New York City - subway vs. taxi at night

I've been told that using the subway during night is very dangerous and that we should use a taxi. Is that true? coming Thursday for my first visit.

Maybe if you have $100 bills sticking out of your pocket and no common sense what so ever, but no, in general, the subways are fairly safe.

Of course it depends on what time of the night it is and where you are going to and from and all that.

Where are you traveling?

I've been told that using the subway during night is very dangerous and that we should use a taxi. Is that true? coming Thursday for my first visit.

In the middle of Manhattan it's not dangerous. There are lots of people even at 2am. Choose the car with the conductor to be 100% safe.

I've never even given this a thought. I always take the subway at night in NYC.

I've never even given this a thought. I always take the subway at night in NYC.
Always is relative - it isn't always convenient from a timing perspective, especially if a transfer is needed as many trains drop to 20 minute intervals for the late-night, and missing one can mean a long wait on a platform - but I have never shied away from a late night subway ride out of safety concerns.

Prudence, alertness and common sense are important, but the system is not inherently unsafe.

How late? Which subway? Where?

If you're talking 10-11pm in Manhattan below 96th St (below 125th St on the 1 train) I'd say no problem.

If you're talking 3-4am in the South Bronx or East New York, a cab might be a good idea.

There are varying shades of gray in between.

The bad late-night subway experiences I've had (mostly in the 2-3am zone) have generally revolved around drunk teenagers puking on the train or having to wait forever due to service disruptions. I've taken the train late at night plenty of times and have never felt remotely threatened or seen anything resembling violent crime. I've twice seen dead people on trains or in the station, but both times were natural causes. It probably doesn't hurt, however, that I'm 6'1", male, don't dress fancy, don't use an iPod and don't wander the city drunk.

The only second-hand stories I've heard about people having trouble late at night revolve around drunk people passing out and waking up with their wallets (and/or shoes) missing.

I'd say ride the trains a couple times during the day. If you're comfortable with them then, you should be comfortable with them at night too, assuming you mind the others' advice here and stay alert, use common sense, etc. (which applies at all times in any city in the world).

Maybe if you have $100 bills sticking out of your pocket and no common sense what so ever, but no, in general, the subways are fairly safe.

Of course it depends on what time of the night it is and where you are going to and from and all that.

Where are you traveling?

staying at the Waldorf and traveling to see shows and dinner.

Any suggestions for dinner for Thursday night near the hotel and $20 or under per person (6 of us).

You guys are so helpful! Since this is my first trip, I am taking my laptop so I'll be able to ask you questions when I'm there. So, don't go far...

staying at the Waldorf and traveling to see shows and dinner.

Any suggestions for dinner for Thursday night near the hotel and $20 or under per person (6 of us).

You guys are so helpful! Since this is my first trip, I am taking my laptop so I'll be able to ask you questions when I'm there. So, don't go far...

Not to be nasty but staying at the Waldorf but less then $20 pp on dinner?
Those don't really match....nor will that price fly for something decent in midtown to be honest...
Search the NY boards here or Zagats for tons of recommendations - pick what you like.

Definately do the subways, one trick is getting 1 metro card for every three people and share the discount for the higher spend. Since it's a stored value card it's legal to pass it back.

Unless you're going to theater (off off bway) and/or dinner downtown, your best bet to get from the theater back to the Waldorf is probably just to walk it. Otherwise, a taxi won't run you all that much ($7/8 each way), although you'll need 2 taxis for 6 people. But, for that distance and # of people you'd only be saving a couple of dollars total by using the subway and it's not worth the inconvenience imo (esp. if you're slightly nervous).

For eating - you can easily get lots of good meals for under $20/person. I'd suggest you walk along restaurant row and look at the menus one day or do a search online before you go. Best options will probably be family style eating where you share dishes. You'd probably find Carmine's in midtown fun for your group (Italian food) and should be within that budget.

Not to be nasty but staying at the Waldorf but less then $20 pp on dinner?
Those don't really match....nor will that price fly for something decent in midtown to be honest....I don't see why it doesn't "match" as you say. If someone wants to splurge on accommodations but watch what is spent on food, who are we to judge?

staying at the Waldorf and traveling to see shows and dinner.

Any suggestions for dinner for Thursday night near the hotel and $20 or under per person (6 of us).Are you looking to eat before the performance? If so, I think it would be a better idea to eat near the theatre. If that's the case, please tell us where the theatre is and we can make recommendations from there.

