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)

Johann M

Feb 2018

Tourguide Many was really excellent. Sometimes maybe a little confusing with all the information she gave us. But all in all it's a great tour. And it tells you a lot about the past and why the subway is in the state it is today ...

Response from Host

Mar 2018

Thank you Johann! Really glad you enjoyed this experience and thank you for highlighting what you think we can improve, this is very helpful...

lucasnyc2018

Feb 2018

Our excellent tour guide "Mandy" was knowledgeable and spontaneous and made everybody feel comfortable. The highlight for me was the cavernous Chambers St station - (it looks and feels abandoned but it's not!) Not a real criticism and maybe it just can't be done but getting permission and access to an abandoned station would make this a total five-star experience. We only got a glimpse through our fast-moving 6 train. I'm a New Yorker who rides the subway almost every day and I still loved this tour. I plan to recommend this to family and visitors who want a break from the usual New York attractions!

Response from Host

Feb 2018

Hi Lucas! Thank you very much for joining our Underground Tour of the NYC Subway and for sharing your experience! We develop our tours aiming to attract New Yorkers so it is great to hear you would recommend this tour to friends and family wanting to do something different. It would indeed be amazing to be able to go inside some of the abandoned station along the way, including City Hall, but this is alas forbidden or cost prohibitive depending on the station... If you want to explore the City Hall station though, the Transit Museum has a special arrangement for its members and organizes tours there several times a year. I took it and it is very good, highly recommend it. Thank you again for your feedback and we hope to see you on another tour soon!

Jayme K

Feb 2018

The weather was rainy & slightly cold but the tour guide, Alan, was amazing! He was very knowledgeable and was conscious of the weather when finding places to stand and speak. We did this tour as part of NYC Attractions Week and it's now one of our favorites.

Response from Host

Feb 2018

Thank you Jayme! I am glad you loved our guide Alan, he is indeed really great!