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Old Sep 19, 2014 | 2:36 pm
  #1  
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Maps/App of Subway Stations

I find the NYC Metro one of the most confusing metros I have been on. There are lots of apps out there that supposedly give you MTA maps, but all they really do is reproduce the official MTA map which doesn't give a lot of detail. Is there an app out there, or even website, that gives specific maps of key stations? I mean the actual layout of the station so you know where to go to find a connecting train or which exit to use.
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Old Sep 19, 2014 | 3:32 pm
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There is a paid iPhone app called Exit Strategy which may fit the bill, based on the description. I've not used it myself, though, and the Android version seems to lack much of the iPhone features.
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Old Sep 20, 2014 | 11:38 am
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I'm sorry I can't help you with apps. I think Wikipedia has info on individual stations, but you might be over-thinking this. Transfer points are very clearly marked within stations. Also, it's so easy to just ask whoever is standing next to you for help. New Yorkers love to give directions (and advice!).
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Old Sep 20, 2014 | 4:20 pm
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Just follow the signs or ask someone.

Though I think there is a website or app that supposedly has maps of where the artwork is in some of the key stations, which would probably be the ones OP might need assistance navigating (e.g., Times Square, Grand Central, Union Square, maybe Columbus Circle).
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Old Sep 20, 2014 | 11:03 pm
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Originally Posted by ijgordon
Just follow the signs or ask someone.

Though I think there is a website or app that supposedly has maps of where the artwork is in some of the key stations, which would probably be the ones OP might need assistance navigating (e.g., Times Square, Grand Central, Union Square, maybe Columbus Circle).
Best apps IMHO:
NYC Mate, the official MTA app
Metro, which is a holdover from the PalmOS days and has always been excellent for navigating the NYC subway.

(Tip to the OP: nothing screams "I'm from out of town" like calling referring to the Subway as 'the metro'.)
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Old Sep 21, 2014 | 8:27 am
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I don't think I am going to fool anybody that I am from town, and don't particularly care to. Not to mention that as much of it is elevated, I don't think much of it properly should be called subway. I have always hated that.

Exit strategy looks like the app I would be looking for. Only it doesn't have the all the features of the iPhone version on Android.
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Old Sep 21, 2014 | 9:43 am
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Most, if not all, of the popular and definitely the major subway stations used by visitors, tourists & locals alike all have huge wall-sized station maps of their surrounding - street names & key landmarks, i.e. hospitals. Granted that this isn't like say, Hong Kong's MTR subway/rail systems - but it's come a long way from the 1970's and 1980's. Subway cars, depending on the routes & train models used - have automated electronic displays of upcoming stations and stops, time, and show whether you are riding on the E, Q, N, 7 or A train, etc. as it moved along. - and, it's actually not difficult to ask fellow riders for help with directions, whether you are riding inside or on the platform or concourse level (providing it's not peak rush hour & packed with most folks rushing off.)

Take my words for what it's worth, don't count or depend 100% on these apps - besides, if you are underground 5 stories below deep in the Manhattan subway system, there's no cellular or WiFi signal (yet ... coming soon, eventually, etc.) Several million riders navigate the mass transit system on a daily basis and vast majority do it just fine without the gadgets, you will do fine. And, if by chance - you exited on the other side of the avenue outside, it's not a big deal - just cross back over and get going again.
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Old Sep 21, 2014 | 4:03 pm
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Originally Posted by Cloudship
, I don't think much of it properly should be called subway. I have always hated that.

Yet it doesn't appear to bother anyone else.

New York, Chicago, Boston and London all have more undergound subway track above ground. Yet life goes on.



As to Maps the MTA have started to update the locality maps on the network and they will continue to show the locations of actual exits.

http://secondavenuesagas.com/2014/08...ound/#comments


Personally as a visitor to NYC I've not had any real difficulties in finding my way around on the subway. Yes sometime's I've taken the 'wrong' exit but it's no hardship to walk on the surface as it is in the station to get to the point I should be at,

Last edited by UKtravelbear; Sep 21, 2014 at 6:49 pm Reason: typos
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Old Sep 21, 2014 | 4:19 pm
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Originally Posted by ijgordon
Just follow the signs or ask someone.

Though I think there is a website or app that supposedly has maps of where the artwork is in some of the key stations, which would probably be the ones OP might need assistance navigating (e.g., Times Square, Grand Central, Union Square, maybe Columbus Circle).
http://www.nycsubway.org/perl/artwork

I think the Tom Otterness bronzes at 14th and 8th are a great reflection of whimsical NYC.

Originally Posted by Cloudship
I don't think I am going to fool anybody that I am from town, and don't particularly care to. Not to mention that as much of it is elevated, I don't think much of it properly should be called subway. I have always hated that.

Exit strategy looks like the app I would be looking for. Only it doesn't have the all the features of the iPhone version on Android.
I actually like the Google Maps directions for public transportation. It is usually accurate (though train delays do wreak havoc with minute by minute anlaysis.

Originally Posted by Cloudship
I find the NYC Metro one of the most confusing metros I have been on. There are lots of apps out there that supposedly give you MTA maps, but all they really do is reproduce the official MTA map which doesn't give a lot of detail. Is there an app out there, or even website, that gives specific maps of key stations? I mean the actual layout of the station so you know where to go to find a connecting train or which exit to use.
I don't know if there is something like that, but it would be handy ( though a huge amount of info). Some stops are out of habit that one gets to know where on the subway train to get on (for example Southbound on A/C getting off on 14th and transiting to L, you want to be at the front of the train).

In a station, when in doubt look up, especially at stairwells.
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Old Sep 21, 2014 | 7:53 pm
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Originally Posted by neuron
I don't know if there is something like that, but it would be handy ( though a huge amount of info). Some stops are out of habit that one gets to know where on the subway train to get on (for example Southbound on A/C getting off on 14th and transiting to L, you want to be at the front of the train).
One thing I thought was cool about the Tokyo subway was that they had these big posters listing each stop on the line. Next to the stop name was a diagram of the subway train (e.g., 10 cars), and it would show you which car to stand in for each exit and each potential transfer at that station. Very handy! They could probably do this in New York, at least for Manhattan.

I found this example on Google:
https://d1gpvtvuh4l3kb.cloudfront.ne...b6/640x960.jpg
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Old Sep 22, 2014 | 11:22 am
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As a tourist, I find the most confusing thing about the signage on the NY Subway is that it only makes sense to a New Yorker. The odd numbering and lettering, how some trains stop only at some stations, and lines overlap but dont always share stations is teh confusing part. The maps they use are a little too undetailed, I think that might help to eliminate a lot of confusion if they were to make more sectional maps available.
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Old Sep 22, 2014 | 2:25 pm
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The Best App you can have in NYC (or for that matter, London, SF, Berlin, Barcelona, Paris, Washington, Boston, Madrid, & Chicago) is CityMapper.

It gives you subway, bus, walking, and taxi directions. Has live arrivals and departures, and is free! They also have a webtool you can use at citymapper.com

As for navigating in the station, just read the signs or ask, either one is quite effective.
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Old Sep 23, 2014 | 10:47 am
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Originally Posted by Cloudship
As a tourist, I find the most confusing thing about the signage on the NY Subway is that it only makes sense to a New Yorker. The odd numbering and lettering, how some trains stop only at some stations, and lines overlap but dont always share stations is teh confusing part. The maps they use are a little too undetailed, I think that might help to eliminate a lot of confusion if they were to make more sectional maps available.
I guess it was slightly confusing when I first moved here, but within a week i knew how to get anywhere.

CityMapper is a nice tool.
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