Getting Around

New York City has five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx.  It is a large metropolis, but with a little planning—and the use of maps—it can be easy to navigate.

Most New Yorkers walk and use public transportation to get around.  Walking is a great way to explore the city, so don’t forget to bring comfortable shoes and waterproof boots (in case of snow and ice)!

The Grid
Most of Manhattan’s streets form a grid with streets running east and west and avenues running north and south.  Street numbers increase as you travel north (10th Street is north of 4th Street), and avenue numbers increase as you travel west (5th Avenue is west of 2nd Avenue).  Broadway is the only street in Manhattan that travels the full length of the island and is not a part of the grid.

Areas of the city that were built prior to the grid’s creation in 1811, like the Financial District and West Village, have narrower and more crooked streets with names rather than numbers.

Maps of Manhattan neighborhoods:
Yahoo Tourist Map
New York Magazine Neighborhood Guide

NYU Transportation
NYU offers limited bus service during January Term for free to students with their NYUCard.  Information, including bus routes and schedules, is online at the NYU Public Safety website.

There is no NYU airport transportation.  Students must travel to and from the major airports on their own.  There are many ways to get from the airport to campus and back, including buses, trains, and taxis.  Each major airport website has information about options for ground transportation.

Public Transportation
New York City Subway Map
Manhattan Bus Map

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) operates the city’s network of subways and buses.  To use public transportation in the city, students must purchase a MetroCard. There is an initial $1 cost for a new MetroCard, so make sure to refill your card instead of buying a new one! One ride on a bus or subway is $2.50, but you can receive discounts when you buy a MetroCard with multiple or unlimited rides.  MetroCards may be purchased from vending machines or tellers in any subway station.  The standard MetroCard costs $5.00 and allows two rides on the subway. Transfers from one subway line to another or from the subway to the bus are free.

For more information about MetroCards, please visit the MTA website.

Commuter Transportation
Commuter students travelling to NYU’s campus can use the MTA, New Jersey Transit, Long Island Railroad, MetroNorth, PATH, and other transportation services.  Only New Jersey Transit offers a student discount on fares.

Further commuter student information is available from Commuter and Off-Campus Student Services.

Visitor Information
Having guests come to visit you while you are here?  You can find basic information about area parking, hotels, and directions to campus on the NYU visitor’s website.