We’re not going to sugar coat this: New York City is outrageously expensive. The high cost of hotels and exorbitant ticket prices to top attractions are high enough to make budget travelers rethink their trip entirely.
That said, while New York is pricey, it’s also epic. There is truly no other place like it in the world and we believe everyone should see NYC at least once in their lifetime.
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Rather than being swayed into skipping the high-dollar destination, use our money-saving NYC travel tips to plan a trip that won’t break the bank!
NYC Travel Tips for Saving Money
New York City has long been one of our favorite places to visit. Even as prices have skyrocketed, we have found clever ways to keep our budget intact.
We outline a detailed trip plan in our day-by-day NYC Budget Itinerary that includes incredible and free sights. In this article, however, we go in-depth with our money-saving tactics.
We are not only covering ways to save money on sightseeing and attractions, but on all aspects of the trip – including hotels, transport and food.
Ways To Save Money on a NYC Vacation
With these budget-saving travel tips, you can keep the cost of a trip to New York to an absolute minimum while still having an excellent experience!
#1 Fill Your NYC Itinerary with Free Activities
The best way to save money in New York City is by finding freebies. In fact, it’s possible to completely eliminate sightseeing costs by creating a plan that doesn’t require a single ticket.
While it might sound extreme, slashing all sightseeing expenditures is a surefire way to plan a trip to New York on the cheap. Don’t worry, you won’t be bored!
The Big Apple is so much more than a checklist of expensive attractions. From distinct districts and historic places to open spaces and a few museums, there are plenty of places that welcome visitors free of charge.
Before spending a dime, find out what freebies you might want to include in your itinerary. Our list of Free Things To Do in NYC is a great place to start!
#2 Explore NYC Cheap at Your Own Pace
When deciding what to do in New York City, don’t discount self-guided discoveries. Let yourself get completely lost – or better yet, navigate neighborhoods with our free walks!
Delve into history and remembrance on a self-guided walk of Lower Manhattan. Our tour features The Battery, Wall Street, the 9-11 Memorial and much more.
Marvel at Manhattan’s most illustrious buildings on our DIY stroll through Midtown. Stand at the base of the Empire State Building, see the inside of Grand Central Station and take in Times Square.
Escape the city that never sleeps and wind your way through Central Park. We’ll take you on a nature walk to see iconic landmarks and some hidden corners.
Note that free guided tours are another option for cheap sightseeing in NYC. Just bear in mind that the ‘free’ tours are tip-based, so make sure you budget in the price of tipping your guide.
#3 Sightseeing Compromises
Even when planning a trip to New York on the cheap, most travelers will want to experience some ticketed venues. It is a vacation, after all!
The problem is that the most famous ticketed sights in NYC come with pretty hefty price tags. If you are sticking to a budget, you’ll probably need to be a bit choosy about what you plan to see. We suggest making compromises.
For example, let’s talk about viewing platforms. Soaring to the top of skyscrapers (like Edge, the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock or One World Observation Deck) is expensive.
Rather than going to the top of all four buildings, choose just one. Or, if you are really trying to see NY on the cheap, eliminate them altogether.
Instead, take in the city skyline views from a free vantage point – like the Staten Island Ferry, The High Line, Brooklyn Bridge or Roosevelt Island.
Museums are spendy attractions in New York, as well. Two of the most popular – The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural History – are big-budget sights. So, pick just one. Alternatively, visit the National Museum of the American Indian, which is always free.
The New York Botanical Garden is another top attraction that charges a steep admission price. We suggest skipping it in favor of the free NYC parks and green spaces.
Swap it out with outdoor things to do in NYC for cheap – like Central Park, Prospect Park and the Hudson River Greenway.
#4 Make the Most of NYC Sightseeing Passes
One of the top tips for sightseeing NY on the cheap is to invest in an attractions pass – especially if visiting multiple ticketed sights is high on your list of things to do.
The trick is to ensure that the New York sights pass is financially beneficial – and we have a couple tips.
To start with, understand that the top sightseeing passes for NYC that promise to save you money will only do so if you use it to its full potential. Therefore, it’s important to choose the right one for your trip and travel style.
Before shelling out cash for one of the money-saving New York City sightseeing passes, do some research. Price out the different options and make sure it will, in fact, save you money.
After adding up the savings, double check that the sights included in the pass are ones that you actually want to see. Squeezing in spots that don’t interest you to make the pass worth it can derail your other plans.
Top-Rated New York Sightseeing Deals
Some passes offer unlimited places for a specific number of days (1 to 10), while others offer a number of sights (2 to 12) that can be visited over a certain time period.
