New York City is the city that never sleeps. There is a reason for this. Any time you look out of your window you will see people. Walking, running, moving around, driving. Being one of the most populated cities on the planet, with so many tourists adding to that number, New York can sometimes be hard to get around with. This is especially true when it gets to the rush hour, and you need to get to work. Office movers Manhattan know this very well. For years we have been working on getting around Manhattan in as little time as possible. It’s a world where time means money – so getting stuck in the traffic costs. This is why, in this article, we give you some of the best ways to commute in Manhattan.
Get a metro card
One of the best ways in which you can get to work (and the one most people use) is by taking the subway. The trains usually don’t abide by the traffic above ground, and the only thing you need to deal with is the other people using it. Sometimes, especially during rush hour, it may be a bit hectic. The crowds can get so bad you might need to wait for three or four trains to pass before you can get on one. Even when you get to your stop on time – there will be others who got there too. This is why many people bring a book or a podcast to spend time while waiting.
If you plan on getting around Manhattan via subway, you might want to invest in a MetroCard. The monthly subscription is $121. Even though this might seem pricey, think about how often you travel by train. If you do it twice per day, five days a week, this can easily get over 40 train rides per month just for work. If you also live in one of the affordable Manhattan neighborhoods, then you can use the metro to get to other places in the city outside of work. This is why this is one of the best ways to commute in Manhattan. Just avoid the crowds.
A bike might be one of the best ways to commute in Manhattan
Another mean of traveling around Manhattan while avoiding using your car is by using a bike. You can get your bike, but the problem here would then become where do you store the bike during office hours. You can also consider using a service such as Citi Bike. For $14.95 per month (or $163 per year) you get keys that let you unlock bikes at any of the stations – and there are many. You can find them in Manhattan, but also in Brooklyn, Queens, and even Jersey City.
This is, as you might have noticed, a lot cheaper than the metro. However, there is a thing to keep in mind. Only the first 45 minutes on the bike you take are free. After that, you either need to switch your bike or you pay extra. This is why it’s a smart idea to plan your routes ahead. See where the stops are, and exchange bikes before the 45 minutes pass. This way, you can drive around the city for free.
Of course, if you prefer getting your own bike, then you can look into some affordable Manhattan storage near your office where you can store your bike.
Walking can take you places
Another one of the best ways to commute in Manhattan is simply on foot. New York City has some of the best places to walk on – depending, of course, where you are headed. So, investing in a pair of good walking shoes might be the best and cheapest choice on this list. So, when the weather is nice, you can just be a true New Yorker and walk around the city to your destination. Just remember – no walk is too long. If it takes you an hour each way, then you are really in luck!
If you are moving to New York from another city, here’s a helpful tip for you. Manhattan is just crisscrossed with parallel streets and avenues, and it’s pretty hard to get lost here. The avenues run from north to south, with the First Avenue being on the east and the Twelfth Avenue on the west. There are a couple avenues east of the First one (in Alphabet city), but these are the big ones to remember. And just like the avenues, streets run from east to west, crossing these. The streets start in the south and go up to 263rd Street in the Bronx, going out of Manhattan. Finally, there is Broadway – which is a notable exception to the grid and runs across these. This is one of the reasons why moving to Manhattan is a good idea – once you learn the system, you will never get lost!
Try the Uber
Uber has quickly become one of the most famous, as well as the best ways to commute in Manhattan. The fares are fairly cheap if you are going anywhere below 125th Street. They start at $3 and usually end up at around $5. However, think about when you need to travel by Uber. The traffic can be pretty horrible from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and after 8 p.m.
Try the ferry
Finally, the last entry on the list might be an unusual one. However, that might be what makes it one of the best ways to commute in Manhattan. If you are coming from Brooklyn or Staten Island, then consider getting a ferry. It is not as frequent of a transportation as the other entries on our list. However, that is also a good thing – especially when considering the rush hour. Then, the scenic views from it are wonderful. What better way to start your day than enjoying them? The one-way fare is the same as the metro, and you can catch it at many stations. They are in Astoria, Long Island City, Greenpoint, Williamsburg, DUMBO, Red Hook, Sunset Park as well as the Rockaways. What better way to get into Manhattan than on a boat?
