New York is probably on most travelers’ bucket lists. It’s no surprise because New York offers a wide range of experiences that you will never forget and food that’s simple but sure to satisfy your cravings. Of course, the Big Apple is also home to iconic landmarks that are not only known in the United States, but also known to many worldwide. Some include the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, and many more.
Let’s not forget the Broadway shows that make the city even more worthy of a visit. Both classics and new shows thrive in New York, like Hamilton, The Lion King, Wicked, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Moulin Rouge!, and The Great Gatsby.
While it all sounds great, you might think that traveling to New York is expensive. Well, that depends on what you plan to do, where you plan to stay, and even on what you plan to eat. There’s a way to enjoy New York on a budget. Read on to know more!
1. Visit during the off-season ❄️
Make sure to pack all your essentials if you plan to visit New York / Photo from Luke Cooley on Unsplash
One of the best ways to travel to New York on a budget is by going there in the off-seasons. New York’s peak seasons are during the summer (June to August) and, of course, during the holidays (late November to December). If you want to score lower prices on flights and hotels, see attractions with fewer crowds, and get spots at famous dining places, then it’s best to go in off-seasons like January to March and late August to early September. Just remember that traveling to New York in January is very cold (-6°C to -1°C), so you’d best be prepared for that.
2. Find and score affordable flights 🛫
Check sites that might help you track the cheapest flights / Photo from Preston A Larimer on Unsplash
Now that you’re planning your trip to New York in the off-season, the next thing to do is find affordable flights to book. You can use flight-tracking sites to help you find the cheapest flights and possible dates for your trip. You can also try flying to other airports such as LaGuardia (LGA) or Newark (EWR) if the routes there offer cheaper plane tickets.
3. Book a budget-friendly stay 🏨
There are several budget stays in New York for all you budget travelers
Looking for affordable places to stay in New York is not all that difficult. There are several boutique hostels, budget hotels, and even outer-borough stays that will definitely complete your trip to New York on a budget. You can book in areas like the Upper West Side, Flushing (Queens), or Bay Ridge (Brooklyn). For some budget hotels, you can consider getting a room at Pod Hotels, Holiday Inn Express, the Broadway Plaza Hotel, and more.
4. Get around like a local 🚇
Save on transportation and take New York’s reliable subway / Photo from Esteban Chinchilla on Unsplash
To keep your transportation costs low, consider renting a bike when going around the city or when you visit parks and want to explore the place further. For the bigger chunk of transportation that you’ll be doing, we recommend using the subway or buses with a weekly MetroCard that’s both convenient and affordable. You can purchase your MetroCard at the subway station.
And to make your experience of New York on a budget even more affordable, feel free to walk around to get to places. New York, after all, is a walkable city, and you’ll most likely find some hidden gems as you walk along.
5. Eat affordable but really good food 🍕
Pizza is a New York staple
You may know this already, but there are so many delicious and affordable eats in New York! We’re talking about food trucks, the classic and iconic NYC pizza, and so many more! Some must-haves are Los Tacos No. 1, The Halal Guys, China North Dumpling, Joe's Pizza, Ess-a-Bagel, Xi'an Famous Foods, and Mamoun's Falafel. These places may offer cheaper food options, but they are famous for serving hearty and homey snacks and meals. But really, you have to have at least a slice of pizza when in New York!
6. Score free entertainment and events 🎭
Make sure to catch some free events in the city / Photo from Willian Justen de Vasconcellos on Pexels
One important thing to do for those traveling to New York on a budget is to check for free concerts, museum nights or tours, and the like. You can also catch public performances, visit some libraries, and even go to cultural institutions that might be hosting free events. These free experiences allow you to get to know the Big Apple’s history and culture at no cost. There are actually so many free things to do in New York, all you have to do is take note of them!
