In an emergency
- Emergency911
- Police911
- Ambulance911
- Complaints311NYC service and consumer complaints; also nyc.gov/dcwp
Call 911 for emergencies, including harassment by costumed characters or street sellers. Use 311 or nyc.gov/dcwp for consumer complaints.
Fair prices
What locals pay. If you are asked for much more, you are probably being overcharged.
| Subway or local bus ride (tap with OMNY / contactless card)Base fare since January 2026. Reduced fare is USD 1.50. | 3.00 USD |
|---|---|
| OMNY 7-day fare cap (subway + local bus)Rolling 7 days from your first tap; after USD 35 the remaining rides that week are free. USD 67 cap if you also use express buses. Use the same card or device for every tap. | 35.00 USD |
| Express bus rideSince January 2026. | 7.25 USD |
| Yellow taxi meter start (initial charge)Plus 70 cents per 1/5 mile (or per minute in slow traffic), USD 0.50 MTA surcharge, USD 1.00 improvement surcharge, USD 2.50 congestion surcharge, USD 2.50 weekday 4-8pm rush surcharge, USD 1.00 overnight surcharge and USD 0.75 congestion pricing toll where applicable. Tips and tolls are extra. | 3.00 USD |
| Yellow taxi JFK Airport - Manhattan flat fareFlat in either direction, plus surcharges, tolls and tip. Newark is metered plus a USD 20 Newark surcharge. | 70.00 USD |
| AirTrain JFK to Jamaica or Howard Beach (then subway)Free between terminals. Add the USD 3 subway fare for the cheapest way into Manhattan. | 8.75 USD |
| Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island ferry (adult 13+)The only authorized seller is Statue City Cruises. Pedestal or crown access adds only USD 0.30. Street vendors charging much more are not official. | 26.00 USD |
| Staten Island FerryAlways free. Anyone selling you a ticket is running a scam. | 0 USD |
| Citi Bike single ride (30 min classic bike)Day pass USD 25 (unlimited 30-minute classic rides); USD 0.41 per extra minute and per minute on e-bikes for non-members. | 4.99 USD |
| Governors Island ferry (adult round trip)Free for everyone on Saturdays and Sundays before 11am, and always free for 65+ and children 12 and under. | 5.00 USD |
| Pedicab rideThe per-minute rate must be posted and timed. Drivers cannot charge tax, add fees, or raise the price for extra passengers. | per-minute rate posted on the pedicab USD |
Tickets
Official prices and the only places to buy. Anyone else selling on the street is a reseller.
- Statue of Liberty
Adult 13+ USD 26; child 4-12 USD 17; senior 62+ USD 23; under 4 free; pedestal/crown add-on USD 0.30
Buy at: https://www.statuecitycruises.com/ or the Statue City Cruises office inside Castle Clinton in The Battery
Unauthorized sellers around The Battery overcharge and misrepresent tickets. Some dress like official vendors, hide extra 'transport' charges, or sell tours that only circle Liberty Island without landing.
- Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration
Included in the Statue City Cruises ferry ticket (no separate entrance fee)
Buy at: https://www.statuecitycruises.com/
Same as the Statue of Liberty: buy only from Statue City Cruises.
- Empire State Building
86th + 102nd floor tickets from USD 81
Buy at: https://www.esbnyc.com/buy-tickets or the ticket office at 12 W 34th St
Buy on esbnyc.com or at the building's own ticket office.
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum
Memorial free; Museum adult USD 24-36 (varies by time); free Mondays 5:30-7pm
Buy at: https://www.911memorial.org/visit/visit-museum-1
The outdoor Memorial pools are free: no one needs to sell you access.
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Adult USD 30; 65+ USD 22; students USD 17; under 12 free. Pay what you wish only for New York State residents and NY/NJ/CT students
Buy at: https://www.metmuseum.org/plan-your-visit
Buy from the Met.
- Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Adult USD 30. Free Friday evenings 5:30-8:30pm for New York State residents (reservation required)
Buy at: https://www.moma.org/visit
Buy from MoMA.
- American Museum of Natural History
General admission adult USD 37; NY State residents USD 25 or pay what you wish
Buy at: https://www.amnh.org/plan-your-visit
Buy from AMNH.
- Whitney Museum of American Art
Adult USD 30; free for 25 and under; free Friday nights 5-10pm and second Sundays
Buy at: https://whitney.org/visit
Buy from the Whitney.
- The Frick Collection
Adult USD 30; 65+ USD 22; students USD 17; 10-18 free. Pay what you wish Wednesdays 1:30-5:30pm (min USD 5 online)
Buy at: https://www.frick.org/visit
Buy from the Frick.
Traps
- Watch outCostumed characters in Times Square
Characters pose for photos and then demand money. Even if you watched a show or took a photo, you do not have to pay. Report harassment to police or call 911.
Source: nyc.gov - Watch outFake Statue of Liberty tickets at The Battery
Only Statue City Cruises can take you to Liberty and Ellis Islands, from USD 26 for adults. Unlicensed vendors near Battery Park dress like official staff, quote one price and then add hidden 'transportation' fees.
Source: nps.gov, council.nyc.gov, nyc.gov - Watch out'Statue' tours that never land
The City Council found tours sold as visiting the Statue of Liberty that only circled Liberty Island. If you want to land, buy from Statue City Cruises.
Source: council.nyc.gov - Watch outTickets for the free ferry
The Staten Island Ferry is always free. Never buy a ticket for it.
Source: nyc.gov, nyc.gov - Watch outPedicab price tricks
Pedicabs must charge a posted per-minute rate on a timer, with no tax, extra fees or per-passenger mark-ups. Investigators found drivers covering the rate sign. Read the rate and agree before you sit down.
Source: nyc.gov, council.nyc.gov - Watch outFake rideshare cars
Investigators found non-TLC cars displaying fake rideshare signs. Take yellow or green cabs, or cars booked through an app.
Source: council.nyc.gov - Watch outUnlicensed guides and ticket sellers
All walking, bus and boat tour guides must wear their DCWP licence. Street ticket sellers must display a DCWP licence and may not be aggressive.
Source: nyc.gov - Watch outSurprise service fees
A restaurant can add a service fee only if it is disclosed on the menu or on signs. Your bill must match menu prices. Dispute undisclosed charges and report them to 311.
Source: nyc.gov - Watch outHotel rate changes at check-in
A booked hotel rate cannot be raised at check-in with undisclosed fees. Hotels must also tell you about construction, strikes or closed amenities.
Source: nyc.gov
Money
- RuleNo credit card surcharges
Credit card surcharges are prohibited in NYC, and posted prices must match what you pay.
Source: nyc.gov - RuleTaxi tips are on top
Tips and tolls are always extra on top of the metered fare, including on the JFK flat fare.
Source: nyc.gov - Rule'Pay what you wish' is for locals
At the Met, pay what you wish applies only to New York State residents and NY/NJ/CT students. Everyone else pays USD 30.
Source: metmuseum.org - TipLet the fare cap run
Tap the same card or phone every time. After USD 35 of subway and local bus rides in 7 days, the rest are free.
Source: omny.info - TipComplain to the city
Report overcharging, unlicensed sellers or hidden fees to the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection at nyc.gov/dcwp, or call 311.
Source: nyc.gov, portal.311.nyc.gov - TipStatue ferry upgrades cost cents
Pedestal and crown access add only USD 0.30 to the Statue City Cruises ferry ticket. Anyone charging a big premium for 'pedestal' tickets is not official.
Source: nps.gov
Transport
- TipJust tap your card
Subway and local buses cost USD 3 with any contactless card or phone (OMNY). You do not need a MetroCard.
