How to Navigate the NYC Subway with Kids

The New York City subway is the largest public transportation network of its kind in America with 472 stations on 25 routes, spread along 665 miles of track. Riding the subway is the fastest, easiest way to get from point A to point B in NYC, and it’s a great way to travel with kids.

But, if you’re not 100% familiar with the subway system, are traveling with a stroller, or hit schedule changes, it can really stink. The subway system can be a little daunting to navigate, so we’ve got all the info you need to ride the subway. We’ve also rounded up the best online resources to make it easier to get around NYC by subway, especially with kids.

If you’re visiting NYC, be sure to bookmark our Visitors Guide, which includes a ton of parent-tested tips plus our top picks for the best attractions in NYC and how to make the most of a budget-friendly visit, too.

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NYC kids become pros at using the MetroCard machine. 

NYC Subway Fare

Subway fare is currently $2.90. There are two ways to pay the fare: using a MetroCard or OMNY.

Take note: The MetroCard technology is being phased out, though its official end date has been pushed back several times. For now, riders can purchase a MetroCard for $1 at in-station vending machines and add a minimum value of $5.80 to the card. There are also 7- and 30-day unlimited-ride MetroCard options for $34 and $132 respectively. Purchasing a single-ride MetroCard costs $3.25. With the exception of a single-ride card, all MetroCards are refillable.

RELATED: An Ultimate 3-Day NYC Itinerary by a Local Mom

Explaining the colors and the train lines can turn the journey into a fun learning experience.

OMNY, or One Metro New York, is the MTA’s new, contactless, fare payment system and it is now available at every subway station. Riders can tap their mobile device, credit or debit card, or OMNY card at the OMNY reader at the turnstile. Pay for 12 rides using the same card or device in a 7-day period and all additional rides within the week are FREE.

Up to three children less than 44 inches tall ride for FREE when they’re with a fare-paying adult.

Local school kids at NYC public and private schools receive a student OMNY card, which can be used for up to four FREE trips every day of the week, any time of the day.

With either a MetroCard or OMNY, you get one FREE transfer within two hours of paying your fare. For more info on subway fares, check out the MTA’s info page.

Best NYC Subway Apps

There are now a few FREE apps that provide accurate subway directions. Just type in your starting and ending addresses and they will tell you the best routes. Here are some we frequently rely on:

MTA App

The MTA has its own app that helps you plan a trip and get real-time service alerts for your route. It also provides you with important station information, like planned work or elevator and escalator outages.

Citymapper

Our whole family relies on Citymapper to get around. From your starting point to your final destination, Citymapper tells you the best subway route to take, how long it will take, and which subway lines have delays or route changes. It also tells you how long it would take to walk, ride a bicycle, or travel by car. The app also tells you exactly where on the train to ride (front, middle, or back) and the best exit. We’ve found it to be most accurate and reliable.

Google Maps

The Google Maps app also provides step-by-step subway instructions from the starting point to your final destination. The app uses the MTA database, so schedule changes are taken into account, but I’ve found it to lag behind other apps in updating train disruptions.

Transit

Another app many New Yorkers use is Transit. While this app is similar to the others, you can find schedules, departure times, schedule changes and disruptions, and service alerts for any transit system in the New York metro area, including the New Jersey Transit.

Strollers and the NYC Subway

For parents using a stroller, the subway system doesn’t have the greatest accessibility. It’s hard to find subway stations with working elevators. This MTA page has a list of all accessible stations, but the reality is working elevators are few and far between.

We recommend wearing your baby or toddler if you can. If a stroller is a necessity, try to use a lightweight umbrella stroller. We’ve got some great, parent-tested picks in our NYC baby registry guide, and rest assured: There’s always a kind stranger to help lift a heavier stroller up and down the stairs.

Originally published in 2008.

Photos by the author