I think your best bet for restaurants near the Waldorf is probably on or near 2nd Ave. On 2nd Ave by 50th St is Sip Sak which is a Turkish restaurant my husband and I adore. If you just order an entree and maybe one drink, you should be able to eat let's say under $25. You can easily cut back your food expenses at breakfast and lunch to allow for more wiggle room at dinner. There is a prix fix option at Les Sans Coulottes on 2nd Ave and 57th St. It is about $22 but includes huge appetizer (wursts, veggies, pates, fruit), an entree and dessert. I think it's a great deal but it does go over your $20 limit. There are plenty of coffee shops in the area (Morning Star on 2nd Ave and 50th) which you can certainly eat for under $20/person. I'm a fan of coffee shops and that one works.

As for getting home from theatre, why don't the 6 of you split 2 cabs? Also, from the theatre, if you want to take public transportation anyway, take the 50th Street bus (the M50 or M27) across town instead of the subway and get off at Park Ave. Yet even with all of that, if it's a nice night, I agree with the others who suggested walking. That's what we do and we live further east than the Waldorf.

I don't see why it doesn't "match" as you say. If someone wants to splurge on accommodations but watch what is spent on food, who are we to judge?

Are you looking to eat before the performance? If so, I think it would be a better idea to eat near the theatre. If that's the case, please tell us where the theatre is and we can make recommendations from there.

I think your best bet for restaurants near the Waldorf is probably on or near 2nd Ave. On 2nd Ave by 50th St is Sip Sak which is a Turkish restaurant my husband and I adore. If you just order an entree and maybe one drink, you should be able to eat let's say under $25. You can easily cut back your food expenses at breakfast and lunch to allow for more wiggle room at dinner. There is a prix fix option at Les Sans Coulottes on 2nd Ave and 57th St. It is about $22 but includes huge appetizer (wursts, veggies, pates, fruit), an entree and dessert. I think it's a great deal but it does go over your $20 limit. There are plenty of coffee shops in the area (Morning Star on 2nd Ave and 50th) which you can certainly eat for under $20/person. I'm a fan of coffee shops and that one works.

As for getting home from theatre, why don't the 6 of you split 2 cabs? Also, from the theatre, if you want to take public transportation anyway, take the 50th Street bus (the M50 or M27) across town instead of the subway and get off at Park Ave. Yet even with all of that, if it's a nice night, I agree with the others who suggested walking. That's what we do and we live further east than the Waldorf.

Thanks so much. Great suggestions. Wish we were having a get together so I could meet all of you that have been so helpful.
Just fyi...the Waldorf is a very gracious gift that was given to us. My husband has just been laid off so we're trying to do this as frugal as possible.
I already like NY because of all of you! come to NC and I'll return the favor.

There have been many times (many many times) when the Waldrof was the least expensive Hilton in the city. Not every room there always costs a fortune, I feel sometimes it's one of the overlooked bargains in the city.

At show and dinner time there is no problems at all on the subways should you choose that method. It's just probably more of a hassle to get from the Times Square area, if that's where your shows are, to the Waldrof by public transportation then it is to walk or grab a cab.

It's just probably more of a hassle to get from the Times Square area, if that's where your shows are, to the Waldrof by public transportation then it is to walk or grab a cab.
This is actually why I'd probably skip the trains in the OP's case. There isn't a great train option cross-town up by the park and TS. I guess the NRW could work, but it isn't great.

I've twice seen dead people on trains or in the station, but both times were natural causes.


I can only imagine how you came to know this. Wait, wasn't this a CSI episode? :)

Thanks so much. Great suggestions. Wish we were having a get together so I could meet all of you that have been so helpful.Maybe sometime. :)
Just fyi...the Waldorf is a very gracious gift that was given to us. My husband has just been laid off so we're trying to do this as frugal as possible.This is a perfect reason why it doesn't seem odd that someone staying at the Waldorf wants to find ways to save money on restaurants! ^ What a wonderful gift.

I already like NY because of all of you! come to NC and I'll return the favor.It's comments like yours which makes helping out so rewarding. Thank you. I've been given such great advice when I've travelled to various cities in Europe so I love to return the favor here in the NYC forum. :)

Seriously, you will save money by walking and I think you'll enjoy it more! We're a walking town. :)

There is an INEXPENSIVE restaurant on W 41St b/w 6th and Broadway called Simply Pasta if you're in the Times Square area. It's a good value (if you do order pasta) and I recommend it. http://www.simplypastanyc.com/media/simplypasta.html

we're trying to do this as frugal as possible.


