NEW YORK CITY ON A BUDGET: YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE

NYC is one of the most amazing cities in the world, but it is also one of the most expensive places to visit. So, maybe you’re wondering if it is possible to visit New York City on a budget. I’m pleased to tell you that it is! I was lucky enough to spend two years living there so have picked up some amazing NYC budget travel tips to share with you!

In this travel guide, I’ll be sharing how to visit New York City on a budget, including where to find cheap eats, the most affordable way to get around and budget-friendly hotels in New York City. I’ll also share some great free things to do in NYC, which are perfect for a first-time visit!

We don’t count ourselves as budget travellers overall, however, I hate to waste money. In this post, I’ll share how you can maximise your budget in NYC. We’ll usually do lots of the free or affordable options then mix in a few treats.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT NEW YORK ON A BUDGET?

Flight and accommodation prices will usually be the cheapest in January and February as these are the least popular months to visit. The reason for this is the weather. It can be extremely cold, especially in February so you will need to wrap up warm.

You may end up spending extra on indoor activities rather than enjoying picnics in the park. On the other hand, if you’re lucky enough to see Central Park in the snow, it is truly spectacular.

The summer months are the most expensive due to school holidays. NYC is also incredibly humid in August, I would honestly avoid visiting then if you can.

Always use a price comparison sight such as Skyscanner to compare flight prices. If you can be flexible on dates, it may lead to big savings.

AFFORDABLE ACCOMMODATION IN NEW YORK

Accommodation in NYC is not cheap. Do inexpensive New York hotels even exist? Not really, but there are some which are more affordable than others. Prices tend to increase the closer you get so it is best to get something booked ASAP.

When visiting a city like New York, there is so much to see and do, that you’re not likely to be spending a lot of time in your room. Somewhere safe, clean and comfortable (even if it’s small) will do the job.

Personally, I always recommend staying in a central location (unless you’re staying for a long time). This is sometimes thought to be an unpopular opinion, however, I find cutting out travel time more valuable. NYC gets crowded and getting out early helps you to enjoy popular places with a more relaxed vibe, without so many people around.

Some Budget-Friendly New York Hotels Include:

Arlo Midtown – a cool hotel with great reviews and a good location.
Hampton Inn by Hilton New York Times Square – nothing fancy but an affordable price and excellent location.
Courtyard New York Manhattan/Times Square – part of the Marriot brand, it is in a great location and has great reviews.
InterContinental New York Times Square by IHG – another that is nothing fancy but an affordable price and excellent location.

I always use a sight such as Booking.com to compare prices. You can often get a better price on their sight by registering as a member (for free!)

NOTE: I’m usually a huge fan of AirBnB however, in New York, they have strict rules. Hosts should not rent out an entire apartment to short-term (less than 30 days) guests. Realistically, this means most tourists should avoid AirBnB.

GETTING AROUND NYC ON A BUDGET

Walking is of course the cheapest (and healthiest) way to get around New York. The city is huge and you won’t be able to walk everywhere. The buses and NYC subway cost just $2.90 per journey. You can change trains for no additional charge as long as you do so within 2 hours of the original use, making it great value. You can pay by contactless card or Apple Pay or buy a Metro Card for a $1 fee.

A 7-day unlimited Metro Card is $34 so if you think you’ll do 12+ journeys, this may be worth it. This includes subways and busses (excluding Express busses) run through MTA and also on the Rosevelt Island Tramway (cable car).

FREE & AFFORDABLE THINGS TO DO IN NEW YORK CITY

While some attractions come with a large price tag, there are plenty of free things to do in New York as well. Taking advantage of the free things to do is the best way to enjoy New York City on a budget. I’d recommend selecting a couple of paid attractions that you really want to do and mixing in some free / budget-friendly activities.

For example, I would recommend an observation deck, Top of the Rock being my favourite, this is quite an expensive activity but if you combine it with other free things to do, you can keep your overall spend low.

Must Do Free Things to do in NYC:

Enjoy Central Park
Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
Relax in Bryant Park
See the New York Public Library
Grand Central Terminal
Walk the High Line
Explore Little Island
The Staten Island Ferry
Time Square Lights at Night
9/11 Memorial Fountains

THE VIEW FROM UMPIRE ROCK, CENTRAL PARK | THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE FROM DUMBO

Free New York Museum Days:

Intrepid – Free on the last Friday of the month from April to October
The Children’s Museum of Manhattan – free the first Friday of every month from 5 pm – 8 pm
The Brooklyn Children’s Museum (in Brooklyn) – free on Thursdays between 2 pm and 5 pm
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum – pay what you wish on Saturday evenings. (Not quite free but you can pay just $1).
Museum of the City of New York – free on Wednesdays
Unfortunately, the American Museum of Natural History doesn’t have any free entry days.

HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON NYC ATTRACTIONS

If there are a lot of NYC’s attractions that you’d like to do. Consider if a discount pass is worth it for you.

