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

New York City Tours

Unique Activities (21) Transfers & Transportation (103) Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises (113) Entry Tickets (47) Sporting Events (1) Good for Small Groups (6) Seasonal & Holiday Tours (41) Walking Tours (697) Outdoor Activities (20) Limitied Availability Tours (6) LGBT Friendly Tours (4) Family-friendly Activities (7) Solo Travelers' Tours (147) Food & Drinks (27) Travelers recommend (73) Good for Groups (8) Top Activities (18) Guided Audio Tours (3) Art, Culture & History (135) Attractions to explore (38)

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)

Monty6674

Oct 2022

Very disappointed with this ,I expected to be able to visit the insides of the abandoned stations and be able to get some photos,but instead it's just someone telling you about the history of the underground,never venturing into a station,this was not what was expected by the advertisement

Response from Host

Oct 2022

Hi Monty we are also terribly disappointed by your experience with tour. It is stated pretty clearly on our tour listing that we do not have access inside abandoned stations as the MTA does not under any circumstances allow the public into them. Access to these stations is illegal and considered trespassing. Our tour is designed to get as close to those stations as possible in a fashion that even the most seasoned New Yorker does not know. Again we apologize this didn't meet your expectation. Please email us at [email protected] so we can take the next steps to make this right. All the best!

David_M

Oct 2022

Ryan brought a unique approach as native, former MTA employee, and someone who shared a passion for the NYC subways. Good way to immerse yourself when visiting NYC.

Response from Host

Oct 2022

Thank you for the review of our Underground Subway Tour David. Rayn is definitely a font of knowledge and passion about the system and glad you enjoyed your experience with him. Please let us know if there is anything more we could have done to make this a five star review: [email protected]. My thanks and be well!

L1628TPlinc

Sep 2022

Standing outside Dakota Building thinking about my teenage crush John Lennon. Also seeing a skyline in reality that I've seen on TV, films, magazines all my life. Visited: Grand Central Station, Rockefeller Bldg, Empire State, Central Park, Statue of, Liberty and Ellis Island, Ground Zero. Travelled on underground from 49th Street to Battery Park and stayed in the Midtown Hilton room 3114 which was totally superb. Would love to do it all again.

Response from Host

Sep 2022

Thank you for leaving a review and very happy to hear that you enjoyed your experience but this may have been left on our page by accident as it doesn't sound like any of our experiences. Take good care!