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

Mon 18 Nov

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $35.00

Make a reservation

Mon 18 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)

jamesrM9453NY

Oct 2022

Our guide was excellent and very knowledgeable. He provided us with lot of details and history of the NYC subway system. I really enjoyed the tour overall, but I thought we would have spent some time in the abandoned subway stations. That would have been very cool.

Response from Host

Oct 2022

James my thanks for taking the time to leave us feedback on your experience. Unfortunately the general public is not allowed in decommissioned subway stations under any circumstances. We designed the subway tour to get you as close to those stations as possible in a fun and unique way. All my best!

PhilNTed

Oct 2022

Ben P. was a fantastic tour guide. So knowledgeable and engaging. One of the best we’ve ever had. I’ll gladly do any of his tours next time I’m in New York. FWIW, the first 40 minutes of the roughly 2 1/2 hour tour was above ground, which was great. A perfect primer for what we saw below. Whether you live locally or are visiting from out of town, this tour is a must. 👍💯🙌

Response from Host

Oct 2022

Thank you so much! We will share this review with Ben. I know he will be so psyched to read it. Be well!

Rachel_B

Oct 2022

What a fun tour! Ben was very engaging and knowledgeable and made learning about the architecture of surrounding buildings and how they played a part in the building of the NYC subway system very interesting. Would definitely recommend.

Response from Host

Oct 2022

Hi Rachel, I thank you for taking the time to review your Underground Subway Tour with Ben. So glad you enjoyed it. Take good care!