Guided Private Underground New York Subway Tour

Overview

This private tour will completely demystify New York's famous subway system. and give you the secret history and inside story of the creation of the original 1904 subway line and how it grew into one of the most extensive transportation systems in the world. All the art, all the history, all the technical breakthroughs, all the "whys" and all the shenanigans that went into this spectacular achievement. This is a unique experience for visitors and locals alike. The tour is approximately 2.5-hours.

Please read the activity details for more information.

City: New York City

Tue 24 Dec

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $185.00

Make a reservation

Tue 24 Dec

Starting at $185.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Professional local guide for a group up to five MAXIMUM.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Price shown is per group
A small amount of walking is involved and there are some stairs
We DO NOT enter the tunnels. We view the City Hall Station from the safety of the train. We do not do anything illegal. We visit areas that are open to the public but, in some cases, overlooked.
Face masks required for travellers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience

What To Expect

Brooklyn Bridge

The subway station, not the bridge. It is here, out side the station, were we get a bulk of the history. We enter the system here and it is here where the admission is paid. TIMING IS APPROXIMATE.

New York City Subway

We ride the original route and see the most beautiful abandoned station in the world. We will stop at Astor Place, then Grand Central Station and switch to the Shuttle to Times Square. Admission is paid one time only when we enter the system. TIMING IS APPROXIMATE.

Times Square

The subway station, how it became the most important station in the system as well as the several million dollars worth of art installed there. Admission is paid when you enter the system at the beginning of the tour. TIMING IS APPROXIMATE.

Astor Place

Subway Station with gorgeous terra cotta work. Admission is paid at the beginning of the tour when we enter the system. TIMING IS APPROXIMATE.

Grand Central Terminal

How Grand Central Terminal Came to be, the prior 2 stations, how and why we almost lost the Terminal and the drastic steps to save it and renovate it. TIMING IS APPROXIMATE.

Show 2 more stops

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (40)

Frank R

Jul 2019

This tour was one the best things we did in New York. It was entertaining, informative and interesting and our guide Gary was fantastic! I cannot recommend this tour enough!

Response from Host

Jul 2019

WOW!! Thank you for your kind words. I am very happy that you had a good time. Best to you, Gary

luvtogonj

Apr 2019

I'm not sure what the rave reviews are about. We have the same tour guide. True Gary is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the subway history in NY and shared very interesting facts. The tour starts at the Brooklyn Bridge. He shows the 115 year old subway tile and a couple pieces of artwork. I thought this is going to be good, it's exactly what I thought it would be. That's where it stops. He takes us down a hallway and stops in an open area under ground. It has got to be brutal in the summer. There were three mural type displays on they wall. I thought he would explain what those where, nope, not even a mention. We stood in that spot for 45 minutes listening to him speed talk his way through a 100+ years of history and showed us pictures on his ipad. If you could keep up and where close enough you would have heard a very rich history of the underground. I wanted to see more of the hidden artwork and architecture. Because of that 45 minute stand still history lesson, it put a big wet blanket on the rest of the experience which was very underwhelming. We paid $40 each and I'm glad we didn't pay more or I would have asked for a refund.

Response from Host

Apr 2019

I am sorry that you did not appreciate the tour. But when did you take this tour? Was it a large group tour? If so then this review is not about the private tours offered here. The large group tour is sold else where and has nothing to do with the tours offered on Trip Advisor or Viator. Like I always say at the start of the group tour, "if you can't hear me - say something". I also say "if you don't understand me say something". Most people want the history, that is why I do it. Most people live here for years without ever knowing why the numbered lines have only 3 doors on each side. Hopefully you do now. Of course not everyone will be interested in how this all came together but I did have an 8 year old on the tour this past Sunday who was able to follow it. In the summer, the 100 plus years of history is done in an area upstairs where it is rather breezy. So the brutal aspects are avoided. The 3 murals, by the way, are not original to the system, no one has ever asked about them probably because they are not that interesting but they were done by local NYC school children.

Mallory L

Mar 2019

Gary had great information on the history of the subway, and was able to answer questions I had as well.