Is Times Square safe at night?

Yes — Times Square is one of the most heavily-policed public spaces on earth and statistically one of the safest large-tourist-density environments in any major American city. The NYPD Times Square Substation sits on the square, mounted officers patrol the pedestrian plazas, post-9/11 security maintains continuous visible deterrent. The friction is about aggressive scams (costumed characters demanding tips, ticket touts, comedy club promoters, CD-rapper sellers) rather than violent crime. The streets immediately west towards Port Authority and Hell's Kitchen require more attention than the square itself. Walking around Times Square at any reasonable hour is fine; broadly safer than most European city centres after dark.

Should I take a taxi or subway from Times Square at night?

Subway until 01:00, then taxi or Uber. The 42nd Street-Times Square station serves the 1/2/3, 7, N/Q/R/W, and S shuttle to Grand Central — covers most Manhattan and outer-borough destinations. Standard subway fare $2.90 in 2026. Yellow taxis are metered and equally safe; typical cross-Manhattan fare $15-25. Uber and Lyft also work; surge pricing peaks 22:30-23:15 post-Broadway. For airports: LaGuardia $40-55 by taxi; JFK $52 fixed-fare from Manhattan plus tolls and tip; Newark $60-80. The AirTrain JFK and LaGuardia AirTrain connections via subway are cheaper but slower with luggage.

Is Times Square, New York Safe at Night?

By The Kakapo Editorial Team · Last updated 2026-05-28 · Part of the Times Square, New York safety guide

FAQ

Is Times Square safe at night?: Yes — Times Square is one of the most heavily-policed public spaces on earth and statistically one of the safest large-tourist-density environments in any major American city. The NYPD Times Square Substation sits on the square, mounted officers patrol the pedestrian plazas, post-9/11 security maintains continuous visible deterrent. The friction is about aggressive scams (costumed characters demanding tips, ticket touts, comedy club promoters, CD-rapper sellers) rather than violent crime. The streets immediately west towards Port Authority and Hell's Kitchen require more attention than the square itself. Walking around Times Square at any reasonable hour is fine; broadly safer than most European city centres after dark.
Should I take a taxi or subway from Times Square at night?: Subway until 01:00, then taxi or Uber. The 42nd Street-Times Square station serves the 1/2/3, 7, N/Q/R/W, and S shuttle to Grand Central — covers most Manhattan and outer-borough destinations. Standard subway fare $2.90 in 2026. Yellow taxis are metered and equally safe; typical cross-Manhattan fare $15-25. Uber and Lyft also work; surge pricing peaks 22:30-23:15 post-Broadway. For airports: LaGuardia $40-55 by taxi; JFK $52 fixed-fare from Manhattan plus tolls and tip; Newark $60-80. The AirTrain JFK and LaGuardia AirTrain connections via subway are cheaper but slower with luggage.

Read the full Times Square, New York safety guide — score breakdown, every neighbourhood, all 5 sources →

Live Times Square, New York safety score (updates daily) →

Sources

Scores are the Kakapo Safety Index — compiled from government travel advisories and public crime, health and transit data. All data sources.