Jan. 2, 2023 "How Much Does it Cost to go to New York City?": This is by Barry Choi on the Money We Have website:
**This post may contain affiliate links. I may be compensated if you use them.
New York City: also known as The Big Apple and The City That Never Sleeps. It’s an iconic destination that has charmed and enticed millions of travellers from around the world. With the bustle of Times Square, the flashing lights of Broadway, and the proud statue of Lady Liberty, NYC truly is a must-visit destination. But, just how much does it cost to go to New York City? Read on to find out.
For the purpose of this article, I’m going to suggest an itinerary of 3 nights in New York City. This short itinerary is perfect for North Americans who are looking for a fun long weekend away. Of course, you can spend much longer here (there is tons to see and do), so you can still use this guide to help budget accordingly. Also, please note that this guide is based on the costs for a single person. If you are travelling as a couple, make sure to double these estimates (except for hotels).
| Estimated cost | |
|---|---|
| Airfare | $200 |
| Accommodations | $690 |
| Local transportation | $100 |
| Attractions | $250 |
| Food and drink | $171 |
| Random spending | $150 |
| Total | $1,561 USD |
The above estimate is in American dollars, so please use xe.com to find out the average costs in your home currency.
Keep in mind this is just an estimate. New York City is not known to be a cheap destination. However, savvy travellers can cut costs with some of the tips and suggestions I will share throughout the article.
If you’re Canadian, you may want to consider applying for one of the best travel credit cards in Canada to help offset your costs by collecting points.
For example, the American Express Platinum Card gives you a generous welcome bonus that’s often worth more than $900 (potentially more if you transfer your points to Aeroplan or Marriott Bonvoy).
There’s also the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite card that has no foreign transaction fees, and it comes with airport lounge access.
Airfare
Assuming you are flying into New York City from somewhere in North America, you can get some pretty cheap flights if you play your cards right.
Booking in advance always helps as does making sure you avoid high season (think Christmas and Thanksgiving especially).
There are also three airports that serve NYC making it easy to compare flights offered by different airlines.
The average cost of roundtrip flights to NYC is $200. If you are flying from a closer destination, you’ll be able to find cheaper.
Flights from American cities also tend to see better prices than flights from Canadian cities.
Accommodations
Accommodation is where things tend to get expensive quickly in New York City. Most tourists want to stay in Manhattan near a major attraction like Times Square or Central Park.
While these locations are perfect for exploring, staying in these spots does increase the budget.
However, if you are only in town for a couple of days it may be worth your while to pay a little more on your hotel then spend a lot of unnecessary time commuting from another part of the city.
For that reason, I’m basing the estimate in this article, which equals out to $230/night, on a mid-range hotel located near Times Square. Again, this is just a ballpark and with so many hotel and location choices, you can decrease (or increase) this amount.
Unfortunately, NYC doesn’t do ‘budget’ hotels well, at least not in Manhattan. While there are a couple of options, reviews are pretty terrible and unless you are truly desperate, you probably don’t want to stay there. Your best bet is to book as early as possible to get a good deal on a mid-range or even luxury property.
Need some recommendations for hotels in New York City? Take a look at the following suggestions:
Low to Mid-range
Luxury
Canadians should consider the Marriott Bonvoy American Express, which gives you up to 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. That’s enough points for a few free nights at some hotels, which could easily have a value of over $500.
Local transportation
Getting around New York City is pretty easy between using your feet and taking the subway.
While the Subway may not be the most elegant way to travel, it’s definitely the quickest and the most affordable option.
You can buy individual tickets every time ($3) but your best bet is to load up a metro card with $20 or so and use that.
This drops the ticket price to $2.75 per ride.
If you think you will be using the metro more than that, then it’s worth your while to get the unlimited 7-day pass which is $32.00.
Taxis and Uber are available in the city, but thanks to the legendary New York traffic this not only tends to take much longer, but it also will end up costing you significantly more.
The only exception here is going to and from the airport where a taxi or uber is considerably more convenient and comfortable with your luggage. Many taxi companies also offer flat rates from Manhattan to the airport so traffic doesn’t matter. Just ask the doorman at your hotel and they will be able to help set you up with that. Normally, you can expect to pay about $50 each way between the airport and Manhattan (tip not included).