Source: mta.info, mta.info - TipCheapest way from JFK
Take the AirTrain (USD 8.75) to Jamaica or Howard Beach, then the subway (USD 3). The AirTrain is free between terminals.
Source: jfkairport.com, mta.info - RuleYellow cab from JFK
A flat USD 70 between JFK and Manhattan in either direction, plus surcharges, tolls and tip.
Source: nyc.gov - TipCiti Bike day pass
USD 25 for unlimited 30-minute classic-bike rides for 24 hours. Dock within 30 minutes to avoid USD 0.41/min charges.
Source: citibikenyc.com - TipGovernors Island by ferry
Ferries leave from the Battery Maritime Building (10 South St). The fare is USD 5 round trip, and free before 11am on weekends. From Brooklyn, seasonal weekend boats run from Red Hook and Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6.
Source: govisland.com - TipFree harbor cruise
The Staten Island Ferry runs free between Whitehall Terminal (Manhattan) and St. George (Staten Island).
Source: nyc.gov
Etiquette
- RulePhotos with characters are not a contract
You owe costumed characters nothing for a photo. Tipping is your choice.
Source: nyc.gov - RuleFrick is 10+ only
The Frick admits only children aged 10 and older, because works are shown largely without barriers.
Source: frick.org - RuleTravel light to the Empire State Building
There are no lockers. Large luggage, outside food, alcohol and professional camera gear are not allowed.
Source: esbnyc.com - TipCheck closing days
The Met closes on Wednesdays; the Whitney and the Frick close on Tuesdays; the Brooklyn Museum closes on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Source: metmuseum.org, whitney.org, frick.org - RuleOne card per person
Fare capping tracks each card or device. Tap the same way every time, and give each traveller their own card.
Source: omny.info
Food
- TipEat before the Empire State Building
Outside food and alcohol are not allowed in the Empire State Building, and there are no lockers to leave them in.
Source: esbnyc.com - RuleMenu price is the price
Your restaurant bill should match the menu prices. A service fee is allowed only if it is disclosed on the menu or on signs.
Source: nyc.gov - RuleNo card surcharge at the register
Restaurants and shops cannot add a surcharge for paying by credit card.
Source: nyc.gov - TipReport food-price problems
Posted prices must match what you pay. Report mismatches to DCWP or 311.
Source: nyc.gov, portal.311.nyc.gov - TipPicnic island
Governors Island is open daily year-round (7am-6pm) and the ferry is free before 11am at weekends: bring a picnic.
Source: govisland.com, govisland.com
Safety
- RuleEmergencies: 911
Call 911 for police, fire or ambulance, including if costumed characters or street sellers harass you.
Source: nyc.gov - RuleNon-emergencies: 311
311 is the city's service line and app for complaints about consumer problems, noise, transport and more.
Source: portal.311.nyc.gov, nyc.gov - Watch outUse licensed vehicles only
Investigators found unlicensed cars posing as rideshares, and pedicab drivers without licences, around Battery Park, Midtown and Coney Island.
Source: council.nyc.gov - Watch outAggressive street sellers are breaking the rules
Licensed ticket sellers must show a DCWP licence and are not allowed to be aggressive. Walk away and report them.
Source: nyc.gov - Watch outPlan around the hot spots
Tourist scams cluster in Battery Park, Midtown Manhattan and Coney Island, according to a 2026 City Council investigation.
Source: council.nyc.gov
Free
- TipStaten Island Ferry
A free ride across New York Harbor between Whitehall and St. George, year-round.
Source: nyc.gov - Tip9/11 Memorial
The outdoor Memorial is free daily 8am-8pm. The Museum is free on Mondays 5:30-7pm.
Source: 911memorial.org, 911memorial.org - TipWhitney free nights
Free on Friday nights 5-10pm and on the second Sunday of each month. Always free for visitors 25 and under.
Source: whitney.org - TipMoMA PS1
MoMA's contemporary art space in Queens is free for everyone.
