Public transport in New York City – subway, buses, OMNY and fares

• Subway and local, limited, rush and Select Bus Service buses: $3 per ride for most riders.
• Express buses: $7.25.
• Reduced fare: half the regular fare for seniors and people with qualifying disabilities.
• Children: up to three children under 44 inches (112 cm) tall ride free with a fare-paying adult on subways and local buses; on express buses, children under two ride free on an adult's lap.

• One free transfer within two hours of paying: subway to bus, bus to subway or bus to bus. From a subway or local bus to an express bus you pay the difference.
• Fare capping: once you have paid $35 within seven days on subway and local buses, the rest of that seven-day period is free. If you also ride express buses, the cap is $67. Reduced-fare riders are capped at $17.50. Your first tap starts the seven-day period.
• Transfers and the cap only work if you use the same card, phone or device for every tap. Group trips and transfers do not count towards the cap.

• Contactless bank card, phone or watch: tap at the OMNY reader and wait for "GO".
• OMNY card: costs $5 and must be loaded with at least $1 when you buy it. Buy and reload it at subway vending machines and at participating stores such as Walgreens, CVS and 7-Eleven; you can register it in a free OMNY account and set up automatic reloads. Cash can still be used to add value at vending machines and retail locations.
• MetroCard: since 1 January 2026 you can no longer buy or refill a MetroCard. Remaining value can still be used for now or transferred to an OMNY card at a Customer Service Center; the MTA says MetroCard and cash at the turnstile will stop being accepted on the same date in 2026, to be announced.

Fair Fares NYC gives New York City residents aged 18 to 64 with a low household income 50% off subway and bus fares (and Access-A-Ride trips). The 2026 income limit is $23,940 a year for one person, $32,460 for two and $49,500 for four. You cannot use it if you already get full carfare from the Human Resources Administration or another City reduced fare. Apply online through ACCESS HRA or call 311.

• In Manhattan, uptown means north and downtown means south; signs may also show the borough or final stop.
• Subway lines are named by numbers and letters; some run express and skip stations. Check the line and direction before you board.
• Let others get off before you board, move to the center of the car, do not hold the doors and keep accessible seats free for those who need them. Taking more than one seat is against subway rules.
• Check the MTA website or app for service changes before you travel.

• Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North: the MTA's two commuter railroads. Fares depend on the stations and the time of travel; buy tickets in the MTA TrainTime app.
• Staten Island Ferry: a free City-run ferry between St. George (Staten Island) and Whitehall Terminal (Lower Manhattan), running 24 hours a day.
• Driving: if you plan to drive, note that a New York resident needs a New York driver license; see Your first 30 days in New York City.