Essential Things to Know When Planning a Trip to New York City
It’s easy to be overwhelmed when visiting New York City. Once you have your to-do list — and if you don’t, be sure to check out our quintessential guide to visiting New York City — then you still have to consider logistics, safety and food.
That’s why we’ve rounded up these essential things to know when planning a trip to New York City. After multiple trips as a tourist, as an NYU parent and as an employee of a nonprofit there, I’m finally learning some of the finer points of transportation, culture and how to avoid being quite so conspicuous as a tourist in New York City.
Getting Around
Trust me: You don’t want to try to drive when visiting New York City. Even people who drive around New York City for a living don’t want to drive around New York City. It’s congested and stressful and slow. Many people who live in New York don’t even have a driver’s license. When you’re planning a trip to New York City, use these means of getting around instead.
Walking
It’s a famously walkable city, and walking is how the serendipity happens. My daughter and I stumbled across a film set while strolling past an alley when we were visiting New York City a few years ago. You’ll hear a myriad of languages and accents; see wild and wonderful things; absorb the sounds and smells of one of the biggest and most famous cities in the world. Pro tip: Wear very comfortable shoes. Check out Heather’s and my favorite footwear for walking destinations.
If you can remember New York’s grid system, you’ll have an easier time. Streets run east and west; avenues run north and south. Fifth Avenue splits Manhattan into east and west. Broadway is the exception, the diagonal through the middle of it all.
And Uptown refers to the area of Manhattan north of 59th Street. Midtown is 14th through 59th Street. And Downtown is the southern tip below 14th Street.
Note: Apple Maps in New York City now offers a 3D experience, and it’s brilliant. Scan buildings around you, and it will show you which way to walk using the view in front of you. If you’re planning a trip to New York City and you have an iPhone, I highly recommend making sure Apple Maps is updated.
The Hop-On, Hop-Off bus
Not only is it a fantastic way to get the lay of the land and learn the backstory of the things you’re seeing, but the hop-on, hop-off bus is also a practical way to get to all the major tourist destinations. My daughter and I used a 72-hour pass to get to places near and far, even to Brooklyn.
There are several providers; they all travel roughly the same routes and follow the same concept. Choose which suits you:
The Subway
New York City’s subway system is world-class, and it can take you nearly anywhere. Be sure to read our piece on using public transportation for the basics of etiquette and a dose of courage.
Subway pointers specific to New York:
- Many stations house more than one train; be sure you slow down and read signs to know that you’re headed in the right direction. Be sure to look at the signs behind you as well. And note the difference between Uptown and Downtown.
- Some trains offer local service, which means they stop at every station on the line. Trains with express service might operate only during busy times or stop at fewer stations.
- Stand back from the tracks, for safety reasons and to allow departing passengers to get off first.
- If you’re traveling late at night, choose a train car with other passengers, and near the front of the train.
- Keep your head down, avoid eye contact and remain aware of your surroundings; this is the best way to steer clear of crime and confrontation. Rest assured, the police are, as of this writing, doubling down on security on trains and in stations, and the city recently replaced all the lighting with brighter bulbs.
- Use CityMapper or Apple Maps while walking around the city to find stations and plan your trip. You can also get a subway map at most drug stores and convenience stores.
- You can use a contactless credit or debit card; a smartphone or wearable device with payments enabled (such as Apple Wallet); or an OMNY card to tap and go on the OMNY readers at the turnstiles. I use Apple Wallet on my phone for speed and ease, especially since I’m already holding it to map my trip. Make sure you have contactless payments set up for your device in advance and try it out in a retail store first so you feel comfortable. Here’s how to set it up on Apple, Android and Google devices
- While you’re planning a trip to New York City, see the MTA’s subway guide for details on how to find the right train and go in the right direction; how to get help if you need it; what you can and can’t bring on the subway; and many other useful tips.
Taxis and Ride Shares
Hailing a cab just feels like classic NYC, doesn’t it? A taxi is a more pricey but direct way to get around when visiting New York City. If you’re at your hotel, the doorman or concierge can help you get a taxi.
If you’re out and about, simply go to the curb on the side of the street where traffic is flowing the way you want to go. Stand on the sidewalk facing traffic and watch for a cab coming toward you with its light on — this means the driver is free to pick you up. Make eye contact and raise your arm; if he or she can, the driver will pull over beside or just past you. Enter the back seat on the side closest to the sidewalk, and scoot over if others are coming with you. You’ll exit the same way.
If you’re nervous, you can map your destination to make sure your driver is going in generally the right direction. You can take note of the cab number on the back of the front seat. You can also call a friend and tell them where you are, mentioning that cab number. I’ve never had a bad experience in a New York cab, but these are ways to feel reassured.
Before you exit the cab, pay and tip your driver. If you use cash, count your change. Look around for all your belongings; it’s a hassle for everyone if you forget something.
Both Lyft and Uber operate in New York City. Everything I’ve said about taxies holds true for ride shares — except the means of calling a ride, of course.
The PATH Train
PATH connects New York City and New Jersey. If you decide to stay somewhere like Jersey City (which can save you some money and, near Liberty Harbor, offers the most stunning view of the Manhattan skyline and feels like the Roscoe Village part of Chicago), you can hop on the PATH train and be in Manhattan in about 10 minutes.
You’ll come up through the Oculus, the swanky shopping/restaurants/restrooms station near the 9/11 Memorial.