The New York Sightseeing Pass offers two choices, one for a specific number of days and another for a set number of sights.
The New York Pass is a great way to visit the city on a budget – as it offers access to more than 100 attractions and tours for 1 to 10 days.
New York CityPass is another fantastic card for a cheap trip to New York City. The City Pass features the top spots at one low price.
You can also save money on individual and combo tickets with discounts of up to 40% on New York City Tours and Activities.
#5 Find Cheap Places To Stay in New York City
Lodging can easily account for the biggest cost of a trip to NYC. We won’t lie; booking cheap accommodation in Manhattan is quite the task. Cheap hotels in NYC don’t really exist, and you wouldn’t want to stay in the lowest-priced places anyway!
Budget Accommodation New York
If you are searching for where to stay in NYC on a budget, then we have a few recommendations. First, start looking as early as possible; the top value hotels get booked the quickest.
Second, consider looking outside of Manhattan. For example, Brooklyn, Harlem and even Jersey City are likely better options for where to stay for cheap in NYC. Still, finding any place less than $200 a night will be a struggle (especially on weekends).
Third, if you do stay outside of Manhattan, be sure to choose somewhere that is close to subway access. This will save tons of time when traveling into the city.
Finally, be flexible about your accommodation choice. For example, the Nap York Capsule Hostel is a great budget option for just an affordable and clean bed in the heart of the city.
Start your search on Booking.com – but first read our tips for Finding Top Hotels at Low Prices.
Airbnb in NYC
For more affordable accommodation, consider staying in an Airbnb Apartment. While there’s been a lot of changes on how Airbnb can operate in NYC, there are still private rooms in Queens, Harlem and Jersey City that start at about $100 a night.
NYC Housesitting
On our longest budget trip to New York, we were house and pet-sitting for 8 days, so our accommodations were free. Yep, free. Sound interesting? Find out more in our article about How To Become a House Sitter.
#6 Getting Around NYC for Cheap
One of the top tips for travel to New York City on a budget is to avoid taxis. Cabs in NYC are notoriously expensive – not to mention, the traffic is horrendous. Uber is a better, but still very costly. We do not recommend driving in NYC for any reason.
Want to know how to travel cheap in New York? Use the subway, buses or just walk. Seriously, walking is the absolute cheapest way to travel in New York – because it’s free!
That said, New York City is big and your feet will only get you so far. Therefore, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is our go-to option – and we prefer the NYC Subway.
Fares for the subway, buses and Roosevelt Tramway can be paid for by contactless card (or device) or MetroCard. Fares are capped weekly, which means once you hit the cap, the rest of your rides are free of charge!
MTA Tips and Transit Resources
Find out more about fares and capping on the official website. They also share helpful guidance for first-time riders. Of course, we have a few tips, as well!
When searching for public transit in NYC, it has been our experience that Google Maps offers the best, real-time options. (Just carry a portable power bank, as you will likely need a boost by the end of each day!)
Finally, forget what you’ve heard about attitudes. Most New Yorkers are actually incredibly nice and helpful, especially when it comes to assisting with the subway. If you are unsure where to go, just ask!
#7 Budget Tips for Travel to NYC
New York City is well connected to…everywhere. The metropolis can be reached by plane, train, boat and car. However you arrive, you should include that cost in your vacation budget for New York City.
Finding Cheap New York Flights
There are three major airports that serve NYC: John F Kennedy International (JFK), LaGuardia (LGA) and Newark International (EWR).
When you travel to New York on a budget by air, your flight will likely account for a big portion of your overall trip cost.
Use our tips for finding the best deals on airline tickets and then start your search for the cheapest flights to New York on Skyscanner.
Trains to NYC
New York City is connected to major US cities – like Boston, Philadelphia and Washington DC – by train, too. Although rail travel in the US is often slow and expensive, short train trips from destinations on the east coast can be one of the ways to travel to New York cheap.
Driving to New York
When planning a cheap New York trip, it might seem money-wise to drive – but doing so is rarely cost-effective. Because here’s the thing: Parking fees are astronomical.
If you are arriving to New York by car, it’s best to find parking outside of Manhattan – either in Queens or even New Jersey – and then riding the subway into the city.
Another one of the tips for New York travel on a budget is to secure a parking space via the SpotHero App. That said, you should still expect to pay upwards of $50 for overnight parking.
#8 When To Go to NYC
The time of year you plan to visit can impact your New York trip cost. The summer tourist season is typically when prices are at their peak.
