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)

IainH124A

Jun 2019

Another great tour from Untapped Cities! Already been on the Grand Central tour and this one gave great insights into the history of the subway in New York and see historic remnants in plain sight. The guide was very knowledgeable and answered all the questions that the group had as well as giving us all additional information about books / films / websites / exhibitions that we may find interesting to learn even more.

Response from Host

Jun 2019

Thank you very much! Really glad you enjoyed our Underground Tour of the NYC Subway and our Tour of the Secrets of Grand Central! We hope to see you on another experience and thank you!

mariannep294

Apr 2019

Our guide was so enthusiastic with millions of observations.We were all smitten by her. So interesting.

Response from Host

May 2019

Thank you Marianne!

TravelBlabber

Apr 2019

The description makes it sound like you'll be on the subway system the entire time learning via the 6 Train. We spent almost the entire time sitting in city park hearing about what brought on the subway system. I was hoping to be in the subway system seeing more historic points of interest. The best part of the seeing the City Hall station which was literally a fleeting moment.

Response from Host

Apr 2019

Thank you very much for coming on our tour and for taking the time to leave a review! This tour lasts 2 hours of which 90 minutes should be spent underground exploring the subway system. The first 30 minutes of the tour are indeed spent outside in City Hall Park because this is where we can see remnants of the very first subway station, as well as learn about the "subway before the subway" aka Alfred Ely Beach's pneumatic tube... I will take your feedback to our guides and make sure we stick to that timing as this tour is indeed called the "Underground" tour of the NYC subway so it doesn't make sense to spend our tie outside! Thank you again for your feedback, it is very important for us to understand what we can do better!