The PATH also uses a contactless payment method. With TAPP, you can use a contactless credit card or debit card or your smartphone (with payments enabled) to pay right at the turnstile.
The Ferries
If you want to take a ferry to see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, you need to book with Statue City Cruises. You can take the ferry from either Battery Park on the tip of Lower Manhattan, or from Jersey City, just across the river.
If you want to stay in Jersey City, you can get to Manhattan via the NY Waterway Ferry or the Liberty Landing City Ferry.
The Staten Island Ferry is fundamentally transportation between St. George on Staten Island and Whitehall Street (near Battery Park) in Manhattan. But the ferry is also a free way to snag a scenic view of the New York Harbor as well as the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. It’s a 25-minute trip; while you’re there, you can see the sights in New York City’s southernmost borough.
Dining Out
When planning a trip to New York City, leave room for fun food finds. The ethnic food scene is every bit as amazing as you’d expect for a city home to so many immigrants. And it’s expected that you’ll buy something to eat from a cart on the street, even if just a hot dog.
New York’s restaurants are each given a grade by the city’s food inspectors. This can help you weed out the excellent hole-in-the-wall from Botulism Bob’s. Look for a sign in the window with a boldface A. A lesser grade or no sign at all? There are thousands of other options.
Paying for Things
Cash is nearly obsolete. You can pay for almost everything with a credit card when visiting New York City, and many places will expect you to. It’s safer to carry a card than cash anyway.
Prices in the Big Apple are higher than in most places in the States. Expect some sticker shock even if you’re just grabbing snacks at the corner store. A hotel with free breakfast is a good value when you’re visiting New York City.
Carry a reusable shopping bag or wear a backpack with extra space if you plan to make purchases. Be sure it’s secure and don’t carry your wallet (or your phone, for that matter) in your back pocket, where it can be grabbed or fall out.
Etiquette
Keep Moving
This is the City that Never Sleeps, after all. People keep moving on the sidewalk, and you should too; if you want to stop and look at something, stand clear of the flow of traffic. Keep an eye on walk signals and go when they say that you can, or risk being smushed by people from behind.
This goes double for coming out of a revolving door or a subway station. If you need to take a minute to figure out where you’re going next, step to one side or the other and give yourself a calm moment to get your bearings.
Don’t Be Offended
Tell people that you’re planning a trip to New York City, and you’re likely to hear something about how rude New Yorkers are. Don’t let them fool you. New Yorkers are just as likely to give you the shirt off their back.
People do, however, have a different way of speaking and doing things. They might be blunt, forceful, direct or abrupt. Try not to take offense. This is just a cultural distinction and not meant to be hurtful or personal.
Tipping Is King
You should tip in New York City just as you would anywhere in the United States, with 20 percent the going rate for good service. A gratuity is expected for meals, a ride, spa services, concierge services — all the usual suspects.
If you want a little extra personal service, however, you may want to tip in other situations. You might tip the doorman at your hotel, for example, if you see him or her consistently. You might tip the person at the front desk, or the person at the counter where you buy your morning coffee. There’s a lot of talk about how tip culture in the States is out of control — I was asked to tip at a retail store recently. But it does still grease the wheels in some cases.
When planning a trip to New York City, be sure to budget for tips and bring cash to do so.
Safety
New York City has a reputation for being unsafe, but it’s unmerited. In fact, NYC ranked 12th among safest cities in the world in a 2021 report, and it was 15th in a list of 60 in 2024.
That being said, tourists — and residents — in New York City need to be smart. If you’re planning a trip to New York City, first read our safety tips for solo travel. They’re very applicable here whether you’re alone or with others.
And in this case, I’d recommend staying in one of the tourist districts in Manhattan. As with any new destination, unless you’re a longtime resident, you may be unfamiliar with what feels safe and what doesn’t. Don’t take a chance. You can often find deals on hotels on Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue by watching Travelzoo or other discount aggregators and staying in the offseason, especially January through March.
Weather
Because you’ll likely be walking everywhere, you’ll need to prepare to be out in all the elements when you leave for the day. A rain poncho packs small and won’t take up space on crowded sidewalks. A hat can provide shade as well as hide hair frazzled by humidity. And layers are useful, because the temperature in the subway might be 20 degrees warmer than on the street.
As you’re planning a trip to New York City, check the forecast, but throw in these extras. And don’t forget sun protection for your skin, lips and eyes.
What to Wear
Aside from dressing for the weather, you may wonder what to pack for New York City. It’s so diverse that you may see a bit of everything, sometimes executed in eccentric ways. It’s also one of the fashion capitals of the world, and a city crammed full of finance professionals.
You can’t go wrong by packing some basic black when planning a trip to New York City, especially if you’re hoping to visit some upscale establishments. You don’t need to wear a dress, and you shouldn’t be uncomfortable, but when in doubt, it’s safe to err on the side of being overdressed versus underdressed — especially in the evening.
The Boroughs
New York City is more than Manhattan. There are four other boroughs: Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx and Staten Island. First-timers planning a trip to New York City often find it helpful to look at a map.
If you’re brand new to New York City and only going for a short time, you may want to focus on our list of New York classics. But as you grow more comfortable with this dynamic, one-of-a-kind metropolitan area, consider branching out. Each borough has its own character and vibrant attractions. And most major attractions are accessible by subway or ferry. Go in the morning, so that you can return to more familiar territory before you have to navigate in the dark. And report back to us at hello@journeyhere.travel what you discover!
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