New York City is served by seven area airports. Of these, three are major hubs: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) are both in Queens, while Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is located in neighboring New Jersey. Other metropolitan-area airports include Stewart International Airport (SWF), Westchester County Airport (HPN) and MacArthur Airport (ISP). The City’s three major airports provide easy access to the City via taxis, buses, vans, subways, trains and private limo and car services.

In addition to nearby airports, New York City is easily accessible via an extensive network of bridges, tunnels, ferries, trains, light rail, buses, heliports and even cruise ports. Driving to the City is an option, but you certainly won’t need a car to get around.

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The best way to get around NYC is through a combination of walking and the City’s energy-efficient 24/7 mass transit system. NYC’s subways and buses are operated by the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority). The system is inexpensive, provides a fun way to extend sightseeing—and it gets you where you need to go. Other interborough connections include a recently expanded ferry system and even an aerial tramway.

Getting an MTA MetroCard is your first step to navigating the City by subway or bus. A MetroCard is required to enter the subway system, while exact change or a MetroCard can be used on buses. You can purchase a MetroCard at any subway station from multilingual machines (which accept cash and credit and debit cards) or booth attendants.

Riders have three options for fare payment; a single-ride ticket, a pay-per-ride MetroCard or an unlimited-ride MetroCard. A single-ride ticket costs $3, is sold only at vending machines and must be used within two hours of purchase. For MetroCards, there is a $1 fee to purchase so be sure to retain it (and check the expiration date on the back of the card—the MTA will issue a new MetroCard for no charge if your card has expired or is damaged). With a pay-per-ride MetroCard, the base fare for a subway or bus ride is $2.75. If a value over $5.50 is added to the card, an additional 5 percent bonus is added as well. Below are some samples with the bonus:

• Buy a $10.48 MetroCard ($11 value) 4 rides
• Buy a $20.96 MetroCard ($22 value) 8 rides
• Buy a $41.91 MetroCard ($44 value) 16 rides

An unlimited MetroCard enables users to ride all subways and buses as often as they like and costs $32 for seven days or $121 for 30 days. Additional discounts are available for seniors age 65 and older and disabled riders. For a map of New York City’s subway and bus system, click here.

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The City’s fleet of taxicabs is regulated by the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC). Taxicabs operate 24 hours, provide door-to-door service and accept cash or credit cards. The City’s famous yellow fleet is primarily seen throughout Midtown but can be hailed for trips to other boroughs and even to other states. NYC’s apple-green Boro Taxis can pick up passengers in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens (excluding the airports) and Staten Island, plus northern Manhattan (north of West 110th Street and East 96th Street); they are not authorized to pick up any trips elsewhere in Manhattan.

To hail a taxi, stand at the curb and look for a yellow cab with an illuminated white number on top. Off-duty cabs display the illuminated words “Off Duty” on the same sign. Board and exit the cab curbside.

For yellow or green taxis, there is a minimum meter fare of $3, and prices increase based on the distance and duration of the trip (assume prices are higher during peak rush-hour traffic). Surcharges apply to the meter price nightly, 8pm–6am, and Monday–Friday, 4–8pm. Drivers appreciate a 15–20 percent gratuity at the end of a trip. Bridge and tunnel tolls are not included in the taxi’s metered fare. For further details, visit nyc.gov/taxi or call +1.212.NEW.YORK (639.9675) from outside the City or 311 when in town.

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New York City weather can vary from day to day, and even morning to afternoon, but a guide to the seasons can help you plan your wardrobe. Spring (March–May) in New York City brings light winds and rain, with the season’s temperatures ranging from cool to very warm. Summer (June–August) is characterized by bright, sunny, hot days and later sunsets, sometimes accompanied by cool breezes in areas near the water. The fall season (September–November) is cool and crisp, so it’s wise to wear layers. The winter months (December–February) are cold and snowy with less daylight, though the weather is often clear.

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New York City is in the Eastern Standard Time Zone (Greenwich Mean Time minus five hours during daylight saving time, from March through November, and minus six hours the rest of the year). Check here for the current date and time in NYC.

