The Ultimate Guide to Conquering Public Transportation with Your Smartwatch Schedules Ticketing and Navigation

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 17, 2024

Contributions sourced from

Getting Around New York City: Guide to Public Transportation

The easiest, most affordable way to get around New York City is by public transportation. New York City mass transit generally falls into two categories: buses and subways. The city has 36 subway lines (that go to 472 stations) and 5,725 buses that can take you anywhere you want to go. Once you know how to use them, you'll find them efficient, reliable, and easy. The only problem is you must learn the system.

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about navigating your way around New York City's public transportation. You'll feel like a local in no time, maybe even venturing to far away places you never thought you would.

Watch Now: Riding the Subway in New York City

How to Ride the New York City Subway

Most visitors will find themselves wanting to get around the city by subways. Subways serve most of Manhattan and the outer boroughs very well, and they take you directly to many popular tourist destinations.

Before you ride the New York City subway you need to buy a MetroCard. You will swipe this card every time you enter a subway station at the turnstiles. MetroCards cost $1 to purchase. Once you buy your MetroCard you can add money to it.
MetroCards may be purchased and refilled at subway station booths, MetroCard vending machines, and atother vendors. You can use cash, credit, or debit cards to make your purchase.
New York City subway fares are $2.75 per trip. For visitors staying more than a couple of days you can buy a one week unlimited MetroCard for $33 or an unlimited monthly MetroCard for $127.00. Peoplewho are 65 or older or who have qualifying disabilities can get a reduced fare, which is half price. You must see an attendant at a station to purchase one.
Because New York City has so many subway lines, it's impossible to memorize them all. Even locals have to look up directions on occasion. The best way to plan your trip is to consult Google Maps or the MTA website. There are also a variety of apps that you can download before your trip to easily look up subway directions. You simply type in your point of origin and your destination, and the app will tell you the route.
New York City has some subways that run express. Your trip planning app will tell you exactly which line to take. If it tells you to take the 1, for example, don't get on the 2 or 3 even though it looks like it's going in the same direction. Those trains are express and won't stop at the station you need.
The New York City subway operates 24 hours a day, but service is more sporadic between midnight and 6 am and on weekends. If you're traveling on the weekends or late at night, you should be aware of service interruptions that might impact your trip. Taking a few minutes to review the planned service changes can save you a ton of hassle. Trip Planning apps like Google Maps are aware of these disruptions and can help you plan your route.
In every station there is an information booth where you can press the green button and talk to an attendant. If you are confused or need help it's a great tool to use.
MTA has a list of accessible subway stations on its website.

Other Transit Options

Subways serve most of Manhattan and the outer boroughs very well, but in those areas where the subway service is not ideal there are buses, trains, bikes, and boats that can take you where you need to go.

New York City Buses

The city has around 5,000 buses, and you'll find they are particularly helpful when you need to travel to the far east or west portions of Manhattan.

New York City bus fare is $2.75 per trip. Be aware that buses only accept MetroCards or exact fare in coinsdrivers cannot make change. There are also some buses along major routes in Manhattan & the Bronx that have you pay your fare before you board to speed the process of boarding. It's called "Select Bus Service" and the kiosk for pre-paying your fare is usually very obvious and easy to use.

Google Maps and MTA Trip Planner can tell you the best buses to take (and whether you should take one instead of the subway.) You can also look up New York City Bus schedules.

The NYC Ferry Service

In the past few years New York City has launched new ferry services taking commuters and visitors to Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, & Bronx. Ferries are particularly advisable if you are traveling to places along the water (perhaps you are going from the South Street Seaport to Brooklyn Bridge park.)

The ferries are fun to ride because they offer incredible views and refreshments on board (even local wine and beer!) During warmer seasons you can sit on the outer decks and enjoy the sunshine. They are also relatively inexpensive at $2.75 a ticket. You can look up routes and ticket information on the website.

Railroad Services

If you need to get to the suburbs or areas around New York City you might need to take railroads. Metro North trains take you to Connecticut and Westchester. They leave from Grand Central Station.

Long Island Railroad takes you into Manhattan, and New Jersey Transit takes you to New Jersey. Both train services leave from Penn Station. Google Maps will tell you which service to take.

All train services are reliable and run frequently, but they can get crowded at rush hour. Sometimes it's standing room only during morning and evening commutes. Avoid those times (8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.) if possible.

