Flight, hotel, food, attractions: how much will a vacation in New York cost?

New York is a unique bustling metropolis that never sleeps and is filled with tourists at any time of the year. This is understandable: here you will find many attractions, entertainment, cultural institutions and restaurants. About 67 million people visit New York every year. So why don't you take a trip to New York?

Plan

Let's take a 10-day stay in New York as a basis. Here is an example diagram:

• flight (City) - Moscow - (City of transfer *) - New York;
• taxi ride from JFK airport to hotel/apartment/hostel;
• settlement;
• choice of transport for trips around the city;
• sightseeing and entertainment;
• food shopping;
• shopping, buying souvenirs;
• eviction from housing;
• taxi ride to JFK airport;
• flight New York — (City of transfer*) — Moscow — (City).

*Due to the political situation in April, flights to and from New York are only available with a transfer in Istanbul, Dubai or Belgrade.

The first day of the trip will be short. You will arrive in New York, take a taxi from the airport to your hotel, apartment or hostel, check in and, for sure, take your first walk around Manhattan. Buy something to eat and come back to go to bed early. And from the morning of the next day, set off to explore the city.

On days two to nine, you can make your own itineraries, visit sights using various modes of transport. You will also need to go grocery shopping 2 or 3 times. We advise you to visit cultural institutions, museums, go to dinner in a restaurant.

The last, tenth day of the trip will be the most eventful. You will have an exciting shopping, buying gifts and souvenirs. You will take an extreme walk through the streets of New York, admiring the old buildings among the stone jungles of new Manhattan. Then, you have to move out of your apartment, take a taxi to John F. Kennedy Airport and fly back home.

Thus, the main expenses of the trip will be:

• plane tickets Moscow - New York and back, as well as an individual ticket to and from Moscow to your city (all in economy class);
• housing (payment for a hostel, apartment or hotel);
• transport;
• food;
• tickets for sightseeing and entertainment;
• shopping and souvenirs.

Remember that you need a tourist visa to travel to the US.

Flight and road from / to the airport

The only way to get to New York is by plane. A flight from Moscow to New York with a transfer lasts about 20-22 hours. Currently, there is no other option, so you will have to endure a long flight for an unforgettable vacation.

Total cost of round trip tickets: $ 1000- $ 1500.

Due to the current political situation in the world, tickets are now slightly more expensive than usual. Prices are for a round-trip flight (round-trip), excluding the flight from your city to Moscow and back. Baggage is already included in the price. For New York only flights to/from JFK (John F. Kennedy International Airport) are described, for Moscow only from/to SVO (Sheremetyevo) airport.

And so you flew to New York. Drive from the airport available by bus, metro and taxi. Public transport is not suitable as it is long (it will take one and a half to two hours to get to Manhattan). The best option is a taxi. This is the easiest, fastest and most comfortable way to get to your accommodation - the trip will take from 40 minutes to 1 hour. The price will be approximately $60-$75. Total total cost of a taxi from and to the airport - $ 120- $ 150.

Housing

Arriving in New York, you can stay in a hotel, apartment or hostel.

A hostel is the cheapest option, but the conditions are often poor. In a hostel in Manhattan, you will pay $50-$100 per night. In other areas, prices are cheaper - $20-$60 per night on average.

The hotel is a better option. The cost of a night in a hotel starts from $120. The price tag, depending on the area, will not change so much, here the status of the hotel chain is more influenced. In luxury hotels, you will have to unfasten $500-$1500 per night.

Apartment (apartment) is the best option. A hotel is, of course, good, but you flew to see the city, and not hang around in your room. Staying in a hotel or apartment is your choice. Let's take apartments in an old building in Manhattan as a basis. The price per night here will be $120-$200. You can rent apartments on Airbnb and Booking. On average, no matter what you choose, a day will cost $150. Total, for all 10 days you will give $1500.

Transport

The main types of urban transport are buses, metro and taxis, as well as services for renting bicycles and scooters, and carsharing. New York transport is very convenient and developed, it works 24/7, so you should not neglect it. Metro or bus costs $2.75 for one trip. Taxis in New York are expensive. The two most popular services are Uber and Lift. Uber service - $2.50, 1 kilometer further - $1.50. Taxi Lift is a bit cheaper. Renting electric scooters and bicycles rarely exceeds $5-$7 per hour. Car sharing can cost from $70-$80 to $250 per day, depending on the brand of car. But this is the most inconvenient mode of transport, since there are round-the-clock traffic jams in Manhattan. You must be at least 21 years old and have an international driving license.

The best option would be 2 trips by subway or bus every day, which will cost $5.50 per day or $55 for 10 days. Add here 2 bicycle or scooter rentals for 2-3 hours for $25 for all trips, add a taxi ride around Manhattan for $50. Total for the entire transport you will take approximately $130 10 days in New York.

On the subject: New York spends more on the public transport system than any city in the world: what is the reason for sky-high spending

Attractions and attractions

New York has a huge number of attractions and activities that are worth visiting. Almost all of them are free, located in Manhattan or very close to it. Therefore, you won’t have to spend a lot of money and time on the road.