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If you’re visiting New York City from outside the United States, you may need a visa to enter the country. For details, visit the U.S. Department of State‘s visa information website.

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• Hotel doorman: $3 for hailing a cab
• Porters and bellhops: $1–2 per bag
• Maids: $1–2 per person, per day of your visit, or as much as $5 per day
• Waitstaff and bartenders: 15–20 percent of total bill
• Taxi drivers: 15–20 percent of total fare
• Tips for other service personnel, such as theater ushers, tour guides and coat-check staff, are always appreciated.

It’s worth noting that if you’re having drinks at a bar, bartenders typically expect a $1 tip for every drink they serve you. Later, when the bar gets crowded, you’ll be glad that the bartender remembers you!

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New York City is committed to ensuring accessibility for everyone with special needs, and has equipped all buses with lifts for those in wheelchairs and those who have difficulty climbing stairs. In addition, many subway stations include elevators, ramps, visual display signs, accessible public telephones and tactile and audio features on vending machines. Subways also have automated voices indicating stops, and all buses and select subway stations are wheelchair accessible. Many street-hail taxicabs accommodate wheelchairs. To request a wheelchair accessible taxi, call the accessible dispatch center at +1.646.599.9999; text a request to +1.646.400.0789; book online; or download the free mobile app “NYC Accessible Dispatch” at the Apple or Android store. Passengers with disabilities are eligible for reduced fares on most mass-transit trips. For more information about NYC accessibility, call +1.212.NEW.YORK (639.9675) from outside the City or 311 while in town; contact the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (+1.212.788.2830, TTY: +1.212.504.4115, nyc.gov/mopd); or visit NYC & Company’s accessibility section.

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Attending the tapings of popular television shows filmed in New York City is fun and free. It’s best to book tickets as far in advance as possible, depending on the individual show’s policies. Still, many shows have standby options if you’re willing to wait. Click here for the addresses and schedules of TV shows—and your chance to say hi to people back home on national television.

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Even when business is the primary reason for travel to New York City, it’s impossible not to get caught up in its energy and excitement. Diverse neighborhoods, historic landmarks and some of the most interesting museums in the world can be found in NYC. New York City comprises several islands, and its waters are home to an extensive ferry system to take you uptown and downtown, as well as across the rivers between boroughs. Perhaps the best-known of these is the Staten Island Ferry. The free ferry is primarily a commuter shuttle between Staten Island and Lower Manhattan, but the 5.2-mile 20-minute ride offers unbeatable views of the Statue of Liberty, New York Harbor and Lower Manhattan. Other shuttles include NYC Ferry, New York Water Taxi and NY Waterway. Harbor and sightseeing cruises are available too, such as Statue Cruises, which operates direct service from the Battery to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

If you love to shop, choices abound. Midtown offers fashion spots like Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and other big-name department stores; Soho, Tribeca and Nolita feature celebrity designer goods, handmade jewelry and artwork; and Williamsburg in Brooklyn is a fun place to find one-of-a-kind vintage apparel in charming boutiques. For culture and entertainment, consider NYC’s remarkable museums and the bright lights of Broadway in Times Square’s Theatre District. Night owls can party at cocktail lounges in Chelsea and dancing dens in the Meatpacking District. There’s also cabaret and karaoke in Times Square, comedy clubs in Greenwich Village and Long Island City, and rock and roll venues on the Lower East Side.

Foodies who want to savor delicious, authentic cuisines from every region in the world should head to the Astoria, Flushing or Jackson Heights neighborhoods in Queens, the East Village in Manhattan and Cobble Hill in Brooklyn.

A visit to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, the Mets’ Citi Field in Queens or their minor league teams—the Staten Island Yankees and Brooklyn Cyclones—is a must for all baseball lovers.

While you’re in NYC, follow NYCgo on Twitter and Facebook for daily events, tips and deals. Or head to nycgo.com for a list of mobile applications you can download on your smartphone to help you explore NYC.

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