However, if you spend a lot of time partaking in free outdoor activities – like parks and neighborhood walks – then the warm weather and long days will work in your favor.
That said, with the exception of Christmastime in NYC, the winter months are the cheapest time of year to travel to New York City. In January, February and March, you will likely find lower priced hotel rooms and cheaper airfare.
Before making any plans, it’s best to really consider how many days to spend in New York. Planning a One-Week New York Trip is fabulous…but if you can maximize your experience in a shorter timeframe, you can spend less on hotels.
#9 Budget Tips for NYC Food
Tracking down cheap eats is one of the best ways to keep your vacation budget in check. That said, finding affordable restaurants in NYC is no easy feat!
Eating at a sit-down restaurant can cost a pretty penny – and often the food is mediocre. Honestly, one of our best New York City travel tips for budget travelers is to forego eating out and popping into a grocery store instead.
However, it would be a shame to go to NYC and not get a taste of some of the city’s culinary treasures. We are highlighting a few of our favorite budget bites, where you can get a tasty meal at a decent price.
Best Cheap Eats in NYC
We have scoured the city for cheap places to eat – and have succeeded in finding affordable food in every district. We are highlighting a few of our favorites.
Midtown
Indulge in delicious street food from The Halal Guys original location at 53rd Street and 6th Avenue. Order the gyro sandwich with ‘secret white sauce’ for around $10.
Xi’An Famous is another well-known budget food stop in Midtown. The ‘cheap’ option is their Spicy Cumin Lamb Burger, but for a little more, the dumplings are divine!
Halo Deli on 6th Avenue just south of Central Park offers a classic and inexpensive NYC deli experience.
Greenwich
Our favorite cheap pizza in NYC is Percy’s Pizza. The crispy crust and ample cheese is perfection – and it’s only $3 a slice.
That said, Mamoun’s Falafel has been a neighborhood institution since 1971. Their falafel sandwiches are piled high with fresh veggies – and cost less than $10.
Saigon Shack Vietnamese Kitchen is also a budget friendly food option. Their Banh Mi is the best we’ve had outside of Vietnam!
Chinatown
In Chinatown, make a bee-line to Mei Li Wah Bakery; their pork buns are out of this world and cost around $2 each.
Fried Dumpling is another one of our go-to spots for a value meal. The cheap portion of pork dumplings is incredibly satisfying!
Lower Manhattan
We like DIG in Lower Manhattan, where they serve healthier farm-to-table fare in a cafeteria-style restaurant. Pearl Diner is fun for a classic NYC diner experience. It’s affordable (but not necessarily cheap).
On the flip side, the Shake Shack at Madison Square Park is a fun spot for fast food. It’s the original location of the burger chain and a few menu items still come in under the $10 mark.
Brooklyn
The bagels in NYC are out of this world – and they are one of our favorite things to eat in New York City on the cheap!
While there is no shortage of bagel shops, we recommend Olde Brooklyn Bagel Shoppe for their affordable and freshly-made bagels (and sandwiches).
Tina’s Place is an American greasy spoon that cranks out cheap breakfast sandwiches and classic breakfast platters – but get there before 11am for the best deals.
For typical Trinidadian fare that is soft on the budget, but big on the taste buds, try A&A. Grab a couple of doubles (curried chickpeas in fried dough) – they start out at $2 each.
East Harlem
If you want to keep your New York City trip cost to a minimum, check out the food options in East Harlem.
We recommend eating cuchifritos, a popular Puerto Rican soul food. Try the aptly named Cuchifritos on 116th Street, where their budget-priced whole roasted chicken combo meal can feed a family of four.
#10 Use Common Sense NYC Travel Tips
One of our best tips on how to visit New York on a budget is to use your common sense. Keep your valuables safely hidden in a zippered day pack to deter pickpockets.
Your trip will get very expensive if a thief snatches your stuff. It’s also wise to be aware of common scams and only buy attraction tickets from verified sellers.
Don’t pose for pictures with Times Square characters, unless you’re prepared to pay. It’s not wise to order food from a vendor that doesn’t display prices. If no prices are listed, ask before buying. You don’t want to end up paying $20 for a lame hotdog!
If taking a taxi from an airport (which is way more expensive than the bus or subway), wait in the official taxi stand line. Any driver that approaches you is likely going to overcharge for the ride.
It may also be a good idea to purchase travel insurance. Regardless of how well you plan your trip, things can go wrong. With the proper coverage, you may be reimbursed for costs relating to missed flights, lost luggage or even illness and injuries.
Start planning your USA Trip! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional tips? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more advice – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
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