There are a lot of tips out there on how to enjoy New York City on a budget, and it can be simple if done right. To save money when on vacation in New York City, it all boils down to three main points:
- Find low-cost accommodations
- Eat smart (or do some cooking)
- Choose the right time of year
This post will cover the average cost of a New York City trip and how much hotels can be. We will give you some insider tips on how to vacation in New York City on a budget while answering some of your burning questions. Keep reading to find out just how to put into practice the three points expressed above!
What's The Average Cost Of A Trip To New York?
The average cost of a trip to New York can vary drastically depending on how you prefer to travel and the number of people who are joining you during your travels.
The following is a list of price ranges you can expect depending on the number of people in your party:
- A trip for one – $240 to $480 per day
- A trip for two – $445 to $820 per day
- A trip for four – $710 to $1,475 per day
If you are stringent with your purse strings, you can probably spend about half the amount listed above. But the average cost reflects the range most people traveling to New York will spend.
How Much Should I Budget For A Trip To New York?
No matter how many people are part of your party, you should budget about $300 or more per person per day of your vacation. If you plan to stay in a high-end hotel and eat at the most expensive restaurants, you should plan to spend more than $300 a day.
You can easily end up spending $1,000 a day in New York City without even realizing it. Between taxes and higher prices in the city, staying on a budget may be challenging, especially if you like to splurge.
If you are very strict in your planning, you can probably budget far less per day than $300. But it requires discipline and an understanding that not all of your accommodations will be luxurious.
You can also save money by implementing the following on your New York City trip:
- Avoid buying alcohol during meals
- Buy a New York Pass to save on attraction fees and tickets
- Choose a budget hotel
- Choose to walk instead of taking the subway, cabs, etc.
- Make meals in your hotel
- Split the cost of renting a large house
- Stay in a hostel
- Stay outside of the city
But it is easy to budget in New York City by choosing a less fancy location to stay and opting for cooking some meals while on vacation.
Reduce Your New York Trip's Top Expenses
The top expenses of a vacation to New York are:
- Food – Eating out for every meal adds up
- Length of trip – Of course, the longer you stay, the more you will spend
- Lodging – Hotels, hostels, or home rentals
- Travel – Airfare and around town transport
Once you know how much you should budget for your New York trip, you can begin to find areas where you can continue to reduce costs.
Find NYC Attractions That Are Fun And Free
Another simple way to save money on your trip to New York City is by seeking out the free attractions, including the following:
- Brooklyn Bridge Park
- Bryant Park
- Central Park
- Coney Island
- Free admission days at museums
- Go to the beach
- Grand Central Station
- Hotel Hugo
- New York Public Library
- Pier 63
- Prospect Park
- Staten Island Ferry
- The High Line
- Times Square
- Tour a brewery
You may be able to save even more money if you plan your trip well in advance. Generally, booking flights and hotels a few months out from your intended vacation can easily pad your wallet with more spending money during the trip.
Is Food Inexpensive In New York?
Food is one of the most expensive aspects of a trip to New York City. Many high-end restaurants have menu prices set for the evening. This can mean you may walk into a $100 a plate restaurant without realizing it. And you can avoid this kind of surprise by doing some research.
How Can I Eat For Less In NYC?
You can certainly eat on the cheap in New York City. It does involve some in-depth planning and research ahead of time. If you can see the menu online and plan for the average meal prices, you have a much better chance of staying within budget.
Most people budget about:
- $10 or less for breakfast
- $15 or less for lunch
- $20 or less for dinner
That means you should plan to spend about $45 a day per person on food. But there are ways you can trim your food budget and get more for your dollar.
Choosing inexpensive options in New York City includes looking for the following:
- Food trucks
- Getting breakfast for dinner
- Happy hours
- Hot dog joints
- Meal deals
- Opting for a slice of pizza
- Trying a new cuisine, like dumplings
By choosing any of the above options, you can shave off $10 to $15 from the average $45 budget.
