Choose a cheaper time to visit the city. Spring and fall can be expensive times to travel to New York, so plan a winter trip, from early January to April. You might have to tolerate the cold weather, but you can save money if you travel during this time.
Book your flights well in advance. Weeks before you plan to fly to New York, check for online deals and purchase them as soon as you find cheap tickets. Sign up for free airline emails that inform you of deals to the city, and be sure to skim over the emails as soon as you receive them, to beat other travelers.
Search for midweek flights. Traveling over the weekend can be extremely expensive because it is high in demand, so check flights to New York that depart during the middle of the week. Hotel stays may also be cheaper during these times.
Plan to stay in budget hotels and hostels. New York City has a range of hotel rooms that can break the budget, so look for budget hotels and even youth hostels during your stay in the Big Apple. You might also want to consider staying outside of Manhattan---in Brooklyn or Queens---to save money.
Plan to ride the subway. Operating 24 hours a day, the New York City subway is the cheapest way to get from one tourist attraction to the next. With a map in hand, you can navigate your way around the city and save money in the process by not taking cabs or tour buses to see the sights. As of December 2010, seven day unlimited ride passes are $29.
