NYC is an expensive city, there is no denying that. From travel costs, to hotel stays, to taking advantage of all the city has to offer. It’s very easy for your bottom line to get out of control! While that may be the case, there are certainly plenty of ways to cut costs and save money. Here are 7 ways to save money on your trip to NYC!
Get a MetroCard
Even if you’re only in town for a few days, a MetroCard is a sure fire way to save money on your trip to NYC. Financially speaking, if you plan on riding the subway or bus at least 10 times during your trip, it makes sense to purchase a weekly pass. A weekly MetroCard will run you $33 (plus $1 if you need a new card issued), and gives you unlimited rides on the subway and local busses. This will make bopping around the city very convenient and you won’t have to worry about costs adding up!
The subway is an incredibly easy and quick way to get around the city and can help you pack a lot into your itinerary! Cabs and Ubers are costly and can be extremely frustrating if you get caught in traffic. Plus, riding the subway will make you feel like a real New Yorker!
Use public transportation to/from the airports
If you’re looking to stretch your dollar in NYC, public transportation will always be your answer. Whether you’re just landing in the city or getting ready to leave, allow yourself the extra time to take public transportation to save some serious money.
JFK has the incredibly convenient and reliable AirTrain. The AirTrain has two lines: one that connects to the A subway line, and another that connects to the E, J, and Z lines. Plug in your destination on Google Maps to find the best route for you. An AirTrain and subway ride combo will run you about $11, but that’s a fraction of the cost of a cab or other ride share.
LaGuardia unfortunately is in a world of its own and does not have a train connecting the subway to the airport terminals. Instead, it offers an express shuttle bus (Q70 LaGuardia Link) that connects to the Jackson Heights- Roosevelt Avenue subway stop. Lots of people use this bus, so follow the signs and other people with suitcases. As an added bonus, the bus is included if you have an unlimited MetroCard so your travel to the airport will be free!
From Newark airport, you can take the AirTrain to the Liberty Airport Station to connect to either the Amtrak or NJ Transit into Manhattan. All the trains will make a stop at Newark Penn Station (not to be confused for New York’s Penn Station). From there, transfer to the PATH Train (if you want to go downtown Manhattan), or continue on the Amtrak or NJ Transit trains into Manhattan. It can get a little complicated, so click here for a detailed map.
Read More: How to Spend an Extended Layover in NYC
Save on lodging
Lodging will undoubtably be one of (if not the) largest expense on your trip, and hacking the system can help you save money on your trip to NYC! Do you have a a pile of credit card points that have been sitting around collecting dust? If so, this would be a great opportunity to redeem! NYC has hundreds of lodging options all within the major chains that accept loyalty points. You can stay for cheap- or even free!
Also consider using discount sites such as Priceline, Kayak, or Expedia. I’ve personally had tons of success on these sites when I visited NYC before I got an apartment. Often times these sites offer rates lower than can be found directly on the hotel’s website. The only catch is that you cannot redeem loyalty points or enjoy your elite status when booking through these sites. Something to keep in mind during your initial planning. My personal favorite site to use is Hotel Tonight. You can – quite literally – score deeply discounted hotels for that same night. The hotels will sell these unreserved rooms last minute for a win on your bottom line!
Tip: The legality around Airbnbs in NYC is a bit grey. They are only legal for stays of 30 days or longer. Anything shorter is considered an illegal stay. Even if they are offered on the site, it is not allowed so best not to risk.
Rush Broadway tickets
Is it even a trip to NYC without seeing a Broadway show? NYC theaters will sell day-of unsold tickets at a heavy discount in attempts to get a butt in every seat, and the best way to get these tickets is by rushing! While I go more in depth in my Ultimate Guide to Rushing Broadway Tickets, there are basically two ways to score cheap seats. The first is by entering digital lotteries. These have become growingly popular and are a very easy way to enter lotteries. The second is to physically “rush” the box office the morning of shows and wait in line. Each theatre has their own policy, so check with the show you want to see specifically! My favorite resource for this is BroadwayForBrokePeople.com.
Keep in mind that rushing and doing online lotteries are quite literally, a gamble. You may end up striking gold or striking out. It’s important to remember this and manage your expectations from the start. Scoring a rush ticket is special, and definitely doesn’t happen every time! If it did, wouldn’t everybody just do this?
Read More: An Ultimate Guide to Rushing Broadway Tickets in NYC
Grab cheap eats
New York is expensive, there is no doubt about it. While I definitely recommend budgeting for a few decent meals while you are in town, try to grab as many “cheap eats” as you can to minimize the impact on your bottom line. Be on the lookout for pizza joints that offer $1 or $2 slices or grab some street meat. “Street meat” is the term for the hot dog or halal carts you’ll see all over the tourist areas of Manhattan. Don’t be grossed out, the food is solid and a great option for a cheap meal. Plus, eating on the go will save you time!
Take advantage of happy hours
Goes hand in hand with the above, but take advantage of drink specials during happy hours! Typically these run on weekdays in the evening hours (think 5:00 – 8:00 pm), but each bar makes their own rules. In fact, a bar in my neighborhood used to do happy hours on Saturday afternoons. Keep an eye out for sidewalk signs advertising these deals. Drinks in NYC can be notoriously pricy, so these specials will save you quite a bit!
Travel in the shoulder season
New York City is bustling year round, but there are still clear “shoulder seasons” that can help you save money. Generally speaking, the winter (after New Years) is when you’ll find the deepest discounts on hotels and airfares. If you’re traveling from somewhere that has a proper winter, you’ll find the seasonal temperatures in NYC to be pretty mild. The city does get the occasional snow storm, but it’s likely that you’ll get clear days with temperatures in the 30’s.
In my opinion, visiting the city in the spring or fall is the absolute best. The temperatures are much cooler than the sweltering summers, and there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy with cheaper rates and less crowds. Outdoor activities such as boat cruises or guided city walks may also be cheaper this time of year.
Read More: Ultimate Guide to Plus Size Travel in NYC
Traveling soon? Check out my Travel Tips page to help you score good deals on flights, packing tips, tools to help you plan, and more!
No Comments