17 tips to save money in New York City!
In times of a high dollar exchange rate, I’ve been receiving more and more messages from you on Instagram asking for tips on how to save money here in New York and still make the most out of your trip! That’s why I bring you another post full of valuable tips for those who want to enjoy the city without spending a lot, and believe me, it’s possible!
Oh, before I forget…To see more of my day to day life in NYC and get the hottest tips, join my NYC tips Facebook group HERE, follow me on Instagram (@marthasachser or @blognyandabout) and subscribe to my YouTube channel! And click HERE for my NYC complete guide with step-to-step itineraries!
1- Keep an eye out for flight and accommodation deals.
Websites like Google Flights and Skyscanner are a great way to search, but you can also use Priceline, Expedia and so on. Start researching accommodation prices for both high and low seasons. This way, when an unbeatable flight offer appears, you’ll feel more confident making the purchase, knowing you already have an idea of how much accommodation can cost.
I’ve mentioned some hotels with good cost-benefit rates HERE, HERE and HERE!
2- Enjoy the free attractions in New York City
Yes, many attractions in New York, in addition to the city as a whole, are free, and you can indeed enjoy them a lot without spending your precious dollars! And I have listed for you in this post HERE the main free attractions and activities in New York (they are also included in my New York guide)!
3- Buy New York attractions with a 5% discount!
Discount passes and individual tickets can add up to a significant amount in your itinerary, but you can save even more by purchasing New York attractions with a 5% discount through Tiqets using the blog’s affiliate link.
Another advantage of buying through Tiqets is that all the information is available in different languages and there is free cancellation on many things! To secure the 5% discount, use the blog’s affiliate link (HERE) and enter the code NYABOUT5OFF. It is valid for all ticket and tour purchases through Tiqets using my affiliate link HERE!
If you want to save money on New York attractions, including the various observatories, my tip is to purchase one of the discount passes. The most basic one is the CityPASS, which is worth it if used at the right attractions.
In addition to the official website, you can also purchase the CityPASS with 5% off HERE (coupon code: NYABOUT5OFF). But my favorite pass for those who want to enjoy many attractions and services is the Sightseeing PASS (HERE!) or HERE. It includes 4 out of the 5 observatories!
Where to buy your discount passes for attractions in New York:
CityPASS with a 5% discount HERE (code: NYABOUT5OFF) or CityPASS at regular price on the official website HERE
Sightseeing PASS: HERE or The Sightseeing Pass Flex with 5% off: HERE (code: NYABOUT5OFF)
Go City The New York Pass: HERE! (code: NYABOUT5OFF)
Go City Explorer Pass: HERE (code: NYABOUT5OFF)
The passes for the top attractions in New York leave many people in doubt, so in this post HERE I explained how to choose the best one for you to save even more on your trip!
4- Stay in Queens, Brooklyn or New Jersey – check out the hotels below.
Whether it’s a hotel or Airbnb, staying in Queens, especially in the areas of Long Island City to Jackson Heights, can be a good option to save a lot on accommodation. I’ve talked about some of the best hotels in Queens HERE, and you can ask for suggestions for nice Airbnbs from other travelers in the blog’s Facebook group by clicking HERE!
“We stayed in Queens (via Airbnb) near a subway station on the 7 line (61 St-Woodside Station) that had express trains to Manhattan, so we paid half the price of accommodation, and we planned our trips to always take the express train (as it doesn’t run all day), so it took us 15 to 20 minutes to get to the island / return from the island. It was very convenient and affordable.” – Fernando, a blog reader.
For those looking for more space and a good price, staying in the neighboring state of New Jersey, in cities like Jersey City and Hoboken, for example, which are very close to Manhattan, can be a good option. However, keep in mind that you will need to pay an additional cost to get to New York, whether by taking the PATH train, the New Jersey Transit train (which can range from $2.75 to more than $5 per trip), or even a ferry. In addition to the extra cost, also consider the commuting time. I recommend a maximum travel time of 20 to 30 minutes so that you don’t waste too much time on transportation, but of course, everyone knows their priorities.
5- Stay in a hostel
When on a budget and short in time, I love staying in hostels, they are usually located in an area with easy access to public transportation. Some might even offer free breakfast or some free or budget friendly activities. It’s a great choice, especially for solo travelers who want to save money. I talked about the best hostels in New York in this post HERE! And the advantages of staying in a hostel HERE!
6- Travel during low season
There are always a lot of people in New York, but months like January, February, March, May, September, and October tend to be a bit quieter. Especially in winter, from January until early April, it is common to find good deals on accommodation.
7- Download my NYC guide, have the best experience in NYC and save time and money!
