If you’re new to New York City, the first thing you’ll probably notice is that it’s a little crowded.
To navigate the city, most people rely on public transportation. The subway trains are often packed with people and they always seem to be running behind schedule or experiencing delays due to construction work or signal problems.
Fortunately, there are some great apps that make navigating NYC easier for those who don’t have time to figure out what train stop will get them closest to their destination on foot.
Best Apps For Nyc Subway
These apps (for both iOS and Android) are among the best and can save you lots of time and confusion, leaving you more time to enjoy the city’s sights and join one of our free NYC tours!
Which NYC Subway App is Best
Before we get to the app list, you may also find these posts below very helpful.
Navigating the New York Subway
Which MetroCard is Right for You?
Which Hop-on, Hop-Off Bus is Best?
Getting Around NYC
Where to Find Free Wi-Fi in New York
Definitive Guide to Things to Do in NYC
Some of the best NYC subway apps are free and have been awarded prizes by the official subway system, the MTA.
You can find apps that provide you subway maps and even city streets maps that will work even without wi-fi or data reception.
Being able to access apps offline is essential for those visiting from overseas since roaming data costs can really take a dent out of your trip budget.
Did you know that the New York City Subway now has free wi-fi in many subway stations now! Find out how to access it from our post Where to Find Free Wi-Fi in New York.
After trying many apps, we’ve narrowed the list down to these 8. These are the apps that we New Yorkers actually use!
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GOOGLE MAPS Navigation & Transit Free – iPhone, iPad & Android
Google Maps has come a long way in the past few years and its Navigation & Transit App has surpassed the usability of the Apple map that comes with your iPhone.
It is also compatible with your Android phone. (Note that Android users will have to register for a Google account to use the Google Maps app for Android. But it’s worth it).
A picture speaks a thousand words so after this basic feature description below, watch the video to see how Google Maps can help you plan your transit route in New York City.
Features:
Point A to Point B directions by the mode of transport you choose (drive, walk, bus/subway, bike, and even taxi!) You can add an additional destination for planning a 2 stop trip (Start at Point A, travel to B then continue onto Point C, final destination.
Offers you different routes based on your preference. Would you rather walk a few more blocks to your subway station or bus stop? Or would you prefer to walk less but have to transfer between subway lines? You can customize almost everything!
Real time updates, shows estimated time of arrival, and so much more.
It literally tells you (via voice feature) step by step instructions to get where you are going.
Has offline capability for some functions.
Here are a few screenshots. It is an example of going from Lower Manhattan to the Empire State Building.
Screenshot #1 Enter your starting location in the top box. By default, the app uses your current location. By using the icons, choose the mode of transportation you want: Public Transportation, Walking, Taxi, Biking, and Driving (not shown).
For this example, we have chosen Public Transportation/Subway icon. The app offers a few routes along with travel time, distance to/from subway stations, and any other important information.
Screenshot #2 If you prefer to find out about routes with less walking or one with fewer transfers, you use the Options function. You can choose also choose if you only want suggested routes with subways and not buses or vice versa.
For this example, we went with Best Route.
Screenshot #3 Once we have chosen the route we want (see Screenshot #1), Screenshot #3 shows incredibly detailed instructions, such as the number of minutes it takes to walk to the subway station.
It also shows what time the train is expected to arrive, and the number of stations in between your starting station and destination station.
With the Google Maps Navigator and Transit app, you really don’t need anything else other than an itinerary of where you want to go.
Screenshot #1 Screenshot #2 Screenshot #3
Google Maps Subway App
Great feature Ideal for tourists because you don’t need to know the address for major attractions or destinations.
Want to go to the Empire State Building? Just start typing in E-M-P and the app uses auto-predict to provide you with a choice of possible destinations, with Empire State Buildingcoming up first. How easy is that?!?
TIP: If you are going to the Empire State Building, see our post with all the information you need, including how to save money on tickets.
TRANSIT Free – iPhone, iPad & Android.
This app keeps getting better and better. As the official New York City TransportatiDepartmentent, the MTA, catches up with technology, this app integrates these changes in a very efficient way.
Features
Will show you the subway lines, bus lines and even Uber taxis nearest your location on the street.
It displays real-time status of the different modes of transportation so you can decide if you want to go by bus, subway or taxi.
You can customize what modes of transport are displayed and included in routing. For example, if you know you will not ever take the bus, just unselect BUS and this app won’t even show you bus options. (Though you should give the NYC buses a chance. They are quite good).
The app has a trip planner that shows you the best route. plot the best route.
