NYC on the cheap?
Discussion
Does anyone have any recommendations for doing New York on the cheap? The gf's son and his gf are thinking of going later this year and it looks like the central hotels will seriously stretch their limited budget.
Any good tips in terms of staying perhaps a little further out and using public transport etc. are welcome. They're thinking of chilling on the local beaches for the second week if they're any good?
Ta for any good advice
Any good tips in terms of staying perhaps a little further out and using public transport etc. are welcome. They're thinking of chilling on the local beaches for the second week if they're any good?
Ta for any good advice
If they're feeling adventurous they could try www.couchsurfing.com and stay there for free (plus get an instant local connection who knows all the best places to eat/drink/visit etc)
I went about 10 years ago and stayed in youth hostels in Manhattan (I was in my early 20s). They were nothing to write home about, but had a bed and shower so I was happy. They were also nice and central, so I spent every day wandering about seeing stuff rather than worrying about getting in and out. I'd recommend it if they're happy to forgo a few luxuries. Taking the subway rather than taxis saved me loads too.
http://www.larchmonthotel.com/
In Greenwich Village, and still I think the cheapest hotel on Manhattan. It's not a massive step up from hostels, but it was perfectly adequate.
In Greenwich Village, and still I think the cheapest hotel on Manhattan. It's not a massive step up from hostels, but it was perfectly adequate.
There are loads of great beaches near New York....how easy it is to do it on the cheap I have no idea.
Here's an example of beaches near a place called Greenport on Long Island which is pretty close to NYC.
http://www.greenportvillage.com/listingsCategory.c...
Now a lot of Long Island will be expensive....but I am sure there will be places that are cheaper.
Here's an example of beaches near a place called Greenport on Long Island which is pretty close to NYC.
http://www.greenportvillage.com/listingsCategory.c...
Now a lot of Long Island will be expensive....but I am sure there will be places that are cheaper.
How cheap do they need it to be? We stayed at http://www.davincihotel.com/ which is at the budget end for New York although still not really what i'd call cheap. It's clean and tidy (and free wifi to surf and figure out what to do) just off Broadway and about 5 mins from Times Square.
My top tip for booking NYC accommodation would be to book something cancellable and fully refundable at a price they’re happy with and then keep an eye out for deals on sites like Quick Book closer to the time then if/when a deal presents itself they can move on that. Even hostels are pretty pricey in NYC for what you’re getting, they could consider staying outside of Manhattan but then they could find they’re wasting a good part of their day travelling on the subway. I’ve stayed in NYC several times and always got a good deal by following the above. I really think getting a room somewhere for much <£100 per night per room with private bathroom is very difficult.
I think I paid around £90 a night here: http://www.belvederehotelnyc.com/
Given the cost of the flights a weeks in NYC isn’t cheap in terms of getting there and accommodation, but once you’re there you can eat cheaply and as they say ‘allot of the best things are free.’
I think I paid around £90 a night here: http://www.belvederehotelnyc.com/
Given the cost of the flights a weeks in NYC isn’t cheap in terms of getting there and accommodation, but once you’re there you can eat cheaply and as they say ‘allot of the best things are free.’
A cheaper alternative to a hotel is an apartment. I was there last Autumn with the OH and used www.airbnb.com to find a fantastic apartment just over the river in Brooklyn. It was only a few stops from Grand Central (so although it's not Manhattan it's actually closer to the centre of the city than places on the upper east/west sides), and you get to come home to a fantastic view of the city every night. It was about £150 a night, for a one bed apartment with roof terrace.
This was the view we had -
This was the view we had -
SunnyD said:
A cheaper alternative to a hotel is an apartment. I was there last Autumn with the OH and used www.airbnb.com to find a fantastic apartment just over the river in Brooklyn. It was only a few stops from Grand Central (so although it's not Manhattan it's actually closer to the centre of the city than places on the upper east/west sides), and you get to come home to a fantastic view of the city every night. It was about £150 a night, for a one bed apartment with roof terrace.
This was the view we had -
Looks awesome, HOWEVER I believe it's illegal in NY for land lords to rent out apratments to holiday letters on a week by week basis. I think specifically it's anything less than 30.This was the view we had -
Obviously this isn't stopping allot of people but I've also heard of many scams where money has eben exchaged only to turn up at the given address to find nothing.
Interesting I hadn't heard that about NY before. This apartment we stayed in was one of a purpose built building of about ten, all identical apartments owned by the same person and it was described as a hotel, it even had a small reception desk by the front door, so perhaps they'd got around it that way.
How old are they?
I went by myself in April and stayed in a hostel. Which worked out at £255 for 7 nights including taxes. New York is expensive as far as hostels are concerned, imo, but it was clean and safe. Some hostels also have private rooms for couples, as opposed to sharing a dorm, this would probably suit them better. Hotels might be cheaper for couples?
A weeks pass for the subway is $30 which is good value for getting around NYC. Use the AirTrain and subway to get into Manhattan if they arrive into JFK airport, way cheaper than a taxi.
Hope this helped.
I went by myself in April and stayed in a hostel. Which worked out at £255 for 7 nights including taxes. New York is expensive as far as hostels are concerned, imo, but it was clean and safe. Some hostels also have private rooms for couples, as opposed to sharing a dorm, this would probably suit them better. Hotels might be cheaper for couples?
A weeks pass for the subway is $30 which is good value for getting around NYC. Use the AirTrain and subway to get into Manhattan if they arrive into JFK airport, way cheaper than a taxi.
Hope this helped.
BliarOut said:
Early twenties. That sounds pretty good, was it suitable for a youngish couple.
Im 25 and have never felt to old or to young when going to hostels. They normally have different site seeing tours depending on the day of the week that you can book yourself onto, although in New York I preferred to do my own thing. They normally organise bar crawls as well, not your usual 18-30 club med type tho, more social and just a way to meet new people. Although I just went out with the people I met in my dorm most nights. However I imagine they will want to go out on a night as a couple.Mark.H said:
big apple hostel if they're not too fussed about their digs. I stayed there in 2009, it was ok and pretty central. Tell them to have a look on Hostelworld.com
I'll add another vote for the Big Apple Hostel, the first few times I went to NYC I was on a budget so opted to stay there.I've since stayed in hotels that cost 4 times as much and I'd honestly prefer to stay in the BAH.... the staff are great, the location's excellent and the people who stay there seem fine.
There's cheap Internet, a shared kitchen that's always clean, a nice outdoor terrace at the back, decent deli next door one side and 2 good bars next door the other.
I'd recommend it without hesitation.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff