Google states that the average price for a day’s travel in NYC is $238. OUCH. What ever happened to those “Such and Such for $5 a Day” books? I can’t get you through NYC on $5, but I can tell you how we did two days (myself and three kids) for less than $100 total. I’ll even give you a tip… that I didn’t follow… that would’ve brought us down to $60 for the whole trip. Actually, now that I think of it, if saving money is your main goal, you CAN do NYC for pretty close to $5 a day. Our last New York City on a budget trip was the “Poor, but ready to explore” option.
Getting There
Totally broke, don’t touch my wallet: Take the Staten Island Ferry. Parking on the Staten Island end is free, but limited. Arrive early, leave your car, and ride the free ferry into the city. Total Cost: $0
Poor, but ready to explore: Check out parking before you go. I used SpotAngels to check real time pricing and special offers. I was able to find free street parking near Central Park, and used a lot for the rest of our stay. Find one spot, preferably near your hotel, and ditch your car for the duration of your NYC stay. The best offers are anywhere other than midtown. I parked in Chinatown and paid extra for driving a van. Total Cost: $40 (per 24 hours)
On a budget, but this is vacation: I understand it’s convenient to keep your car with you: it’s just not cost efficient. Do your research before you go. If you get in early, you can often get an early bird rate and pay $20 for the day. There are rarely in and out privileges, so be aware that you will pay a new rate each time you move. Only move your car when you’re going too far to walk. Total Cost: $70 (per 24 hours)
Seeing the Sights
Totally broke, don’t touch my wallet: There are literally hundreds of free things to see and do in NYC. New York on a budget can be quite easy. You could stay for a week and never spend a dime on an attraction. The Brooklyn Bridge, the Brooklyn Bridge Park or Botanic Garden, ChinaTown, Times Square, Central Park, the Highline, Grand Central Station, the 9/11 Memorial, etc., etc. Many of the museums are pay what you wish (We chose the American Museum of History to see the REAL T-Rex skeleton). The MoMA does free Friday evenings. If your visit is during the summer, you can even kayak the Hudson for free! Total Cost: $0
Poor, but ready to explore: Make a list of your top choices – you can’t do all of NYC in one trip, anyway. Pick one or two things that charge admission, and fill the rest of your time with all the other sights that New York on a budget has to offer. I strongly recommend Liberty Island for the history and experience or the Empire State Building for the view. We chose to do Liberty Island. Both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are free, but you have to pay to get there. It’s also highly recommended to book in advance. Total Cost: $27.50 (for one adult and one child – toddlers were free)
On a budget, but this is vacation: Follow the last tip, but pick two or three things to splurge on. In addition to Liberty Island and the Empire State Building, I suggest the row boats in Central Park. I don’t know if that’s on any other online list, but it’s peaceful and beautiful and gives breathtakingly unique views of the city. Total Cost: $71 (with the three events listed. Prices will vary by activities chosen.)
**If you’re planning to splurge on some activities, check out Go City for super discounted passes to see more!**
Eating
Totally broke, don’t touch my wallet: Pack your meals. I’m not above cereal in a hotel room and peanut butter and jellies on a blanket in Central Park with views of the city. I always remind my kids that we’re there for the experience, not the cheese burgers. There’s no need to spend more than what you would on food at home – just bring it all with you. Total Cost: $0
Poor, but ready to explore: Plan ahead for the tastes you want to explore, or the conveniences you want to have. Our hotel included breakfast. We planned to do pizza in Brooklyn, both for the experience of NY pizza and the convenience of not having to be back at the hotel by dinner time. Between pizza in Brooklyn and lunch in Chinatown, we spent a total of $16 on food for the four of us. Total Cost: $16
Bonus tips:
1. Pizza places often have medium and small pizzas that aren’t listed on the menu.
2. Chinatown has a plethora of authentic restaurants with limited English and tasty deals. We ate at a restaurant where no meal was over $5.
On a budget, but this is vacation: Decide ahead of time which food experiences you must have, and which ones you can skip. Splurge on that special cupcake and save by getting lunch at a food truck. Google says average meals for a day in NYC should be $38. Total Cost: $38
Getting Around
Totally broke, don’t touch my wallet: Walk. It’s a big city and there’s a lot to see, but there’s also something to see everywhere you step. We’ve walked over ten miles a day in the city, but there was nothing we wanted to skip over in that ten miles, anyway. Total Cost: $0
Poor, but ready to explore: Walk up and take the bus or subway down – or vice versa. We took the subway into Brooklyn and walked back for the views. We would not have wanted to miss this walk, but my kids wouldn’t have been able to handle it both ways. Total Cost: $2.75 (This is technically per person, but kids, elderly, and disabled are free or reduced, so it was my total for the four of us)
On a budget, but this is vacation: The NYC bus system is brilliant. If you’re tired, or want to pack more into your day, just hop on a bus. There are maps at each stop to make it easy to navigate. Total Cost: $2.75 (per ride) or $33 (unlimited for a week).
Spending the Night
Totally broke, don’t touch my wallet: Use your Marriott points. If you don’t have a Marriott card, get one. We stayed at the Fairfield Inn and Suites in Chinatown to use fewer points and land that free breakfast. Total Price: $0
Poor, but ready to explore: Ok, actually, in this case, see above. Hotels in NYC are pricey. The best New York on a budget option is to cash in on points. If you can’t do that, see below. Total Cost: $0
On a budget, but this is vacation: Use Hotwire.com. You can book a nice HotRate hotel (which means you can choose how nice the hotel is, but you won’t know which one it is until it’s booked) in the best part of town for about $100 (varies by date). Total Cost: $100
Trip costs for two days and one night….
Totally broke, don’t touch my wallet: $0… That’s right, you can go to NYC and spend nothing. This is mildly unrealistic. The amount of walking required is insane. Spend $2.75 and go home happy. This is New York on a budget!
Poor, but ready to explore: $86.25… This was our actual cost for our most recent trip with one adult and three kids. Obviously, it helped that none of my kids are old enough to cost money on public transportation, but the metro tickets only add minimal costs. Next time, we’ll take the ferry in and save $40. That’s easier when you have two adults and there’s someone to carry luggage.
On a budget, but this is vacation: $312… This gives you the opportunity to take it all in. Again, you’ll have to adjust based on ages of children, but this could still be manageable!
What am I missing? Do you have any other great tips or hacks for New York on a budget?? If you’re bringing a stroller or a wheelchair, don’t forget to check out my tips on hitting the city with wheels!