05/09/2026
Think of the subway in New York City like a giant grid moving north, south, east, and west through the city. “Uptown” usually means heading north in Manhattan, while “Downtown” means heading south.
The different colors and letters represent different train lines, and the good news is that you usually do not need to memorize them. Google Maps will typically tell you exactly which station entrance to use, which train to take, how many stops to ride, and where to exit.
For families visiting for the first time, the subway is often much easier than expected. Most rides are only a few stops, trains come very frequently in busy areas, and it is usually much faster than sitting in traffic in a taxi or Uber. Kids also tend to enjoy the experience because it feels exciting and very “New York.”
A few things make the experience smoother with children. It helps to stay together before going through the turnstiles so nobody gets separated. If you are traveling with a stroller, avoiding rush hour can make a huge difference, and it is worth checking Google Maps for elevator accessibility because not every station has elevators.
One important thing to know is that express trains skip stations, so always double-check whether your train is “local” or “express.”