Taxis and Ride Shares

Many New Yorkers prefer to take taxis or private cars, especially late in the evening when subway service is more sporadic. Yellow taxis are the iconic New York City cars. You can flag them down when you need them. If you are in Brooklyn or another outer borough, the taxis are green.

New York City has a variety of ride-sharing apps. Uber and Lyft allow you to book a private car or share a car with passengers traveling in a similar direction. Both are reliable services and usually arrive very quickly.

Citi Bike

One of the best ways to get around New York City is by Citi Bike, New York's bike share system. There are stations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens & Jersey City where you can unlock a bike with your credit card and return it when you get to your destination. Download the Citi Bike app to find the docking stations closest to your location.

While many parts of the city have bike paths, be careful when riding bikes in the city. Lanes can get congested, and sometimes bike paths are close to speeding cars. Accidents happen regularly so vigilance is key.

Rental Cars

While New York City has ample car rental places, it's not advisable. It's difficult to drive in New York City. There is usually heavy traffic, and taxis are used to swirling in and out of lanes. Parking a car can also be difficult especially in Manhattan.

Tips for Getting Around New York City

- If you are traveling around Manhattan during the day, a subway is your best option.
- Between midnight and 6 am and on weekends check trip planning apps to determine how to travel to your destination. Routes and lines get changed during those times.
- Buses are your best option if you are traveling from East to West across the city.
- If it's a pleasant day try to rent a bike or ride a NYC ferry. You will see more of the city and have fun.
- NYC has many ride sharing options. If you are in a hurry choose a private car. If you have time and want to meet new people order a shared car. You never know who you will meet!
- Driving is tough in the city. It's also hard to park. Avoid a rental car if possible.

Ultimate Guide to Swiss Transportation

$39 BUNDLE

Ultimate Guide to Swiss Transportation

If youre going to Switzerland and will ride at least one form of public transportation, then THIS IS YOUR PASSPORT TO CONFIDENCE!

Part 1 | Pick & Purchase Passes & TicketsStop wasting money! Save moolah with the right pass, and when you inevitably need to buy a ticket, know which type you need for your route.

Part 2 | Master the SBB Mobile AppStop wasting time! This step-by-step tutorial has 125 screenshots to teach you how to use this 3-in-1 timetable, ticket machine, and GPS in your pocket.

Part 3 | Ride Like a ProStop making mistakes! Know exactly what to expect during your journey: from the station to platform, from boarding to riding to exiting. Plus, answers to the questions you didnt even know to ask.

Includes 3 Bonuses!

Applies to year-round travel and all forms of transportation across the country of Switzerland

INCLUDED: Bundle Bonuses

Bonus 1 | Train Pass ChecklistPick a Swiss train pass with confidence! Follow our simple checklist to determine which pass(es) fit your itinerary best!

Bonus 2 | Train Pass SpreadsheetUnderstand your Swiss rail pass! Compare and contrast different passes, and know which ones will cover the must-visit destinations on your vacation bucket list.

Bonus 3 | Start Here Guide Its as easy as 1-2-3! This resource tells you at-a-glance how to use each part of this Swiss Transportation Guide.

Imagine this

You just arrived in Switzerland. (Yay!) You and your happy family are waiting on the platform to board your first Swiss train.

Locals swim through the crowds to reach their train while anxious travelers dart from one platform to another, trying to figure out where they need to go.

Finally, one of them asks you, Is this where I wait for the train to Interlaken?

You gaze into their frazzled eyes and look over their shoulder at their exhausted spouse wrangling a wailing child.

Without hesitation (but full of compassion), you give them a confident, Yep! The train should be here in just a few minutes. You watch as their tension melts away and realize that could have been you!

IS IT REALLY POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO SHOW UP IN SWITZERLAND WITH THIS MUCH CONFIDENCE AND THIS LITTLE STRESS?

Can you board your first train like youve done it a hundred times already, armed with the knowledge to ride like youve been here before?

Yes, its possible. And youre about to learn how.

Your passport to confidence on Swiss transportation!

Start Here | How to Use this Guide

Step-by-step instructions on how to use Parts 1, 2, and 3

Part 1 | Pick and Purchase Passes and Tickets

Know exactly which pass is best for your itinerary
Know when, where, and how to purchase a train pass
Understand the types of Swiss transportation tickets available
Learn when, where, and how to select the best ticket

Part 2 | Master the SBB Mobile App

Download and setup the app
Search the timetables
Buy the right kind of ticket
Navigate from Point A to Point B
Plus, insider tips and tricks!

