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New York’s taxi, subway, and bus systems are the best way to see the city that never sleeps, but trying to understand when one method is preferable to another can cause sleepless nights itself! Try these New Yorker-approved tips to make touring New York as cost-effective and painless as possible.

When traveling longer north-south distances with limited east-west movement, taking the subway will always be your best option. With few exceptions, New York’s subway system is designed to expedite north-south travel at various intervals across Manhattan.

However, when you’re going long distances crosstown without moving north-south much, MTA buses are both your fastest and cheapest options. Complementing the subway system perfectly, crosstown buses track the entire island width at major east-west thoroughfares throughout Manhattan. 

Taxis are most cost-effective when routes demand equal parts north-south and east-west movement. With very few exceptions, the only way to track this route with public transportation is taking both the subway and a bus, which is a time-draining exercise. Taking taxis in situations like these can help maximize your time touring New York without breaking the bank!

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