Alternatively, if you plan on doing a lot of the tourist activities then consider getting a hop-on-hop-off bus pass for your stay. It’s a fun and easy way to see the city, especially for first-timers. You can get your tickets here.
Attractions
As with most destinations, attractions are an area where you can really save or really spend depending on what you want to see and do.
New York City has plenty of free things on hand including
visiting parks,
checking out Times Square,
walking across the Brooklyn Bridge,
and window shopping along 5th avenue.
Many of New York City’s museums and galleries are free as well (or offer free admission at certain times).
That being said, there are probably a few paid activities you want to take part in as well. Perhaps a boat tour on the river to see the Statue of Liberty and the NYC skyline,
a visit to the Top of the Rock,
or taking part in the total 9/11 experience.
If you plan on doing a lot of these types of activities, then you may want to consider getting the New York City Pass which offers better value than going to all the attractions individually.
Finally, don’t forget about Broadway! Going to a Broadway show is a must when in New York City. If there is something specific you really want to see, then make sure to book ahead of time. If you’re up for anything, you can try the TKTS Booth in Times Square the day of and see what you can get.
Food and drink
New York City has a great food and bar scene with tons of options from around the world. Whether you feel like Italian, Indian, Vietnamese, or typical American, you’ll have no problem finding a great place to eat in New York City.
Of course, NYC has its fancy restaurants where meals come with huge price tags, but there are lots of more affordable finds in Manhattan as well.
There are plenty of cafes where you can grab a quick breakfast, pizza or sandwich shops for lunch, and some great dinner finds where you can get a drink and a meal for a decent price. Here’s what you can expect to pay for food and drink per day in New York City.
- Breakfast – $7
- Lunch – $15
- Dinner – $35
That’s $57 a day which may seem like a lot, but you can reduce your costs quite a bit if you’re eating fast food or just getting sandwiches from delis.
If you plan on trying some of these more upscale restaurants or partying at some of NYC’s bars then know that you will need to increase your budget.
Random spending
Even though you may not be spending long in NYC, it’s always best to have a little extra money just in case. The city has plenty of shopping opportunities which will be hard to resist and you’ll likely want to buy some souvenirs from a few of the specialty stores. Generally speaking, you should budget another $150 for random spending so you won’t feel guilty if there’s something you want to buy.
Final thoughts
So, how much does it cost to go to New York City? Based on my estimate, you can expect to pay $1,561 USD for 3 nights in New York City. Of course, if you are looking for a luxury city experience, you’ll want to budget more. However, if you are a savvy traveller, you can also easily decrease this estimate as well.
Either way, New York City is a great destination for all types of travellers and absolutely worth visiting at least once in your lifetime. If you’re looking for some other inspiration, check out my guides to Barbados, Hong Kong, Amsterdam, Dubai, Disneyland and Paris.
https://www.moneywehave.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-go-to-new-york-city/
I made this comment:
on August 5, 2023 at 7:52 PM
Tracy,
Thanks for flagging this. I took it out of the article.
Jun. 15, 2023 "10 Nicest Hotels in NYC With Rooms Under $300": This article is by Juliet Izon on CN Travler:
New York City is superlative in many ways: It has some of the best restaurants, theater, museums, and boutique shopping in the US. But all of this can come at a price; New York is also top of the list when it comes to the average price of a hotel room. And while some of the city’s most famed properties—The Plaza Hotel or The Four Seasons Hotel New York, for example—may charge an eye-watering sum per night, those grand dames are hardly the only game in town. The five boroughs are also home to a delightful collection of affordably priced places that sacrifice neither location nor style for their nightly fee.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favorites across a variety of neighborhoods. Whether you’re looking for the newest outpost of a chic hotel brand in one of Brooklyn’s most charming quarters, or apartment-style living in the heart of downtown Manhattan, we guarantee there’s a place on our list that’s perfect for your next vacation. Read on to discover our 10 favorite hotels in NYC where you can stay for under $300 a night.
Ace Hotel New York
Neighborhood: NoMad
Price: From $210 per night
It wasn’t so long ago that New Yorkers were skeptical of the marketing for the new neighborhood of NoMad (which stands for North of Madison Square Park), but once again, Ace was there to lead the way. Since the hotel opened over a decade ago, not only has the neighborhood become one of the most in-demand places to stay, but the Ace itself has emerged as a popular melting pot for travelers and locals. We love the local DJs spinning music in the lobby on weekends, and the original art and vintage furniture in the tastefully curated rooms.
