For first-time visitors, New York City can be as intimidating as it is alluring. With over 8 million residents and 220,000 businesses scattered across five boroughs and 350-plus neighborhoods, it would take multiple lifetimes to fully explore the dynamic and ever-evolving city that many of us Condé Nast Traveler editors call home. In order to navigate the chaos, there are a few ground rules New Yorkers live by—from subway and sidewalk etiquette to unspoken social norms.
To help travelers tackle the best city in the world with confidence and ease, we’ve put together 15 unwritten rules everyone should know before visiting New York City, including tips and tricks for planning your next trip. Consider this a cheat sheet to experiencing NYC like a local—and when you do visit, know that while New Yorkers may not be Midwestern nice or West Coast chill, we are always happy to lend a hand if you need directions, advice, or help lugging that overpacked suitcase up the subway stairs.
Plan for traffic and delays
As a native New Yorker, this one was a tough lesson to learn—and one that I learned the hard way oh so many times—especially when hailing a cab can feel so convenient. When you’re running late for that Broadway show you booked weeks in advance, do not—and I mean do NOT—rely on above-ground transportation to get you there in time. More often than not, there is some parade, protest, rally, street fair, or movie shoot (or all of the above) going on—especially in the busiest parts of the city. Using the subway will almost always be your best bet. If you are in a subway desert, then taking the bus is still a better option, since they use dedicated bus lanes. My best advice on avoiding the mess of all the above? Give yourself a large amount of extra time to get around anywhere. Even if it seems close by, you never know what sort of bizarre incident could cause both car and train traffic all around the city. — Emily Adler, Associate Social Media Manager
Use public transportation
As mentioned above, public transportation is the best way to explore the city. New York has one of the best transit systems in the world, including trains, buses, ferries, and even a tram. With 472 stations and 28 routes covering all 5 boroughs, the subway is the most convenient option. To plan your route, plug in your destination into the New York Subway MTA Map app, or use the transit option on Apple Maps or Google Maps. Always make sure to pick the correct entrance based on the direction you’re traveling (in Manhattan, this will be uptown or downtown for the most part) to avoid ending up on the wrong side of the tracks. You can tap-to-pay with your phone, contactless credit card, or metro card.
Time for the rules. When the subway arrives, stand next to (not in front of) the door to let passengers off the train first. Once everyone gets off, then you can board. If the doors are closing right when you get there, don’t panic—and please don’t hold them open. There’s likely another train right behind it. If there are lots of people packed into one car, move to the center to make room for riders filing in behind you. And if you get stuck standing right in front of the door, you’ll need to exit at the next stop to let folks out (just stand to the right or left and then you can hop back on). Now for the seating etiquette: They are reserved for butts, not for bags—so don’t hog a spot with your purse. Offer your seat if you see someone who needs it more. If you’re standing and wearing a backpack on a crowded train, take it off and hold it in your hands or place it by your feet so you don’t whack the people behind you. When you’ve finally arrived at your destination and are climbing up the stairs back to life above ground, real New Yorkers will always offer to help carry strollers or heavy suitcases—we’re all in this together. —Hannah Towey, Associate Editor
That subway car is empty for a reason
Never get on an empty subway car—because there’s probably a good reason for it. Maybe it’s the air conditioning or heat not working; someone’s grocery bags that have exploded its indeterminable contents all across the floor; the possibility of encountering a stomach-churning odor of some kind—the list is endless. Instead, stuff yourself into an airless packed car and trust that there are a hundred different reasons why every New Yorker around you decided to do the same. —Arati Menon, Global Digital Director