Budget New York: plane tickets
First of all, if you are flexible, go outside of holiday periods, when the prices of flights and hotels are much higher. Easter, July, Halloween and the holiday season are examples. In addition, you will be drowned in hordes of tourists!
So prefer the off-peak periods, and prefer weekday flights if possible. Note that the low period extends from January to March.
Then don't rush to buy your ticket the first time, unless it's a good deal! Otherwise, feel free to compare the different airlines and dates. Prices also vary from day to day, so be patient, but know how to spot and jump at the right opportunity!
From France, London, Belgium or Switzerland, you can find round-trip plane tickets ranging from from 390 to 775 $ per person, or $ 780 to $ 1550 for a couple. So be on the lookout to find the best option!
I also advise you to carefully follow our tips category since you will regularly find flights for less than $ 330 return!
The cost of accommodation in New York
Your budget will also depend a lot on the accommodation you choose. It all depends of course on the comfort and the neighborhood you want. That said, keep in mind that you will spend most of your time roaming the city… and that a modest room might be enough for you. But that's just my opinion !
The time period you plan to travel will also greatly influence the cost of your accommodation in New York. Indeed, the price of a room can sometimes double between the off-peak period and the tourist period!
For small budget, you can get by for around $ 60 per night for a double room, or $ 420 for a week. To find such rates, you will have to move away from Manhattan, Brooklyn or Queens. If you plan to stay in Manhattan on such a budget, then you will have to bet on a youth hostel or at the inhabitant.
That said, if you prefer something more comfortable or luxurious and have a big budget, you can go up to $ 350 per night. So count around $ 2450 per week. Of course, there are overpriced hotels that will greatly exceed this indicative budget.
Finally, a medium budget would be possible in a small hotel or apartment in Manhattan or one of the other districts of New York. The price will be around $ 150 a night, or $ 1050 a week for two.
New York transport
Between airport-Manhattan transport, trips to the various attractions and taxis to return in the evening ... The transport budget is also to be taken into account!
Transfers between the airport and Manhattan
Also, for budget, I strongly recommend taking the Airtrain when arriving at the airport or when leaving. It is a train connecting the airport to the city's metro and bus network, and costing only $ 5 to $ 12 (depending on the airport) per person. It is therefore the most economical and practical option. Also the Airtrain is very clean and pleasant.
If your budget is average and you prefer something more comfortable and exclusive, so take a taxi, which will set you back between $ 30 (from LaGuardia) and $ 50 (from JFK) approximately. However, bear in mind that you will also have to pay the tolls, and add 15-20% tip to the final bill.
Finally, there is the possibility of reserving a Limo for about $ 220, which will therefore be more suitable for big budgets eager to enjoy New York without depriving yourself!
Getting around New York
Once there, you will have the choice between getting around on foot, by bike, by bus, metro or taxi. That said, the most practical options remain the metro and taxi.
Also, whether you have a small, medium or large budget, I strongly advise you to take the MetroCard. Choose a one-week unlimited membership, which comes to $ 31 per person. The New York subway network serves the whole city very well, and it's a quick option that will help you avoid traffic jams during rush hour.
That said, you will no doubt have to take New York's famous yellow taxis, which start at $ 2,50. These aren't very expensive, and an average ride should cost you no more than $ 10. It obviously depends on your destination and the traffic.
In total, the budget should be able to get by for about $ 95 per week for two, by taking the Airtrain and the metro with a MetroCard.
- average budgets can afford to take a shuttle taxi between Manhattan and the airport, and take the subway once there. The budget will therefore be approximately $ 160.
As to big budgets, treat yourself! Take a limousine on arrival or departure and a taxi for the second trip between Manhattan and the airport. Once there, take the metro during the day to save time. Then, don't hesitate to take the metro every night to get home. This should be around $ 400 for two, weekly.
The restaurant budget
There are so many options for dining in New York that this part of the budget is really one of the most hit-and-miss, along with shopping!
Everything will depend on your appetite and your desires. However, and even if we sometimes have in mind that New York is an expensive city, it is possible to eat at a lower cost.
Fast food restaurants and small restaurants
Indeed, if you have a small budget, prefer picnics, take-out sandwiches and small food stands, as at the market in Smorgasburg. You could get by for an average of $ 40 per day per person!
Having said that, even though my first time in New York was as a student and therefore on a budget, I recommend that you allow yourself a few typical restaurants… You are here to enjoy, after all! So count a average $ 300 per week for one person, allowing you a few small restaurants.
If your budget is average, I recommend that you favor the “fast food” option during the day, in order to save time and money. That said, allow yourself a restaurant each night for a change. This should be around an average of $ 400 to $ 450 per week and per person.
As an indication, you can get by for $ 25 with a main course and a dessert as well as a drink in small New York restaurants. As for fast food restaurants, they are roughly the same prices as in France or even a little cheaper. You will find menus around $ 10.
