Getaway Guide: Navigate The Big Apple

Getting around any big town can be an intimidating adventure. But navigating the canyons and bustle of the Big Apple is daunting, unless you are native to the asphalt jungle. But armed with the right tools, the mystery can be unraveled. When in New York, remember, "The Bronx is up, the battery is down. The people ride in a hole in the ground." The hole is the subway, a massive system that carries millions each day. But buses, ferries and an aerial tram are also in the mix. Let's sort it all out. – Jay Lloyd

SUBWAYS

New York's fabled subway system, now over 100 years old links 4 of the 5 boroughs and their major attractions from Yankee stadium "up" in the Bronx to the Battery at the lower tip of Manhattan where you catch ferries to Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty and Staten Island, or tour the risen World Trade Center and new transportation hub. Subway routes are lettered and numbered. Entrances, concourses and platforms are well signed. All you have to do is know what line your destination is on and whether you should take a local or an express. The lines generally run north and south in Manhattan with spurs that cross town and spread out to Brooklyn destinations including Coney Island, the Botanical Garden and the Barclay Center. They also carry you to Queens and its ethnic restaurant neighborhoods or Citi Field, home of the Mets. A brand new extension on the route 7 subway takes you to the famed "High Line" on the Hudson. Your best tool is a smartphone app called "Embark NYC". Plug in your location and destination, it does the rest. If you prefer maps, download subway maps at: web.mta.info/maps/submap.html The Metrocard (smartcard) fare is $2.75

BUSES

New York City has an amazing and uncomplicated spider web of bus lines that run frequently and all night in the city that never sleeps. Cross-Town routes are often numbered for the streets that they follow. The 79 for instance runs river to river and crosses Central Park over 79th Street. You'll even find an express bus that will pick you up on Madison Avenue for a scenic trip to the Bronx Zoo. A friend in MTA planning recommends the "Bus Time" app as the best tool for routes, schedules and bus tracking. Find printable bus maps for all 5 boroughs at: web.mta.info/maps/ Bus fares are paid by Metrocard (smartcard) and are $2.75 a ride.

FERRIES

Where possible, I really prefer to use ferries for inter-borough travel. They are a combination of tour boat, sightseeing cruise and transportation. The most iconic and eye-filling ride is the Staten Island Ferry that leaves from lower Manhattan. And, it's free. Most visitors just go for the ride. Avoid morning and evening rush hours. That's when commuters jam the rails. Check schedules at: http://www.siferry.com/ .

East River Ferry service zips you from Wall Street and Midtown Manhattan to key points in Brooklyn and Queens including the hot restaurants and shopping in DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). A one-way ride is $4 on weekdays, $6 on weekends. Navigate all the stops, schedules and fares here: www.eastriverferry.com/

New York Waterways Hudson River ferries connect visitors and commuters between New Jersey and Manhattan. It's a great way to hop over to Hoboken to see the many Sinatra sights. Savvy Big Apple visitors who want to drive avoid the Big Apple congestion, the tunnels, the ridiculous cost of parking and tolls by driving to Liberty Harbor, New Jersey and taking the ferry over. Check routes, schedules and fares here: www.nywaterway.com/

ROOSEVELT ISLAND TRAMWAY

www.nycsubway.org/wiki/Roosevelt_Island_Tram

The Roosevelt Island Tram is more about the ride than the destination. But it is one of the greatest rides New York has to offer. The cable borne tram soars over the streets of the Upper East Side, rises just above the Queensboro Bridge and lands on the island in the middle of the East River with a stunning visual aspect along the way. Pick it up at 60th Street and 2nd Avenue. You can take a bicycle for a tour of the island or just stroll the riverside pathways. MTA fares apply and riders must have an MTA Metrocard to ride. Get them at most subway stations.

TIPS FOR NEW YORK TRANSIT

Buy a Metrocard for use on subways and buses. web.mta.info/metrocard/tourism/ Seniors can apply for a reduced fare Metrocard online or by visiting the MTA office in Lower Manhattan. web.mta.info/nyct/fare/rfindex.htm

If new to the transit system, plan your round trips before leaving home or hotel.

If traveling with luggage in peak hours, take a cab. They're plentiful.

If needed, check on station handicap accessibility. Not all subway stations are.

Your smart phone compass will be handy when you leave a subway station and there are no visible landmarks (Empire State Building) to guide you in walking toward a destination address.

Sections of some subway lines are closed for maintenance on weekends. Check the MTA website or the Embark NYC app .

Now, roll like a native New Yorker.