runs around the clock, every day of the year. Late-night service (roughly 01:00 to 05:00) is less frequent on most lines - trains every 20-30 minutes rather than every few minutes - and some routes are rerouted for maintenance. Always check the MTA app for current advisories.
What is the difference between an Express and a Local train?
Express trains stop only at major stations (shown with a filled bullet on the map) and are significantly faster over long distances. Local trains stop at every station. Both use the same tracks and have the same fare. Check the front display and the letter or number on the train before boarding - for example, the 2 and 3 run express while the 1 is local on the same West Side corridor.
What is OMNY?
OMNY is the MTA's contactless fare system, and since 2026 the only way to pay. Tap any contactless Visa, Mastercard or Amex bank card, use Apple Pay or Google Pay, or buy a physical OMNY card. No registration is needed. The weekly ride cap (free after 12 paid rides in any rolling 7-day window) is applied automatically to your payment method.
How do I get to JFK Airport on the subway?
Take the A train to Howard Beach-JFK Airport, then ride the AirTrain to your terminal. The AirTrain costs $8.50 (paid separately at the AirTrain gate, not on the subway). Total journey time from Midtown Manhattan is typically 60-75 minutes. The E, J and Z trains reach Jamaica, where you can also board the AirTrain.
Is the NYC Subway accessible?
Partially. Around 130 of 472 stations are fully step-free with elevators. Many historic stations, particularly in Manhattan, have no elevators. The MTA's accessibility map (available on the website and in the app) shows which stations are step-free. Major accessible stations include Times Square, 34th Street-Penn Station, Atlantic Terminal (Brooklyn), and all new stations built since the 1990s.