Popular for being an expensive city, New York is a difficult city for budget travelers at times. However, doing the right research will allow you to figure out all the things that you can do for free. Whether it is food or sightseeing or anything else, there are several ways in which you can save money on your trip.
So when you want to travel on a budget, you do not need to worry if I should book my flight to New York. Instead, you should always look for ways to save money on your trip, as there are several simple tricks you can use to do it.
Once you finally decide to take the plunge and travel to New York, this list of tips for budget travel we have put together can help you out. So, read on to find out all that you can enjoy in the city without putting a dent in your bank account.
Choose the right time to visit
Whether you are visiting New York or any other city in the world, you need to always pick the right time to visit the city. The winter months from October to March are the cheapest to plan your trip to New york. However, you need to make sure that you avoid all the holidays during this time.
Holidays at this time can also cost a lot of money if you are not careful. Winters in New York are harsh, and the tourists in the city are less likely to visit during this time. Anyone looking to enjoy a budget trip will surely be able to have a great time in the city.
Save money on flight tickets
Even though we might not realize it at the time, flight tickets make up the most expensive part of your trip. Flights to New York can cost you a lot of money if you are not careful. That is why you need to make sure that you book the tickets at the right time to get the lowest airfares. Apart from booking during the off-season, you can also use tricks like redeeming your reward miles or points, get a voucher, book with budget airlines, make reservations in advance, etc. These tricks can save you money and allow you to travel on a budget.
Always choose the train
The subway system in New York is pretty good and quite cheap. Whether you are looking to commute from the airport to the city or travel within the city, taking a cab or calling an Uber can cost you a ton of money. Add to that the traffic in the city, and you will have a long bill at your hand, and you might even be delayed. Taking the subway in New York will cost you very little money, and you will be able to get to your destination faster most of the time. So, whatever your final destination is, take the train and enjoy your ride.
Look for cheap accommodation
Accommodation is another part of your trip that will cost you a lot of money. Getting a hotel in the city is quite expensive, and you might not even be able to afford to pay for a longer stay. That is why you need to look for accommodation that is cheap and allows you to live comfortably.
Either book super cheap hotels or Airbnbs in the city. As you will be spending most of your time in the city looking around and sightseeing, you do not actually need to get a hotel that will cost you more than all the other expenses put together.
Find out all you can do for free
This may come as a surprise, but New York has tons of activities that you can enjoy for free. Although you might not think that is possible, you will be able to enjoy a lot of things for free in the city. Some of the free activities to enjoy here include enjoying a picnic at Central Park, taking a walking tour, exploring the street art scene in Bushwick, and exploring the Dumbo neighborhood.
New York is a city that has a lot to explore and see. Every corner of the city has something to offer, and you do not need to shell out a ton of money to experience its beauty.
Get the New York CityPass
At $132 per adult, the New York City Pass might not seem like a cheap thing, but it will surely help you save a lot of money and hassle in the long run. The New York City Pass gives you access to six major attractions across the city. Apart from the access to these tourist spots, you also get to skip the queues and get express entry. So, while everyone else waits, you can easily get into tourist spots without wasting your time.
Pay as you wish at museums:
If you are looking to explore the museums in the city, then you need to know that most museums in the city allow you to pay as you wish. You do not need to worry about the high prices of the entry tickets to the museums. Apart from this, you can also get free entry to the museums on some days.
All you need to do is figure out where to go and when, and you will be able to enjoy your time in the city without spending much.
With these tricks, you will not have to worry about burning a hole through your pocket. These tips will allow you to save money wherever you can and also avoid overspending in any way. Traveling to New York does not have to be expensive, and it can be a lot of fun with these simple hacks.
If you have ever doubted whether I should book my flight to New York because of the expense, then you need to use all the tricks on this list to ensure that your trip fits into your budget.