One of they keys to successful budget traveling in New York is proper planning. Exploring the websites of top tourist attractions and museums will alert travelers to discounts and potential savings. In addition, websites like the Skint and Time Out New York offer up-to-the-minute information on free events all over the city.
For domestic tourists, low-cost carriers like JetBlue Airlines and Virgin America always offer good deals. Porter Airlines offers service to Newark International Airport from several major Canadian cities. Websites like Expedia offer up-to-date information on discount airfares for domestic and international travel. For North American visitors hoping to save even more money, bus lines like Neon and MegaBus offer fares starting from as low as $1.
New York City Transit offers incredible value. A 7-day unlimited ride MetroCard costs only $27. Using the city's vast number of subway lines and buses is an efficient and inexpensive way of getting around. Free city maps and guides are available at official New York City tourist information booths located all over the city. Free subway maps are available at all Metropolitan Transit Authority booths. Walking is also a cost-effective way of moving around the city. Several companies like New York City Bike Rentals offer all-day bike rentals for tourists. For budget travelers, taxi cabs should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.
Visitors looking to spend less might want to check out budget standbys like the Gershwin Hotel in Midtown Manhattan or the Jazz on the Town Hostel in the East Village. Some New York hostels offer a work exchange in which long-term visitors can stay for free if they work for a certain number of hours. For the more adventurous, websites like CouchSurfing offer travelers a way to connect with people living in New York City who may be able to offer free accommodation to short-term guests. Following the safety features listed on CouchSurfing's website can ensure a safe stay.
Some of the best things to do in New York City are free. Riding the Staten Island Ferry costs nothing and late night trips offer passengers unparalleled views of the city. Several important museums, like the Studio Museum of Harlem, offer free admission on certain days and times. Large museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural History offer all visitors pay-what-you-can admission. The bright lights of Times Square and Broadway always attract large crowds and are not to be missed. Walking is also a great way to explore the city. Neighborhoods like Harlem, Greenwich Village and the Lower East Side evoke a sense of the past while offering opportunities for window shopping and people-watching. Of course, Central Park should hold a key place in every tourist's itinerary.
