One of the most visited tourist destinations on the planet has always been and will continue to be New York. With its many famous landmarks, vibrant and friendly populace, and popular culture, the Big Apple is one of those destinations you simply must see at least once in your lifetime.
New York is well-known for more than just its tourist destinations, though. If you visit the city without first doing any planning and study, your budget may be severely strained. Let’s look at some advice that ought to help you steer clear of this issue and savor every taste of New York without going over budget.
Select the appropriate season of the year
While seasonal price increases are typically associated with vacation locations, New York has year-round pricing changes as well. The majority of visitors to the city usually come during the summer, when they have time off, or in the winter, when New York winters hold a certain allure. Concurrently, these are the times when hotel rates skyrocket. The ideal months to travel, in our opinion, are January and September if you want to save money on lodging.
From the airport, take the train
There are a lot of avaricious taxi drivers in airports all around the world who grossly overcharge for their services. Unfortunately, New York is not an exception, and using one of these taxis to get to your hotel might significantly increase the cost of your trip. Fortunately, New York has an extremely well-developed subway system, so you may easily find your way to the hotel’s location if you catch a train at the airport. After using JFK AirTrain to swiftly get around the airport, you can rely on incredibly reasonably priced and dependable public transportation.
On a bike, tour the city
The congested traffic in New York and the scarcity of parking spots have been discussed and made fun of so much (in Friends as well as HIMYM) that they have become legendary by now. This issue can be somewhat resolved by using public transportation for sightseeing; although you will save money, you will spend a lot of time waiting in line. So how do you get about “the city that never sleeps”? The number of people choosing to hire bikes in New York has increased over the past few years, and this seems to be the most economical, quick, and maneuverable way to get around in the city’s congested traffic.
Engage in free activities for a while
As we have already indicated, spending time in the Big Apple is not exactly the most affordable thing to do. However, it truly doesn’t have to break the bank to experience a little piece of that renowned New York lifestyle. For example, if you don’t include the rental fee, going on a bike trip around well-known sites is almost free. So are strolling down the High Line, enjoying a relaxed cappuccino at Starbucks, seeing the street art in Bushwick, having a picnic in Central Park, or getting a hotdog in Times Square. No matter how much money you have to spend, New York has something for everyone.
Locate reasonably priced lodging
Finally, let us briefly discuss the accommodation you will be staying in, which usually takes up the largest portion of any traveler’s budget. The good news is that a few options, such as Broadway Hotel, charge far less for an overnight stay. You can spend as little as 10–12 dollars if you’re willing to give up all luxuries, essentially live in a large closet, and spend the most of your time traveling (which is still a great way to see the city).
We hope that these few suggestions have given you some ideas about how to visit New York City without severely straining your personal resources. For all of you free spirits out there, New York is a city of miracles and enchantment. Even if you don’t have a lot of money to spend, make sure to give it a shot.
