TIP: Round, round, get around, I get around...

A few tips about getting around Manhattan on the subway and bus system:

1. Plan ahead - The main subway/bus website is http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/. It's not a bad idea if you have internet access, to check the site just before you go out to see which trains are running on different tracks, not running at all, etc. For a subway map, see http://www.mta.nyc.ny.us/nyct/maps/submap.htm

2. Whadhesay? - Another reason to check the website...completely unintelligible conductor announcements. One minute you're at Times Square and the next you're in Brooklyn. Thankfully, there'll be at least 3 people at any one time in your subway car cursing and swearing at the conductor and asking each other what he/she just said - join in...someone's bound to figure it out. Hopefully before you end up in Brooklyn.

3. Local vs express - Local does NOT mean 'native/from around here' - it means the train will stop at every stop. Express trains skip stops. If you're not sure where you're going, stay local. Otherwise..yup... Brooklyn.

4. No cash - You can use cash on the subway, but the best thing to do is buy an unlimited 7-day subway card (metro card) in the station, which you can also use on the buses. Buy the card from the vending machine with a credit card or dollar bills - the bigger your bill though the more change you're going to get...in COINS. After you slide your card through the turnstile, look for the small green word 'GO', and really GO! If you dilly-dally pushing through the barrier, it might lock quickly and you won't be able to swipe your unlimited card again. On the bus, you can only use coins..and sometimes for inexplicable reasons, the coin box is closed up, leaving you with no other options but a metro card or a sweet and hopeful smile at the bus driver.

5. 1,9,2,3,4,5,6,A,C,N,R,Q...- When someone says take the '1,9' or the '2,3' it doesn't mean the subway is no 19 or no 23. It means take the 1 OR 9 trains (which both run local) or the 2 OR 3 trains (which both run express). In mid-Manhattan, the 1,9 and the 2,3 basically run through all the same stops. Its only as you go much further uptown or downtown that the 2 will go a different route from the 3 for example. Same with other train lines eg the green line: the 4,5 (express) and the 6 (local), or the blue line: A (express), and the C,E (local). You get the idea, no? [Newsflash - they just took the 9 away, so its only the 1 train that runs local now. But I'm leaving the example in anyway!]

6. The bus - Buses are a great way to check out NY if you're on holiday and have the time. Repeat, 'if you're on holiday and have the time'. There are 'limited' buses, which basically mean express - I still haven't figured out why they can't just call them express to be consistent with the subway - but by and large buses stop every 2 blocks or so....One time I challenged a bus, and won...WALKING. Anyway, if you're not in a hurry it doesn't matter - they're comfortable, not as smelly as the subway and have great air-con. Plus you can use your unlimited metrocard too.

7. Some etiquette - Unlike in Singapore where everyone rushes to cram into the MRT trains without letting people get out first, the unwritten rule in NY is that you let the people OUT FIRST, before you get IN. There aren't any special lines drawn on the floor to remind people to do this, like they have in Singapore, so thought I would add this point. Oh, and to save you also from being yelled at by some MTA conductors.

Probably the best tip I can give you is DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK. Seriously. People are generally very helpful. Wrong sometimes, but still helpful. And nice too. I've been offered a seat many times despite me not being pregnant, elderly or juggling a small child and bags. Always makes my day.