Frugal food options in NYC are a plenty:
Dim Sum A GOGO
Pizza (many good options)
Ramen - -Ippudo
Dirty water hotdogs everywhere.
BCD Tofu (Korean tofu)
The Burger Joint or Corner Bistro (for burgers)

Enjoy!

This is actually why I'd probably skip the trains in the OP's case. There isn't a great train option cross-town up by the park and TS. I guess the NRW could work, but it isn't great.

Yeah, definitely a painful route. Walking down into TS station, across to PA, and an E will work - or TS->S->GCT->6, but that sucks, too.

By the way, about the subway in the South Bronx at 4am. Good luck finding a cab that'll take you there (or finding a cab there).

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This is actually why I'd probably skip the trains in the OP's case. There isn't a great train option cross-town up by the park and TS. I guess the NRW could work, but it isn't great.

Yeah, definitely a painful route. Walking down into TS station, across to PA, and an E will work - or TS->S->GCT->6, but that sucks, too.

By the way, about the subway in the South Bronx at 4am. Good luck finding a cab that'll take you there (or finding a cab there).

For those on a budget, the M27 bus is an option for traveling between the Waldorf and the Times Square area. From the Waldorf, the bus picks up on 49th Street at Lexington, travels west to Broadway, and then runs south on Broadway, ending at 41st and Eighth Avenue. Returning to the Waldorf, the bus runs north on Eighth Avenue, and then turns east on 50th Street, serving the Waldorf at 50th and Lexington.

Depending on what part of the Times Square area one is going to or from, the M50 bus, which serves the Waldorf from the same stops on 49th and 50th as the M27, might also work. The M50 does not turn south at Broadway; it continues straight across 49th Street to 12th Avenue, and then turns south, ending at the Circle Line pier.

I always encourage visitors to Manhattan to pick up a free Manhattan bus map at any Manhattan subway station. The bus map is an excellent street map, and it shows the location of subway stations and tourist attractions as well.

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I always encourage visitors to Manhattan to pick up a free Manhattan bus map at any Manhattan subway station. The bus map is an excellent street map, and it shows the location of subway stations and tourist attractions as well.

First thing I did. We are having a blast and everyone is so friendly...people seeing me reading the maps on the street and stopping to help and the staff here is superb. I have only had one sorta negative experience and that was in the MacDonald's. I have balance problems and can't negotiate stairs very well. I stopped there to use the restroom and asked for the key to the handicapped one. The server asked me "what handicap do you have to need it?" in a very suspicious way. I must admit I glared at her and said "I have cancer and polio. Is that enough for you?" She probably gets a lot of people that just don't want to walk downstairs; however, her arrogance really irked me.

You are so right about plenty of good food inexpensive. We're loving the delicious pizza and ate at a diner last nite (Kosmic's?) and had the best cheesecake I have ever tasted. Tonite we are taking your advice and doing the $20 David Burke Townhouse. I have a second opinion doctor visit at 1050 5th avenue tomorrow so plan to do central park then. Please let me know if that doesn't sound like a good plan. (in the same area).

Walking a lot but really enjoying it. I take my lists of your suggestions everywhere I go.

The short answer is no, the subway at night isn't really unsafe at all (or more unsafe than anywhere else in the city), certainly not in Manhattan and close-in Brooklyn. Especially on weekend nights you'll find the stations and trains quite full of people of all kinds and you shouldn't feel isolated or anything. NYC really is a 24 hour city. Now when you get VERY late at night (well after 4am, especially on weeknights) things might be a bit desolate, but even so, I really wouldn't worry about safety too much.

Now that said, I would worry about speed. The real cutoff point is 11pm. This isn't a hard and fast rule but generally before 11 the trains in my experience tend to run fairly normally. After 11 things can definitely change, many express trains shift to local-only service (slowing your trip down dramatically) and service disruptions abound (which to translate to non-NYC jargon means the trains don't run on certain lines, skip stations, run in sections, etc, due to maintenance). And these disruptions are especially common on weekend late nights.

Check here: http://www.mta.info/nyct/service/advisory.htm

That will give you a rundown of what lines are up and running. The Waldorf staff might be able to give you some info as well.

But you're centrally located, so you may not need the subway much, you can walk to a ton of places in midtown. If you want to get downtown (and you probably do) you could hop on a train downtown no problem. If you're going short distances or crosstown a cab can be very economical especially for more than one person. From the Waldorf to Chelsea for example would probably be 8-9 bucks or so in light traffic.