Subway

One of the most convenient means of transportation is the subway. There are lots of advantages of using it while in New York. Namely, the subway is cheap ($2), runs frequently night and day and has a n extensive network of connections. Moreover, the subway is the fastest and most reliable means of transport in New York City. Using it might seem a bit confusing at first, but it is really worth learning how to use the subway as it is the best way of getting around the city. All subway cars are lettered or numbered. Moreover, each line has a different color. At every stop, on every platform and on each subway car one can find route maps showing in detail which path a given line follows. What is more, one should pay attention to the white and black circles on the route maps which indicate whether it is an express train or a local one.
Note: Remember to hold on to anything while on board, especially as the subway starts and stops, as the ride is not smooth at times!

Bus

New York buses, though not very popular with the locals, are worth recommending to tourists as they run frequently around the clock, serve most crosstown street byways and make it possible to sightsee the city looking through the window. The stops, located every few blocks, display the route maps and schedules. The only problem is the New York City buses get overcrowded at rush hour, so if possible avoid that time of day or if you need to travel at peak time, go by subway. If travelling from the boroughs, it is a good idea to use an express bus.

The New York City bus fare is $2, however, express bus routes are more expensive ($5). One can pay with EXACT change or with a Metrocard.
Note: Dollar bills are unaccepted!

When changing from one line to another, no extra fee is charged. The same applies to subway transfers.

Chinatown Bus

While in Chinatown one can get on the crazy ''Chinatown buses'' with sidewalk terminals located all around the area. The destinations offered include Philadelphia, DC and Boston, however, purchasing a ticket does not mean one will have a seat on the bus. There are more carriers in the area. The Vamoose, a Midtown bus service provider, offers rides to Washington DC.

Metrocards

Both the New York City subway and buses use the yellow-and-blue Metrocards, which one can get buy or add value/re-value to at automated machines located at each of the stations. The card may be paid for using an ATM, cash or credit card. One can choose from two types of Metrocards. The unlimited-ride card or a pay-per-ride one. The former, which seems the best option for tourists, has two variants- a one-day pass ($7) or a seven-day pass ($24). The latter costs $2 per ride and makes it possible to change ONCE from bus to bus or from subway to bus within two hours. One can also purchase a $20 card with two rides for free.

Bicycle

Using a bike for getting around New York City is not a very good idea, unless you are an experienced street biker. There are designated bike areas in the city, mainly:
bike lanes in Broadway, Lafayette Street and Second Avenue (frequently crammed by cars!), cycling paths in Central Park, along the Hudson River and in Brooklyn's Prospect Park, the Shore Parkway Path from Coney Island to Queens, Greenbelt in Staten Island so use them.

Note: Cycling on the sidewalks is NOT allowed! Remember to wear a helmet.

One can take a bike onto the subway train off rush-hour time but use the last door of the subway and get a bike pass from a ticket window!

Pedicabs

A recent New York's fib, meant mainly for tourists, is a bicycle taxi. The fare depends on a route and a number of passengers, and ranges from $10 to $30.

For details see: http://www.manhattanrickshaw.com

Car

Driving around Manhattan is not widely recommended for a variety of reasons, the main ones of which include the high car hire rates, a congested traffic, a lack of car parking spaces and a wide selection of public transport means.

Boat

While staying in New York City from May through October, one can get around the city using New York Water Taxis. The boats start from West 44th Street in the Hudson River with a few stops on offer. The single-stop fare is $5. If travelling for a longer distance than one stop, the cost is $10. It is also possible to see the New York Harbor sites from deck a water taxi during one-hour long ''Gateway to America'' tours.

Ferry

Free, open-air ferry rides, operated by Staten Island Ferry, are offered from New York Harbor to Staten Island on a regular basis. It is worth recommending as the ride, with stunning views, itself is a memorable experience. Moreover, Staten Island has a lot of attractions to offer to people of all ages.

For details see: http://www.nywatertaxi.com

On foot

Walking, especially along the trails of Central Park, the world famous Brooklyn Bridge or the 17-mile long Broadway is worth recommending. Though the mass-transport system is well-organized and viable, hitting the sidewalks to see the landmarks of New York is a truly magical experience.

Taxi

The yellow New York taxis, commonly referred to as cabs, are an icon of New York City. They are generally clean and cheaper than in other international cities. The fares, set by'' the Taxi & Limousine Commission'', are as follows:
$2.50 – the initial charge (for the first one-fifth mile);
40 cents for an extra one-fifth mile;
40 cents for 120 seconds of a traffic jam stop.
There is also a surcharge of $0.50 (if travelling at night, between 8 p.m. and 6a.m.) and of $1.00 (if travelling during the rush hour , i.e. between 4pm-8pm from Monday to Friday).

Note: Remeber to tip the hack, a New York City taxi driver, 10-15%!


Train

There are a few train transportation service providers offering a variety of destinations within and outside New York City. The major ones, departing from Penn Station, include:
Amtrak, with normal and express services to Princeton, NJ, and Washington DC
Long Island Rail Road, which operates trains from Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island, with fares depending on the zones
New Jersey Transit, with trains heading for to the suburbs and the Jersey Shore.
The northern parts and suburbs of New York City are operated by New Jersey Path and Metro-North Railroad.

Note: Check the websites for details as some transport service providers offer special discount passes and online purchase ticket discounts!