Cheap travel to New York: opt for the passes!
Here is our first tip for visiting New York while saving money: get a New York City Pass or a New York Pass ! Thanks to these, you will be able to discover many tourist sites without breaking the bank as it offers you up to 40% reduction on 6 must-see attractions for the first while the second will allow you to access more than 90 attractions for one. paltry sum.
Le New York City Pass
Le New York City Pass is vaild 9 days from its first use. Thanks to it, you can save about 40% on the original attraction prices! Usable from the date of purchase, this ticket book, will allow you to access six different attractions to choose among those proposed:
- Empire State Building.
- American Museum of Natural History.
- Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Top of the Rock or Guggenheim Museum (audio tour included).
- Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island or Circle Line Cruises.
- 11/XNUMX Memorial and Museum or Intrepid Sea, Air and Space.
The price of the New York City Pass is 108.28€ for an adult and 86.98€ for a child between 6 and 17 years old.
If you are not interested in accessing 6 attractions, you can turn to the New York C3 which will give you access to three attractions different. Its cost is 64.45€ for an adult and 49.70€ for a child between 6 and 17 years old.
Personally, I advise you to opt for the New York City Pass at the risk of regretting your choice and feeling frustrated. Indeed, once there, there is a very good chance that you will want to visit everything!
Whatever your choice, remember to get your pass in advance directly on the internet by clicking here.
Le New York Pass
Second solution to visit the main tourist sites at a lower cost: get the New York Pass. Presented in the form of a magnetic card, this pass can be valid 1,2,3,5,7 or 10 days. With your New York Pass, you will have the chance to visit many iconic sites! Indeed, this one has more than 90 attractions on its list of activities
This pass will also give you access to the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus for one or two days. On board a double-decker bus, you will be able to discover New York with an open top while making a few stops so that you can stroll through the streets of the city.
The price of the New York Pass depends on its duration. On average, it takes between 109€ et 349€ for an adult and between 89€ et 199€ for a child up to 12 years old. If you are interested in this pass, do not hesitate to order it on the official website of the New York pass by clicking here.
Thanks to these two passes, you will be able to enjoy your trip to New York without breaking the bank. Indeed, the entry price of the attractions taken separately is quite expensive. If you have planned to visit several sites, purchasing one of these two passes is a excellent solution to save.
Also note that these passes will allow you to take advantage of discounts in partner shops, restaurants. Remember to present your pass to benefit from a discount!
If you don't know which pass to choose between the two, I invite you to read our comparison to help you buy the right one for you.
Cheap travel to New York: where to stay at the lowest cost?
Of course, planning the activities to do during your trip to New York is essential. But find a hotel to stay is also important. To help you find a interesting and inexpensive establishment, here are four affordable hotels!
The Hamptons Inn Times Square North, a great hotel
Le Hamptons Inn Times Square North enjoys a ideal location : in the heart of Manhattan and near Central Park, Times Square or Rockefeller Center. The rooms are very good equipped, pleasant and one Breakfast is also offered in the morning. As a bonus, you will have the chance to enjoy a spectacular view !
See prices and availability
Hotel 31, also in Manhattan!
Here is another establishment that will delight all Manhattan lovers wishing to stay near the main tourist sites: theHotel 31. This is located at minutes from the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center. If you choose this establishment, you will also have everything nearby: shops, businesses ... The rooms are equipped with interesting amenities and Wi-Fi is also available.
See prices and availability
The Sumner Hotel in Brooklyn
If you prefer to stay in a hotel in Brooklyn, the Sumner Hotel is a wise choice, and for good reason! Located near a metro station, you can get around the city without difficulty. Calm and many services (breakfast, flat screen ...), this establishment will ensure that your stay takes place in the best conditions!
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The Country Inn & Suite, a great price
If you want to get away from the constant hustle and bustle of Manhattan and stay in a quiet and charming hotel, the Country Inn & Suite in Long Island will please you! Well put, this establishment offers a beautiful view of Manhattan, comfortable and well-equipped rooms. All this at a very affordable price!
See prices and availability
Free activities in New York
As stated at the beginning of this article, New York is an expensive city… Unless you know how to save money! Here is an overview of totally free activities to do on your trip!
Take the Staten Island ferry
In addition to being free, take the ferry is a good way to admire the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty and the whole of New York Bay. On board, you can also see Ellis Island. So don't forget your camera to take some pictures of the panoramic view!
Note: a ferry leaves every 30 minutes. You will therefore not need to plan your trip in advance.
A ride on the High Line
Stroll on the Highline during your stay in New York is also to be expected. Located in the Chelsea district, this old railway line in height offers you to walk on more than 2.3 kilometers. From here, you can admire a magnificent view of the Meatpacking district and Chelsea, spend a little time on one of the installed benches or observe the flora and fauna found there.
At the end of your walk, do not hesitate to explore the alleys of the Chelsea Market. Its entry is free and if you wish you can eat in one of the open restaurants or buy some local products.
A picnic in Central Park and a walk in Grand Central
A Central Park, you can do a multitude ofinteresting and free activities : picnic in the middle of a lush green lawn while contemplating the buildings, go cycling, rollerblading, a walk or even relax away from the bustle of the city.
If you are passionate about architecture, direction Grand Central where you can participate in a 100% free tour of this place. You will have the chance to discover the famous gallery of murmurs and to contemplate the statue of Lincoln memorial.
Getting to the 9/11 Memorial
Le 9/11 Memorial is a place that calls for recollection. Established on the very spot of the old twin towers, the 9/11 Memorial represents two basins where the name of each victim of the attacks of September 11, 2001 is engraved. His entry is free and you can take pictures if you want.
