New York City is super expensive, and if you want to travel on a budget, you have to plan every step thoroughly. In such an exciting city, you can spend a lot of money in just a few days, so it is vital to organize your trip in advance. In this article, we will show you how to plan your trip to New York City on a budget.
Pick the right time for a visit
Even though New York is a busy city all year round, there are tourist seasons, such as summer months, when prices are super high. Therefore, visiting NYC during less busy seasons can be a lot cheaper. The best period is from January to early April. You will, most likely, save a lot on accommodation, as well as on events and attractions. The second-best period is between September and November. However, be aware of the holidays during that time. On those days, prices can jump rapidly.
Take a bus tour
If you’re not coming from overseas, the best way to go to New York City is by bus as some tours offer great opportunities for a very low price. For instance, if you are traveling from Canada, you can travel by bus from Montreal to New York. It is an excellent tour for two significant reasons. You will come to NYC pretty fast, and on top of that, you can even get a room in a Manhattan hotel for your family. When you compare prices with the time of arrival, the bus is definitely one of the best options you can take.
Cut accommodation costs
Hotels in New York City are super expensive. Therefore, there are no many cheap options, but still, you can always find something via services like Airbnb or Hotwire. Airbnb offers much less expensive options than most hotels. Also, private rooms are a lot better options than hostel dorms if you travel with two or more people. On the other hand, Hotwire offers mystery deals that are great for significant savings on high-end hotels. However, there is a small downside since you can’t know what you are going to get. There is no final advice, but generally, you should think a lot in advance about your accommodation and book a cheap option on time.
Free attractions and events
New York City has many free incredible attractions and sights. Hence, spending your money on every single step is entirely wrong. One of the most exciting free attractions is Central Park. There are quite often some free events going on, and also, it is a great place for a picnic. Staten Island Ferry is the best way to see the Statue of Liberty for free. You won’t have to bother with security scans and long lines just to get in. Besides that, there are always free city walking tours, as well as NYC brewery tours that, sometimes, even give free beers. And finally, you should visit the magnificent New York Public Library where so many movies were filmed.
Discount days for galleries, museums, and zoo
It is essential to research the particular days and times when you can visit galleries and museums for free. For instance, the American Museum of Natural History has one of the most interesting concepts. The entry is always free in the last hour, and at any other time, you pay as you wish. Besides that, the New York Botanical Garden is free during Wednesdays, as well as the Bronx Zoo.
As you can see, even though NYC is pretty expensive, you can still stick to a budget. However, an excellent plan and organization are mandatory.
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