It also includes where the nearest Citibike docking station is. Citibike is NYC’s bike-share program and you should take a look at it and also other bike rentals. See our post, Best Bike Rentals in New York City.
Great feature You can set to alert you when you are nearing your destination, which is perfect for those who are unfamiliar with the city or who are prone to falling asleep on subways after a long day of walking around the city.
CITYMAPPER Free – iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Android.
This is an award-winning app for good reason (Apple’s 2014 and 2013 Apps of the Year; Winner of the 2013 MTA App Quest competition).
An online reviewer said, “I’m practically married to this app.” Citymapper has many of the same time-saving, convenient features that non-free apps do.
It also has some great features even fancier apps do not. You can use their homepage from your computer as it has the same functions as the app does.
The app is constantly expanding to cities throughout the world, so keep an eye on this app, it is literally going places.
Features
Suggests Point A to Point B trip routes with travel time and ETA including all modes of transport (bus, subway, train, ferry, taxi (Uber, Lyft, yellow cab), car share, bike share and walking.
Real-time departures. Subway line status and real-time disruption and delay alerts.
Uber integration. Bike routing and live bike share info. Constant updates.
Shows which train car is the best spot to be riding in to be closest to your train exit or transfer walkway (This is such a New Yorker thing! Always rushing!)
Transit maps that can be accessed offline (Official NYC subway map, Manhattan bus map, Brooklyn bus map, Queens bus map).
It has an alert function to let you know when you have reached your station.
Great feature Let’s you choose your language! English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and more!
This instructional video uses Barcelona as an example but it works the same all cities.
Since we now have tours in Barcelona, you can use Citymapper to help you find one of our tour starting points!
NEW YORK SUBWAY MAP & ROUTE PLANNER Free – Android, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch
This is a fairly straightforward app that has many of the same features as other apps.
Its user interface is not complicated but not as user-friendly as Google Maps or Citymapper.
Features:
Easy-to-use route planner will get you from A to B on the subway and works offline.
Uses the official MTA map of the New York subway.
Service Status information about any delays or changes with alerts sent straight to your phone.
Search for a particular subway station or find the nearest station to your current location.
Uber integration allows you to book a taxi within seconds and continue your journey after using the New York Subway.
Great feature It offers information about out of service elevators and escalators. This is very important if you are traveling with a lot of luggage, a baby stroller or need an handicapped-accessible station.
TIP: Speaking of luggage, if you are looking for luggage storage locations, read Where to Store Luggage in New York City?
FREE NEW YORK SUBWAY LOCATOR Free iPhone, iPad.
Subway Locator App
Sometimes ‘less is more’. This is a very basic app which may be all you need or want.
Features
Quickly display a list of the nearest subway stations to your current location.
Shows you the name of the station and the letter/color of the line.
Receives service alerts straight from the MTA, New York City’s Official Transit Authority
Great feature The app includes an offline version of the official paper version of the NYC Subway Map which is about 2 feet wide by 2 feet long.
With this app, you can see the subway map even when you do not have internet access. No more carrying around the giant NYC subway map.
iTRANS NYC SUBWAY $3.99 iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch.
This app is for people who love information and simply must know the fastest route to their destination. This app has great features but isn’t really worth it if you are taking a nice relaxing vacation in New York City.
See your current location and get walking directions to nearby stations.
Easy step-by-step directions mean you always know the fastest route.
Service advisories even while offline; subway directions even work offline.
Live train times for train lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and Times Square Shuttle.
See train schedules for any station at any time of day.
Get push alerts for delays, customized for your route and commute time.
Use Street Map mode to see bus stations and bus times.
Subway lines, stations, entrances, and exits overlaid on a street map.
Great feature Comes with maps of NYC neighborhoods and you can use them without internet access. Never carry a paper map again.
KICKMAP $2.99 iPhone, iPad, iPod touch.
Why it is worth the money: Many a tourist and locals alike have learned the hard way that not all subway stations have a crossover walkway to go in the opposite direction.
If you want to go uptown and enter the station thinking that once you are in the station and paid your fare that you can find the uptown platform, be warned: there are some stations in the city where there is no crossover option.
Meaning once you’ve swiped your MetroCard and see you are on the downtown platform, the only way to get to the uptown platform that you need is to exit the station, cross the street and pay again to enter!
Even if you have an unlimited card, once you have swiped it, you cannot swipe again for 18 minutes.
KickMap will spare you the frustration and save you money by telling you in advance which stations have crossovers and which do not.
