We’ve prepared a super detailed step-by-step guide on how to buy a subway card in New York!
I have already answered several questions here on the blog with transport tips for those traveling to New York – what is the best subway card option, if it is worth taking the bus, how much does it cost… The main question is: for public transport in NYC do you have two main options:
The subway – This is always the quickest way to get anywhere, except late at night when taxis and Uber can, and do, fly through city streets. Metro lines are grouped into colors – yellow, orange, green, blue, red, gray, brown and purple lines. Note two important differences: trains locations are those that stop at practically all subway stations on that line, while trains express These are lines that “skip” stations. Stay tuned!
Bus – They are not generally used by tourists, but in certain cases they can be very useful. Particularly for going from one side of the avenue to the other, or for those who don’t want to face stairs, they can be a good option.
I have never used the bus on my trips to the city and I always buy the same type of metro card, which meets my tourist needs and also saves me money.
How to buy a subway card in New York: let’s go step-by-step?
The first thing to do is click in the top right corner of the screen, where it says “Start”. Own experience: the first time we were looking, looking, looking without knowing how to start. And it’s even more nervous if there’s someone behind, waiting to buy your card – many stations don’t have sales counters, just these little automatic machines. Thinking about it, I actually thought it was better – I trembled at the thought of having to answer all these questions out loud, hehe. 😉
After that, you click to select the language – I found it more practical to do this in English than in Spanish, and select the type of MetroCard you want to buy. Will you want a quick MetroCard loaded with US$9, a different MetroCard or a simple ticket (which is only valid for two hours)?
Select MetroCard.
After selecting the MetroCard, the screen that appears is the one below. Options on this screen: recharge your card (most used by New York citizens); find out how much you still have loaded on your card (get card info) or buy a new card (get new card). As we want to buy the card, go to “Get new card” without fear. Warning: the new card costs US$1 non-refundable, in addition to what you will pay for your travels.
After selecting to buy the new card, the screen that appears is the one below, which gives you two options, and that’s where you choose whether you want a regular or unlimited MetroCard. The regular has different travel quantity options and, if you choose the Regular, the next screen offers you prices (if you don’t want any of the pre-established values, click on “other amounts” and set your price).
I always click on the other option – as it is the best for tourists who, like me, spend a week or more in the city and ride the metro several times a day. In my opinion, it is the most worthwhile as you save on the seven-day pass. If you, like me, click “Unlimited Ride“, the next screen will ask if you want seven days, 30 days or 30 days with access to express buses (not covered by the common pass). I always go for seven days – the best option for tourists who stay in the city for a week or more! The cost is US$32.
The time has come to tell the machine how you want to pay. It accepts cash, debit card linked to an American bank (ATM card) and credit card. If you have a VTM prepaid card, select “credit”. Find the card slot on the right of the machine and pay.
I preferred to pay in cash – I just inserted US$ 33 (if you didn’t have change, no problem, the machines provide change correctly). And ready! The card comes out and you can ride the subway for seven days unlimitedly. As my most recent trip there was nine days, after the card expired, I purchased individual trips for the next two days and everything was fine. If you purchase your trips individually, each trip will cost $3.00.
With this amount, you can get an idea of the savings you make by purchasing the Unlimited Ride for 7 days: if you make 13 subway trips with your card, each one will cost $2.38. For twenty trips, $1.55 and for 25 trips, the price drops to $1.24 per trip. It’s much cheaper, so this is the best tip for tourists! Oh, and the card can only be used by one person, ok? No “Brazilian way”, each traveler has to have their own or you will be locked behind the turnstile. 
The New York City subway system can be a little scary at first and residents are always rushing around, giving the impression that someone behind you in line is becoming increasingly impatient.
To enter you have to swipe your Metro Card on a reader and wait for the display to say, “go.” If you’re planning a trip to NYC, you might like our post explaining CityMapper, a free app that helps you get around the city.
Download the NYC subway map for free here.
Check out our other posts about New York:
– Ten days in New York: travel tips for your first trip to the USA
– Ten-day trip to NY: Tips for tours, shops and places to eat and drink
– Things to do for free in New York
– The best accommodation option in New York: Cosmopolitan Hotel TriBeca
