Visiting New York City is an experience that will likely last a lifetime. This city is not easily forgettable nor is its energy, which is why so many people are drawn to it in the first place. Along with this type of hectic, face-paced energy, though, come some concerns for travelers visiting for the first time. The biggest question people have is 'how safe is the subway?' with the next question to follow being, 'how safe is New York City, in general?'

The good news is that like any other city, New York City has its pros and cons, with one of the pros being that its compact nature means visitors are rarely alone. With that being said, again, as with any city, there are some things that travelers should probably avoid - at least during their first time there. Here are some insider tips on how to stay safe while visiting the Big Apple.

Related: Here's How To Make The Most Of Your Day In Greenwich Village, New York City

The Subway Can Be Safe, But You Don't Need To Use It

A common misconception for people visiting the city is that they'll need to use the subway in order to get to wherever they need to go. While the city is fairly large, it's not huge to the point where the subway is the only option for travel. For the most part, the subway is best when used for getting from one end of the city to the other, or when traveling to a different borough. The chances are that if one is visiting the city for the first time, they're likely planning on staying within the center of the city, AKA Manhattan.

There are many ways to travel within the city and while the subway is the most affordable and the quickest, in most cases, it's not something that first-timers necessarily need to try their hand at. The subway isn't entirely unsafe but crime rates have gone up, which is something to be aware of.

Alternative Transportation Methods

The easiest, and best, way to navigate the city is simply by walking. It's not like what one might see in movies and on TV - New Yorkers don't just recognize and outside and immediately make a beeline to bump them off the sidewalk! The most crowded part of the city will always be Midtown since that's where Times Square is located. Outside of that, the city streets are just that - city streets. They're not packed to the point where everyone is shoulder-to-shoulder and it's not as hectic as one might think.

And, believe it or not, there is room to step to the side and check a GPS or a map if one is unsure where they're going. Believe it or not, walking has multiple benefits for first-timers:

  • Being able to observe the city from a first-hand point of view is really exciting.
  • Travelers can move at their own pace and don't need to worry about catching a subway or taxi.
  • It's the best way to find eateries, shops, or vendors that visitors might want to explore.

The next option for traveling in the city is the most expensive but also the most reliable. If the subway isn't an option (we don't blame you) then a taxi is something to consider. The rates will be high, and passengers will need to deal with the back and forth lurching of the car as it winds its way through city traffic, but, eventually, the honking of horns will become white noise in the background. It's a quick way to get from one place to another, and it's also a safe way to do so, especially at night. In fact, if the distance back to the hotel is too great, travelers should consider a taxi anyway just to be safe.

Before You Go, Do This When Booking

The best thing a first-time visitor to New York City can do is familiarize themselves with the city on a map. Everything is a bit disorienting after hitting the street and not having that aerial view, so it's helpful to have a general sense of direction before even arriving.

With an endless number of hotels, inns, motels, and Airbnbs in the city, there's no reason why travelers can't find one that's close to all the things they plan on doing. This is the best thing to do to ensure that walking will be enough of a transportation method and to ensure that if a taxi is needed, the cost to use one won't be astronomical. When it comes to a New York City trip, planning ahead is the name of the game.

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