Getting around the city is likely to take some getting used to; public transit here is on the whole quite good, extremely cheap, and covers most conceivable corners of the city, whether by bus or subway. Don't be afraid to ask someone for help if you're confused. You'll no doubt find the need for a taxi from time to time, especially if you feel uncomfortable in an area at night; you shouldn't ever have trouble tracking one down - the ubiquitous yellow cabs are always on the prowl for passengers

The subway
The New York subway is intimidating and initially incomprehensible. It's also the fastest and most efficient way to get from A to B in Manhattan and the outer boroughs, and it is safer and more user-friendly than it once was. Put aside your qualms: Six million people ride the subway every day, quite a few for the first time.

Any subway journey costs $1.50 , payable by token purchased at any booth, but if you are going to be take more than a couple of rides, it's more efficient to purchase a MetroCard . This allows you to transfer (for free) from subway to bus, bus to subway or bus to bus within a period of two hours. It's available, from token booths and vending machines, in several forms: cards can be bought for $3 to $80; $15 purchases allow eleven rides for the cost of ten, and $30 purchases allow 22 rides for the cost of twenty. Unlimited-ride cards allow unlimited travel for a certain period of time, such as the  New York Pass

Taxis
Taxis are always worth considering, especially if you're in a hurry or in a group or late at night. Always use medallion cabs, immediately recognizable by their yellow paintwork and medallion up top; gypsy cabs, unlicensed, uninsured operators who tout for business wherever tourists arrive, should be avoided.

Up to four people can travel in an ordinary medallion cab. Fares are $2 for the first fifth of a mile and 30¢ for each fifth of a mile thereafter or for each ninety seconds in stopped or slow traffic. The basic charge rises by 50¢ from 8pm to 6am. Trips outside Manhattan can incur toll fees; not all of the crossings cost money, however, and the driver should ask you which route you wish to take.

The tip should be fifteen to twenty percent of the fare; you'll get a dirty look if you offer less. Drivers don't like splitting anything bigger than a $10 bill, and are in their rights to refuse a bill over $20

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