NYC Underground Subway Walking Tour

Overview

Explore the world’s largest subway system, the beating heart of the city that never sleeps. On this guided NYC subway tour you will discover the fascinating beginnings of the NYC subway, and explore spaces even the most seasoned commuter might not know about.

- Explore City Hall Park as the birthplace of the NYC subway system
- Learn about the comically short route of the mythical “Subway before the Subway,” Alfred Ely Beach’s Pneumatic Transit System
- See the architectural ghosts of the now nearly forgotten, and partially abandoned, Chambers Street station then nicknamed the “Grand Central of Downtown”
- Use the 6 train as your own time machine as you ride through abandoned subway stations
- Discover the remnants of Union Station as you learn about a hidden art installation thousands of riders walk by everyday

Guests will need one MetroCard swipe or OMNY tap to enter the subway.

All the stops on this tour are in stations which are publicly accessible.

City: New York City

Wed 20 Nov

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $35.00

Make a reservation

Wed 20 Nov

Starting at $35.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Ear pieces provided to each guests ensuring everyone hears the guide perfectly

Guided walking tour with a native New Yorker!

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
Gear/equipment sanitised between use
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
Temperature checks for travellers upon arrival
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
We provide ear pieces to each participants so guests can hear the guides perfectly, even from a distance while maintaining social distancing.

What To Expect

City Hall Park

You will learn about the creation of the very first NYC subway station while looking at visible remnants from City Hall park!

Brooklyn Bridge

We will see the Brooklyn at the beginning of the tour

The Municipal Building

Learn about the importance of this building in the creation of the NYC subway system!

Union Square

Explore the Union Square subway station and its surprising Art installation

Show 1 more stops

Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Reviews (158)

Janice L

Aug 2021

I am a New Yorker, born and raised. I was excited about this tour. Excited to actually see, stand in and experience these stations. I went with two freinds, also New Yorkers. I'll start with our tour guide, Ben P. He was engaging, knowledgable, accurate and gave great history of what he was presenting to us all. he was mindful of his audience and made sure we all got to see the great photos he collected from his research. He did his job as a tour guide well. The tour itself lacked. The way it was presented, the way it was written up gives the impression that we would actually be seeing some of these old/ghost stations, especially the ones that are closed to the public. This is not the case. They are all closed and this company has no special access to them. No one but the MTA has access. What we got was a glimpse, maybe if you are lucky, as we passed through the stations on a moving train. The stations themselves were not lit, there was no light. No way to see any details,, chandeliers, etc.. Our tour guide had a flash light with him and as we passed the station he shined that light toward the station, but it didn't work. I even asked before our last segment if we would be able to actually see the beautiful green, white and peach herringbone patterned tile at the City Hall station. I was told yes. No, that was not the case. there was no way to see the beautiful details or the colors from inside a moving lit train while the station itself had no light. Even if I just got to stand at one if these old stations I would have been satisfied with this tour. I was very dissapointed. in my opinion this tour was not worth $35. It was misrepresented.

Response from Host

Aug 2021

Thank you very much for taking the time to leave a review, sharing what you loved and what you think we can improve. I am glad to read you loved our guide Ben! When it comes to accessing abandoned stations, you are absolutely right that only the MTA has access to those, and we don't state anywhere that we will bring our guests inside the stations as it would simply be illegal. Our description says that all the stations we will access are open to the public. Our goal is to surprise even the most seasoned New Yorkers with places and stories they might not know about when it comes to their subway. I am sorry to hear we didn't deliver on expectations and we will work with our team to improve this experience by incorporating your feedback. Thank you again for your review, this is very helpful for us to hear. Have a great day

Jason_W

Aug 2021

Guide was amazing & did a great job. The tour was very interesting. Would recommend to others. Not much else to add. Very informative

Response from Host

Aug 2021

Thank you for joining our Subway tour and leaving a 5 start review!! We're very happy you enjoyed the experience

Frederick_F

Aug 2021

Great tour with lots of fun information about the subway system and it’s early days. The guide was great and keep things interesting.

Response from Host

Aug 2021

Thank you so much!! 🙏