Big cities tend to have a high cost of living, but, to be honest, I thought the cost of traveling to New York would be much higher. The prices in Paris and London, for example, scared me much more. Perhaps it is because both the euro and the pound are valued more than the dollar.
We spent four days in the city and, as you may already know, the critical point is accommodation. Prices for a simple hotel room in Manhattan can be astronomical. Things get a little better if you decide to stay in Brooklyn, Queens or New Jersey. We have a complete post about how to stay in the neighboring city. Even so, the amount you will pay may even be higher than that paid in several cities in Europe. A bed in a shared hostel room, for example, costs around $50 (look for it here). A double room in a 3-star hotel (search here) should cost between $150 and $200.
Plan your trip: Find out where to stay in New York
Attention: Taking out good international health insurance is essential for any trip. Don’t go to the United States unprotected, remember that hospital costs there are very high. Read here how to find cost-effective insurance.
Other expenses must be added to the daily rate. On my trip, I spent about $80 per day, not counting the hotel. This price includes some extras that you may or may not consider in your calculations: a Broadway show (which was $75), a brunch, a night out and the occasional souvenir.
The average amount we spent on lunch was $12. Breakfast costs between $3.50 and $7. At dinner, we preferred to eat a quick snack or buy things at bakeries. A McDonald’s combo costs $7.50, but if you want to spend a little, you can opt for the dollar menu. A bottle of long neck beer costs $5, if you drink at the counter, it is common to add a $1 tip to each bottle.
Tipping, in fact, is another thing that makes traveling to the United States more expensive. You give as much as you want, but at least 15% or 20% is expected when you have good service. This goes for restaurants, bars, taxis and basically any place where someone will serve you.
See too: Tips for an economical backpacking trip in the United States
If you are like most people and use public transport in New York (read the post on how to ride the subway in NYC), know that the ticket price is $2.50 per ride. A taxi ride from Manhattan to JFK airport should cost around $60 (but of course, this depends on where you take the taxi and the traffic at the time).
See the prices for New York’s main attractions:
Empire State: $29
Statue of Liberty: $18
Top of the Rock: $29
Natural History Museum: You can donate as much as you want. Suggested price is $10
MoMA: $25
MET: $25
Guggenheim Museum: $18
Museums that take donations make it seem like you need to give that amount, but seriously, it’s a donation, so don’t feel embarrassed to give less if you want. MoMA has free entry every Friday, between 4pm and 8pm.
How much does it cost to travel to New York, anyway?
A very economical budget for New York should be $50 per day, not counting accommodation and airfare. $80 dollars allows you to do some fun things. Consider $150 if you’re the splurge type, but the sky’s the limit for a trip like this. To this amount, add the daily price of the hotel you choose. This amount can range from $50 to $150 per person, per night, depending on your travel style.
