Getting Around New York City with Kids: Subway, Walking and Taxis

Getting around New York City with kids is one of the biggest practical considerations when planning your trip. Distances are larger than they appear on a map, the pace is fast, and transport decisions can quickly impact how manageable each day feels.

We visited New York during the UK summer holidays as a family, but had also travelled there multiple times before as a couple. Even with that experience, navigating the city with a child felt very different — particularly when it came to using the subway.

This guide explains what parents should realistically expect, what worked for us, and how to make getting around New York as straightforward as possible, with links to the exact places, tours, and tools we used or considered to make planning easier. Some links are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only ever share experiences we’ve personally used and genuinely enjoyed, and hope these links help you plan a trip that feels exciting and manageable rather than overwhelming.

Should Families Use Public Transport in New York?

Yes — but with some planning.

New York is a city where you will rely on a combination of:

• walking

• subway travel

• occasional taxis

Unlike London, where the Tube network feels more intuitive, New York’s system can feel less straightforward at first, particularly for first-time visitors. However, once you understand how it works, it becomes much easier to navigate.

Using the Subway: What Parents Should Know

The New York subway is the fastest way to travel longer distances across the city. It runs 24 hours a day and connects most major areas families will visit. However, this was one of the most challenging parts of our trip initially.

Our Experience

When we first arrived, we attempted to use the train from the airport. After tapping in and starting the journey, the service was cancelled, and we were told there was effectively no refund or easy resolution. At that point, with luggage and a tired child, we abandoned the plan and took a taxi instead.

Even later in the trip, we had a moment where we realised we were heading in completely the wrong direction, which can happen if you take the wrong train on the same platform.

Compared to the London Underground, which many UK parents are familiar with, the New York subway felt:

• less clearly signposted

• more complex in terms of direction (uptown/downtown vs line names)

• less forgiving if you make a mistake

Key Things to Understand About the Subway

Once we got more comfortable, things improved significantly. The key is understanding a few basics:

Uptown vs Downtown matters

This is one of the most common mistakes. Trains go in two directions:

• Uptown (north)

• Downtown (south)

Getting this wrong means heading the opposite way.

Express vs Local trains

Some trains skip stations. If you get on an express train by mistake, you may miss your stop.

Platforms can serve multiple lines

Always double-check the train number or letter before boarding.

Payment and Tickets

New York now uses contactless payment (tap in/tap out), similar to London.

You can use:

• contactless bank cards

• Apple Pay / Google Pay

Children under a certain height (typically under 44 inches) can travel free with an adult.

Our Recommendation for Families

Apps and Data: Making New York Easier to Navigate

Having the right apps and reliable data makes a big difference when getting around New York with kids. We found Google Maps and Citymapper the easiest for checking routes and live directions, but the official MYmta app is also worth downloading for subway service updates, delays and planned disruptions. We also used an Airalo eSIM, which cost around £20–£25 for two weeks and meant we had data as soon as we landed, far cheaper than UK roaming and very useful for maps, apps and taxis on the go.

To make things easier, we’d recommend:

• using Google Maps or Citymapper for route planning

• downloading the official MYmta app for service updates

• setting up mobile data before arrival with an Airalo eSIM

• downloading offline maps in advance in case signal drops in subway tunnels

These small steps make navigating New York much smoother and help avoid unnecessary stress when travelling as a family.

Arrival into New York

For most families arriving in New York: Take a taxi from the airport to your hotel on arrival. After a long flight, dealing with luggage and an unfamiliar transport system can feel unnecessarily stressful. Once settled, you can then use the subway more confidently for daily travel.

Walking in New York with Kids

Walking is a major part of getting around New York. Many of the main attractions are located within walking distance of each other, particularly in Manhattan.

However, parents should expect:

• a lot of daily walking

• busy pavements

• frequent road crossings

We found that walking worked best when:

• attractions were grouped by area

• we built in breaks (food stops, parks)

• we avoided rushing between locations

Central Park was especially useful as a place to slow the pace. You can read more in Central Park with Kids: What’s Actually Worth Doing?

Using Taxis and Ride Apps

Taxis and ride apps (Uber/Lyft) are often the easiest option in certain situations.

We found them particularly useful:

• on arrival from the airport

• after long days when everyone was tired

• when travelling longer distances with limited time

While more expensive than the subway, they can significantly reduce stress — especially with children.

How to Plan Your Routes (This Makes the Biggest Difference)

The biggest lesson from our trip was that how you plan your routes matters more than how you travel.

New York can feel inefficient if you:

• move back and forth across the city

• underestimate travel times

• overpack your itinerary

What worked well for us was:

• grouping activities by location

• allowing buffer time between plans

• limiting each day to 2–3 main stops

For example, we combined:

• Summit One Vanderbilt

• Edge

• Times Square

into one day, which reduced travel time and made the day feel manageable.

For more detail on structuring your days, see How to Plan a Trip to New York with Kids from the UK.

What Children Find Difficult

From a child’s perspective, the main challenges were:

• long walking distances

• crowded subway platforms

• waiting for trains

• navigating unfamiliar systems

What helped:

• clear daily plans

• regular breaks

• snacks and water

• keeping journeys simple

Final Planning Insight for Parents

Getting around New York with kids is entirely manageable, but it requires a slightly different approach to European city travel.

The subway is efficient but takes time to understand. Walking is unavoidable but can be enjoyable when planned well. Taxis provide a useful backup when needed.

The key is to keep things simple:

• start with a taxi on arrival

• learn the subway gradually

• plan your routes carefully

Once you find your rhythm, getting around New York becomes much easier — and far less stressful.

Planning a Family Trip to New York

If you're planning a family trip, our guides cover everything from costs and itineraries to what to pack and where to stay.

Start with:

• How to Plan a Trip to New York with Kids from the UK

• What to Do in New York with School-Aged Kids

• 2 Day Itinerary in New York with School-Aged Kids

If you’re planning a family trip to the United States, we’ve created a collection of practical guides based on our own experiences travelling there with a child. In our USA Travel Hub, you’ll find advice on everything from ESTA requirements and travel insurance to driving, healthcare and managing jet lag with kids, alongside destination guides for places we’ve explored including New York, Colorado, South Dakota and Florida. It’s a useful starting point for parents researching how to plan a smooth and enjoyable family trip to the USA.