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)

bonniejmac

Oct 2022

We absolutely loved this tour! AJ was a fantastic guide - so enthusiastic and engaging - he was an absolute delight. Loved hearing the history of the subway system itself and all the little things he pointed out to look for as we continued to use the subway during our NYC trip. Riding through the remnants of City Hall station at the end was the coolest!

Response from Host

Oct 2022

Bonnie, you're right, AJ is fantastic and we're beyond thrilled that you loved your experience with him on the Underground Subway Tour. We will be sure to share your kind words with him. Take good care!

271xabierp

Oct 2022

The level of detail is quite amazing, and the story is quite interesting, particularly to understand the subway in connection to the city (like how transportation hubs emerged, other trials like the vacuum train, etc.). The tour spends quite some time above ground, but there's really a lot of explaining to do, and it's a pity that the actual City Hall station is closed for visits. Plus, the New York subway is so incredibly noisy (more modern systems are way quieter) that it's difficult to follow the guide when in the station. It one could ask for the moon, I'd suggest using headphones for that part of the tour. Other than that, it was very nice! Plus Justin was a super engaged person who stayed talking with us after the tour, and walked some of us to town afterwards. These little things also make a great difference!

Response from Host

Oct 2022

Thank you so much for leaving a detailed review including your important feedback about the noise level. We are taking care of the issue ensuring that all of our Underground Subway tours have hearing assistance in the feature. My thanks again and be well!

Bonnie_B

Oct 2022

It was pretty cool. The tour guide had a ton of info, so I really enjoyed the experience and the history. Even though it was raining, our guide made the tour worth it!

Response from Host

Oct 2022

Hi Bonnie, thanks so much for the review and we are so glad you enjoyed our Underground Subway tour with AJ. We appreciated and hope you stay well!