New York Travel Budget
How much does it cost to visit New York, United States? Plan your budget with our interactive calculator.
Estimated Total for 7 Days
$1,750
Travel Style
Midrange
Destination
Travel Style
Compare by Travel Style
See how your 7-day trip budget varies across backpacker, midrange, and comfortable travel styles.
Largest Expense
Accommodation
45% of total budget
Price Level
Expensive
Compared to global average
Local Currency
USD
Symbol: $
Where Your Money Goes
Understanding your spending helps you travel smarter and stretch your budget further
Daily vs Total Cost
Switch between daily and total views to understand your spending
$1,750
Total for 7 days
Accommodation
$788
for 7 days
Food & Dining
$385
for 7 days
Transport
$175
for 7 days
Activities
$315
for 7 days
Other
$88
for 7 days
Planning Tip
Book accommodations early and compare prices across platforms. Mid-week stays often offer better rates than weekend arrivals, and flexibility with dates can save you up to 25%.
A Day in New York
See exactly what a real day costs, with insider tips for each expense
A Budget Day in New York
Total: $37
Bagel with cream cheese and coffee
Find a real bagel shop, not a chain
Walk the High Line and Hudson Yards (free)
Urban renewal at its best
Dollar slice pizza for lunch
Joe's or any $1 slice joint
Central Park afternoon (free)
The city's backyard
Happy hour drinks
Many bars have $5 drafts 4-7pm
Chinatown dinner
Some of the best value food in the city
Metro card / OMNY tap
Capped at ~$33/week
Daily Total
7 activities
From Someone's Journal
New York doesn't have to destroy your wallet. Breakfast was a perfect everything bagel from a place that's been here since 1954. Walked the High Line—an elevated park on old train tracks—for free. $1 pizza that rivals anything twice the price. Central Park felt endless: boat houses, buskers, people from everywhere doing everything. Dinner in Chinatown: hand-pulled noodles, dumplings, adventure. Spent $37 total.
Memory Prompts for New York
Reflect on your spending with these thoughtful prompts - perfect for your travel journal
How did you navigate NYC's notorious costs?
Budget strategies
Describe your most memorable "only in New York" food moment.
Food culture
What free experience exceeded your expectations?
Free discoveries
How did the subway shape your experience and budget?
Transport life
Free Things to Do in New York
Stretch your budget further with free attractions and insider money-saving tips
Central Park
Explore 843 acres of lawns, lakes, and landmarks including Bethesda Fountain and Bow Bridge.
Brooklyn Bridge Walk
Walk across the iconic bridge with Manhattan skyline views. Go early to avoid crowds.
High Line
Elevated park on former railway with gardens, art, and Hudson River views.
Staten Island Ferry
Free ferry with close-up Statue of Liberty views. Round trip takes about an hour.
Times Square
Experience the sensory overload of neon billboards and bustling crowds.
Grand Central Terminal
Admire the stunning Beaux-Arts architecture and famous ceiling inside.
MoMA Free Friday
The Museum of Modern Art is free from 5:30-9pm on Fridays.
Washington Square Park
People-watch, see street performers, and admire the famous arch in Greenwich Village.
DUMBO Viewpoint
The famous Manhattan Bridge photo spot in Brooklyn. Free to visit.
Chelsea Market Browse
Walk through this food hall in a former Nabisco factory. Looking is free.
Practical Tips for New York
Getting Around
MetroCard unlimited 7-day pass is $34. Single rides are $2.90. Uber/Lyft are often cheaper than yellow cabs for groups.
Where to Stay
Queens and Brooklyn hotels are cheaper and just 15-20 mins to Manhattan. Consider Newark Airport hotels for rock-bottom rates.
Cheap Eats
$1 pizza slices are a NYC institution. Halal carts offer $5 platters. Chinatown and Flushing have authentic cheap eats.
Tipping Guide
Tip 18-20% at restaurants (pre-tax), $1-2 per drink at bars, $2-5 for hotel housekeeping. Cash tips preferred.
Best Value Season
January-February offer best rates. Avoid September (UN General Assembly) and major holidays.
Watch Out For
Avoid costumed characters in Times Square who demand tips for photos. CD scammers target tourists near attractions.
Pro tip: Combine free activities with paid attractions for a balanced, budget-friendly itinerary
Neighborhood Guide for New York
Find the perfect area to stay based on your budget and travel style
East Village
Bohemian neighborhood with eclectic restaurants, dive bars, and indie shops. NYU student area.
Best For
Williamsburg (Brooklyn)
Hipster headquarters with vintage shops, craft breweries, and Brooklyn's best brunch spots.
Best For
Hell's Kitchen
Formerly gritty, now a Restaurant Row with diverse cuisines, theatre proximity, and good value.
Best For
Lower East Side
Former immigrant neighborhood with trendy bars, galleries, and some of NYC's best nightlife.
Best For
Harlem
Historic African-American neighborhood with soul food, jazz clubs, and beautiful brownstones.
Best For
Midtown
Tourist central with Times Square, Empire State Building, and Rockefeller Center. Convenient but pricey.
Best For
Location Tip
Consider staying in "moderate" neighborhoods for the best balance of cost and convenience. They often have better local restaurants, easier transport links, and more authentic experiences than the most central tourist areas—while still being safe and well-connected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about traveling to New York on a budget
A 7-day trip to New York costs approximately $1,750 for a midrange travel style. This breaks down to about $250 per day, covering accommodation, food, local transportation, activities, and miscellaneous expenses.
Daily budgets in New York vary by travel style: Budget/Backpacker travelers spend around $100/day, Mid-range travelers spend $250/day, and Comfortable travelers spend $500/day. These estimates include accommodation, meals, local transport, and activities.
New York is considered a relatively expensive destination for tourists. With mid-range daily costs of $250, it requires careful planning to stay within budget compared to other popular destinations. The largest expense is typically accommodation (45% of budget).
Food typically accounts for about 22% of your daily budget in New York. For a midrange experience, expect to spend around $55 per day on meals. $1 pizza slices are a NYC institution. Halal carts offer $5 platters. Chinatown and Flushing have authentic cheap eats.
New York uses the USD ($). We recommend exchanging some cash before arrival for small purchases, though credit cards are widely accepted in most establishments. ATMs are readily available throughout the city, but check with your bank about international transaction fees.
Accommodation in New York is the largest expense, typically representing 45% of your budget. For 7 days with a midrange travel style, expect to spend approximately $788 total. Queens and Brooklyn hotels are cheaper and just 15-20 mins to Manhattan. Consider Newark Airport hotels for rock-bottom rates.
Top money-saving tips for New York: Get a 7-day MetroCard, Skip the observation decks, TKTS booth for Broadway. These strategies can significantly reduce your daily costs.
Yes! New York has many free attractions including: Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge Walk, High Line, Staten Island Ferry, and more. These free activities can help you stretch your budget significantly.
Local transportation typically accounts for 10% of your budget in New York. MetroCard unlimited 7-day pass is $34. Single rides are $2.90. Uber/Lyft are often cheaper than yellow cabs for groups. Budget around $25 per day for transport.
Tip 18-20% at restaurants (pre-tax), $1-2 per drink at bars, $2-5 for hotel housekeeping. Cash tips preferred.
January-February offer best rates. Avoid September (UN General Assembly) and major holidays.
Avoid costumed characters in Times Square who demand tips for photos. CD scammers target tourists near attractions.
Data Source
Budget and cost of living data sourced from Numbeo. Prices are estimates based on crowdsourced data and may vary
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Your 7-Day Budget
$1,750
$250 per day
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