NYC Public Transportation: Your Fast Track Through the City

Where to Go, Stay, and Eat in the Flatiron District

By Paul Martinez
Updated July 28, 2025

If there is one thing that New Yorkers know, and visitors find out very quickly, it is that New York runs on public transportation.

From Manhattan’s Flatiron District to the iconic Brooklyn Bridge and even outer boroughs like Staten Island, you will need to understand NYC public transportation to make the most of your time here, since it will always be the fastest way to get around!

✨ Smart Travel Moves – Flatiron District NYC Transit Highlights

🚇 Unlimited rides after 12 taps with OMNY
Pay for just 12 subway or bus rides, and get free unlimited travel for the rest of the week—no MetroCard needed.
🗽 Ride the Staten Island Ferry for free views
Catch skyline and Statue of Liberty views from the city’s best free boat ride—just minutes from Flatiron by subway.
🚉 Access 6+ subway lines from Flatiron
Walk to Union Square or 23rd Street to catch the 4/5/6, N/Q/R/W, and L trains—uptown, downtown, and crosstown in minutes.
🎫 $2.90 fare covers subway + free transfer
Each ride includes a free transfer within 2 hours. Just tap with OMNY or your contactless card and ride like a local.

Staying at the Flatiron District gives you a perfect NYC home base. Mostly because from this district, you can easily access many subway lines, catch buses, get electric Citi Bikes, and much more!

This guide will help you master NYC public transportation with an OMNY card and a Citi Bike app, letting you avoid traffic to move like a true New Yorker.

Top photo: Outside the Virgin Hotel Getting Citi Bikes

🚆 Why Choose Public Transportation in NYC?

Can I be honest with you? Driving in or around Manhattan sucks most of the time. There is so much heavy traffic, parking fees are high, and congestion pricing is a thing during peak hours. So here is why relying on NYC public transportation can be the best option for your trip:

🚇 Subway lines and subway stations connect all five boroughs: you can go from Lower Manhattan to Coney Island with a single fare.
🚌 MTA buses, local buses, and bus routes reach every street corner: where the subways don’t reach, you can easily transfer to a bus and be there in almost no time.
⛴️ Ferries offer skyline views you can’t get from yellow taxis: they are the best way to get some sightseeing by spending very little. The Staten Island Ferry has great Statue of Liberty views!
💰 One single ride is $2.90, making it a seriously affordable way to get around, given how far you can get through the public transit system.
📱 You can use the MYmta app, Google Maps, or your phone’s trip planner to effortlessly plan your days, including the transit options.

And it can get even cheaper! You can take advantage of the 12-ride fare discount on the OMNY card: it gives you unlimited rides for just $34 a week. Just use your own debit card, credit card, or contactless card right at the OMNY reader—no need to get a MetroCard.

📍 Top Public Transportation Options Near Flatiron

Remember how I said that staying in the Flatiron District is your best option because of how accessible NYC public transportation is there? Here is a breakdown of everything that can help you reach every corner of NYC – and beyond!

1. 🚇 New York Subway / New York City Subway System

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, or MTA for locals, operates over 450 subway stations across 36 different subway lines. This makes NYC’s subway system the largest public transportation system in North America.

🚉 Lines near Flatiron/Union Square: 4/5/6, N/Q/R/W, L. You can transfer to many others, too!
⚡ Express trains skip stops for faster rides; they vary depending on the day and hour.
💳 You can get a free transfer to/from buses within 2 hours.
🗺️ Check the latest version of the NYC subway map online and printed in stations! You can get some at tourist help centers too.

2. 🚌 MTA Buses / Local Buses

Catch MTA buses to pretty much anywhere right from stops on Fifth Avenue or 23rd Street.

🚏 Popular bus routes: M1, M2, M3, M14, M23
⏱️ Bus schedules vary by time—use the MYmta app for live updates on your chosen route.
🚍 Select Bus Service (SBS) lines = faster bus speeds and pre-boarding fare payment
💸 $2.90 per ride; express buses cost a little more: $7

🆕 Part of the Queens bus network redesign that happened in 2025 has added new “Rush Routes,” improving timing and coverage of the latest attractions.

3. ⛴️ Ferries & Commuter Trains

Ferries are perfect for relaxing while taking the scenic route. Trains? Ultra-practical way to get further while saving your energy.

🛥️ Staten Island Ferry: Free, iconic trip past the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty.
🧭 NYC Ferry (use the nyc ferry app): $4 ride with waterfront views if you can snag a seat.
🚄 From Penn Station, catch the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) or NJ Transit to New Jersey, or the Metro-North Railroad to the Hudson Valley and Grand Central Terminal.
🎟️ Buy rail tickets at ticket machines or via a ticket agent, machines tend to have fewer lines!

