While New York City has become renowned for its one-of-a-kind attractions like award-winning Broadway productions, myriad restaurants, and happening neighborhoods, it is a place that can become a costly endeavor for visitors. You can travel to New York and end up getting ripped off by some of its attractions—without even realizing it. From blunders regarding transportation to unnecessary expenses, there are ways to keep your trip to New York reasonably priced.
Here are 11 common pitfalls and successful alternatives to avoid excessive expenses.
- Paying Full Price for Broadway Tickets.
Broadway shows are a tourist necessity, yet the price of the ticket often need not be paid. Travelers have the option of purchasing discounted tickets on TodayTix, through the TKTS booth at Times Square, through lotteries or rush-ticket programs. Some performances may even offer tickets at prices as low as 25 dollars.
- Buying the Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour Bus Tickets.
Sightseeing bus tours may advertise tickets for 50 dollars, but their final price is often much higher. Traffic jams and unenthusiastic travel commentaries can deter tourists from using the service. Going on a walking tour with a local guide is a more fulfilling and informative experience.
- Buying Bottled Water
The price of a bottle of water in New York can be as much as 4 dollars, even though the water available in the city’s taps is free and of very good quality. If someone is dining at a restaurant, he or she can ask for water to be served from the tap, or maybe find a free water dispenser such as the Recharge Station located at Times Square, which also dispenses coffee and lemonade till about 3 p.m.
- Forgetting About International Roaming Charges
Those going abroad ought to understand their mobile plans first in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises. An eSIM could be considered. The traveling service mentioned above, Olafly, offers the residents an unlimited 5G data plan for New Yorkers, costing 29 dollars for a week, while the code Sarah Monkey allows for discounts.
- Purchasing Overpriced Souvenirs
Souvenir stores frequently sell simple T-shirts with “I Love New York” written on them, charging about 20-30 dollars, while the same items can be bought in Chinatown for a mere 5 dollars. However, in order to find more unique souvenirs, you should visit museums or small shops that promote local artists’ creativity.
- Paying Big Money for Hotel Breakfasts
The cost of breakfast at hotels in New York City can range from $25 to $100 per person. Instead of paying for a hotel breakfast, you can have a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich from a bodega for around $5. This is a more affordable practice and offers you a more authentic experience of breakfast in New York.
- Using Yellow Cabs for Every Trip
The subway is usually a much less expensive means of transportation in New York. A single ride is $2.90 and the total cost per week is about $34 in accordance with the information provided in the video. If you take yellow cabs every time you need to go somewhere, you will spend hundreds of dollars.
- Taking Expensive Cabs from the Airport
Taxi rides from airports are approximately $100. Cheaper options for traveling can be the AirTrain connections, certain buses, and subways, which can get you to your destination for around $10 total.
- Ignoring Charges for Foreign Transactions
Some credit cards apply charges for foreign transactions of 3-5% on purchases made abroad. Travelers should check with their banks on their policies ahead of their trip or choose a credit card that does not impose such fees.
- Eating in Times Square
Restaurants that target tourists offer unadventurous food. For example, for cheesecake, the video recommends Eileen’s Special Cheesecake, a family-run bakery that was established in 1977 in place of Junior’s Cheesecake, which is a more expensive outlet in Times Square. The video shows plain cheesecake being sold for $22 at Junior’s Cheesecake while it is available for only about $4 at Eileen’s.
- Booking Accommodation in Times Square
Hotels located in Times Square tend to be much pricier compared to the hotels in the neighboring areas. The travel guide suggests using Long Island City as an alternative because it takes only about ten minutes to Midtown by train. Other accommodation options include Downtown Manhattan, Upper Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.
Experience New York’s No-Cost Attractions
Some of the most important attractions have no cost. These include Central Park, the High Line, and the Staten Island Ferry, which takes visitors past the Statue of Liberty. However, there are also days when people can visit some museums free, including Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of the Moving Image, and Whitney Museum of American Art.
The New York Public Library and Bryant Park feature many other free activities such as yoga and fencing lessons, art programs, and book distribution.
New York does not have to be expensive. By taking public transport, avoiding overpriced attractions, dining at local restaurants, and taking advantage of the numerous free activities, visitors can enjoy more of the city but spend less.
