NYC Stroller Guide: Subway Stairs, Elevators, Buses and Walking With Kids
A stroller changes the best New York route. The shortest subway trip on a map is not always the easiest route when a station has stairs, an elevator is out or a transfer requires moving between multiple platforms.
Accessible-station equipment can be temporarily out of service.
Surface transit can avoid station stairs but may be slower in traffic.
A route that looks close can still become a substantial walk with a child.
Accessible station does not mean every possible entrance is step-free
MTA accessibility information should be checked for the actual station and route you plan to use. Large stations can have multiple entrances, and the elevator may be on a different corner from the entrance that looks closest on the street.
Allow extra time to find the correct accessible entrance instead of arriving at the train platform deadline.
Elevator outages can rewrite the trip
Even a carefully chosen accessible route can change because of maintenance. Check current elevator status before leaving the hotel or attraction, particularly when the alternative station is several blocks away.
Keep one backup station or bus route in mind for the most important transfers.
Buses can be easier even when they are slower
A bus can remove the physical problem of carrying a stroller down subway stairs. The tradeoff is street traffic and less predictable travel time.
For a short north-south or crosstown move with a sleeping child, the simpler boarding experience can be worth the extra minutes.
A compact stroller has real value in restaurants and crowds
New York restaurants, stores and sidewalks can be tight. A stroller that folds easily is simpler to manage when space is limited or when you unexpectedly need to carry it.
Bring only the under-stroller storage you are willing to unload if you need to fold the stroller quickly.
Use neighborhood days to reduce repeated folding and carrying
The best stroller strategy is often fewer transit legs. Build a morning around Central Park, Chelsea, DUMBO or another compact zone and walk between nearby stops.
One longer subway trip at the start and end of the day can be easier than four short trips with repeated station stairs.