Features
NYC subway map works underground without an internet connection (connection only needed to look-up street addresses and get live transit alerts)
Directions without an internet connection displayed right on the map
Pop-up Google street map – Press any station for 3 seconds to see local area
Built-in Compass – Helps with orientation at street-level
GPS Locator – Shows closest subways stations
Transit Alerts – Push notifications of delays for only the lines you choose
Shows over 350 NYC Neighborhoods and Parks
Great feature 24-hour Day/Night maps – Automatically switches maps at 11 pm and 6 am<
EXIT STRATEGY $3.99 iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android, and BlackBerry.
For people visiting New York, you may be surprised to find out that our subway stations are quite long and offer multiple exits.
Leaving the station at the wrong exit can leave you blocks from your intended destination.
This app tells you exactly where on the platform you should board the train so that when you arrive at your destination stop – voila! – the desired exit is right there!
Features
Shows exit locations for all 469 subway stops in NYC.
Neighborhood maps show subway exits/entrances at street level.
No online connection required.
Zoomable, scrollable and interactive MTA subway map and Manhattan street map.
MTA bus maps for all five boroughs.
Great feature: Time-saver and saves you some unnecessary walking which good for the weary traveler!
best nyc subway app for tourists
Never get lost (or stuck underground) again with the help of these apps
By Amy Plitt@plitter Nov 26, 2018, 4:26pm EST
New York Citys’s MTA Issues Warning About Playing Pokemon Go On Subway Platforms Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Part of The beginner’s guide to New York City
The MTA finally entered the 21st century when, earlier this year, it unveiled a souped-up new app that puts information about its various commuting methods—subways, buses, and commuter rail lines—along with subway delays and other issues right at your fingertips.
Since the MTA was relatively late to the subway app game, plenty of competitors have launched their own apps that promise to make commuters’ lives a little easier—and have already built devoted followings. Many replicate services found in the MyMTA app, such as where trains and buses are in real time, or which lines are affected by delays.
But others provide a more comprehensive overview of the transit landscape (such as including nearby bike share stations), and or provide necessary information you won’t find in the MTA app. (See: where to board a train so you’re closest to the exit at your destination.)
So which of these apps are worth your time (and storage space?) We’ve rounded up six of the best ones below.
Citymapper
(free; iPhone, Android)
The most comprehensive of the third-party apps, Citymapper doesn’t just show you subway and bus information—there are also details for non-MTA commuter rail lines (PATH, NJ Transit), ride-hailing apps, Citi Bike, NYC Ferry, and even Car2Go. Searching for your destination will bring up a list of the best ways to get there, along with approximate prices for each (especially useful for Uber and Lyft). The app even takes current weather condition into account, suggesting “rain safe” modes of transit during a storm, for instance.
Transit
(free; iPhone, Android)
Transit provides real-time schedule information in a tidy, clean interface, showing the trains or buses that are closest to you, and exactly when you can expect them to arrive. Where it comes in really handy is showing how long it will take for subsequent subways or buses to reach your destination—it makes it much easier to plan ahead (or avoid something like bus bunching). The app also shows times for other modes of transit: Citi Bike, ferry, commuter rail, and the like.
Google Maps
(free; iPhone, Android)
Google’s app lets you customize your commute, setting up your most-visited points (work, home), your preferred way of traveling, and the typical time you’re coming and going. When you open the app in the morning, all of the information you need—including any delays on your usual routes—will be readily available. Another useful part of the app is its step-by-step details, which take walking and the number of stops between places into account.
Exit Strategy
($3.99, iPhone)
This app has one purpose: to show you where to stand on a subway platform in order to be near an exit. It’s especially useful in stations where there’s only one exit—like, for example, the D, N, and R at Atlantic Avenue–Barclays Center—and you don’t want to spend too much time on the platform itself.
Rampd
(free; iPhone, Android)
Elevator and escalator service in subway stations is notoriously unreliable, and while the MTA’s app does show outages throughout the system, Rampd is devoted exclusively to those issues. The app will show only the stations where elevators are in service, and if you click through to a line, you can see every station with elevator access. (One flaw: It doesn’t show how many elevators are in service in a particular station.)
Moovit
(free; iPhone, Android)
Moovit has similar features to other apps on this list: It provides real-time schedule information, tells you when scheduled trains are due to arrive, and offers that information for several modes of transit (subway, bus, commuter rail, etc.). Moovit differs from those in that it’s partnered with Be My Eyes, an app that assists people who are blind and visually impaired, to make commuting easier for those users. “Blind and low vision users are connected to sighted volunteers with a tap of a button, who are ready to help them navigate to work, find their way through a new environment or choose the best transit route,” the app explains.
Conclusion
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