Finding cheap hotels in New York is not an easy task. Although the city has an extensive and varied hotel network that is well compatible with its size and importance, the daily rate is far from ideal for budget travelers.
In Manhattan, don’t expect to find good places to sleep for less than USD 150. And by good, understand that I just mean clean and honest. However, if you are persistent and look hard on booking sites like Booking.com, you may find special offers that will be worth it when you close your account.
With an excellent public transport system that connects every corner of the city, New York has more than Manhattan Island to offer tourists. For the value of the rates, it is also worth considering staying in Brooklyn, Queens and New Jersey. By looking in these areas, your chances of finding cheap hotels in New York increase considerably. Of course, none of these options are as central as a hotel located on 5th Avenue, but none of them will be as expensive either.
The prices stated in this post may vary according to the time of year or due to special offers. Do more extensive research to secure the best rates.
Learn more about traveling to New York:
Where to stay in New York: the best neighborhoods
What to do in New York: four-day itinerary
Where to eat well and cheaply in New York
How much does it cost to travel to New York
How to use the New York subway
Are you going to travel? Travel insurance is essential for any trip to the United States, as hospital costs there are extremely high. Read here how to find cost-effective insurance with a discount coupon!
Cheap hotels in Manhattan
Even though the average prices for accommodation on the island are exorbitant, you can still find some bargains if you know where to look. Neighborhoods like Chinatown, for example, are not very popular in terms of cleanliness and street safety, but they offer prices that are compatible with those charged in peripheral neighborhoods. It is up to you to decide what is most important.
Find hotels in Manhattan
Hotel 91 (BOOK HERE) – Located in an arm of Chinatown and close to Soho, it has a 24-hour reception, ATM and laundry. The average rating on Booking was 7.1, with reservations from guests about the noise from the subway at night and the feeling of insecurity on the streets. Daily rates from USD 90.
Hotel 31 (BOOK HERE) – Rating 7.8 and daily rates from USD 99 (shared bathroom). Located close to the Empire State Building, you can walk to many of the city’s attractions. It seems like a good cost/benefit ratio for those who want to stay in Manhattan.
Royal Park Hotel & Hostel (RESERVE AQUI) – Three minutes from the nearest subway station, it is close to Central Park and the Natural History Museum. Offers free wifi in the lobby. Rating 6.5 on Booking and daily rates from USD 99 (shared bathroom).
Pod 51 (BOOK HERE): This modern three-star hotel is one of the best cost-benefit options for those who want to save money, but still have comfort and a good location. It is close to the subway and Rockefeller Center, has free internet and modern decor. The rooms are small and this is the most common complaint among guests, who generally rate the hotel highly, with a rating of 8 (very good). There are room options with a shared bathroom and others with a private bathroom. Please be aware of this when booking. The daily rate starts at USD 110.
Mulberry (BOOK HERE): The Mulberry has prices a little higher than those listed in this post, starting at USD 140, but it is a three-star hotel with an excellent rating from guests: 8.6 (fabulous). It has modern and comfortable rooms, with luxury amenities and free wifi. The location is very interesting, in Lower Manhattan, in Chinatown, close to the subway and SoHo, a very trendy neighborhood, with restaurants, nightclubs and shops. The daily rate includes breakfast. In the hotel building there is also a terrace with good views of the city.
Nyma (BOOK HERE): It is close to the Empire State Building, in Midtown, a location highly praised by guests. The price is fair, from USD 150, including breakfast, the rooms are comfortable, but not spacious, and the decor is not very modern. Nyma has 3 stars and an 8 rating (very good).
Cheap hotels in Brooklyn
Brooklyn is, in general, most people’s first alternative option when finding cheap hotels in New York. There you can find accommodation for USD 100 or less, if you’re lucky. The neighborhood has a great nightlife and some interesting attractions, especially in the Williamsburg area. One example is Smorgasbourg, a gastronomic fair that serves snacks from all over the world. The direct connection with Manhattan via subway makes commuting very easy.
Find hotels in Brooklyn
Best Western Plus Prospect Park Hotel (Reserve HERE) – Staying in chain hotels can provide security when choosing in the dark. The Best Western in Brooklyn has an average score of 8 in Booking reviews and daily rates from USD 102. It is opposite a subway station.
Sleep Inn Brooklyn Downtown (RESERVE AQUI) – With a rating of 7.5, Sleep Inn is five minutes from the subway. It has wifi, breakfast and gym. Daily rates start at USD 99.