Part 3 | Ride Like A Pro

Understand the different modes of transportation
See amenities available at the station
Learn how to locate your platform, board, find a seat, request a stop and anything else you can imagine
Read about riding with kids, bikes, dogs, or disabled travelers

Bonus 1 | Swiss Train Pass Checklist

Our favorite spots for local dishes and drinks

Bonus 2 | Swiss Train Pass Spreadsheet

Hi, were Jana + Brett!

And we LOVE Switzerland!

We are Swiss residents. (Fun facts: Were originally from the USA and both have dual-Italian citizenship.)

We have years of experience traveling Switzerland by public transportation.

Weve spent hours and hours (probably more like days!) researching Swiss trains and transportation.

Were here to help you travel Switzerland with confidence!

Over the years, weve made a few transportation mistakes and watched lots of other travelers learn the hard way too.

Us:

Talked up a storm in the silent Business Zone
Hopped on a bus going in the opposite direction of our destination
Wasted money on the wrong train pass

Other travelers:

Accidentally pulled the trains emergency brake
Got fined for sitting in First Class with a Second Class ticket
Passed their destination because they didnt request a stop

But most importantly, those mistakes or the worry and fear over potentially making them can be a huge source of stress.

Wait, your vacation is supposed to be enjoyable, not stressful!

After meeting hundreds of you through our Swiss Vacation Consultations, reading endless emails in our inbox, and replying to thousands of YouTube comments, weve noticed a trend.

The #1 topic travelers have questions about is Swiss transportation.

You dont wanna waste time or money, and you need answers.

Thats why we created our Ultimate Guide to Swiss Transportation: your passport to riding like a pro.

We literally went through every single question weve ever been asked about the transportation in Switzerland and answered them all in this resource.

Thats right If you have a question about how to get from A to B, where to put your luggage, or how to upload your rail pass to the SBB Mobile App, then youll find your answers inside this comprehensive 3-part guide.

(Dont worry it doesnt read like an IKEA instruction manual or dry textbook. Its organized to give you confidence, not anxiety, with thorough, bite-sized answers and step-by-step instructions.)

Heres what other people have said about our transportation guidance

The Ultimate Guide to Swiss Transportation is organized into 3 Parts

1 | Pick and purchase transportation passes and tickets(VALUED AT $19)

For 95% of travelers, buying a Swiss train pass will save you money. But

Which one (or ones!) should you choose?
How and where do you buy it?
And how do you get tickets for all of the rides that arent covered by your Swiss train pass?

Part 1 is filled to the brim with resources that will simplify all of these decisions!

Our advice: Not buying a train pass is like throwing your money in the garbage. Even our wallets have a national and a regional pass in them! But youll still need to buy some tickets. We simplify this by highlighting which ones youll need and the ones weve never bought after years of travel, plus which ones might save you a little (or a lot) of money.

2 | Master the SBB Mobile App (VALUED AT $24)

This app is like a timetable, ticket office, and GPS in your pocket! Not tech savvy? Not a problem!

This is a step-by-step tutorial (with 125 screenshots, to be exact!) so you can create an account, buy tickets, find how to get from Point A to Point B, and more. Part 2 might just allow you to travel all over Switzerland without ever stepping foot in a ticket office!

(Note: You will need an iPhone or Android phone to download the SBB Mobile App, and this app requires wifi or cell phone data.)

Our advice: Dont travel Switzerland without this on your phone. Enough said. (In case youre wondering, we tried, and it was waaay more complicated than it needed to be!)

3 | Ride Like a Pro(VALUED AT $19)

Worry no more! We navigate you through the unknowns of Swiss transportation so you can ride with confidence from your very first trip! Part 3 details:

The many modes of transportation youll encounter
Amenities youll find at the train stations
How to find your platform
How to board
And what to expect during your ride.

Plus, answers to lots of other questions you might be wondering about but dont know where to find the answers.

Our advice: You dont know what you dont know. Weve learned from making the mistakes ourselves, watching others make mistakes, and hours of tedious research. We found the answers so you dont have to. The result: score an A+ on Swiss transportation. (And win Most Likely To Succeed at the same time, woohoo!)

Bonus 1 | Train Pass Checklist(VALUED AT $10)

How do you know which train pass is best for your itinerary? By using our Checklist!

