26 tips for saving money when you visit New York City
How to plan a trip to New York City on a budget
One of the most amazing cities in the world is also one of the most expensive, but that doesn’t mean you have to skip visiting New York City just because you are watching your spending.
I was able to visit NYC five times when I was a student on a very limited budget and it was one of the most memorable experiences of my time in university. Every year I would look forward to figuring out how I could manage a trip to NYC for between 1-5 days without spending too much money, and without sacrificing safety or fun.
The most significant expenses a student will face on a trip to NYC are accommodation and transportation costs, but food, attractions and shopping can also add up quickly if you don’t have a plan !
This article will outline 26 tips that I have personally used for saving money on accommodation, transportation, food and attractions, so you can plan an amazing trip to New York City on a limited student budget.
1. Choose low cost transportation to NYC
To visit New York City, first you have to figure out how to get there ! Rather than automatically choosing to book a round trip flight, consider some of the options below to help cut down on transportation costs.
1. Consider an overnight flight or bus
While it might not be the most pleasant way to travel, an overnight flight or bus can save the cost of an entire night of accommodation, just bring a neck pillow and blanket to make the journey as comfortable as possible. You can either leave your destination the night before and arrive early in the morning ready to start exploring the city, or leave late at night on the last day of your trip and arrive home the next morning. I personally prefer the second option because I would rather be tired at home.
If you arrive early in the city and need to store your luggage, there are several options near Times Square where you can do so for a few dollars, if it doesn’t make sense to go to your accommodation right away.
2. Book tickets on sale
Companies like Megabus, which runs coach bus services to NYC from several major hubs across the USA, often have crazy sale prices right when the tickets are released, typically 60-90 days before departure. These long distance tickets can often be ten dollars or less and Megabus will have 1$ (yes really) tickets on select advance departures.
You do need to plan the trip in advance to take advantage of these offers, but students usually have a set schedule for the semester, so you could consider booking a quick trip when exams are done.
I personally managed to go from Toronto to NYC to Philadelphia to Washington for less than 20$ using sale price Megabus tickets, so this is definitely possible with some planning. The bus also brings you right into Manhattan, usually to Port Authority station for Greyhound and near the Javits Centre for Megabus, so you don’t need an extra taxi or shuttle upon arrival, like you would from the airport.
3. Take the train
Another option to consider is the Amtrak train system, which only serves a limited part of the USA and connects to Montreal in Canada, but they do offer student discounts which could make the train a cheaper option than flying. The train can be quite slow and food options on board are often limited, but it can be an interesting experience if you’ve never been on a train before and it can be a great place for studying or doing schoolwork.
An added bonus of the train is that you arrive right in Manhattan, so there is no need for extra taxis or buses upon arrival.
I took the Amtrak train from Montreal to NYC once because it was less than half the price of flying, it was a 12 hour journey, but I managed to write an entire essay along the way !
4. Extend an existing trip
If you already have the opportunity to travel somewhere in the direction of NYC, consider extending your trip from that destination to New York. If you are going on a family trip or attending an academic conference in a nearby state or city, there may be an affordable bus or train option that is not available in your home city.
For example, I visit Toronto with my family a few times a year and if I continue on from there, I am already one third of the way to NYC, which cuts down on the transportation cost.
5. Use a flight stopover
If you are taking a round trip flight on any of the major American airlines that has a transfer or layover somewhere in the United States, you can usually choose the city and the length of the stopover for up to 24 hours at no extra cost. When searching for flights, choose ‘multi-stop’ and set NYC as the middle destination for up to a day. While this might feel too stressful for some travellers, you can get a whole day in the city for no extra transportation cost. If the plane has to stop anyway, might as well make the most of it !
I did this on the way home from Taipei to Canada, my flight stopped in San Francisco and NYC and I arrived in Newark at 8am and had whole day to visit museums and go shopping, and then return home to Canada on an 8pm flight. Just be sure to confirm whether you will have to re-check luggage if choosing this option.
6. Walk and use the subway system
Once you actually arrive in NYC, you will find that Manhattan is really quite compact, so if you enjoy walking, you can visit a lot of destinations on foot, just bring suitable shoes. I wore fashion boots on my first visit to NYC and ended up buying cute sneakers halfway through the trip because my feet were hurting too much from all the walking.
