Thanks to its vibrant atmosphere, NYC offers many opportunities for residents and tourists alike. Whether you’re a local, a business traveler, a tourist, or an eco-conscious individual, having a curated list of the best apps for navigating NYC is a helpful way to enhance your overall experience.
Ranging from exploring iconic city landmarks to navigating the city’s intricate subway system, the following list of apps will transform the way you see and experience the Big Apple. Let’s explore 25+ must-have apps that will help you save money, time, and energy that can be better spent enjoying the present moment.
Given its size and complexity, using NYC’s transit system might seem daunting at first, but having the right apps can easily make your journey easier and more budget-friendly.
Whether you’re a daily commuter or a visitor passing through, these apps will allow you to travel efficiently without wasting your valuable time.
For eco-conscious citizens, there is more than one way of using sustainable transportation in NYC, and this includes traveling in electric or hybrid vehicles or using apps to rent bikes and scooters to move around even faster.
With the goal of promoting green lifestyles, FutureCard Visa® allows users to earn 5% cashback rewards each time they use sustainable transportation, including electric vehicles, bikes, and public transit (subway and buses).
The following are the best apps for NYC travel to navigate the city in a more sustainable way while saving valuable money, time, and energy.
Moving around the city isn’t the only activity eco-conscious users will do when navigating NYC; they’ll also want to find eco-friendly dining places to enjoy delicious ethically sourced food meals.
Following its commitment to supporting sustainable practices, FutureCard Visa® gives its users up to 6% cashback rewards for choosing plant-based restaurants across NYC.
As NYC offers a wide variety of options, it is crucial to have a curated list of apps to easily find these dining places and ultimately make greener dining choices.
Given the bustling environment of the city, it is essential to have navigation tools at hand, especially if you are a tourist, as they can help avoid confusion and explore NYC with confidence.
The following apps’ main goal is to provide real-time directions to help visitors navigate the Big Apple without complications.
Business travelers who frequently visit NYC must have a selection of apps ready to use when visiting the Big Apple. This means having tools to manage their schedules in the most convenient way possible.
The following apps will help business travelers with everything, from booking working spaces to finding accommodation, to make the most of their time in this fast-paced city.
Because NYC can become overwhelming due to dense traffic or a complex transportation system, it is crucial to always optimize your navigation apps to receive the most accurate, real-time updates.
Most navigation apps require users to enable their location services to provide them with precise step-by-step directions to help them find nearby attractions, restaurants, or other services.
This ensures you can navigate the city without needing an internet connection at all times, which can be reliable in specific areas or during peak hours. Having offline maps at hand allows you to continue receiving directions and track your route while saving you money on data roaming charges.
To ensure you always stay updated on the best deals in NYC, it is essential to manage your notifications accordingly and include categories like restaurants, transportation, and attractions.
Allowing push notifications is the perfect way to avoid missing out on important updates and alerts. For instance, apps for dining, events, or discounts can send you notifications about exclusive deals, special promotions, or last-minute availability.
If you value your time, then filtering your preferences will be the best approach to saving energy when searching for deals and discounts in NYC. You can easily narrow down the search results based on your needs, such as price, location, or availability.
This is an excellent way of maximizing your savings while exploring the Big Apple. Most apps, particularly those related to dining, transportation, and shopping, allow you to earn back a percentage of what you spend and offset some of your expenses, whether it is on meals, travel, or experiences.
Cashback cards, such as FutureCard Visa®, are a straightforward and convenient approach to earning rewards for your everyday spending, including groceries, transportation, and entertainment. By linking your FutureCard to apps that offer cashback or discounts, you can receive 5-6% cashback for green purchases and 1% on all other purchases.
This allows you to monitor your savings and ensure that you’re taking full advantage of a card's rewards. With FutureCard, for example, tracking your rewards is easy, as you can view your cashback balance through the app to make informed decisions while maximizing your benefits.
Saving payment methods not only saves time but also allows you to follow the fast pace of NYC without complications, given that manually entering your payment details each time you make a purchase can become impractical.
Linking your payment options is always a good decision, especially in cities like New York, whether it is for transportation, dining, or entertainment. It also enables you to take full advantage of app-specific features like rewards or discounts.
Allowing user-friendly integrations, which allow apps to work seamlessly together in one platform, is important to enhance the overall convenience and functionality of payment apps.
It enables you to manage multiple aspects of your day with ease by connecting apps with different purposes—such as navigation, dining, transportation, and payments—so you can access all the information you need without having to switch between platforms.
Whether you’re a tourist exploring NYC, an eco-conscious citizen, a business traveler, or a local navigating the bustling Big Apple, these apps will help you enhance the experience by saving you time, energy, and—most importantly—money.
Using cashback cards, such as FutureCard, is the best way to enjoy everything NYC has to offer without breaking the bank, as it allows you to earn at least 5% cashback each time you make a green purchase.
The safest way to get around NYC, especially during peak hours, is by using well-lit, busy public transit options like the subway or buses. For late-night travel, it is best to use ride-share services or yellow taxis.
The cheapest way to get around NYC is by using public transit, such as the subway or a bus, with an OMNY system offering affordable rates. To make it even cheaper, you may use a cashback debit card, such as FutureCard, which offers 5% cashback on the NYC subway and buses.
A subway ride in NYC costs $2.90 with the OMNY system or a MetroCard.
New Yorkers commonly use apps like MTA Live Subway Map, Citymapper, and Transit for real-time updates, route planning, and service alerts on the subway. Pairing them with FutureCard is ideal for saving money on commuting, as it offers 5% cashback when using OMNY for subway rides.