Source: moma.org - TipFree Shakespeare in the Park
The Public Theater's Shakespeare shows at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park are free for most seats (reserved seats need a donation).
Source: publictheater.org - TipGovernors Island
The island is free to visit, and the ferry is free for everyone before 11am on weekends.
Source: govisland.com - TipBrooklyn Museum First Saturdays
Free evening events on the first Saturday of selected months.
Source: brooklynmuseum.org
Fun
- FunCrown for 30 cents more
Climbing to the Statue of Liberty's crown adds only USD 0.30 to the ferry ticket, bought as an add-on from Statue City Cruises.
Source: nps.gov - FunTwo Mets, one ticket
A Met ticket includes same-day entry to The Met Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park.
Source: metmuseum.org - FunEmpire State until 11pm
The observatories stay open until 11pm, so a night-time visit is possible.
Source: esbnyc.com - FunFrick First Fridays
The Frick stays open until 9pm on the first Friday of the month (not January or September).
Source: frick.org - FunFrick for five dollars
Wednesday 1:30-5:30pm is pay what you wish at the Frick, with a USD 5 minimum online.
Source: frick.org - FunHard Hat tour of Ellis Island
Ellis Island offers a Hard Hat tour as a paid add-on (USD 50) to the ferry ticket.
Source: nps.gov - FunFree ferry mornings to Governors Island
Everyone rides free on Saturday and Sunday before 11am. Weekend Brooklyn boats run in season from Red Hook and Pier 6.
Source: govisland.com - FunRanger tours included
Park ranger tours and audio tours on Liberty and Ellis Islands are included with the ferry ticket.
Source: nps.gov - FunHarbor on the cheap
Pair the free Staten Island Ferry with the USD 5 Governors Island ferry for two harbor trips on a budget.
Source: nyc.gov, govisland.com - FunCiti Bike day
A USD 25 Citi Bike day pass covers unlimited 30-minute rides, enough for a full day of hopping between neighborhoods.
Source: citibikenyc.com - FunAMNH for residents: pay what you wish
If you have New York State ID, general admission at the Natural History Museum is pay what you wish.
Source: amnh.org
When to go
- TipBrooklyn Museum First Saturdays
Free First Saturday evenings run only in selected months; check the museum calendar.
Source: brooklynmuseum.org - TipBrooklyn ferries to Governors Island are seasonal
Weekend and holiday boats from Red Hook and Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 run 23 May - 1 November. The Manhattan ferry runs year-round.
Source: govisland.com - TipFrick First Fridays skip January and September
Evening openings on the first Friday of the month run in every other month.
Source: frick.org - RuleRush-hour taxi surcharge
Taxi rides on weekdays 4-8pm carry a USD 2.50 surcharge, and 8pm-6am rides a USD 1 overnight surcharge.
Source: nyc.gov - RuleFares changed in January 2026
The subway and local bus fare went to USD 3 and express buses to USD 7.25 in January 2026. The OMNY 7-day cap became permanent.
Source: mta.info
Words
- TipOMNY
The MTA's tap-to-pay system. Tap a contactless card, phone or watch on the reader.
Source: omny.info, mta.info - TipPay what you wish
You choose the admission price. At the Met and AMNH it applies only to New York State residents (and, at the Met, NY/NJ/CT students).
Source: metmuseum.org, amnh.org - TipPedestal / Crown
Statue of Liberty access levels added to the ferry ticket (USD 0.30 each).
Source: nps.gov - Tip311
The city's non-emergency information and complaints line.
Source: portal.311.nyc.gov - TipTLC
The Taxi and Limousine Commission, which licenses yellow and green cabs and for-hire vehicles.
Source: nyc.gov, council.nyc.gov - TipDCWP
The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, which licenses guides, ticket sellers and pedicabs.
Source: nyc.gov
Checked September 2026. Every item links to where it came from.