🆚 While you could get in a green cab, medallion yellow taxi, or call a car through ride-hailing apps, transit via subway and Citi Bike for me, is usually the better option, especially near Flatiron and throughout Manhattan.

4. 🚲 Citi Bike & Tram Options

🚲 Citi Bike stations are quite literally everywhere. Unlock a vehicle for $5 + per-minute rates (which can vary)
🚠 Roosevelt Island Tram: Use the OMNY system for a $2.90 skyline thrill!

🔍 What to Expect on Public Transportation

Here’s how the NYC public transportation system works, down to its littlest quirks.

✅ The Basics

🎫 Fare: Usually around $2.90 for subway/local bus
💳 Contactless payment: You can use your OMNY card, debit card, or credit card to pay!
🔄 Free transfer: Subway to Bus and vice versa is free within two hours of your first trip.
⏱️ Train time varies: subways run 24/7 on varying intervals depending on the line, buses also run 24/7 every 5–15 mins, and you can ask to get off anywhere between 10 PM and 5 AM.
🧑‍🦽 Accessibility for differently abled people is growing fast, thanks to the 2025 capital plan

📍Good news: The traditional MetroCard will officially retire by the end of 2025. They will still be accepted if you have one, you just won’t be able to get new ones!

🧭 Key Differences by Mode

Type	Features	Insider Notes
Subway	Fast, frequent, express options.	Double-check the subway service on weekends and holidays.
Local Buses	Great for street-level sightseeing without having to walk.	Slower during rush hour since there aren’t many exclusive lanes.
Ferries	Relaxing rides with amazing views	Limited stops, and they operate on seasonal hours.
Commuter Trains	Long-distance comfort to visit some places out of town (LIRR, Metro-North)	Ideal choice starting from Penn or Grand Central Station

💸 Fares, Cards & Discounts

We know New Yorkers are budget-conscious, and the city helps with flexible fare options:

OMNY Weekly Cap: After you take 12 rides, you get unlimited rides for the rest of the week!
Fair Fares NYC: 50% off for eligible riders, check the policy on the MTA website!
Seniors & Disabled: They get to pay $1.45 fare when showing proper ID.
Express Buses: $7 flat rate, no matter the itinerary! They’re ideal for long hauls or to go to Newark Liberty International Airport!

🧠 Pro Tip: Always triple-check for changes to service times, especially on weekends and holidays.

🎒 What to Bring for Your Ride

We know that the NYC public transportation system is incredibly reliable, but NYC itself is an unpredictable thing, so it is best to always be prepared:

☀️ Put on sunscreen if you plan on any outdoor bus waits.
💧 Always carry a water bottle ( but especially during summer).
☔ Umbrella/rain jacket is a must for your daily bag; you never know when the weather will turn.
👟 Comfortable shoes can be your best friends. You’ll be walking up stairs at subway stations and walking from one place to the other.
🎧 Headphones: Be a good subway neighbor to other passengers and avoid listening to anything out loud without headphones.
📱 Download trip planner apps like Google Maps or the MYmta app to be as prepared as you can be.

🛑 Avoid using an out-of-date app—most of them won’t work properly without all the updates!

🚏 Start Your Trip from Flatiron District

You know that the Flatiron District is the best-connected place in Manhattan. So here is a how-to guide on starting your day from NYC’s most connected ‘hood:

🚇 Union Square–14th St: Catch the 4/5/6 uptown to Central Park, or the L train to Williamsburg. You can also catch the 4/5/6 on 23rd Street.
🚌 M14 & M23: East–west bus lines that cut across Manhattan are incredible.
🚉 Walk to Penn Station for commuter trains, Long Island Railroad, or NJ Transit
🧺 Grab some food at Shake Shack or Eataly to relax in Madison Square Park post-ride
🎟️ Score Broadway show tickets and go just a subway stop away to Times Square, and most theatres.
🎡 Visit Coney Island from the Q line, it is totally worth the long-ish trip.

🕓 Rush hour tip: If you are able to, plan your day to avoid taking any public transportation between 7–9 AM and 4–7 PM.

🎭 Wrap Up Your NYC Transit Adventure

Making use of the NYC public transportation is much more than an efficient way to get around.

It is part of the New Yorker culture. From the many subway lines to delightful Citi Bike rides along Central Park and the amazing views from ferries, the system reflects the city’s rhythm, energy, and soul.

And if you count on the Flatiron District’s perfect location, you can get anywhere: Central Park, Coney Island, Brooklyn, Broadway, and beyond.

👉 Ready to plan your next NYC adventure?

Explore more insider tips, food finds, and hidden gems at MeetFlatiron. We’ll get you from point A to “Whoa, NYC is awesome” in no time!