The NYC Subway system also offers pay per ride and unlimited Metro Cards, if you are going to be in the city for 7 days or more. It is definitely not the most clean, modern and punctual system in the world, but there are lots of stops throughout the city. Just be aware of whether you are getting on an ‘express’ or a ‘local’ train, since the express trains don’t stop at every station.
7. Use up loyalty miles or airline points
If you are fortunate enough to have a credit card or loyalty card that earns you flight rewards, look into using them especially if NYC is a short-haul or domestic flight from your home, as this may be a good value use of your miles.
Depending on your personal situation, you could also ask family who have extra miles if they would consider gifting them to you in place of a holiday, birthday or graduation gift. It can be a win-win situation especially if they aren’t even planning to use them, it doesn’t cost them anything and you get a free flight !
2. Find affordable accomodation in NYC
The second most significant cost you are likely to face in NYC is accommodation. Manhattan is a popular place to stay and there are simply not that many budget priced options.
1. Stay fewer nights
The best thing you can do to reduce costs is to reduce the number of actual nights you stay in the city. I typically arrive on an early morning flight for the first day and leave late on an overnight flight or bus on the last day, which saves the cost of one night.
2. Consider a hostel
Solo student travellers can consider staying in multi share room in a youth hostel. While hostels can sound scary if you’ve never stayed in one, there are some safe and clean options in the city.
The HI (Hostelling International) New York City Hostel on the Upper West Side is large, safe and clean and offers mixed and women-only dorms and several activities like walking tours where you can meet other young travellers. I’ve stayed there twice and had no issue either time.
Other hostels I found to be alright in the city were the Jazz on Columbus Circle Hostel, which is just a few blocks south of Columbus Circle and Central Park, and the International Student Center Youth Hostel on the Upper West Side.
If you are travelling with a partner or with a small group, consider looking for hotels deals or AirBnBs since that could actually work out costing less than a hostel.
3. Reach out to friends and family
If there is any possibility for you to stay with family or friends in the city, reach out and see if they don’t mind hosting you even for part of your trip to cut down on costs. Maybe a distant cousin or your parent’s friend from college lives in NYC, you might have someone in your network who would be happy to have you stay over !
4. Stay further away
If you can’t find something in your price range in Manhattan look further out into Brooklyn or New Jersey. You will be spending more time on a train, bus or taxi, but it may be worth it if you find a good deal.
Another option, if your trip includes multiple destinations, is to spend the day in NYC and leave in the evening for the next stop. For example, I have flown into NYC, spent the day sightseeing and then taken the bus or train to Philadelphia, Washington or Boston as my final destination, where hostels and accommodation can be half the price of NYC.
3. Save on popular attractions in NYC
There is so much to see and experience in NYC that you will never be able to do it all in one visit. As a student visitor, you can prioritise free sights and activities and leave the expensive ones for future trips when you are done school and have more money to spend.
1. Top free sights and activities
The High Line elevated walking path in Chelsea
Central Park
The Brooklyn Bridge
The Fashion Institute of Technology Museum ( great for fashion lovers)
The New York Public Library east of Times Square (beautiful old building with different exhibits)
Grand Central Station (beautiful painted ceilings and architecture)
Staten Island Ferry for views of the Statue of Liberty
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade or the NYC Village Halloween Parade are free events
Check out some more free options here from Lonely Planet.
2. Visit galleries and museums during weekly free opening hours
New York City is home to world class museums and galleries, and while the regular entrance fees can be expensive, most institutions offer reduced price student tickets and limited free opening hours where you can often ‘pay what you wish’. Here are some major museums offering reduced price or free opening times, but double check before your visit as these can change.
Museum of Modern Art
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The American Museum of Natural History
Guggenheim Museum
Check out some more reduced price and free opening times here from Timeout.
3. Use a discounted sightseeing pass
If you are still interested in visiting higher cost attractions like the Empire State Building Observation Deck, the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Centre or the One World Observatory, consider a sightseeing pass, since these major attractions don’t tend to offer any student discounts. If you can pick up a sightseeing pass online on a special sale day like Black Friday, it can be a more affordable way to visit expensive attractions.
Read More : Visiting New York City with a tour group - my experience with Topdeck USA
4. Eat on a budget in NYC
There are about a million choices for dining in NYC, but what will add up quickly is sit down restaurant meals, especially with alcoholic drinks. If there is a restaurant you really want to try, prioritize that in your budgeting and keep other meal costs to a minimum with the following tips.