11 Howard
Neighborhood: SoHo
Price: From $245 per night
Removed from the tourist-clogged avenues of Broadway and West Broadway, 11 Howard is situated on the far reaches of SoHo; nearly on the border with Tribeca. This southern pocket of the neighborhood retains much of the gritty charm for which SoHo first became notable, but rest assured the aesthetic at the hotel is a more accessible luxury. Think high-ceilinged rooms with light oak floors, marble and brass details in the bathrooms, and Danish-inspired furniture. You’ll also want to make sure you reserve a table at the on-site restaurant Le Coucou for a meal (or two). The French spot, helmed by acclaimed chef Daniel Rose, is one of the best in the city.
Arlo NoMad Hotel
READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2018Neighborhood: NoMad
Price: From $213 a night
Just a few minutes walk from The Ace New York is boutique hotel Arlo NoMad. You can think of this one as a slightly more buttoned-up sibling, with smart rooms featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, crisp white linens, and dreamy views of the Manhattan skyline. On-site restaurant Lamalo is also one of the neighborhood’s best, providing a menu filled with modern Middle Eastern spreads, dips, and breads. And make sure to spend at least one night at the hotel’s rooftop (A.R.T. NoMad); it’s perched 31 stories-high and has a glass floor installation for those who aren’t afraid of heights.
The Made Hotel
HOT LIST 2018Neighborhood: NoMad
Price: From $271 per night
Located just a few blocks south of the Empire State Building, this boutique hotel gives off more of a cosy, upstate New York vibe than big-city, thanks to king-sized beds on platforms topped with shibori-style linens and hand-carved stone sinks. But take one step out onto your Juliet balcony and you’ll be treated to classic Manhattan views for blocks (so many water towers!). Also notable for a small hotel is Made’s wide range of dining and drinking options on site, including Debajo for tapas, coffee shop Paper, plus the lively Lobby Bar and the gorgeous, sun-drenched Good Behavior lounge on the 18th floor.
Mint House at 70 Pine NYC
Neighborhood: Financial District
Price: From $244 per night
If you’re looking for more apartment-style accommodations, but Airbnb isn’t your thing, Mint House is the ideal, affordable alternative. Set in an Art Deco building in the Financial District (and just a few minutes' walk away from the newly revitalized Seaport area), all the rooms here are equipped with full kitchens and roomy living areas, plus communal perks like a bowling alley, a two-floor fitness center, and an on-site grocery market. Plus, if you like any of the modern decor inside your room, you can probably buy it: the tech-forward company has made nearly the whole space shoppable from your phone.
Public Hotel New York City
HOT LIST 2018, 2019Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Price: From $298 per night
While the Lower East Side is no longer the hardscrabble place of decades past, it has historically been a desert for affordable hotels that weren’t of the hostel variety. That all changed with the arrival of the Public Hotel in 2017: Ian Schrager’s sexy, swanky boutique hotel that brings a bit of uptown, downtown. While the large number of restaurants and bars is certainly a draw here (this is a Schrager hotel, after all), we also love the minimalist-chic rooms. Think Brutalist-style concrete ceilings, paired with beds ensconced in backlit wooden frames, with huge picture windows looking out onto one of NYC’s most vibrant neighborhoods.
Radio Hotel
Neighborhood: Washington Heights
Price: From $212 per night
Washington Heights got a bit of a fame boost in 2021 with the release of In The Heights, and the following year, the northern Manhattan neighborhood finally got its first-ever, full-service boutique hotel. The multi-colored Radio Hotel, which opened in June 2022, has 221 rooms and features architecture and food tours of the neighborhood, a lively rooftop with postcard-perfect views of the city and the famed GW Bridge, plus the first US location of popular Dominican restaurant, Jalao.
This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveler UK.
