The MTA Subway System serves Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Staten Island through MTA Staten Island Railway. Its 6,200+ subway cars serve an annual ridership now exceeding 1,500,000,000 (yes, billion!) riders year which is just behind Tokyo, Moscow and Seoul in total annual riders.

Below you'll find a good list of steps on how to ride the subway:

Step 1
Log on to the MTA website, look at the map, and find your departure and arrival stations.

Step 2
Make sure you have the appropriate fare. The current 2010 fare is $2.25.

Step 3
Estimate the time it will take to arrive at your destination - by looking at the subway map. It will take you 2-4 minutes for every twenty city blocks, plus 5-20 minutes for every time you have to wait for a train. A simpler method is to leave at least 45 minutes before you must be where you are going. However, the longest trips can take up to an hour and a half - so be careful.

Step 4
At your departure station, you can ask the station agent for a map so that you have a portable guide. However, carrying a map on the subway is like tattooing "TOURIST" on your forehead. Nearly all train cars and stations have maps on the walls, so a map is not absolutely necessary.

Step 5
Buy a MetroCard from either the station agent (cash only) or the vending machines (cash/credit/debit). All ticket machines accept debit and credit cards, but only some (the larger ones) accept cash. The lowest amount you can put on a regular refillable card is $4.50 (though you can buy a single ride for $2.25). Refillable cards allow for one free transfer from subway-to-bus, bus-to-subway, or bus-to-bus within 2 hours of the first swipe; single rides do not allow for transfer and must be used within 2 hours of purchase. If you put $7 or more on your card you will get a 15% bonus ($7 will get you $8.05, or 4 rides). Your best bet may be to buy a weekly or monthly unlimited depending on your length of stay--daily passes are also available. Metrocards are valid for both subway and bus service 24/7/365.

Step 6
Getting on the right train is the hardest part. Make sure you get the right number or letter, and check if your arrival station is a full-time station. One thing that makes the NYC Subway a bit different from other systems is the Uptown/Downtown directional indicators. Rather than denoting direction by destination (as in London, Paris, etc.) entrances and platforms in Manhattan will say "Uptown and the Bronx/Queens" or "Downtown and Brooklyn" although sometimes just "Uptown" and "Downtown" for trains terminating in Manhattan. Be sure to know whether you are traveling up or down before entering (few trains travel crosstown). On the 7 train, it says either Manhattan- Times Square or Main Street- Flushing.

Step 7
One of the mistakes many people make is getting on an express train when they should have taken the local train. Local trains (typically) stop at every stop along a line, while express trains skip some stops.

Step 8
Before boarding your train, wait for the disembarking passengers to fully egress before you enter the subway car.

Step 9
If you are wearing a bag or pack, remove it from your back or shoulder and carry it in your hands.

Step 10
If you want to sit, take the first available seat.

Step 11
If you are to stand, move all the way into the car and stand on either side, not in the middle. Face the seated passenger with your feet perpendicular to the seat bench and hold on.