Food can be sneaky as it adds up fast. Consider bringing your snacks and buying groceries to cook for yourself some nights, especially if you are considering an extended stay.
Eating cheap in New York City requires planning. The only way to make sure you will stay on budget is by knowing which restaurants are in your price range and which ones you need to avoid.
What's The Cheapest Month To Go To New York?
January is the least expensive month to go to New York City. But there are some other times of year that are relatively less expensive, too. Choosing to go to New York City during the off-season will mean fewer crowds, but you also need to consider the potential for weather ruining plans.
If you are planning a budget-friendly trip to New York City, consider traveling during:
- September
- October
- November
- December
- January
- February
- March
As you may have noticed, these months are not known for their wonderful weather. You should understand how traveling on foot in the winter is more difficult than when sidewalks are unobstructed by ice and snow. You should compare final prices as you may find that you choose comfort over budget in some cases.
You can expect the average temperatures and precipitation in the following months in New York City:
| The month of the Year | Average Temperatures | Average Precipitation |
|---|---|---|
| January | Between 25 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit | 3.9 inches |
| February | Between 26 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit | 2.95 inches |
| March | Between 34 and 48 degrees Fahrenheit | 4 inches |
| September | Between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit | 3.9 inches |
| October | Between 49 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit | 3.4 inches |
| November | Between 40 and 54 degrees Fahrenheit | 3.8 inches |
| December | Between 30 and 43 degrees Fahrenheit | 3.6 inches |
Keep in mind the warmer the weather and the more pleasant the conditions; there is an increased likelihood of having crowds of tourists on your vacation.
If you are planning on buying airfare to go on your New York City trip, select these less expensive months to travel in:
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
Yet the least expensive time of year to fly to New York City is between mid-July and mid-December. Between these months, there are much lower costs than the rest of the year, with September being the time of year with the best bargains to fly to New York City.
What Time Of Year Are Hotels Cheapest In New York?
Similarly, hotel prices sync up with the cheapest months to vacation in New York City. Hotels are the least expensive in New York from January to mid-March. This is because holiday travel is over, and winter is settling in. The upside of this is that there are much fewer tourists seeing the sights, so in addition to low hotel prices, lines at museums and attractions are shorter.
Other bargain times to visit New York City and stay in a hotel are:
- From November to mid-December
- From the end of July through August
Avoid traveling during the holidays, which is around the end of November and mid-December through mid-January.
To save money on a hotel, also consider:
- Buy a vacation package deal that is mostly inclusive – Select a service that combines hotel, airfare, and attraction fees all in one click of the mouse.
- Choose the best season – Winter and peak summer months are the cheapest
- Find a discount online – From scouring the web for deals to using a travel site, there are countless deals on the web.
- Go for a short time – Weekend trips can save you lots of money and force you to use your time and money sparingly.
- Pick your location wisely – Staying in a hotel just outside the city is less expensive than seeing the skyline from your Times Square hotel room.
- Stay at a well-known hotel chain – Larger chains offer deals and maybe even continental breakfast.
- Use your hotel points – If you travel often, use your credit card’s promotional points or other rewards to reduce your cost.
Between choosing the right month and using one of the savings tips above, you are sure to get a good deal on your hotel. The winter months see the lowest hotel prices, but the trade-off is that you may have to deal with delays and other hang-ups due to weather.
In Summary: You Can Go To New York On A Budget
If you are looking for a fun and exciting vacation destination, New York City is the place for you with a rich culture and boundless adventure. You may have heard New York City is an expensive vacation destination, and it is. But you can take advantage of the tips we laid out in this post to visit New York City on a budget.
One of the biggest expenses is your lodging for the trip. To find low-cost accommodations, search on the outskirts of town or book a room during the winter months.
The second biggest expense is food. To save here, you need to plan your meals and eat smart. You can avoid the most expensive restaurants with a bit of research and gauge how much you might spend at a given restaurant based on their online menus.
Finally, choosing the right time of year to go to New York can save you so much money in terms of airfare and hotel accommodations.
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