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=== Heading Southwest (I-95 towards [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]] and [[Washington D.C.]]) ===
Between the heavy suburban development along most of this corridor and the laws on hitchhiking in New Jersey and New York City, there aren't many great options. Reports If you're particularly bold/willing to risk police trouble you could try either end of the Holland Tunnel. It may also be possible to get a ride from anybody who has successfully hitchhiked along I-95 south from NYC would be appreciatedthe westbound Lemoine Ave bus stop at the end of the GWB (opposite the eastbound one described above).
If you decide to give up and pay: Booking far in advance, you can get a Megabus all the way to DC for as little as $1.50. Without advance booking, the cheapest legal way across New Jersey is probably a Chinatown bus to Philadelphia for $12 (see gotobus.com for current Chinatown bus info; the walkup cash fare is usually the same as online).
=== Subway ===
The subway is of course by far the most common (and for many purposes best) way of getting around within the city. Many commuters have unlimited-ride Metrocards, and since a card is only required to enter the subway system (not to exit), it's possible to get people with unlimited-ride cards who are leaving the system to swipe you in for free (as there is no additional cost to them). At busier stations, just stand outside the turnstiles and politely ask exiting riders if they'll swipe you in. See [http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2011/01/free_swipe.php this article] for a discussion of the "free swipes" phenomenon.
=== Commuter Rail ===
Although riding passenger trains for free is illegal, it may be a viable way to get out of the city for free. In most passenger trains (NJ Transit, Amtrak, etc.), the only way to ride for free is to hide in a bathroom or display a "Seat Check" ticket found on the ground or from a previous ride. Generally speaking, if you are discovered to be riding without paying the proper fare, you will be asked to pay it. If you cannot pay it, then you will be asked to exit the train at the next station. As long as you remain friendly and cooperative, there should not be a problem with legal issues, arrest, or fines.
The Staten Island Railway is legally free as long as you don't use the St George or Tompkinsville stations (so from the ferry you can walk a mile south to Stapleton station and get on/off there). The Staten Island Ferry is also free.
=== Freight Rail ===
[[Train hopping|Hopping freight trains]] is another way to ride long distances for free. It may be practical to do if you have phone or internet access, because there are numbers and/or websites that will give you the direction that each freight is headed and its estimated time of arrival, based on that freight's identification number.
