Q&A for How to Ride the New York City Subway

In the station, local trains stop on the outer platforms (next to the wall), and express trains stop on the inner platforms (way from the wall). You can also look at the signs in the station or on the sides of the newer train cars. However, keep in mind that some trains run both, for example the Q train is express in Manhattan, but local when you get out to Brooklyn.

On the Broadway Line (The yellow line in Manhattan) during Weekdays, the R and W trains are local, while the N and Q are express. During late nights (around 11:00PM-5:00AM), the Q and N are local, and there are no express (no R or W). During Weekends, there are no W trains, and the N and R go local, while the Q goes express.

Yes, they are. Before you use your bike though, take the 1, 2, 3, A, C or E train to Penn Station, go to the Long Island Rail Road booth, go to where the Lost and Found is located and ask for a bike pass. You will have to pay a fee.

You don't take the train to get to the Statue of Liberty. Ferries take you there from Battery Park usually, which you can access via train; take the 1 train to South Ferry, and access the appropriate ferry.

Catch the DOWNTOWN A, C, or E. Get off at West 4th Street. Follow signage for DOWNTOWN B and D. Catch the B or D from here, get off at Grand Street.

Walk one block east over to the 34 St Herald Sq Station, catch the Brooklyn-bound R train, and get off at City Hall. It is a 7-stop ride.

There are several stops near the World Trade Center. The closest one is Cortlandt Street on the R (N during the night) to the east. A short walk north is World Trade Center/Chambers Street on the A, C, and E trains. A short walk to the east (past Cortlandt Street) is Fulton Street on the 2, 3, 4, 5, A, C, and J trains (Z trains during rush hour).

86th Street station is the closest, though you will have to walk about half a mile west in the direction of the park in order to get to the museum from the station. Walk from Times Square to Grand Central and take the 4 or the 6 train to 86th street.

Take the A, C, or E train to Chamber St on the A and C or World Trade Center on the E, which is the last stop for the E. The A runs express while the C and E run local.

Swipe your MetroCard at a turnstile. Catch the DOWNTOWN A. Get off at Howard Beach - JFK Airport.

There is no direct train. You must take NJT to Penn Station then take the 1 2 3 or A C E trains to 42-Times sq or 42-Port Athourity Bus Terminal.

The yellow line includes the N, Q, R, and W. The red line includes the 1, 2, and 3. The blue line includes the A, C, and E. The orange line includes the B, D, F, and M. The dark green line includes the 4, 5, and 6. The light green line is just the G train. The purple line is the 7. The light gray line is the L, while the dark gray is the shuttles. NOTICE: New Yorkers don't call the lines by color. Instead, they call them just by their names.

Take the 4/5 (express) or 6 (local) to 59th Street and follow signs to a downtown N, R, or W train. Take that train to 34 St.

Take the Downtown 1 Train to Rector Street. You can buy a MetroCard either at the vending machines or with the station agent.

Take the Brooklyn-bound 2 or 3 train to Clark Street. There are other ways but this way is the fastest and the train is express.

Take the F train from York St to Broadway-Lafayette St. Then you can transfer to the B or D trains across the platform on the express track. Take one of those two trains to 161 St.-Yankee Stadium. Do the same thing going back. *Note: The B train goes local above 59 St. so plan on extra travel time.

The closest stop to the Whitney Museum is 14 St. on the A, C, E ,and 8 Ave. on the L.

There isn't a specific way to exit. Just get out as fast as you can to let people on.

You can do take the downtown A (express) or the C/E (local) to 14 Street Station. Then follow the signs to the Brooklyn Bound L train and get off at 14 Street-Union Square. Or you can walk two blocks east to Herald Square and hop on a downtown N/Q (express) or R/W (local) to 14 Street-Union Square.

Unfortunately, LaGuardia is the most difficult airport to access. There's a bus that goes between the Roosevelt Ave - Jackson Heights subway station, but I've found the most reliable way to get to Manhattan from LaGuardia is to take a Lyft to that station and take the R to lower Manhattan.

Walk a block west to Times Square. Then follow the signs to the downtown R and W trains and get off at Cortlandt Street.

Take the R train from Whitehall St-South Ferry to Canal St and from there you can take the N, Q, or R to Times Square. The N and R run local while the Q runs express.

Take the M60 bus to Astoria Blvd, then catch the N (local) or Q (express) train and it to 14 St-Union Sq for the 4 or 5. Do not get on the 6 because it terminates at City Hall. You could also call a cab, of course.

Many stations have elevators and wide turnstiles to allow for this issue. You can ask the agent to open the gate for you.

Take the LIRR at Jamaica to Penn Station. From there, ride north up to Times Square, then change for the N/Q/R/W and get off at 59th Street. You will be able to get to the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue, the Plaza Hotel, JW Marriott Essex House, and Trump Tower.

Use AirTrain to connect to the subway, and then ride it to the Plaza Hotel in the 700 block of 5th Avenue.