The more you know about Brooklyn transportation, the better your strategy will be. At first, I was overwhelmed by the subway map, but now I have a general idea of which lines get congested at what times.

The core of Brooklyn's transportation infrastructure is the New York subway. Among the subway lines operated by the MTA that pass through Brooklyn are many, including A, C, B, D, F, G, J, L, M, N, Q, and R. The most commonly used lines for commuting from Brooklyn to Manhattan are the F line (stopping at Smith-9th St, Bergen St, etc.) and the 2/3 line (via Eastern Pkwy), as well as the A/C line (via Jay St-MetroTech).

During the morning rush hour (7-9 AM), the subway travel time from Brooklyn to Midtown Manhattan ranges from about 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the line and starting point. The G line is a unique route that does not go through Manhattan and operates only between Brooklyn and Queens, making it highly useful for getting around Brooklyn.

Buses are also operated frequently. In addition to MTA local buses, Select Bus Service (SBS) operates on several routes, particularly the B44 SBS (Nostrand Ave) and B46 SBS (Utica Ave) routes, which are useful for traveling vertically through Brooklyn.

There is also the Brooklyn Ferry (NYC Ferry) service, which operates the Sunset Park route and the South Brooklyn route. The ferry fare is processed with a MetroCard, just like the subway (though transfer discounts have separate conditions), providing a unique way to commute to Manhattan across the East River.

If you choose to commute by car, you will use the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Williamsburg Bridge, or Queensboro Bridge.

Starting January 2024, a congestion pricing system will be implemented for entering areas below 60th Street in Manhattan, with tolls for passenger cars ranging from about $9 to $15, applied once per day. Reports indicate that this policy has increased the cost burden for commuting from Brooklyn to Manhattan by car, leading to a rise in commuters switching to public transportation.

There is also a growing trend in bike commuting, with CitiBike sharing stations densely installed throughout Brooklyn. Many people are now commuting to Manhattan by bike across the Brooklyn Bridge. In some cases, it is faster than the subway during rush hour, making it a new trend.