I just returned from my third wonderful trip of seeing New York City on a budget. It truly can be done! All of the following opinions are solely my own. I was not paid to promote any of the sites listed below. Top 10 Money-Saving Tips For Touring NYC.
The money-saving tips are broken down under various categories. Additional details are provided to assist you in getting more bang for your buck in touring New York City.
Top 10 MoneySaving Tips For Touring NYC
Accommodations
You have the choice of staying right on the island of Manhattan or other boroughs and nearby cities located in New Jersey. Select what suits you best.
Staying right in Manhattan is more expensive. The island is well known for its luxury hotels. There are nice budget hotels such as Yotel or The Jane. But some rooms involve sharing a bathroom down the hall or do not offer a refrigerator or microwave.
For the desired option of preparing a simple breakfast each morning, and ease of travel, I opted to search for an apartment to rent short term on the island of Manhattan.
1. Use Airbnb
Right at the upper left top of the Airbnb webpage, you may select where, when and how many people that you desire for your travel destination. Under the “Home” category you can select what type of room you would like. There are selections for an entire home, private room or a shared room. You may also select your preferred price range.
My daughter and I were able to stay in a one-bedroom, furnished apartment, with a full bath and kitchen for $75 a night. It was clean, quiet, and a quick 10 minute walk to the subway.
Additional Airbnb tips:
1. Read the reviews for each Airbnb host before you book. The first apartment I was interested in was hosted by an individual who was infamous for canceling reservations just days before several trips were to be made.
2. Review the location of the lodging on the map to ensure you’re staying in an area that you want to be in.
Means of Travel
Manhattan is a fairly large area to cover (22.7 square miles (59 km2). To get from point A to point B a taxi ride can get quite expensive.
2. Ride the subway/bus
The current MTA fare for a one-way subway or local bus ride is $2.75. The fare for an express bus ride is $6.50. So if you are touring several different areas this cost can add up quickly. But thankfully, there are unlimited 7-day and 30-day Metrocard options. Since we were there for 5 days I selected the 7-day option for $32.00. With our busy touring schedule, it paid for itself within 3 days.
Additional subway tips:
To purchase the card at the kiosk select “Unlimited Ride” then on the next screen select either a 7 or 30-day pass.
Up to three children, 44 inches tall and under, can ride for free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult.
New York City police, firemen and active-duty members of the military in uniform also ride for free.
Customers who are 65 years of age or older or have a qualifying disability can ride for the reduced fare which is half the price.
How to easily master the subway like a pro:
3. Download the Transit App
The Transit App is amazing!!! You can download it to either an Android or an iPhone.
Type in your destination and how you want to get there. The app will provide the directions and/or instructions on how to do so. I watched this Youtube video as I am a visual/hands-on learner and it made it easy to understand and master the app.
4. Use Uber Pool
Traveling with large suitcases to and from the airport made the subway and its stairs unappealing. Use the Transit App and select uberPOOL. It is, in essence, an Uber carpool. You will need to download the Uber App to your phone to order a vehicle.
In addition to our airport journeys, we used uberPOOL late one evening when walking to our apartment from the subway did not feel safe. Our total cost for the 10-minute ride to our front door was $4 for two people. A taxi would have been 3 times the amount.
Dining
I touched upon this earlier in “accommodations” when I mentioned the importance of having a microwave and refrigerator.
5. Eat just one meal a day in your hotel/apartment
There were several neighborhood groceries and a Target located less than a minutes walk from our apartment. By purchasing a large bottle of cold brew coffee, juice, milk, fruit and cereal two people ate one meal for less than $3 a day over the course of 5 days.
6. Share an entrée
This is almost expected in New York. Order an appetizer or salad for each of you, then just one entrée to split. If you are still hungry then live life to the fullest and share a dessert.
Entertainment
For many people, a trip to the Big Apple means a Broadway show. Did you know that many of the Broadway/Off-Broadway shows offer a daily lottery for tickets? A good example is the smash hit “Hamilton”. Every single day it offers 46 tickets for just $10 each.
7. Check Playbill for Broadway lottery tickets.
A lengthy list of participating Broadway/Off-Broadway shows and how to enter each lottery can be found HERE.
If you are not successful with the lottery there are other options.
8. TKTS Discount Booth
The TKTS Discount Booth offers same-day theater tickets for musicals, plays, and dance productions at up to 50% off. There are four locations.
Central Park also offers fabulous entertainment.
9. Visit Central Park
We took a lovely summer afternoon to walk the entire length of Central Park. There is so much to see and do. Some activities, such as renting a boat or visiting the zoo, require a small fee. But there are many more areas that are absolutely free to visit.
We opted to simply stroll and revel in the parks beauty. You can bring in your own picnic or drinks.
Museums
New York has some of the best museums in the world. The Met, American Museum of Natural History and The Frick Collection are just a few of my favorites.
10. Visit World Class Museums For Very Little
Both The Met and the American Museum of Natural History, among others, have a suggested entrance fee every single day they are open. You may stand in line and go to the ticket counter to pay what you wish.
For example, The Met has a suggested entrance fee of $25. I opted to stand in line for twenty minutes versus buying tickets full price online. Once I approached the counter I asked what the entrance fee is for those with a military I.D. card. (My daughter had her student id card as a backup.) I happily learned that The Met does not charge a fee for military members and their families. As a supporter of the arts, I opted to make a donation of $20 to the museum because it is spectacular and still an incredible deal for an entire day worth of entertainment for two people.
Other museums, such as The Frick Collection, have specific days of the week that you may pay what you wish. I recommend looking at any museum website you wish to visit to see if there are certain days you can visit for much less or for free.
New York Public Library
Here’s a little tip for those who may not know that the New York Public Library Stephen A. Schwarzman location offers free tours. Why go? First and foremost, the library is nestled within a stunning Beaux-Arts landmark building. The famous Rose Main Reading Room is truly magnificent. But also on the third floor is the Edna Barnes Salomon Room. On its walls hangs stunning artwork by some of the best American artists ever ~ James Peale, Rembrandt Peale, Samuel F.B. Morse, and Gilbert Stuart, among others. Your eyes may gaze upon these masters for absolutely free.
Now if you can believe it, there was so much more information that I did not cover regarding iconic restaurants and how to eat there for a song, as well as many other fun free activities and must-see spots. Beginning next week I will cover our 5 day New York City itinerary in its entirety to provide you with a day by day, step by step adventure on how to enjoy all the best the Big Apple has to offer all while watching your pocketbook.
I hope you have enjoyed this post. Please feel free to list any other wonderful tips and tricks that I have yet to try. I would love for you to leave your advice at seeing NYC on a budget in the comments.
Happy Travels,
Laura
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