1. A lot of New York classics like pizza, pretzels and deli sandwiches are reasonably priced and easy to take with you for lunch or a snack.
2. For more variety in one place, try food halls or markets. One of my favorites is the Food Hall at Grand Central Station. Check out this list of food halls from Eater to find more options.
3. For healthier options, get grocery store food like to-go salads, or something you can prepare at your accommodation if you are staying in a hostel or Air BnB. Whole Foods has lots of prepared food choices if you want something fast and affordable.
4. For a reasonable priced sit-down meal, stop for lunch in cafes, particularly at museums and galleries for a more unique atmosphere, and avoid Times Square area tourist restaurants, especially for dinner.
5. If there is a chain restaurant or quick service place you’ve never tried before, download their app to see if you can get any coupons to help bring down the cost of your meal.
6. One final tip is to bring a mini water bottle in your purse or backpack for if you get thirsty throughout the day, this can help avoid random spending on coffees and soda pop drinks, which can add up over a few days and are not always the healthiest !
5. See discounted Broadway musicals and shows
Seeing a Broadway musical is the highlight of a trip to NYC for many visitors but tickets can get expensive, especially to popular productions. Here are some options to score reduced price tickets.
Last minute, rush tickets and standing room only
You can often get same day, last minute tickets from the theatre, usually called ‘rush’ tickets. When a theatre still has unsold seats on the day of a performance, they will usually sell them off at a much lower price either to people lined up when the box office opens, or by using a lottery system. Some of the lotteries are held in person and some are held digitally, so check the theatre website for details. Also be aware that some of these tickets will be ‘Standing Room Only’ at the back of the theatre, which is not the most comfortable, but might still be a way for student travellers to experience a performance.
I have personally gotten tickets to Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages, Aladdin, Mamma Mia, Phantom of the Opera and Beetlejuice all for between 25-50$ on the day of the performance. You can check out the Playbill website here for the most up to date offerings.
2. Student price and under under-30 tickets
Some musicals will offer a few reduced price tickets to every performance for students or people under the age of 30. These will usually be in the very back, or ‘restricted view’ but it is still a good way to see a show ! Check specific theatre websites for details.
3. TKTS in Times Square
There is a bright red booth in Times Square called TKTS that sells reduced price tickets at 20-50 percent off to a variety of both Broadway and off Broadway musicals, plays and other performances. Sometimes there is a long line, and availability changes daily, but it is a consistent option for more affordable tickets. Get more info on the TKTS website here.
6.Shopping and other budgeting tips
Here are a final few tips to prepare for your trip and save money in NYC.
1. Don’t get scammed !
It is not likely that you will be victim of a scam in NYC, but watch out for people trying to sell you unofficial tickets for attractions or the subway on the street, and only purchase these from official vendors. Also, as previously mentioned the Staten Island Ferry is free, so don’t get tricked into buying tickets for it ! Finally, be aware that if you get a picture with the people wearing character costumes in Times Square, they will be expecting a tip.
2. Plan your shopping
There are some historic department stores and flagship locations of major brands in NYC, and you may be able to find products that are not available at home or are expensive to get shipped to where you live. Consider whether shopping in NYC actually makes sense for you, as tax rates might be higher or lower than they are at home, typically set at 8.875%, though clothing and footwear is exempted for the first 110 $ purchase. Check current NY tax rates here . If this is a good deal for you, plan for your shopping and figure out what you need before you leave home and stick to a budget.
At flagship stores (or brand headquarters stores) treat yourself to something fun but small and useful, like a hand cream, lip balm or consumable items and stay away from novelty items you won’t use and overpriced souvenirs .
For example, I always like to get one package of chocolates at the M&Ms store in Times Square, but I don’t bother with any of the expensive souvenirs.
3. Bring your student ID
This sounds obvious, but don’t leave your student identification card at home ! Many colleges and universities will even offer an additional card called the ISIC (International Student Identity Card) at no extra cost which is recognized worldwide, check with your student association or on the ISIC website here. And remember to check for student discounts throughout your trip since it all adds up when you are on a budget.
New York City budget travel
Now that you know it is possible to visit NYC on a budget, I hope you get inspired to start planning your own trip ! You may need to prioritise price over comfort, and save more expensive activities and attractions for future visits. But it is definitely possible to travel as a college student while having amazing experiences and making life long memories on a budget trip to New York City.
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