Affordable Ways To Get In From The Airport
New York City has an excellent public transportation network that runs 24 hours a day. All three of New Yorks main airports are connected to Manhattan by rail or bus, although some of these trips are easier than others.
To/From JFK Airport you can take the AirTrain and subway .
To/From Newark International Airport you can take the AirTrain to NJ Transit trains, which go directly to Penn Station
To/From LaGuardia you can take the new Q70 express bus that makes limited stops and connects to the subway .
The Westside Ymca Or A Hostel
Eli Roth hasnt given hostels the best reputation in his popular Hostel horror movie franchise. Thats fiction, however. In reality hostels really epitomize the best of New York City on a budget, while still providing a fun and cheap stay. Hostels are additionally a popular choice among college students who live on campus and have been primed for the dorm-like hostel experience already. They are usually best for social people, too, since you often share a room and amenities with other guests. One of the greatest things about hosteling, though, is that you get to meet people from all over the world. This adds an element of excitement that would be hard to achieve if youre holed up alone in a hotel room. Besides the usual travel sites, eurocheapo.com can help you find cheap hostels in New York City.
Plan Out Your Splurges
When youre visiting NYC, you wont want to miss out on those bucket list items youve been dreaming about. Make the most of your time here, plan ahead and budget accordingly.
For example, if you want to get an iconic view of the city, there are many options. But do your research and choose only one.
Insider Advice: Our pick is the Top of the Rock instead of the Empire State Building, since you wont be surrounded by glass and you get the iconic Empire State Building INSIDE your shots!
And there are plenty of cheap eats in NYC , but there are also some of the best restaurants in the world here as well. Plan on one meal that youll splurge on instead of 10. Or get the biggest bang for your buck and try a little of everything on a New York City food tour.
Just be sure to research it ahead of time and plan it out so you dont accidentally splurge on something unworthy.
For example, we split a $24 lobster roll at the Frying Pan, which was amazing. But we couldnt justify ordering two, so we filled up on pizza as well.
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Where To Stay In New York City With Family
New York is one of the most family-friendly cities to visit. This is mainly because there is so much to do and see that you will truly never have a dull moment on your trip.
However, when it comes to cost and security, not every part of the Big Apple is good for your family.
All these factors considered, the Upper West Side takes the cake as being the best for you and your kids to use as a base of operations for your NYC exploration.
Best Hostel In New York Blue Moon Hotel
The Blue Moon Hotel is our top recommendation for a New York hostel if youre on a budget. Walking distance to New Yorks most famous landmarks, this hostel is close to shopping, dining, drinking, and more.
It boasts private bathrooms and balconies, as well as refrigerators, coffeemakers, and minibars.
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Dont Spend $ Chasing The Best Viewscheck Out These Free Vistas Instead
Speaking of free, dont overspend for views at the Empire State Building or 1 World Trade Center. There are free ways to get awesome panoramic views of NYCand some are even better than the ones you have to pay for.
- The Staten Island Ferry: The Staten Island Ferry is free to take, and it provides incredible views of the Manhattan skyline as well as the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island . Its also a wonderful way to cool down on a summer day. Plus, they sell beer on board!
- The High Line:The High Line is an impressive way to see the city from an unusual perspective. Once an elevated railroad, the High Line is now a park filled with greenery and public art.
- Brooklyn Heights Promenade:For a killer Manhattan view, check out the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. The gorgeous, serene view of the skyline across the water will make your Instagram followers so jealous.
- The one exception:The view from the Top of the Rock is pretty phenomenalplus, you get to actually *see* all the famous buildings. So if youre going to pay for a view in New York City, pay for a view there.
Plan Your Trip For The Winter
New York travel prices can be steep, especially during peak travel seasons. If youre looking to design a budget trip to New York City, think about visiting in the winter.
Will it be cold? Yes, probably. But New York City in the winter is a magical place. Between ice-skating, hot chocolate, and holiday decorations, its an enchanting time of year to visit .
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Best Airbnb In Upper West Side Quiet And Cozy One Bedroom
Just 100 paces from beautiful Central Park, this apartment in a bright 7th-floor south-facing building has the classic NY skyline view. With a cozy kitchen, one bed and cushions that can be used as a mattress, this location is perfect for a family of three. The building also has a washer and dryer in the basement.
$200+ Is Normal For A Hotel In New York City
Lets just set your expectations before we go forward. $200-$250 per night is a standard rate for a hotel in Manhattan in a convenient location. This article includes hotels in the $100 to $150 range, so you can imagine that you have to sacrifice something if you get something cheaper.