Whether youre sticking to the cities or hopping from mountain to mountain, whether youre in Switzerland for a long weekend or a whole month, our Checklist points you to the wallet-friendly pass that will allow you to hop-on-hop-off as you please.

Our advice: Trust the checklist. Its backed by ~~Einstein~~Brett-approved spreadsheets (translation: way too many Excel formulas), and thousands of happy travelers whove trusted the results and never looked back.

Bonus 2 | Train Pass Spreadsheet(VALUED AT $10)

Did you know that there isnt one single pass that covers every possible ride in Switzerland? (We wish!)

This clean and organized spreadsheet explains which passes fully cover, partially cover, or do not cover the most popular routes.

For example, which passes cover the route from Grindelwald to Jungfraujoch, from Lucerne to Pilatus, or from Zermatt to Glacier Paradise? Thats what youll find inside!

Our advice: You know where you wanna go, and we tell you if your pass will get you there. Its that simple. No more deciphering treasure maps or trying to figure out whats covered or attempting to remember Wheres that one place again?

These Individual Parts Are Valued At $82, bUT YOU CAN BUY THE WHOLE BUNDLE FOR JUST $39!

*The individual parts of this guide are not sold separately. They are only available as a part of this bundle.*

For comparison, this Ultimate Guide to Swiss Transportation costs the same as:

A 2-hour, one-way journey between Interlaken and Lucerne

A dinner entree for 1 at an average restaurant in Switzerland

1 tourist t-shirt at Jungfraujoch or Matterhorn Glacier Paradise

And with a simple purchase of this bundle, youll instantly save $43, countless headaches, missed trains, transportation confusionyou get the picture

Join the 47,000+ subscribers on YouTube, 9,000+ travelers in our inbox, and thousands of customers who have trusted our advice!

Who is this Guide for?

We created this Guide for every single traveler who will visit Switzerland!

Why? Because its hard to come here and NOT ride some form of public transportation.

Wanna visit Jungfraujoch Top of Europe?
Wanna see Matterhorn Glacier Paradise?
Wanna enjoy a scenic train ride like the Glacier Express?
Wanna cruise along Lake Geneva or Lake Lucerne?

If you answered yes to just one of those questions, then you will HAVE to ride Swiss transportation!

Tap the Buy now button if:

Youll ride at least one form of public transportation in Switzerland: train, bus, boat, tram, metro, gondola, funicular, cable car, etc.
Youre unsure how to buy Swiss train tickets or passes
You need help navigating from Point A to Point B in Switzerland
You have a question about Swiss transportation and dont know where to find the answer

Planning a Swiss vacation takes time. And this Guide just speeds up the process, cuts through the noise, and simplifies your decisions.

Sure, youll need to flash back to your school days when you sat in front of a chalkboard (or whiteboard), except this time its a PDF and a cell phone screen. But we promise that our 3 lessons wont last all day, just a few hours max.

And theres no final exam at the end (whew). Unless you count your first ride in Switzerland, but were confident that youll ace that test.

The end result is worth it.

Ride like a pro, without stress, and with a few extra bucks in your pocket (safely nestled beside your handy cell phone which doubles as a ticket machine, timetable, and GPS gotta love technology!)

Lets say I buy this Guidethen what?

After you buy, youll instantly get our Start Here Guide, which tells you how to use each of the 3 Parts. Youll also have access to the entire bundle: Start Here Guide, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, a bonus spreadsheet, and a bonus checklist.

In other words, youll have everything you need to ride like a pro!

Just imagine your spouse cutting their eyes at you not out of doubt, but with a cheeky look of trust. (bow chicka wow wow) Theyre impressed at your ability to navigate without breaking a sweat, losing your cool, or getting lost!

And while your kids (or elderly parents, or travel buddies, etc.) may not always be able to put it into words, their body language and emotions will reflect their relaxation and trust.

The result? The ultimate Swiss vacation.

Youll be the crew relaxed in a train booth laughing at each others jokes or snapping selfies while grandpa snoozes or maybe just ooh-ing and aah-ing over the jaw-dropping scenery out the window.

Meanwhile, other travelers on the train may be arguing in harsh whispers over where they need to go or trying to flag down a staff person to ask their hundredth question.

Whats the difference? You know how to ride Swiss transportation like a pro!

(And hey, maybe you could be a good neighbor and share some of your wisdom with your fellow travelers? We all know how much a helpful answer or word of encouragement can make our day!)

Still have questions? We have answers!

What do I get when I buy the Ultimate Guide to Swiss Transportation?