7. Go to the parks and sightsee 🤠
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city at Central Park
One of the best cheap things to do in New York is actually to visit their parks. The parks in New York are good for many activities, both for those who are traveling alone and those in groups. You can take a good walk around, ride a bike, go on a picnic, sightsee, or really just take a breather. Some of the best parks to go to include Central Park, Prospect Park, the High Line Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and many more. Oh, and have we mentioned that you can also ride the Staten Island Ferry for free to get amazing views of the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline? Yes, you can do just that!
8. Buy tickets to affordable attractions 🗽
See the city from a different perspective aboard the Hop-On Hop-Off Big Bus
While there are so many free things to do in New York that will surely populate your itinerary, we still recommend booking tickets to attractions and experiences. Don’t worry, there are affordable attractions you can enjoy in New York, like this New York Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off tour that will take you around the city. You can hop off the bus at any of the stops available to go and see attractions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park Zoo, Empire State Building, World Trade Center, Carnegie Hall, Flatiron District, and many more!
Make sure to take a photo with the Statue of Liberty, one of the city’s well-known landmarks
Another affordable booking is this 60-minute Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island cruise that will take you within 100 feet of the Statue of Liberty. You’ll also pass by the Brooklyn Bridge and the South Street Seaport during your cruise! Remember to take photos with the iconic statue to commemorate your experience.
Try to watch at least one Broadway show while you’re in New York!
But wait, there’s more! If you’re looking to explore the best of New York and spend less while you’re at it, then this Klook Pass New York City is perfect for you! Imagine going to about six attractions and/or tours with only one ticket. Forget about having to hold on to several entrance tickets; all you need is this one pass, and you’re good to go.
Some attractions, experiences, and tours to choose from are SUMMIT One Vanderbilt, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Spyscape Spy Museum, 9/11 Memorial Museum, Aladdin Broadway Show, New York Botanical Garden, New York SoHo, Little Italy, and Chinatown walking tour, Cityscape Liberty and landmark sightseeing cruise, and more.
9. Explore local neighborhoods 📍
Find diverse restaurants and vibrant stores in New York’s Chinatown! / Photo from Bryan Ledgard on Wikimedia Commons
Whether or not you’re in New York on a budget, visiting the city’s local neighborhoods is definitely a must. Areas like Chinatown, Astoria, Harlem, or Williamsburg are just some of the many good neighborhoods where you can dive deeper into New York’s culture without hefty tourist prices.
If you’re wondering what you can do in these neighborhoods, there’s actually plenty! Enter local shops to buy trinkets or souvenirs, explore markets for food and other commemorative items, and admire the murals surrounding you for free art. You can also pose with the murals in the backdrop for something fun and aesthetic that’ll fit your social media feed.
Now that you know how to travel to New York on a budget, make sure to take note of these tips and recommendations as you plan your trip! Get ready to enjoy the Big Apple and all it has to offer without spending your savings or going over budget. Happy and safe travels, everyone!
FAQs
1. How much money do I need for a 3-day trip to New York on a budget?
A budget of US$373 to US$833 per person is a reasonable estimated budget for a 3-day trip to New York, not including flights.
2. What are the cheapest ways to get around New York City?
The cheapest ways to get around New York City are by renting a bike, walking, using the subway or buses, and taking the ferry for specific routes.
3. Is it cheaper to stay in Manhattan or a different NYC borough?
It’s cheaper to stay in a different NYC borough than in Manhattan, since Manhattan is the most expensive borough.
4. How can I save money on popular NYC tourist attractions like Broadway shows?
There are a few ways to save money on popular NYC attractions like Broadway shows. You can buy discounted tickets through online sites, get and use an attraction pass like the Klook Pass New York City for multiple attractions, or even try for last-minute rush and lottery tickets.
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What is Klook?
Klook is a leading pan-regional experiences platform in Asia Pacific, purpose built to digitalize experiences and make them accessible to every traveler.
Our mission is to build the digital infrastructure for the global experience economy — empowering merchants to share their passions and travelers to discover the heartbeat of each destination. We operate a mobile-first, curated platform featuring diverse experiences across global destinations.
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