NYC - Group Transportation

I don't know if this matters or not but worth mention, maybe, that yours is a group of teen girls and moms. :O)

Are you afraid to take the subway? The safest line is the R Train and it goes to the places you mention. In fact, I will be on the R train a little later today, back and forth from Brooklyn to the City, going to Times Square.

Not afraid of the subway, just don't know how to use it! Ha! The maps were a little intimidating. R train would be the suggestion for both? That will help me figure it out. Any other advice much appreciated!

Just use google maps! Put in your destination and it will literally walk you through the whole process. From what train to take, at what station, and how to walk to that station. You definitely don't want to use a shuttle company, not even sure if that is thing. Maybe a taxi, but why spend $30 to go downtown, when the subway is $3. And the subway is tap and pay, so all you need to do is tap your credit card to get onto the platform. Don't be intimidated. New Yorkers are very friendly and will help you also. You'll be a pro by the end of your trip!

Fantastic! I've been on Google Maps but haven't seen the subway info - I'll work on pulling that up. Thanks so much!

R train for both trips. Download the nyc subway map and look for the R train. It’s in a yellow circle. The only thing that would be a drawback would be tapping. You can only tap your CC for 2 entrances. So you would need 7 CC. There is no tapping out.
Otherwise you would need 3, maybe 4 cabs. There may be large uber vans, you would have to research that. The subway is $3.00, so maybe you could do the math.
The biggest problem is traffic. A friend was going from the SoHo area to the theatre. She had over an hour and a half to get there. She missed the first 15 minutes. It’s only a few miles. It can take one hour to go 10 city blocks, really.
Just remember that south to soho is the R Downtown and the train from soho to TSquare is R Uptown.

Just an aside, I only take the R Train anywhere I go in the city. Even if I have to walk a few extra blocks. It goes along Broadway. It’s also the only line that goes to my part of Brooklyn.

Here’s a guide on how to use the subway from the subway system’s website. There is a wealth of information on their website. I visit NYC a lot because my son lives there and I use the subway regularly.
https://www.mta.info/guides/riding-the-subway

Also, here’s a page that explains tapping your card to pay your fare.
https://www.mta.info/fares-tolls/subway-bus/tap-and-ride

This is fantastic! Thank you!

Subway for certain!

I cannot imagine how you would get there otherwise; have to split Into groups and take taxis, and some will get stuck in traffic, etc....

Another vote for subway! R train to make things easy.
Are you the one with the group of teens also going to the rooftop bar? Do teens have Apple Pay or their own card they can tap on subway? As someone mentioned, each card is only allowed a certain number of times.
Smart to study the subway map in advance of your trip so you can get a sense of how many stops, etc.

I lived in NYC years ago when only way to go through turnstiles was using a Metro Card. I might still have some laying around in a drawer. So glad they got the tap and pay! Made my visit last time so much easier.

Get the MTA app. It has excellent subway and bus maps and trip planners. While you can tap in with credit card ypu can still purchase OMNI cards and add cash values to those using cash or credit cards.
When travelling with a group always have a plan for what to do if you get separated.. We usually say those who got on the train get off at the next station and wait for the group. If getting off , those who didn't get off bet off next station a d return to where they should have gotten off

Using the subway in NYC is a great option and the fastest method of travel. It is critical that you fully understand the tap and pay guidelines. For example you will not be able to tap 13 people in a row with the same card. Another example is that you are able to tap 4 people is a row going through the same turnstile but not 4 different turnstiles. Of course it is best to get the most up to date information. You may for example find providing each individual with their own OMNY card to be easier and faster (if they are still in use). No matter what the subway system is the fastest and easiest. Using Google Maps to guide me through the transportation system has worked exceptionally well for me.

Appreciate all of the responses. Yes, I believe the OMNY card will be the best bet as I'm not sure each individual has their own tap to pay and trying to add the multiple per payment method seems like it may only slow us down/get us messed up.

I'd also advise the OMNI card for the subway. Easiest option for a large group. Card machines are in every station, start with the minimum amount you think you'll need. If you use Google maps, click on the transit option (train icon) and it will give you all your options. Depending on ages, etc. you could maybe print or text the subway destination in case people get separated, or can't all get into the same car, i.e. "We are getting off at ___ stop, this is ___ stops from where we are getting on." Have fun!