Sightseeings

1. Statue of Liberty (The Statue of Liberty)
   

   

The first thing that comes to mind when talking about New York is the Statue of Liberty! She is a symbol not only of the city, but of the whole of America. Admission is free, a ticket to climb to the crown (the top of the statue) costs only $3. Plus a $23.50 ferry ticket with a transfer between Manhattan and Staten Island and the Statue of Liberty. To do this, you have to defend a huge queue!

2. Times Square and Broadway (Times Square and Broadway)

Broadway is the longest and oldest street in the city, predating the founding of New York itself. Times Square is just a small part of Broadway, a square in the middle of it. There is always a huge number of people from different countries and hundreds of billboard advertising lights.

3. Empire State Building
   

   

The 102-story office building, located in Midtown (middle) Manhattan, is one of the most famous symbols of the city. For a long time it was also the tallest building in the world. You can see it from almost anywhere in Manhattan.

4. Chrysler Building (Chrysler Building)

The Chrysler Corporation building is another symbol of New York, built in the Art Deco style with a very beautiful embossed dome that makes the skyscraper unique. The building is also located in Midtown in Manhattan, not far from the Empire State Building.

5. Freedom Tower (One World Trade Center)

The Freedom Tower was built near the site of the collapse of the twin towers that were attacked on September 11, 2001, as a sign of US invincibility. At the moment it is the tallest building in New York - 541 meters. The ticket price for the observation deck located on the 100th, 101st and 102nd floors of the skyscraper is $42. From there, stunning views open not only of the city, but even of neighboring states!

6. Fifth Avenue (5th Avenue)
   

   

Fifth Avenue is one of the most famous streets in New York, and also one of the most expensive in the whole world. It has a huge number of expensive luxury boutiques and respectable establishments.

7. Flatiron Building (Flatiron Building)

The building was built on a small piece of land in the center of New York. In order to fit another large-scale building into the dense development of Manhattan, it was made triangular. Later, he received the nickname "House-iron" and gained wide popularity.

8. Metropolitan Museum of Art
   

   

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is the fourth most visited art museum in the world. The entrance ticket costs $25. The museum is the most famous in all of New York. Located in Midtown Manhattan.

9. Wall Street

"Wall Street" literally translates as Wall Street. And all because the street is located in a dense building of the financial district of Downtown (lower part) of Manhattan. The street is one of the most significant for all US businessmen, because it is here that the main financial transactions and transactions of the country take place.

10. Central park

Central Park is one of the favorite places of New Yorkers, familiar to us from the movies. This is a huge park stretching in an even rectangle in the middle of Manhattan. In the center of a multimillion-dollar metropolis, people can feel solitude with nature and relax.

11. Grand Central Terminal
    

    

Grand Central is one of the largest and most beautiful train stations in the world. Its majesty and grandeur is definitely worth it to look at it live.

12. Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges (Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge)

These are some of the most famous and oldest bridges in America, conveying the atmosphere and history of the city as well as any building.

13. Memorial 9/11 (9/11 memorial)

After the tragedy of September 11, 2001, the New York authorities decided to build two deep waterfall pools on the site of the foundations of buildings that reflect the magnitude of the loss and pain of Americans. The names of the victims of the terrorist attack are written along the perimeter of the fountains. If you see small flowers next to the name, then this means that this person could have a birthday today.

14. Rockefeller Center

The most famous office complex, built in Midtown Manhattan, is also a very famous symbol of New York, thanks in large part to the Christmas tree that is erected here every year.

Entertainment

From entertainment in New York there is literally everything - for every taste and budget.

1. Visiting attractions

All the main attractions listed above are activities that you will definitely be delighted with!

2. Going to the theatre, museum or restaurant

Going to the theater will cost you decent money. Many theaters in New York require reservations several months in advance. Therefore, if you are planning a trip to the theater on Broadway, tickets for which cost from $50, it is better to book them in advance. Cheaper theaters are also located on Broadway, or nearby, in the theater district. The cost of tickets to such places usually starts from $35.

There are a lot of museums in New York, the two most popular of them are the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art (Museum of Modern Art MoMA). Tickets for the first one cost $25, for the second - $14-$25.

Dinner at a regular restaurant will cost an average of $50-$70, while dinner at a fine restaurant can cost around $100.

3. Walk in parks and squares

You will definitely enjoy a walk in Central Park, because only there you can feel an amazing sense of comfort in the epicenter of the bustle of the city. There are also many parks in the city.

4. Shopping

Shopping is definitely something to do in America. A cheap option is shopping at stores like Macy's, Wallmart, Target, Costco, and so on. These stores have a large selection of cheap clothes and shoes from different brands. It is worth noting that in America, clothing of any category costs one and a half to two times cheaper than in Russia.

The middle option is shopping at Adidas, Nike, Reebok, Levi's, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and so on. In such stores, certain brands are presented, in the USA they are considered cheap, and in Russia they are of an average price category.

An expensive option is shopping at luxury boutiques such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Prada and many others. There, the amounts in the check will amount to thousands of dollars, so it is worth setting aside a certain amount of money in advance for such shopping.