If youre open to it, hostels in New York City can be a bit more affordable than this, but its cheaper to share a room with a friend than to have a dorm bed in New York City probably.
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Best Cheap Mid Budget And Luxury Hotels In Brooklyn New York City
Brooklyn isnt anywhere near as touristy as Manhattan and just from a quick hotel search that much is apparent. However, despite far fewer options, there are also far fewer people booking the rooms. Less demand means less supply.
Williamsburgs bars and restaurants spill out onto Berry Street and Bedford Avenue. Wythe, Hoxton and William Vale are in close proximity to this area and each other. Hotel Indigo is in a much busier area but well connected.
Further down in Brooklyn, if you can afford it, we think 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge has to have one of the best views in the city sunset over Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan every single day from the pool no less!
Here are the best hotels for each budget around Brooklyn :
- 8. Luxury 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge 8.7
Midtown Where To Stay In New York City For The First Time
Midtown is the neighbourhood at the center of Manhattan. Stretching from the Hudson River to the East River, this neighbourhood is home to famous architecture, vibrant streets, and world-renowned landmarks.
Midtowns most famous attraction is undoubtedly Time Square. Nicknamed the crossroads of the world, this part of Midtown is awash with bright lights, entertainment and shopping.
No first trip to New York City is complete without a visit to Broadway. A historic and cultural landmark, the Great White Way is famous for hosting some of the greatest theatre and musical performances of all time. Whether youre a longtime culture vulture or new to the scene, you wont want to miss the chance to see a show on Broadway.
When it comes down to it, Midtown is quite touristy, but this means its home to some of the best attractions in NY. Thats why Midtown is our pick for where to stay in New York for sightseeing.
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Getting Around In Nyc
While Times Square in Manhattan is the epicenter of New York City_,_ visitors can spend less by exploring interesting and authentic neighborhoods in the other four boroughs, too. The subway is the most affordable way to get around. As the worlds most-extensive subway system, it has 472 stations served by 27 lines running all day and all night, 365 days a year. Why pay hundreds more per night to stay on Fifth Avenue overlooking Central Park when you can stay in one of the boroughs in cheaper accommodations and take the subway everywhere?
Although city buses arent as fast as traveling underground, a single-ride ticket, at $2.75 , provides the cheapest sightseeing tour in town. Tip: Ask the driver for a free transfer, good on another bus for up to 2 hours.
Best Hotel In Midtown Freehand New York
Freehand New York is our top recommendation for where to stay in New York. It is centrally located, close to landmarks, museums, restaurants and more.
Guests can enjoy comfortable and spacious rooms as well as a coffee bar and a dry cleaning service. Theres a charming on-site restaurant and stylish bar.
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Things To Do In Midtown South Manhattan
Aside from the obvious Empire State Building observation deck, if you stay in this area you will be surrounded by shopping, dining and rooftop bar options.
Some of Manhattans top rated bagel & coffee shops are between Empire State and Penn Station. NoMad is a cool up-and-coming neighborhood laden with bars and high end restaurants.
The Flatiron Building isnt far and Chelsea is within walking distance. Actually, if you dont mind walking and you have time, you could probably walk around most of Midtown using a hotel here as the perfect centralized staging area.
Lower East Side & Soho
The Lower East Side and SoHo are two super cool neighborhoods, located very close to each other. Theyre not that big either, which is why I decided to combine them into a single recommendation. Theyre pretty similar as well and theyre great choices especially for people who have been to New York City before!
NOTE: SoHo in New York is different from the Soho in London, so please dont mix them up!
Please keep in mind that both of these areas are residential, so they lack popular landmarks, but theyre still pretty close to the main attractions in the city center .
Another nice activity to do here is just to take a walk on the streets and try out new restaurants, cafes and shops for all pockets and preferences . And if youre a fashion lover, SoHo is for you! Ah, and if youre staying in the Lower East Side, youll be walking distance to Little Italy and Chinatown as well bonus points!
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Best Apartment In New York Aka Wall Street
AKA Wall Street is blessed with a central location, just a stones throw from the One World Trade Center and the Brookfield Place, and Central Park. Guests will also be within walking distance to shopping and dining.
The suites come equipped with a kitchen and marble bathrooms, and guests have access to the Technogym fitness center, indoor/outdoor rooftop, and terrace lounge which includes a private cinema and city views.