Traveling to New York is an investment, and organizing yourself and having an itinerary is a great way to save money, time, and avoid any unpleasant surprises! If you don’t have one yet, I highly recommend downloading my NYC guide! It includes 16 detailed itineraries including all the sights, restaurants, stores and film locations you don’t wanna miss! The guide also includes google map links, so most spots I mention in the guide are one click away. Click HERE to download your NYC today!
8- Do some research and plan your meals in advance
There are plenty of budget friendly options in NYC when it comes to food. If you are truly on a budget, US$1 pizza, buying food at the grocery store, salad bar and some fast food chains can be a life saver.
Some of my favorite chains are: Taim, Tamam, Mamoun’s and The Hummus and Pita Co. (falafel wraps and bowls), Chipotle, Dos Toros and Los Tacos Numero 1 (mexican food), Sweetgreen, Just Salad and Fresh & Co (salads and bowls), Red Poke (poke bowls), Panera Bread and Pret a Manger (pastries, soups, sandwiches and to-go salads and hot food) Cava and Dig Inn (build your own healthy bowl/plate).
9- Buy Broadway tickets at a discount
It’s not guaranteed that you will succeed, but with the internet at your fingertips, it’s worth a try! Several Broadway shows offer the option of an online lottery where you can sign up to win one or two tickets at a very attractive price. I talked more about the online lottery and other types of discounts in this post HERE! You can always get Broadway tickets with 5% off using the code NYABOUT5OFF HERE!
10 – Visit museums and attractions during free or suggested price hours
Most museums in New York have a specific time when you can pay what you wish or are free. Since there are many options, it’s worth researching beforehand to choose the ones you’re truly interested in. The good thing is that if you have one of the attraction passes, several museums are included, so you end up saving money and are not too restricted by time. Don’t forget that in my New York guide, I list the most popular museums that offer free hours or suggested price by day, so it’s more organized and you can plan better.
11- Take the subway
From JFK airport to the city, if you choose Uber, a taxi, or a private driver, you will spend at least $50 to get to Manhattan. If you choose the subway, it’s only $11.75 with the MetroCard, including the AirTrain and the card itself. When getting around the city, it’s important to have an itinerary beforehand to plan and see if it’s worth getting an unlimited MetroCard. Most of the time, it is, but it’s worth calculating if you really want to save money. The pass is individual, valid for 7 days, and costs $33. I talked more about how the New York subway works HERE!
12- Take a free tour
It’s a great option for English speakers (some are available in other languages as well)! Beloved by travelers, these free tours are held in hundreds of cities worldwide, and New York is no exception! You can join the tour for free and at the end, give a tip that you find fair for the service provided. Typically, people pay between $5 and $20, but you can give whatever amount you feel comfortable with. Check their website to see the available options, and if it interests you, include it in your itinerary! It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and learn a ton!! You can learn more about the most popular free tours available in New York HERE!
13- Take advantage of Restaurant Week and Broadway Week
If you’re lucky enough to travel during these periods, it’s definitely worth it! The concept of Restaurant Week is great: you get to dine at some of the best restaurants in New York for a much more attractive price/prix-fixe! The event takes place between January and February and June and July. You can check out the participating restaurants, make reservations, and find more information on the official website.
As for Broadway Week, it offers the opportunity to get two Broadway tickets for the price of one. However, it actually lasts longer than a week, and you can keep an eye on the official website to purchase your tickets in advance. Not all shows are included, but the majority of them are. This happens twice a year, at the end of January/early February and early September.
14-Shop at thrift stores in New York
One thing that New York is not short on is thrift stores! And in these stores, you can find true treasures sometimes at great prices. There are many options, I listed my favorites in my NYC Guide HERE but also mentioned some popular ones on this blog post HERE!
15- Don’t buy souvenirs in Times Square
You know those snow globes we love? Well, in Times Square, unfortunately, they can cost double compared to other stores. The rent in that area is very expensive, and more staff is needed due to the high flow of people, so it’s completely understandable. There are a few stores that have good prices (such as Grand Slam, which has a more affordable souvenir section) and a decent variety, but if you want to save money on basic items like refrigerator magnets and other stuff, here are three tips:
5th Ave NYC gifts: This store is located near the Empire State Building and offers very reasonable prices. They also provide a 10% discount for blog readers. The address is 377 5th Avenue, between 35th and 36th streets. Simply say you follow Martha at checkout and done 🙂
Chinatown: Yes, you can find some good prices there as well, but my tip is to haggle because I’ve seen some prices that are quite similar to those in Times Square. I don’t highly recommend Chinatown because there are many scattered stores, and the service is not always great. So, I still recommend the option above for those who want to buy various items at a good price.
