10 easy ways I save on my trips to New York
It’s no secret that a trip to The Big Apple can cost a pretty penny. That’s why we reached out to loyal EuroCheapo follower and contributor, Chip Pate, for his best advice on how to save in the city.
As a longtime Cheapo, a Broadway fiend, and a lover of all things New York City, Chip has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to saving money on trips to the city.
More budget tips for New York
• NYC hotels under $100
• How to visit The Big Apple on the cheap
• NYC: Cheap hotels near Broadway
10 Ways to save on a trip to NYC
From scoring the cheapest tickets to hot shows to finding the best rates on hotels, Chip shares 10 easy ways he saves when he travels to New York.
How do you save in NYC? Be sure to share your New York budget travel tips in the comments at the end of the article.
Now let’s hear what Chip has to say!
Save on your subway rides with a 7-day MetroCard. Photo: Mr.TinDC
Transportation
1. Ride the subway
Go underground to get around the city. The subway is much more affordable than cabs and most times a lot quicker — especially during rush hour!
2. Get an unlimited MetroCard
Get a MetroCard right when you arrive. If you’re in town for a few days, consider getting a 7-day unlimited MetroCard. The cost is $32, and you can ride the subway and bus as much as you want without ever having to worry about refilling it. Single rides cost $2.75, so do the math, and you’ll probably save a bit of cash.
3. Walk!
New York City might be huge, but many of the sights you’ll be visiting are within an easy walk of each other. You can save a lot of money by walking whenever possible.
Stay in the heart of Times Square without breaking the bank at the Hotel Edison.
Accommodations
3. Book your hotel room in advance
With dynamic pricing, changes all the time, book refundable (able to be cancelled without penalty) reservations as early as possible. Then, check back often before your trip to see if you can re-book at the same hotel or another hotel at a lower rate. With steep fees and taxes, room rate savings can really add up.
4. Use EuroCheapo!
EuroCheapo provides great options in New York, all reviewed by actual editors. EuroCheapo helped me find my home away from home for many years at the Larchmont Hotel (recently closed, unfortunately) in Greenwich Village, and many other options now like the Jane Hotel and Hotel 31. These are hotels that often fly under the radar on bigger hotel booking sites.
5. Share a bathroom
Consider a hotel that offers rooms with shared baths (like the Pod 51 Hotel), which can lower your room rate by at least $100 per night! It might seem like a pain, but if you’re out all day, you could save $25 per walk down the hall. That buys a lot of pizza and bagels!
Need more tips on finding a cheap hotel in New York? Check out the guide to saving on hotels in The Big Apple.
Did you know the Met Museum has a pay-what-you-wish policy? Photo: Peter B.
Attractions and entertainment
6. Museums with free admission
In New York, you can see amazing art for free. Head for Free Fridays (4 pm to 8 pm) at the MoMA, and pay what you wish at Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History.
Check out this list of free museums in New York City by day. EuroCheapo found a freebie for every day of the week!
7. Free music
Take the time to experience the city’s music! Head to Washington Square Park (my favorite place) and other parks. In the park, I recently saw Passenger during one of his tours. In June, take advantage of hundreds of free concerts throughout the city during Make Music New York. You’ll also find concerts in many churches, including Trinity Wall Street, or head underground to listen to the local talent on the subway.
8. Save on theater
Save money by joining the Theater Development Fund, and by purchasing rush tickets, TKTS tickets, and off-Broadway tickets. If you plan ahead, you can attend a television show taping, especially for daytime shows, for free.
For more on theater deals, check out my article 7 Ways to Save on Broadway Tickets.
9. Enjoy the free city views!
Ride the Staten Island Ferry for free to see stunning views of Lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty. It doesn’t take long, so you can squeeze it in even if you’re on a short visit.
If you have more time, you can also grab a ride or walk over the Brooklyn Bridge for more incredible views of the skyline.
Dumplings are always cheap in Chinatown. Chip loves Nom Wah! Photo: Adam G.
Food in NYC
10. Seek out international cuisine for the best deals
In New York, you can enjoy world-class food that’s cheap. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Bagels: Murray’s
- Dim sum: Nom Wah
- Pizza: NY Pizza Suprema, Bleecker Street, and others
- Baked goods: Breads Bakery, Doughnut Project, Dough, Doughnut Plant
Save money by enjoying meals from street vendors (there are more than just hot dogs!) such as NY Dosas (my favorite), The Halal Guys (so successful, it became a restaurant), Wafels & Dinges (also became a restaurant), and much more.
Get take-out food and enjoy it in the park (try a sandwich from Faicco’s and Murray’s Cheese in the Village). Enjoy two meals a day and hit up nya bodega for breakfast for an egg and cheese roll. Grab your fruit from street vendors. You can get bananas about 25 cents, which is a good option for a cheapo breakfast.
Bonus tip
And on top of these fantastic budget tips for your trip to New York, Chip also has a little advice on really making the most of your time in the city:
“Listen to a podcast, like the Bowery Boys, to learn more about what you are seeing and experiencing. There are more than 230 free episodes of the Bowery Boys podcast about people, neighborhoods, and institutions in the city to make what you see and do more meaningful.
You can also carry a guidebook (or download a digital book on your phone) to check out interesting sites and facts about the places you are visiting.
And finally, participate in some of New York’s walking tours on the High Line, Washington Square Park, and Gramercy Park, to name a few.”
Chip, the star of this article, posing in Lincoln Center on his way to the opera.
Thank you, Chip, for sharing all of this Cheapo advice for adventuring (and saving money) in New York!
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