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Subwaydle is a fun way to test your knowledge of the New York subway system. You must follow several rules regarding backtracking and transfers, but the main goal is to figure out the trip of the day based on subway markings. If you are not from New York or don't use public transportation, this version may seem very challenging to you.
Subwaydle has a lot of the same rules as Wordle. Every day, there is a specific route that connects two of the subway's 472 stations. In Friday's puzzle, for instance, players must transfer from Jefferson Avenue to Wall Street in two transfers. To get from one train to the next, you need to plan a three-train ride using two transfers. No matter how efficient the route might be, it has to physically work within the limits of the subway system—no out-of-station transfers, and no bus connections.
Like in Wordle, after each try, the tiles change color to give you hints. In addition to this, puzzles played during the week follow midday train schedules, whereas those played during the weekend are based on weekend train schedules. You have a total of six attempts.
It's possible to take multiple routes to get to your destination, but the goal is to discover the one that matches today's puzzle. The route may or may not be the fastest or most efficient. Also, you should know that there are several subway stations in New York City with the same name.
There is no way to go back: no station can be visited more than once.
Transfers are only permitted where lines diverge (i.e., you cannot transfer back and forth between two lines that make the same stops). You may switch from a local line to an express line and then return to the same local line, but you may not switch from an express line to a local line and then back to the same express line.
South Ferry, Whitehall St–South Ferry, or Bowling Green stations can be used to get to or from St. George station (using the Staten Island Ferry). There are also free transfers between stations that are not in the same system. People think that all stations allow transfers in all directions, even if that isn't physically possible (limitation due to this data not being publicly available).
All train lines are routed based on the midday schedule (i.e., no peak-direction expresses, no peak-only branches, no Z, and B terminates at 145 St.). Weekend puzzles are created based on the routes that occur regularly over the weekend.
Subwaydle has a hint button that will tell you where to start and where to end without actually revealing which lines are involved in today's route. Finding a solution can be equally challenging. Best of luck with your journey!
