New York City may be home to the “Crossroads of the World,” but getting there isn’t cheap. Unless you put some careful advance planning into your visit, you could end up paying more than $250 per night for a “cheap” hotel. Plan your visit around big events in the city, such as the New York City Marathon and United Nations meetings. These events dramatically raise prices on hotel rooms. When you score a bargain hotel room, take advantage of the city’s inexpensive or free attractions to stay within your budget.
Book your room outside of the peak travel seasons. Hotel rooms in New York City are typically more expensive in December and in the fall.
Check the rates of hotels near the LaGuardia, Newark and JFK airports. These rooms are typically less expensive because of the longer commute into Manhattan. On the plus side, they usually offer shuttle service.
Call a few different hotels and ask about cancellations, if you’re booking your room at the last minute. Hotels often offer discounted rates to fill their empty rooms. If you booked your room ahead of time, call the hotel again and ask if it has lowered rates. Depending on the hotel’s cancellation policy, you may be able to cancel your reservation and book the room at a lower rate.
Stay at an inexpensive hostel, if you don’t mind forfeiting your privacy. New York City has plenty of hostels all over the city, from Harlem to Manhattan. Some hostels offer private rooms.
Arrange your transportation to the city. The cheapest option will vary, depending on your starting point. You may find a discounted flight going to one of New York City’s three main airports, or a bus ride may be the least expensive option. Major bus lines drop you off at the Port Authority Terminal. From there, take the subway into the city. If you drive instead, add gas and parking fees to your budget. Remember that New York City is notorious for traffic jams; leaving the car at home may work best.
Use the inexpensive public transportation to get around the city. MetroCards are available at any subway station. A one-week MetroCard allows you unlimited bus and subway fares. As of December 2011, the cost of this MetroCard was $29.
See the city on your bicycle. If bringing your bike to New York City isn’t an option, take advantage of bike rental shops. For a price cheaper than using taxis to get around, you can see more of the city and get some exercise at the same time. Some bike rental companies will deliver a rental to your hotel, but you might pay extra for this. Also check companies’ websites for online-booking discounts.
See six of New York City’s major attractions at about half the price with a CityPass, available at the tourism bureau near Times Square for $79 as of December 2011. The pass grants you access to the Guggenheim Museum, Ellis Island and the Empire State Building, along with three other museums.
Lounge around Central Park for free. Go hiking or do a little catch-and-release fishing. Take advantage of the playgrounds if you have younger children. Central Park also offers free events year-round, such as eco-education presentations.
Visit the Bronx Zoo on a Wednesday for the best savings. Wednesdays are suggested donation days, so if you need to trim your budget, you can pay less than the suggested fee.