Graduate Roosevelt Island
Neighborhood: Roosevelt Island
Price: From $222 per night
In the last five years, sleepy Roosevelt Island has gone from a bit of a backwater neighborhood to an emerging tech hub for students and New Yorkers alike. Last year, the small, historic island welcomed its first hotel, the lively Graduate Roosevelt Island, located on the campus of Cornell Tech. But don’t be fooled that this is just a waystation for students and their families: Designed by bigwig firms Snøhetta and Stonehill Taylor, the hotel has quickly become a magnet for New Yorkers looking for the next big thing. Rooftop bar and lounge Panorama Room has been especially popular since opening, as has The Big Suite, which boasts themed bunk beds and an authentic Zoltar machine, just like in the movie.
The Hoxton, Williamsburg
READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2021, 2023Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Price: From $212 per night
It’s hard to be the coolest kid in town when you’re in the coolest ‘hood in town, but somehow, The Hoxton has managed the feat. In Williamsburg, an area lousy with achingly-hip people and even hipper hotels, this first US location of the London-based chain manages to toe the line between drop-dead trendy and approachable. The 175 rooms are all stocked with king-sized beds and gorgeous linens from Brooklyn-based designer Dusen Dusen, and have dreamy views of Manhattan through their floor-to-ceiling windows. Don’t miss the rooftop restaurant Laser Wolf, one of New York City’s most anticipated openings of 2022.
Freehand Hotel New York
READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2020, 2021, 2022Neighborhood: Gramercy Park
Price: From $195 per night
There are few hotels in New York City whose interior design is as effortlessly cool and photogenic as that of The Freehand. But, considering it’s the work of famed design house Roman and Williams, it’s also no surprise. Apart from its good looks, however, there’s so much to love at this hotel. Rooftop bar Broken Shaker is one of the city’s premier rooftop watering holes, while on-site restaurant Comodo’s Latin American food proved to be one of the biggest hits of recent years. And similar to the hotel’s public spaces design, the rooms here also have a lot of whimsy. Guests can choose from petite spaces meant for just one person, lively Quad rooms with two bunk beds, or even suites with separate living rooms.
https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/cheapest-nicest-hotels-new-york-city
Nov. 11, 2023 Cheapest hotels in New York: This was on Expedia: You can adjust how much you're willing to pay per night.
31 Street Broadway Hotel
Quality Suites NYC Gateway
Here's more of my research:
The Pod Hotels: This is on the website:
A NYC MIDTOWN WEST HOTEL STEPS FROM TIMES SQUARE
CENTRAL TO THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN NYC
- Times Square
- Circle Line Cruises
- Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
- Empire State Building
- Javits Center
- Rockefeller Center
Pod Walks
Courtyard New York Manhattan/Times Square:
"5 savvy ways to save on your winter vacation"/ "4 travel deals to help you beat Blue Monday, plus how to protect your trip"
"TikTokers are using this Google Flights 'hack' to score cheap flights. Here's how it works."/ "Looking for flights on a budget? Consider price freezing and other newer trends"
WINNIPEG — The Royal Canadian Mint will soon begin producing Canadian coins bearing the face of King Charles.
We began hating this monarch for his attachment to
this Camilla woman. May he have a short reign we hope!
Royal parasites in this day and age are a sorry relic of the
past.
What Is Dollarization?
Dollarization is the term for when the U.S. dollar is used in addition to or instead of the domestic currency of another country. It is an example of currency substitution. Dollarization usually happens when a country’s own currency loses its usefulness as a medium of exchange, due to hyperinflation or instability.
The strenuous work and high cost of living has taken its toll. Martynenko, 44, is now planning a return to Sweden. His monthly expenses in Toronto include roughly $100 for a phone plan , $150 for public transit, $400 for groceries, and $1,000 for a room in a rooming house, where the kitchen and bathroom are shared among four tenants. Any money left over is sent back to family still in Ukraine. At least in Stockholm he earned enough to have savings, he said.
“I’m tired all the time now,” Martynenko said in an interview. “I want to go back to Europe because it’s such a difficult life in Canada.”
https://financialpost.com/news/economy/canada-expensive-ukrainian-immigrants-leaving
You should remove Hotel Pennsylvania from your article:
“10 Secrets of the Hotel Pennsylvania, Under Demolition”:
Today I found this article by Nicole Saraniero on Untapped Cities.com:
When the Hotel Pennsylvania closed permanently in April 2020, it was the fourth largest hotel in New York City, a pretty impressive stat.
https://untappedcities.com/2023/03/07/hotel-pennsylvania-demolition-secrets/