Finally, bakeries or small cafes such as Ready-to-Eat or Starbucks will not normally cost you more than $ 8 per person for a breakfast with drink and pastries.
Great restaurants
If your budget allows it, you can of course enjoy the great New York restaurants, where the menu will start around $ 50 per person. However, I advise you to vary the pleasures and alternate between small neighborhood restaurants and large renowned restaurants. Indeed, the small typical restaurants have many surprises in store!
By doing this and including the breakfasts, you should achieve the $ 900 to $ 1000 per week and per person. Of course, this amount is very approximate and will depend on your choices!
Finally, avoid overly touristy restaurants and bars: they generally offer higher prices, and are often crowded! Prefer them local and typical addresses, and do not hesitate to follow the advice of New Yorkers.
Museums and main attractions
Top attractions and the New York City Pass
There are loads of things to do in New York, many of which have to be paid for. Also, in order to keep costs down and whatever your budget, I strongly advise you to take a New York City Pass. The latter will allow you to visit the city from wide and across while saving a lot of money. A good plan Not to be missed ! Note that it costs 116$ per adult.
Thanks to the latter, you can for example visit the Empire State Building, the Met Museum, the Guggenheim, Ellis Island and the 11/XNUMX Memorial.
Other New York activities
Regarding activities other than major tourist attractions, this will include sports matches, shows or others unusual activities. Also, if your budget is average, I highly recommend that you attend a musical at Broadway. The ticket usually amounts to around $ 75 per person.
If you like sports, add an entrance ticket to a match, which will cost you around $ 30 per person. It varies according to the teams, the sport chosen (baseball is often inexpensive compared to basketball) and the types of match, of course.
And then, for those on a budget, I highly recommend a helicopter tour! You will fly over Manhattan and admire a breathtaking view of the city and the surrounding area. Enough to help you situate yourself a bit.
My advice: take this helicopter tour when the sun goes down… Superb lights and reflections guaranteed! The latter will cost you around $ 150 per personunless you choose the longest option, 25 minutes.
Don't forget to have an extra budget for each little activity you want to do. Think of punting or pedal boat rides in Prospect Park, ice skating or cycling in Central Park, cruises, etc.
Thus, the prices displayed in the table at the end of this article will be based as follows:
- Small budget : 2 New York City Passes + 2 tickets for a Broadway comedy
- Average budget : 2 New York City Pass + 2 tickets for a Broadway comedy + 2 tickets for a sports match
- Big budget : 2 New York City Pass + 2 tickets for a Broadway comedy + 2 tickets for a sports match + a helicopter tour for two
Shopping
Like the restaurant budget, the shopping budget in New York is quite complicated to establish. If you don't like shopping, your wallet will be safe and sound. Conversely, if you are addicted to shopping, you will have a hard time containing yourself!
That said, even if you're on a budget, you'll probably want to bring back some souvenirs from New York. Or even buy yourself a pair of personalized sneakers.
Count a hundred dollars for a pair of custom Nike or Converse. Then, budget around $ 50 for a pair of souvenirs like key chains, mugs and other gadgets, or original M & M's for example.
And then, if your budget is more flexible, even large, you will find what you are looking for in the small designer boutiques in Soho, and the big names of 5th Avenue. Don't miss bringing back some Levi's jeans, Hollister and Abercrombie sweatshirts, unique pieces from young avant-garde designers, etc…
Budget New York: les extras
Finally, the last part but not the least is that of the extras! Yes, all these small expenses that get out of our heads very quickly, but which accumulate and represent a real budget.
A coffee or a cocktail there, a donut to take away, a manicure, a spa or other… The list of temptations is long in New York!
Also, if you are very careful you should get by without too many unpleasant surprises. Let's count about $ 50 for a tight budget of two people.
That said, if you are more of the type to indulge yourself with delicacies, aperitifs and other small pleasures and your budget is average, you can estimate your extras at $ 100 for the week.
Finally, if you want to make the most of it and spend lightly, this budget could reach $ 200 or even more !
Budget total
The table below summarizes the different budgets possible for a one-week stay in New York for two adults. Keep in mind, however, that it will undoubtedly change, and do not hesitate to plan more!
As you can see, it is therefore possible to take a couple trip to New York for a week for about $ 2207 ! It's just a matter of being a little careful. The key words for this are organization and anticipation, in order to save time and money.
If you are more flexible, you can allow yourself to spend up to $ 4310 for two with an average budget. And if you really want to treat yourself and your budget allows it, prices can reach as high as $ 8000 per week, even a lot more
Finally, don't forget that you are still on vacation… So don't hesitate to treat yourself!
And then, don't be afraid of the restaurant budget, transport or extras. Indeed, you would also spend a certain budget even while staying in France.