Cross the Brooklyn Bridge
Here's another activity to plan on your list: cross the brooklyn bridge ! Bridge connecting the Manhattan and Brooklyn neighborhoods, the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the symbols of New York! During your walk, you will be able to admire a breathtaking view of the skyline (from Brooklyn), but not only. You can also spot the Empire State Building and Pier 17. If you feel like it, you can then explore the Brooklyn neighborhood.
Other free activities offered
Of course, this list of free activities is incomplete. In New York, you will also have the possibility of kayak the Hudson River for free or to go to the New York Public Library, a huge library which is one of the largest cultural institutions in the world!
If you plan to visit museums, note that there is a charge for entry. However, some are free at a specific time of the week. This is particularly the case of MoMA, free every Friday from 16 p.m. to 20 p.m. Remember to arrive early, because it is very crowded! The entrance to museum Guggenheim is also free on Saturdays at the end of the afternoon (from 17 p.m. to 45 p.m.).
Otherwise, the entry of Brooklyn Botanic Garden is also free on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Of course, stroll through the New York neighborhoods is also 100% free. So do not hesitate to conquer Times Square, Soho, Greenwich Village ...
Where to eat inexpensively in New York?
Cheap travel in New York also means taste good local dishes without spending too much money. But you are probably wondering where to eat in New York without breaking the bank? Here are some ideas of interesting places to feast and have a good time without spending too much!
A burger at Shake Shack
This name may ring a bell, and for good reason! Shake Shack is a New York-based fast food chain. Here you will have the choice between many typical dishes like the famous burgers, hot dogs, milkshakes and many more! The burgers offered by Shake Shack are tasty and rich in taste. Price side, these are accessible to all budgets. You will be won over!
Nathan's Famous hot dog
Located in Coney Island, Nathan's Famous is a restaurant chain specializing in hot dogs. Besides, many consider them to be the best in town! For a quick lunch break or if you're just feeling hungry, don't hesitate to go to Nathan's Famous to enjoy a classic hot dog (bread, sausage and mustard) for only $ 3!
Sports bar: Tonic Bar
Tonic Bar is a sports bar which broadcasts matches of different sports on match day. Here you can eat lunch, dinner or have a weekend brunch. From Monday to Friday there is a “happy hour” from 16 pm to 20 pm and on Thursday, between 22 pm and 2 am, a karaoke is organized.
If you want to get there, go ahead because this bar is very popular!
Address: 727 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019.
Snack in New York
For your afternoon snack, I recommend without hesitation the donuts from Dough ! Many flavors are available, from the most classic to the most original such as lemon-ginger. In New York, several stores are located: in Brooklyn, Flatiron Building, Theater District. So you will easily find a store!
On the price side, given the size of the donut, these are very affordable (about $ 3).
In case you are more cookies, I can only advise you those of Levain bakery. There too, many flavors are available. The cookies are crunchy and tender at the same time. A pure treat! In general, it takes $ 4 for a cookie. Do not hesitate to consult our article dedicated to this store for more information.
Cheap travel New York: how to get around?
During your stay in New York, you may prefer walking to public transport. But be aware that these can be very helpful to get from one point to another. In addition to being practical, there are good tips to avoid paying too much for your trips. Here they are.
The Metro
Thanks to the Metro, you will be able to traverse the city up and down in a minimum of time. So, if you want to buy a single ticket, you will have to pay 2.75$. On the other hand, if you plan to use the metro often, it is better to buy the Metrocard, a magnetic card which will offer you two different options:
- The " pay per ride " which consists in only pay for the trips you make. When ordering, you simply enter the amount you want (between $ 5.50 and $ 100) and for each metro trip, the sum of $ 2.62 will be charged. This card can be used by several people at the same time.
- The " unlimited ride »Which will allow you to make as many trips as you want. Its price is $ 32 for 7 days and $ 121 for 30. It is by far the most economical way to get around New York.
The bus
A New York, les bus are blue and white in color. Also very practical, this means of transport will allow you to rest and save your feet for later. With the buses, you can also visit the city like a local.
Regarding the prices, these are the same as for the metro, i.e. $ 2.75 per ticket. You can also use your Metrocard bought for the metro. Thanks to the latter, you will be able to take the bus and the metro.
A cheap flight to New York!
This is the first question that concerns us when preparing for a trip to New York: where to find a cheap flight ? For this, I advise you to compare the offers of the different airlines and to book your tickets as early as possible.
You can also turn to a travel agency which offers all-inclusive flights and rentals. Educate yourself and do not hesitate to play the competition to find the best deal.
Price comparison sites like Kayak are also a good alternative to compare prices and find the best flight. Finally, applications such as Pirate Travel or Holiday Guru from time to time offer flights at discounted prices for the big apple.
Do not forget to regularly look at our section " Tips »Which highlights the best promotions of the moment ! For example, you can find direct return flights to New York at € 300!
Buy souvenirs and shop in New York
The "good deals" stores
In New York, there are many good places to find trendy items at low prices. Among them, there are outlets, clearance stores where you can find clothes and a whole bunch of other bargain priced items. Enjoy it!
To discover the New York outlets, here is our dedicated article.
At Macy's, you can also benefit from 10% discount on presentation of your passport.
Buy souvenirs
To buy souvenirs, there are many stores in New York. Among them there is Grand Slam New York which offers many articles (t-shirts, mugs, pens…) at affordable prices.
Address: 1557 Broadway, New York, NY 10036.
It only remains for me to wish you a good trip to New York!