Kings Hotel (RESERVE AQUI) – It has wifi internet, bar, breakfast and parking. The rooms are equipped with a hairdryer. It received an average rating of 7.3 among travelers who evaluated the accommodation on Booking. Very close to the subway and 30 minutes from Manhattan. Daily rates from USD 92.
Farfield Inn (BOOK HERE) – Those who want more quality for a fairer price can check out this beautiful Marriott hotel, which has modern and comfortable rooms, free wifi and breakfast included. The hotel is close to the subway, which allows for easy transportation to Manhattan, 24 hours a day. The view from the top floor also allows you to see the entire island. Guests are full of praise for the Fairfield Inn, which has three stars and an 8 rating (very good).
Cheap hotels in Queens
Photo: Jim.Henderson at en.wikipedia
With relatively quick access to Manhattan, but very close to JFK airport and La Guardia, Queens has recently been discovered by tourists as a new economic option in New York.
I stayed there when I just needed a place to sleep before catching a plane the next day. In this case, I just recommend staying somewhere close to the metro. Access to the island is quickest in the Long Island region, while the Jamaica area is better for those who want to stay close to JFK.
Find hotels in Queens
Days Inn Long Island (RESERVE AQUI) – Subway station four minutes from the hotel, quick access to La Guardia and Manhattan (20 minutes by subway), breakfast and wifi. It has a 6.5 rating on Booking and daily rates from USD 75.
Country Inn & Suites Long Island (RESERVE AQUI) – One block from Queens Borough Plaza Station, it has free wifi, rooms with microwaves, minibars and hairdryers. Quick access to La Guardia airport and Manhattan. Rating 7.5 on Booking and daily rates from USD 80.
Quality Inn Long Island (RESERVE AQUI) – 25 minutes by subway from Times Square and Central Park. It has wifi internet and free breakfast. The average score in Booking reviews was 7.5 and daily rates start from USD 85.
Z New York Hotel (RESERVE AQUI): It’s also in Queens, but much closer to Manhattan, in Long Island City. In addition to the nearby subway (it’s about 20 minutes to Times Square), the hotel also offers free transportation to and from the island every hour. The view, both from the rooms and from the terrace, is one of the hotel’s most praised points. The rooms are modern and well decorated. Some days a week parties are held on the terrace of the Z Hotel, which may bother those who prefer tranquility. They offer free WiFi connection. Guest rating is 8.1 (very good). Daily rates from USD 200.
Cheap hotels in New Jersey
Despite belonging to another state, the city of Jersey City is no further from Manhattan than Brooklyn, for example. The only difference is that, while Brooklyn and Queens are on the other side of the East River, Jersey borders Manhattan across the Hudson River.
Despite the inconvenience of the two cities not sharing the same subway system, train lines connect them. If you stay close to the river, for example, it will only take 15 minutes to disembark at one of the six Manhattan stations that are connected to the PATH train system. The closest train stations to Manhattan are Grove St and Exchange Pl. Look for a room near them. I already did a full post about the experience of staying in Jersey City.
Find hotels in Jersey City
Haibanin Hotel (RESERVE AQUI) – Located in the financial and commercial center of Jersey, it is just 800 meters from the Journal Square train station, which takes you to Manhattan in 20 minutes. Close to the Little India district and full of vegetarian restaurant options around. Daily rates from USD 84 and rating 7.3 on Booking.
Ramada Inn (BOOK HERE) – Offers transfer to Newark airport. It is close to Journal Square station, supermarkets and fast food restaurants. The rooms have a microwave and refrigerator. Guest rating was 7.9 and nightly rates start at USD 99.
The Holland Hotel (RESERVE AQUI) – Closer to Manhattan than the options above, it is just a 10-minute train ride from the island and appears to be a good value for money. In the neighborhood you will find shopping centers, fast food restaurants and several parks. The average rating is 8.1 and daily rates start at USD 119.
Looking for cheap hotels in New York? Stay in a Hostel
New York Hostel NYC (RESERVE AQUI) – Located 10 minutes from Central Park and one block from Broadway, the New York Hostel offers a cinema room, Wi-Fi internet, games room and common courtyard. Breakfast is optional. Affiliated to the Hosteling Internacional network, daily rates start from USD 55 in collective rooms.
Broadway Hotel (RESERVE AQUI) – A mix of hostel and boutique hotel, located on the Upper West Side, close to Central Park. It has a kitchen, theater room and library. Beds from USD 53.
Upper Central NYC (RESERVE AQUI) – Located in the Harlem neighborhood, it is 1.5 km from Columbia University and a 13-minute walk from Central Park. It has a kitchen, wi-fi and air conditioning in the rooms. Daily rates from USD 50.