This easy-to-follow Guide is broken down into 3 PDFs.

Part 1 explains how to pick and purchase passes and tickets.
Part 2 teaches you how to use the SBB Mobile App. And
Part 3 tells you everything you need to know to ride like a pro!
And to be even more helpful, this Guide also comes with 2 bonuses to help you better understand Swiss train passes.

Your Guide has a lot of information. How do I know what I need?

First, begin with the 2-page Start Here Guide. This explains each of the 3 parts and how to use them. If youre not sure what you need, follow our simple guidelines to get the maximum value out of this Guide.

(For example, you will want to follow Part 2 cover to cover, but you can scan the table of contents in Part 1 and Part 2 to just read what you need.)

How long will it take me to read your Guide?

Planning a vacation always takes time. If you spare even just 1 hour with our Guide, youll save hours during your trip! (And likely skip out on the stress, budget-busters, and confusion too.)

How much time do I need to set up the SBB App?

If you follow our step-by-step Guide, allow a minimum of 30 minutes to create an account, login, set up, and learn to use the app.

Im not tech savvy. Do I really need the app?

In our opinion, yes. The alternative: wait in line every single time you want to buy a ticket, find a timetable, ask for navigation help, etc. We tried thisand it didnt go so well. Trust us, the app is absolutely worth it!

How do I know which Swiss train pass to buy?

We have a checklist, spreadsheet, and PDF detailing each of the passes, what they are best for, and when we recommend buying them, as well as the bonus discounts you get from buying the pass.

Can I load my pass onto the SBB app?

Yes and no. We tell you which passes can be uploaded, how to upload them, and how to show them to the ticket controller when asked.

How do I navigate from Point A to Point B?

Easy! Follow our step-by-step tutorial of how to navigate anywhere in Switzerland by public transportation. Dont know where you are or the name of the stop you need to reach? We tell you how to find that info, too!

What do I need to know about traveling with kids?

Switzerland makes it simple to travel with kids of all ages! There are special kid zones, tickets, and discounts. We give you all the info and tell you which options are best for most vacationers.

I only have 1 or 2 questions. Do I really need a whole guide just to get my answer?

This is a great (and super common) question! In our experience, most travelers think they have one question (maybe two), but each answer just leads to another question.

For example, Can you tell me if the Swiss Travel Pass fits my itinerary? But then you wonder where/when to buy the pass, how to use it, what it covers, and if it gives a discount when you have to buy tickets. (Whew!)

If you want to know if our Guide answers your question, let us know and were happy to tell you if thats covered inside!

Unsure about this Guide? We can help you decide!

We know how it feels to spend money on something that doesnt feel worth it. After all, Switzerland isnt a cheap destination.

So if you have a question about this Guide before you click buy, then send us a message on our Contact Form.

As a small team, we do our best to respond to every email as quickly as possible.

Just keep in mind that we close our laptops on weekends (and holidays) so you will only hear from us Monday to Friday.

After you purchase, you will immediately receive access to this digital Guide. As a result, this product is not able to be refunded. However, if you have questions on how to maximize this resource, were happy to help! Please reach out to us on our Contact Form.

Heres the cherry on top: you get free lifetime updates! We will regularly update our content and incorporate new info to keep you in the loop.

Its time to ride Swiss transportation like a pro!

$39 BUNDLE

Ultimate Guide to Swiss Transportation

If youre going to Switzerland and will ride at least one form of public transportation, then THIS IS YOUR PASSPORT TO CONFIDENCE!

Part 1 | Pick & Purchase Passes & TicketsStop wasting money! Save moolah with the right pass, and when you inevitably need to buy a ticket, know which type you need for your route.

Part 2 | Master the SBB Mobile AppStop wasting time! This step-by-step tutorial has 125 screenshots to teach you how to use this 3-in-1 timetable, ticket machine, and GPS in your pocket.

Bonus 1 | Train Pass ChecklistPick a Swiss train pass with confidence! Follow our simple checklist to determine which pass(es) fit your itinerary best!

Bonus 2 | Train Pass SpreadsheetUnderstand your Swiss rail pass! Compare and contrast different passes, and determine which routes are/are not covered by your pass.

Bonus 3 | Start Here Guide Its as easy as 1-2-3! This resource tells you at-a-glance how to use each part of this Swiss Transportation Guide.

Applies to year-round travel and all forms of transportation across the country of Switzerland

See ya in Switzerland!