New York On A Budget

Money Saving Tips



Despite being extremely expensive for a lot of things, New York can be done on a budget. The key is to work out what you want in your itinerary.



When to go



Shopping,sightseeing and most Broadway shows run all year long however, check before you go if you have a specific show in mind or want to shop during sale times.If you aren't too fussed about ice skating in Central Park in December, missing the heat of the summer or skipping the sales go outwith peak season as flight/hotel prices are generally cheaper.



Booking your trip



If you are in the UK, Dialaflight offer great deals on hotels and flights and this can be paid up monthly before you go if you dont have a lump sum to hand but want to do it quicker and cheaper than visiting a high street travel agents

http://www.dialaflight.com/



You can also tailor-make your holiday by booking you're own flights and hotel if you know when you want to go. Continental Airlines, British Airways and Virgin all fly to New York. Going from midweek to weekend can save you money as airlines often assume you are a business traveller if you travel on the monday and return on the friday.

https://www.continental.com/web/en-US/default.aspx?POS=GB&SID=B951510F28C24B40946F45355ACDC7F2



http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/index.jsp



http://www.britishairways.com/travel/globalgateway.jsp/global/public/en_



If booking your hotel online make sure you use a reputable website like Trip Advisor to check reviews, ratings and customer photos as all isn't always as it seems on the hotel website. Use sites such as Hotels.com or lastminute.com (links under helpful webpages) or the hotel's own website to book, making sure you search around for the best deal. Where you can, get breakfast at the hotel as this can take up a huge chunk of your spending money when you're there. Hotels for any budget:

Low Budget- Hotel Wolcott, 4 W 31st St Between 5th Ave & Broadway. Budget accomodation with some rooms having a view of the Empire State Building (it's literally across the street). With free muffins and coffee for breakfast, an on-site fitness suite and amazing location it's hard to beat the value for money this hotel offers. Iron, in-room safe, hairdryer and shower/bath all in room and there is a choice between twin, queen, junior suite and triple rooms depending on your needs. It's close to Penn Station and Macy's. We plan on staying here on our return visit.
http://www.wolcott.com/

Middle of the Road Budget-Trump Soho New York, 246 Spring St New York. Featuring a spa, fitness suite and various treatments this is the perfet hotel for a girly trip away. Well located near Greenwich Village, home to several Sex and The City locations and the Friends Apartment. Room include complimentary toiletries, bathrobes, slippers and LCD TV's.
http://www.trumpsohohotel.com/

Blow-Out Budget-The Peninsula New York, 700 5th Ave at 55th St. Close to Central Park, Tiffany & Co and Bloomingdales, the Peninsula is well located and heavily priced. The hotel has a sauna, spa, steam room and beauty services Rooms include designer toiletries, bathrobes, complimetary water, plasma TV's and a games console.
http://www.peninsula.com/Peninsula_Hotels/en/default.aspx

Food & Drink

Eating out can be as cheap or as expensive as you want in New York. Chain restraunts such as Planet Hollywood and Hard Rock Cafe are pricier than in some other locations but worth the visit if you like the experience. Street vendors sell hotdogs starting from $1 for a quick lunch. There are Burger King's and McDonald's everywhere, if budgeting, use them for breakfast. Visit Walgreens or Duane Reade and stock up on water/soft drinks as they can be expensive when at attractions. Eat outwith Times Square to save a bit of money.

Free Attractions

As said in my prevous posts many Sex and the City locations are free to visit such as Carries apartment (66 Perry St), Magnolia Bakery, Brooklyn Bridge and New York Library. You can also visit the Friends apartment for free. Staten Island Ferry is free and gives great views of the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan Skyline. A walk through Central Park, Times Square, China Town and Little Italy are all free. See the Grand Central Station for free.

Travel

Walk wherever you can and where you can't use the subway. Cabs can be really expensive. Have a look at a subway map before you go to familiarise yourslef with it.
http://www.mta.info/nyct/maps/submap.htm