The New York CityPASS

For $146 (approx. £115) you can visit The Empire State Building (usually $44) and The Natural History Museum (usually $24). Plus choose 3 out of:

Top of The Rock® Observation Deck- General Admission (usually $40)
Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island- General Admission ticket for one Statue City Cruises ferry ride to and from Liberty Island and Ellis Island, audio guides, and admission to the Statue of Liberty Museum and Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration (Crown Tickets and Pedestal Access not included) (usually $27.25)
9/11 Memorial & Museum- General Admission (usually $36)
Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises- One regularly scheduled Landmarks Cruise, Liberty Midtown Cruise or Liberty Super Express Cruise (prices vary but start from $27)
Intrepid Museum- General admission, including the Space Shuttle Pavilion, the submarine Growler, the immersive Kamikaze experience, and all temporary exhibitions (usually $38)
Guggenheim Museum (usually $30)

Using this pass could save around $40 if you’re picking the most expensive attractions.

BUY YOUR NEW YORK CITYPASS HERE

New York: Flex Pass

Another option is the New York Flex Pass. This offers more attractions than the CityPass and claims you can save up to 65%. It has over 100 attractions on it and you pay per number of attractions, then you can enjoy them at your own pace.

You’ll have to do your own math here as there are too many options for me to analyze. However, one example is a 2 attraction pass for $59. You could do The Empire State Building and Top of the Rock which would save $25 plus, you get to use the hop-on hop-off bus for a day which starts at $58.

Overall, I think this is pretty great value if you’re hoping to visit NYC on a budget, this is one to consider.

BUY YOUR NEW YORK FLEX PASS HERE

CHEAP EATS IN NYC

My biggest culture shock when we moved to New York was how expensive the food was there. However, we did discover some more budget-friendly options. Here I’ll share the best cheap eats in NYC. A great New York City on a budget tip is to have one super cheap meal a day will allow you to spend a little extra on others.

Pizza – You can get a plain cheese pizza slice for as little as $1.50 from 2 Bros Pizza. They’re actually really good! The only downside is their outlets don’t have seating or restrooms. A chain like Little Italy Pizza costs slightly more but you can sit down to eat. They’re nothing fancy but they are very affordable for a lunch option.

Coffee – if you’re on a tight budget, you’re going to want to avoid paying $8 for a coffee. Dunkin Donuts is a good place to grab an affordable drink and snack.

Food Trucks – especially in Central Park, you’ll find food trucks selling pretzels and hot dogs, these cost about $3-$5. They’re not very good quality but it is an iconic New York thing to do and they are cheap. You can also get cheap fruit and veg from the carts at the side of the road. Be sure to check the quality of these before purchasing as they’re not stored in fridges and can sometimes be cheap for a reason!

Groceries – Target and Trader Joe’s are the most affordable places to pick up groceries or snacks.

Happy Hour – take advantage of NYC’s many happy hour deals for a cheaper drink. My favourite is 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar it has great views of the Empire State Building and during happy hour (2-5 on weekdays) cocktails are $9.

A NYC PIZZA SLICE | THE VIEW FROM 230 FITH ROOFTOP BAR AT NIGHT

SHOPPING & SOUVENIRS IN NEW YORK CITY ON A BUDGET

I was looking to do some budget-friendly shopping in NYC and honestly, I was disappointed. Prices seem to have skyrocketed in recent years and the British Pound is not as strong as it used to be.

If you like premium shopping at a discount, a bus day trip to Woodbury Common Outlet will cost you about $47 (£37). Alternatively, you can visit The Mills at Jersey Gardens for a similar price but the stores there are more budget-friendly.

In Manhattan, you have discount stores such as Century-21, Marshalls and TJ Maxx (the same as TK Maxx in England.) There is a Banana Republic Factory Store close to The Empire State Building and if you venture North in Manhattan to 125th Street, you will find another one and also a GAP factory store. Finally, there’s a SAKS off Fifth (Sacks Fifth Avenue Outlet) located at East 57th Street.

If you want affordable souvenirs in NYC, most people will tell you to avoid Time Square. However, if you’re looking for cheap, tacky mementoes from your trip, it’s the perfect place to find them! If you’re really on a tight budget, don’t bother with this kind of souvenir and just take plenty of photos to remember your trip!

VICTORIA’S SECRET OUTLET AT THE MILLS AT JERSEY GARDENS

BONUS MONEY SAVING IN NYC TIPS

Here are a couple of extra tips to help you plan your trip to New York City on a budget.

Use Free Public WiFi – most of New York’s popular attractions have free WIFI. There’s also a Starbucks on almost every corner and they all also have WIFI. Save yourself a large phone bill by taking advantage of this.

Reusable Water Bottles – tap water in NYC is free to drink. There are fountains in all the parks you can use (although they get turned off in winter) and restaurants will usually bring you free tap water with a meal.

Travelling with Toddlers – children under five go free to a lot of NYC’s major attractions. such as The Empire State Building and Top of the Rock. Children under 44 inches also travel for free on public transport!

Thank you for reading my guide on planning your trip to New York City on a budget. I hope it has helped you to plan your trip and more importantly, save you some money!