Discover Subway Secrets Under Manhattan Shared Tour: Explore Stations, History, and Operations
5.0
17 Ratings
New York
Uncover the hidden secrets of the New York City subway system on this shared tour. Explore abandoned stations, learn about the history and operations, and discover the future of mass transit in the region.
Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Lower Manhattan - This is my Downtown Manhattan tour. Highlights on this tour include many famous abandoned stations, Brooklyn Bridge secrets, and a lot more, including the PATH subway! The tour will end at the WTC / Fulton Center (not the start location).
What's Included
  • Subway secrets revealed by a local expert
What's Not Included
  • $2.75 MetroCard or OMNY Tap
Additional Information

Join us as we delve into the most active rapid transit system in the Western sphere!

Here’s what’s in store:

• Unearth buried stations that are hidden in plain sight, like the renowned 1904 City Hall Station.

• Venture deep into a station that would have necessitated scuba gear a decade ago due to catastrophic subway inundation.

• Pay homage to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and stand on subway platforms that completely crumbled under the World Trade Center two decades ago.

• Find out how you can reach an ancient wine cellar beneath the Brooklyn Bridge from within a subway station.

• Check out the latest downtown stations and acquaint yourself with the PATH train en route to New Jersey.

• Gain insight into subway technology and understand how the subway functions round the clock.

• Traverse through the history, current state, and potential future of mass transit in the region.

Your tour guide is a licensed NYC native, an AICP certified urban planner, and a member of the Guides Association of NYC.

Please note: The tour only visits public spaces, and the route/duration might be slightly altered based on the MTA’s schedule.

  • Not recommended for travelers with difficulty walking up and down many steps (underground)
Location
Whitehall Terminal
Whitehall Street
Please meet at the lower level entrance to the South Ferry terminal. Since our tour starts outside, a MetroCard swipe or OMNY tap will be required to enter the system.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(17 Ratings)
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Shubsm5
Apr 29, 2024
Informative and Fun Tour! - The tour was super informative and easy. There's always a concern when doing subway tours, but Rayn was amazing in sharing unique facts and details about the city's subway system. Definitely a tour to try out if you are curious! Great for kids as well.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Guide237456
Apr 14, 2024
Fabulous tour of the Brooklyn subway - Rayn gave us a fabulous tour of the Brooklyn subway. He is a font of knowledge and had great stories. Even my 14 year old who is a subway aficionado was impressed. We learned so much about the subway that we didn't know - he pointed out many details that I had never noticed, even thought I take the subway daily. The highlight was seeing the ghost subway platforms that I didn't even know were there. I would highly recommend any of subway Rayn's tours. Even native New Yorkers such as myself found it interesting.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
M1543dpbiancab
Mar 19, 2024
Super Subway Tour! - Our office had such a fun time going on the subway tour with Rayn! He shared lots of fun facts and pointed out elements that I would have never noticed on my own. Rayn was engaging, funny, and very knowledgable, I highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jukiet2024
Mar 15, 2024
Great tour! Learned so much! - Rayn was a fantastic tour guide! His knowledge of the subway and its history was vast. Even as someone who has taken the subway my whole life, I learned a ton.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Juliadf5239vk
Jan 28, 2024
Fun 2-hour tour for any NYC transit lover - Rayn was a great tour guide! Very knowledgeable about the NYC subway system writ large and clearly passionate about the topic! Rayn also accommodated the groups' different needs throughout the tour and was able to improvise on the spot -- something required for an afternoon exploring BK subway stations!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anvyv
Jan 8, 2024
A valuable experience! - I have been on three tours led by Rayn and have learned new facts every time. He is extremely knowledgeable about New York City subways and creates a very inviting, flexible, and open experience. Highly recommend going on a tour by Rayn for a greater appreciation of New York City.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Goplaces04789048190
Jan 4, 2024
AWESOME TOUR - Rayn is an excellent tour guide with a wealth of knowledge of NYC's subways, railroads, and the city's most famous buildings. He pointed out many different unique characteristics about certain station designs and I learned a heck of a lot about the NYC's underground. Highly recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dreamer24035839632
Jan 4, 2024
Gold star tour guide - The best guided tour that i have ever taken. Absolutely amazing. Incredibly knowledgeable tour guide. Worth the weight in gold. Rayn did an amazing job opening my eyes to amazing parts of the city that would otherwise be easily missed.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lizpic72
Mar 12, 2023
A great way to learn about the subways we take every day. Enlightening! - This tour was very engaging with a mix of history, train travel, and light exercise. Rayn knows his material and being a guide is clearly a labor of love. I went with my 17 year old who normally hates tours, and after this she thanked me for taking her! We will definitely go on another tour with Rayn.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Morganbs2497bh
Oct 26, 2022
Perfect for new visitors and seasoned New Yorkers! - Rayn is a wonderful guide! The tour is incredibly well paced and chock full of interesting MTA facts. As a New Yorker, I learned so much about the intricacies of the subway and discovered something new about a system I use everyday. Rayn has helpful visuals and great stories. Would recommend for any visit to the city or for a seasoned New Yorker who is curious about the history of the MTA.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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1 Adult
May 2024
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