Brooklyn Bridge: Right at the beginning and sometimes near the first arch from Manhattan to Brooklyn, you will spot stalls selling souvenirs. The variety is limited, but you can always find magnets and other simpler items. Since they don’t have to pay exorbitant rental prices, the souvenirs are usually cheap.
16- Shop at cheaper grocery stores in New York
If you follow me on Instagram, you probably already know that I practically live at Trader Joe’s! If you haven’t been there yet, Trader Joe’s is a market where you can find better prices than most local supermarkets, and they have multiple locations throughout the city. It’s more affordable because the majority of the products are their own brand. Overall, everything is delicious, including their frozen food. However, I don’t buy a lot of fruits and vegetables there unless they’re organic.
Another option is Jack’s 99 stores, where you can find many options at very cheap prices. They have a wide variety of items, but don’t expect the highest quality. However, you can still find some good things there, including frozen items. If you’re staying in Queens, it’s also worth checking out Aldi and Lidl if there is one of them near you.
17 –Take advantage of outlets and discount stores!
You can definitely find great deals in New York without spending a fortune. Stores like TJ Maxx, Burlington, Five Below, Jack’s 99, Dollar Tree, and many others that I have mentioned before and regularly feature on my Instagram are proof that you can save money on shopping without leaving New York! However, if you want to venture a bit further, there are three nearby outlets. The most easily accessible and cost-effective one is the Empire Outlets in Staten Island. But if you are interested in some serious shopping, I recommend Woodbury Common or The Mills at Jersey Gardens.
Are you traveling to NYC? Get my NYC guide now and save time, money and explore the city like a true New Yorker!
The guide is completely organized by area, with step-by-step instructions on where to go, eat, shop, visit film and TV show locations, and much more. It’s all neatly organized for you to explore every corner of New York and return home feeling like a true New Yorker! There are 16 itineraries that you can follow strictly, combine regions, or use as a base for your own itinerary.
What else is inside?
- 16 detailed step-by-step itineraries to explore NYC from morning to evening with all the attractions, shops, spots you can’t miss and restaurants I recommend in each area (organization is key when exploring NYC so don’t worry, I got you!) and much much more. PLUS:
- How to travel to and from the airports
- How to use the NYC subway (metro)
- Budget friendly hotels and hostels
- Weather in NYC
- Month by month event calendar
- Store guide
- The best outlets near NYC
- Restaurants you can’t miss in every neighborhood
- NYC FAQ
- NYC with kids (the best things to do and attractions)
- Free attractions you can’t miss
- Extra tips, fun facts, movie and TV shooting locations
- Exclusive discounts for my readers
- The “Instagrammable” spots you can’t miss!
- Most used Apps in NYC
- Google maps links, so you can simply use your phone and find the attractions mentioned on the book near you
- Gluten-free and vegan restaurants
- What to do in the winter and summer in NYC
- And much much more!
Get the ebook version HERE (it includes free updates for this edition!)
Get a hard copy on Amazon HERE!
Discounts in NYC:
Attractions, tours and experiences:
You can book all of the above with a 10% off discount and free cancellation by using my coupon code NYABOUT10OFF HERE!
Where to buy your discount passes for New York attractions:
If you wanna save money on tickets and have plans to visit some of the best attractions, I recommend checking out some of the passes below:
CityPASS at the normal price on the official website HERE!
CityPASS with a 10% discount HERE! (code NYABOUT10OFF)
The Sightseeing DAY PASS at the normal price on the official website HERE! (one of my favorites)
The Sightseeing DAY PASS with a 10% discount HERE(code NYABOUT10OFF) (one of my favorites)
The Sightseeing FLEX Pass at the normal price on the official website HERE! (one of my favorites)
The Sightseeing Flex PASS with a 10% discount HERE (code NYABOUT10OFF) (one of my favorites)
Go City New York Explorer Pass: with a 10% discount HERE! (code NYABOUT10OFF) (one of my favorites)
Go City: The New York Pass with a 10% discount HERE! (code NYABOUT10OFF) (one of my favorites)
How to save money in New York:
Accommodation:
Hotels: Click HERE to check out my post with the best hotels in Queens (super close to Manhattan) and HERE for hotels in NYC in general.
Airport/Hotel Transfer:
Brazilian driver – special discount for my readers: Alex is the blog’s official driver and he offers a special discount on his services when you mention you follow me! You can reach him via text and Whatsapp: (917)6567299 or on instagram HERE
Travel eSims:
I never travel without an international sim card, I ran way too many times into issues with local mobile companies, plus, they are more expensive most of the time. I love that now we can buy digital sim cards, and they are super easy to activate. The two major companies I recommend are:
Airalo: With the code NYANDABOUT10, you receive 10% off HERE!
HolaFly: With the code MARTHASACHSER, you get a discount HERE!