In case you fancy something a bit different, there are also plenty of New York homestays to choose from.
Make Sure To Get Discount Broadway Tickets
Obviously, catching a Broadway show is one of the things to do in New York City. And yesyou can do it on the cheap!
Heres what you do: check out the TKTS Booth in Times Square . There, you can find theatre tickets with steep discounts: sometimes up to 50% off! Get there early in the day to grab tickets before theyre gone.
Pro tip: If you do choose to pick up tickets in Times Square, be on your guard. Although New York City is safe, Times Square is a tourist hub, and pickpockets know it. For more info on common scams, talk to someone who lives in New York.
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Things To Do In Central Park
You can easily spend a full day walking around Central Park.
- Dont miss Central Parks The Mall, Bethesda Terrace, Bow Bridge and The Ramble.
- Nearby world famous museums include The MET, Natural History Museum and Guggenheim Museum.
- Easy access to the upper parts of Midtown, such as 5th avenue shopping, Top of the Rock, MoMA and Broadway.
We would recommend looking for a hotel right along the southern edge of Central Park or as close to it as possible for your budget.
See The Statue Of Liberty For Free
If your budget is tight, skip the Statue of Liberty tour altogether. Instead, take the Staten Island Ferry and brings you right past the statue. Just check out the picture above to see the sweet view youll get right next to the sightseeing cruises!
Insider Tip: Be sure to grab a spot on the upper deck on the right side of the vessel as you leave Manhattan.
You can either get right back on the return ferry once you arrive in Staten Island, or wander around a bit and grab lunch at one of the affordable Sri Lankan restaurants in the area. The ferries depart every 30 minutes on the hour and half hour and are 100% free.
And even if your budget isnt super tight, this is a good, less-touristy option.
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Take The Train To And From The Airport
Whether you fly into JFK or La Guardia, you will be pretty far from the city when you land. Instead of hailing a taxi or Uber, which will cost you at least $40 $50 , take the shuttle to the metro. It is super easy to do and will save you a lot of money.
Heres how to do it:
For us, it was easiest to buy the 7-day metro pass , which allowed us to use the bus and metro unlimited times for our entire time in NYC. You can purchase the pass from the Metro Card vending machines which have very simple instructions to follow.
Once you have your card, simply use Google Maps and direct yourself to your hotel via public transportation.
How To Save On New York City Hotels
Cheap, Budget, Promo Discount Codes
NYC Insider Guide shows you some lesser known ways to really save BIG on New York City Hotels, which often end up being the biggest expense on a NYC vacation. Sometimes, searching the big global hotel databases can be helpful, but I have seen them promote hotels very far from Manhattan and even illegal apartment rentals and B& Bs. However, there are PLENTY of ways to save on quality Manhattan hotels and here are a few options.
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Why Is Midtown South In Manhattan One Of The Best Places To Stay In Nyc
As mentioned above, you are right in the thick of Manhattan in this area. Grand Central and Penn Station are close, providing transportation access and subways are aplenty.
International visitors: Penn Station is the easiest place to access Manhattan from both JFK and Newark.
Shopping, dining and tourist attractions are easy to reach, plus you will get to see more of NYCs most iconic landmark the Empire State Building.
Hotel options span the budget ranges and it is a less chaotic area than Times Square.
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Where To Stay In New York On A Budget
This city is a lot of things but cheap is not one of them. Answering the question of where to stay in New York on a budget is not an easy one.
New York is currently the 9th most expensive city in the world to live in according to a 2019 report by Forbes.
It is not just expensive for the resident.
You as a tourist will have to find ways to save money without compromising on your authentic New York experience.
Fortunately, the city does have some budget-friendly locations for you to explore while on your trip.
Where To Stay In New York
Is New York the most spectacular and diverse city in the world?
Probably it is. Surely it is one of the most populated and expensive, no wonder you still questioning where to stay in New York, especially if you are on a budget.
The good news is that this is a vast city, in fact so vast that, at the end of the day, its not that complicated to find the best place to stay in New York, based on your type of trip.
There are quiet and green areas for families with kids, a few cheap neighborhoods for travelers on a budget, boutique blocks for a romantic stay and of course plenty of nightlife streets and areas.
And if you are visiting around Christmas, keep reading for more information on special accommodations and restaurants that customize the own service for that special time of the year.
Lets get straight into it
Once in New York, I suggest reading the Arts & Entertainment Guide of the New York Times, a great resource for the latest events.
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