Here how to understand the subway in new yorkLook at the subway map and you ll notice each station has a black dot and a white dot. Well, a black dot indcates that the station is served by local trains and express trains pass the station. A white dot indicates that the station is severed by both local and express trains, it also indicates that it is a transfer point to other lines.Since NYC is a large city, it is not impratical to call all the lines by color because many of them have branch lines, like a railroad. So a system of numbers and letters are used, and each of them IDs a subway route, just like a bus route.Now, the difference between uptown and downtown is simple. Uptown , means the trains are going in the northbound direction, which means the number on the street will increase. Example: 14th Street, 23rd Street, 34th Street, etc. Downtown, means the trains are going in the southbound direction, which means the number will decrease. Example: 34th Street, 23rd Street, 14th Street, etc.At all stations, there are signs that say, Downtown and Brooklyn, or Downtown and Brooklyn via 7th Avenue Express . This means that the train is going to Lower Manhattan and into Brooklyn, and it traveling under 7th Avenue. Uptown and The Bronx, and Uptown and The Bronx via 7th Avenue Express is the same thing, but in reverse for northbound trains. The only exception is for lines going east to west, there sign that will say To Brooklyn or To Queens .I hope this information was very helpful. Good luck
The subways are totally easy and probably the fastest way to get around the city. Figure out where you want to go, then pick the stop that gets you closest. Most attractions, restaurants, night clubs etc will give you a few of the near by stops so you can pick which is most convenient to your starting and ending points.Here s a map: http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm Don t leave home without it, if you do, they re usually posted in the stations and on the trains anyway.Some things to be aware of:Across town: you ll see most lines run relatively straight, so it s not always easy to get from the East side (low number avenues) to the West side (high number avenues) but going north to south (high number streets to low number streets) is easy.Trains not running: if you re traveling late at night (after 11) or on the weekends, read the fliers posted in the stations. They re confusing, but they ll tell you if they re doing construction, which stations will be closed, and which trains aren t running.Trains run less frequently on the weekends and at night.The subways are safe but be aware of your surroundings.The booth workers aren t always in the booth, some times they re walking around the station.
I got this very simple laminated map of the subway system that showed all the different train-lines in a very simple color-coded way. I found it at a cheesy tourist shop, but it helped SOOO much. After a couple days, I had no problem whatsoever.
I know where I am, I know where I need to be and go from there. It looks complex, but once you get the hang of it it s really quite simple.
Check out nycvisit.com for a subway map that is downloadable. Should help!
With a map...?