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

Tue 19 Nov

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $35.00

Make a reservation

Tue 19 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)

347svitlanab

Nov 2019

First 1 hour lecture outside... the weather is not that warm, actually... then - we have to swipe metrocard to go inside subway - which is another dissapointment... we paid already for the tour 35$, didn't we? the "tour" was "oh this is a construction here, so we could not see this and that - here some pictures" and "imagine this and that" I would call it just a lecture... Underground I was not able to hear guide because it was so loud inside - it is subway (!!!) and so many people, why organizers don't think abouth this moment? and to see City hall station - just stay in 6 train at last stop and you will pass this station anyway - you don't have to pay extra for that :) I personally would not recommend this tour, it does not worth that money - and time. For me it was the worst spending of my 35$.

Response from Host

Nov 2019

Hi Svitlana, thank you for taking the time to share your feedback! It is important for us to hear what you think we can improve. Our tour is 2 hours long and we only spend the first 20 minutes outside, although I understand it might seem longer when it is cold outside... We do specify in our event description that guests will need to swipe once to enter the subway system, although our guides always have extra subway cards in case someone forgets it. We hear your point about the noise in the subway which is why we reduced the size of our groups to 10 guests, and moving forward we are going to use a state of the art PA system with individual receivers for each guests in order to ensure everyone will hear the guide correctly. Thank you again for sharing your feedback and helping us improve the quality of our experience.

DALonsdale

Oct 2019

Our guide was very knowledgeable and passionate about the NYC subway system and NYC history in general. The tour was extremely interesting and the pacing was perfect, but I don't want to give away tour details. It's much more fun to be surprised!

Response from Host

Nov 2019

Thank you!!

Jo_Bradshaw

Oct 2019

Our guide was very knowledgeable and showed us so many interesting things about the NYC subway. Her passion on the subway was commendable. We’d recommend the tour to visitors & locals.

Response from Host

Nov 2019

Thank you!!