Shopping in both a cheap and an average store will be very profitable, and a trip to an expensive boutique will be remembered for a long time.

5. Walk in the amazing High Line Park or hike The Vessel.

Two new New York attractions that will definitely surprise you with their unusualness and uniqueness. Built on rails right in the center of New York, High Line Park will surprise you with the engineering of multi-level construction. And the glass viewing platform several tens of meters high, The Vessel, has become a “magnet for instagrammers”, striking the possibilities of modern construction. Entrance to both places is free.

Food

Food in New York is diverse, because this city is one of the most multicultural in the world. Consider different food options.

You can buy food in the market, in a simple supermarket, try street fast food or in specialized health food supermarkets (Whole Foods, Natural Market and others). The cheapest food on the market (multiply all prices from Russian by 4), the average option would be a supermarket or street fast food (prices must be multiplied by 5), but in the markets, and in supermarkets and even in street fast food there are some products or categories of products that can cost only 2 times more than Russian ones, and sometimes they will be completely the same in price. An expensive option is to visit specialized healthy food supermarkets (Whole Foods and Natural Market), where prices must be multiplied by 6-8 from ordinary Russian ones. Also, a separate option is food delivery using various services, where the price will depend on the chosen dish, but in general, this choice is also very expensive. In any of these places, in general, there will be good food, and you can find something that will suit your taste.

Eateries and fast food chains (such as McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, Subway, 7-eleven, Taco Bell and many others) are quite cheap by American standards. Lunch in such places costs about $10 for a full set (burger, fries and a drink or a dish, an appetizer and a drink).

Cafes such as Starbucks, Chipotle, Dunkin' Donuts offer a wider selection of desserts and drinks, but their prices are more expensive than in eateries. The cost of lunch (or breakfast) in such places varies on average between $10-$20.

Dinner in a New York restaurant is not cheap, on average it will cost $70-$100.

The best option for a ten-day trip would be to buy food for 3-5 days (2-3 times), it will cost about $150, 4 trips to a cafe - about $70, 1 dinner at a restaurant $70-$100. Total food in general will be spent approximately $300.

Souvenirs

Buying souvenirs from New York is an important and obligatory matter for every self-respecting tourist. The variety of things that are sold as a memento of New York is simply amazing. Here is a list of the most interesting and useful souvenirs and gifts:

1. Sweets, coffee, national food and medicines

American sweets and coffee are known all over the world. Coffee from Starbucks will definitely be a good present for family and friends, because in Russia the company is represented very limitedly. Children will like sweets, because in America they produce various sweets that are simply not sold in Russia. Long-lasting American national food will be quite unusual in our area, it can be for example: sauces, maple syrup, peanut butter, wine, alcohol, canned food. And American drugs, dietary supplements and vitamins do not need to be introduced at all, because everyone knows that the United States is one of the leading countries in the field of medicine.

2. Memorable little things

Magnets, figurines, jewelry, themed trinkets - you can easily find all this in gift shops (gift shops) in New York.

3. historical souvenirs

Indian accessories will definitely become an amazing thing in the home of a simple Russian. Perhaps you will purchase some national item from one of the many peoples living in New York, or you may want to buy American symbols as a gift.

4. Sports theme

Americans are big sports fans. American football, baseball and basketball are very popular in this country. Why not treat yourself or a sports friend with a ball or sports accessory?

5. Printed

Books, magazines or newspapers may appeal to lovers of the English language.

6. Collectibles

Various figurines, comics, chips ... It's all so American, isn't it?

Estimate

1. Round-trip flight (economy class) $1000-$1500
2. Taxi from airport to city and back $120-$150
3. Housing $1500
4. Transport $130
5. Food $500
6. Attractions and entertainment $300
7. Shopping $300-$400 (individual amount)
8. Souvenirs $100-$150
9. Internet $25
10. Spare amount of money $500

TOTAL TRAVEL COST $4475-$5155

Prices are valid for the budget areas of the most expensive part of New York - Manhattan, in other parts and areas of the city prices will be 25-60% lower. The optimal time for a trip to the city is considered to be the middle and end of spring, the beginning and middle of autumn (April, May, September and October). Peak season is summer. The cheapest time to fly is in winter, but not on Christmas (December 24 - January 1).

The estimate includes the optimal budget for the average traveler. For all categories of expenses, averaged prices are selected, which are optimal for Russian citizens both in terms of well-being and comfort conditions.

The cost of tickets from your city to Moscow and back is not indicated and not taken into account, because it varies greatly.

Prices shown here are current as of April 2022.

General provisions

1. Before arriving in the United States, be sure to complete all the necessary documents for entry and a visa.
2. It is better to exchange your money in Russia, because the ruble is not particularly in demand in the USA, the exchange rate there is not at all profitable.
3. Be sure to comply with all US laws, it is better to familiarize yourself with them in advance if you do not want trouble on your trip.
4. It is better to book tickets and accommodation in advance, so it turns out 10-25% cheaper.
5. Travel insurance is available but not required. If you wish, it will cost only $20-$25.