New York is my favourite place on planet Earth! There is just something about it and I love it so much. I went once to “get it out my system” but fell in love instead. I’ve been back on two more subsequent trips but a visit involves a lot of planning and saving between trips. New York City, in particular the Island of Manhattan, is an extremely expensive places to go. If you are clever though – you can fill a lot of your time with free or really cheap activities allowing you to fit more in! Here’s my favourite things to do when in New York on a budget.
There are loads of free walking tours available in New York. One of my favourite websites is freetoursbyfoot.com. They also offer other destinations in the world but there is a whole selection of ones available in New York. Whatever your interests – finance, architecture, history or shopping – you will find something that is perfect for you. They are all free although you can tip the tour leader if you want at the end. My favourite walking tour I did was through ztrend– it was a vintage and thrift store shopping tour. The guide took us to several stores – all of which were amazing. She clearly knew her stuff, and where to find things. This was one of my highlights of my most recent trip to NYC! You can of course go for a self guided tour with a map – but it is up to you! 🙂
The Staten Island Ferry goes from the South Ferry on the southern Tip of the Island of Manhattan, over to Staten Island. It is 100% free and it is amazing! It runs 24/7 and gives amazing views of the Statue of Liberty. You will have to get off the ferry at Staten Island and then get back on again to return to Manhattan (you can’t just stay on-board) but it’s a small price to pay for such a brilliant trip! It can get a bit windy but it is worth the experience.
Central Park is arguably the most famous park in the world. There is so much you can do there and it is free to walk around it. You might want to visit some of the famous monuments such as the Bethesda fountain or the Alice in Wonderland statue. Taking advantage of the space and air, picnics are a firm favourite. Make the most of opportunities to people watch and take in the scenery as well as climb up to the Belevedere Castle. You could easily spend a day in the park and not spend a penny (or a cent)!
I love a bit of celebrity spotting! New York is full of them so it’s best to keep your eyes peeled. My top tip for seeing them is to browse the theatre listings. See who is in what show and at what time. My favourite (and first) celebrity spotting in New York was a complete accident. We’d just arrived in New York and taken our bags to the hotel. We went out for a walk and as we turned a corner we saw a crowd of people outside of a theatre. I realised that the sign was for a show that one of my favourite celebrities is in, but that I couldn’t budget time or money to see on that trip. It had just finished a matinee performance and he was outside talking to fans! I went over and apologised for not seeing the show but I had literally just stepped off the plane. I told him I was a massive fan, and he welcome me to New York and I got a picture!
Dule Hill – star of Psych, The West Wing and Suits!
Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most amazing and iconic experiences you can have in New York. It is completely free – just watch out for the thousands of other tourists doing the same. You can also get great views from the far side of the bridge back across to Manhattan.
So many TV shows and films have been filmed or set in New York. There are numerous tours that you can pay for to visit these sites but if you are clever and do your research you can do them for free. My favourite ones that I’ve visited are the corner of “Grove & Bedford” – the building used as the setting for Friends, Carrie’s steps from “Sex and The City” at 64 Perry Street, and McGee’s Pub which inspired McLarens from “How I Met Your Mother”.
FAQs
If you plan to stay at a 5-star hotel and dine at upscale restaurants in Manhattan, then a budget of $1000 is definitely not going to cut it. However, if you book a mid-tier hotel and take advantage of the many free things to do in New York, then a budget of $1000 is just fine.
Is $1500 dollars enough for 5 days in New York? ›
If you excldue these $1500 should be ok. $100 per person for day for food only is a moderate budget that will allow low to mid-range choices if you're careful and don't drink much. I wouldn't be comfortable for that amount for food plus tickets plus transportation plus attractions.
Is $100 a day enough for NYC? ›
If visitors are cautious about planning their travel, accommodations, transportation and itinerary, it is absolutely possible to visit New York City on a budget and still have a great time. Here are some tips on how to successfully do New York City on $100 a day.
Is it possible to do New York on a budget? ›
Even a short trip to the Big Apple can set you back a tidy sum — yet while the city will never fall into the “budget break” category, there are ways to save money on your travels. From scoping out affordable eats and free things to do to timing your trip just right, these are our hacks for a cheap New York holiday.
Is $2000 enough for a week in New York? ›
Yes it's enough. Many people spend far less than that. Some people spend more. You will just have to be mindful of your expenses, especially at bars and restaurants.
Is 3000 dollars enough for a week in New York? ›
Have fun on your tirp smf, although it sounds like you will have no problem doing that! Carry about $100 a day in cash. Use credit cards for the rest. The $3,000 each is a reasonable budget for 7 days on vacation.
How much cash do I need in NYC? ›
I would say around $100 per person per day is the minimum you need to not be on a serious budget. $200 would let you be very comfortable and do pretty much anything within reason. If you purchase your Broadway ticket in advance (which many of us recommend anyway), that takes one uncertainty out of the equation.
How much money should I take to New York for 4 days? ›
So how much spending money do you need for four days in New York? Adding up the breakdown of this post, I would advise £560 per person including your accommodation (based on staying at the Hotel Penn) or £900 per person if you wanted to include your flight to New York.
How much budget do I need to go to New York? ›
A one week trip to New York City usually costs around $2,281 for one person and $4,561 for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing. A two week trip to New York City on average costs around $4,561 for one person and $9,123 for two people.
Can I live off 100k in NYC? ›
"I think for New York City a hundred grand would make you pretty poor," said Parul Jain, an associate professor of finance and economics at Rutgers Business School. "Honestly, unless you're making about 150,000, I'd say you can't live comfortably," one New Yorker told FOX 5 New York.
To live well in this expensive, financially competitive city, you'll need at least $5,000 per month or $80,000 per year. Earning anything below $5,000 a month can make it difficult to balance rent, food, travel, and entertainment in NYC.
Is $50,000 enough in NYC? ›
A $50,000 income in New York City is about $3,281 per month after taxes. With some planning, you can live quite comfortably in NYC on that income, and many people do.
How to get free food in New York? ›
Use the Food Help NYC map or call 311 to find your closest food pantry and community kitchen.
- Everyone is eligible for food assistance, regardless of immigration status or how much money you have.
- You might also be eligible for SNAP (food stamps) and other benefits from HRA.
And with good reason – this is a place where there's always something happening, whether it's a hot restaurant opening or a brand new island appearing on the Hudson River (seriously). While New York is known for having oodles of buzz, character and charm, it's not exactly considered budget-friendly.
Is $1000 enough for a trip to New York? ›
A nice low-cost vacation in New York City may be had for about $1,000 per person per week (without airfare). This should cover the cost of a hostel or private room, meals, entertainment, and mementos. Even a low-cost vacation to New York City is pricey since it is one of the most expensive cities in the world.
How much money do I need for 1 week in New York? ›
A one week trip to New York City usually costs around $2,281 for one person and $4,561 for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing. A two week trip to New York City on average costs around $4,561 for one person and $9,123 for two people.
How much money do you need to spend a week in New York? ›
How much money should you budget for a week trip to New York City?
| Tight Budget | Average budget |
|---|
| Meals | from $275 to $460 | from $460 to $650 |
| Tours | aprox. $240 | from $330 to $650 |
| Shopping | from $30 to $65 | from $250 to $400 |
| Extras | from $50 to $65 | from $130 to $200 |
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In total, we spent $1,235 per person for 4 days including flights and hotel. If we exclude flights, each day costs about $190 per person – of which more than half goes to the hotel.
