PLAN YOUR TRIP TO NEW YORK FOR UNDER $800
Take advantage of some of the cheap flights to New York this October. With air fare coming in under $150 round-trip, visiting New York can fit into smaller budgets.
Price per person based on 2 people can be as cheap as $800, see below for some recommendations.
Flight from Chicago to New York
There are a number of affordable flight options to New York this October starting from $138 per person. The best flight for a long weekend are to depart Thursday October 19th and leaving New York on Sunday October 22nd, roundtrip cost of $148 on JetBlue.
Hotel Recommendations in New York
New York is generally an expensive city to visit as hotels can be expensive if you want to stay in a central location. The city is large and you can stay in a number of different neighborhoods, but if it is your first time I do recommend staying in midtown as it is located between Central Park and Time Square, making it easy to walk to some of the most popular sites in the city.
The Jewel Hotel: The Jewel Hotel is one of the most affordable options in midtown. The rooms are modern and clean and have a workspace in the room. The location of this hotel is in the middle of everything. You can walk to Central Park, Times Square, Rockefeller Center and Broadway. Currently the price per night is $343.
Hilton Club the Quin New York: Another option in midtown is The Quin. This Hilton hotel is centrally located and offers top amenities. The rooms are also beautifully decorated and slightly more spacious than others I have stayed at in the city (unless you have a large budget, hotel rooms in New York are going to be smaller than you may be used to). This hotel is just two blocks from Central Park and located near other top sites. You can currently find a room for $362 per night.
Moxy NYC Downtown: This hotel located in lower Manhattan is closer to the business district, but still walking distance to some of the top sites in New York. This 4 star hotel has an onsite restaurant and bar and modern hotel rooms. It is located near One World Trade Center and the Brooklyn Bridge. It is also near the ferry to get to the Statue of Liberty. Currently priced at $276 per night, this is one of the most affordable options in the city.
Getting Around New York
New York is a massive city and even if you love to walk, you won’t be able to get around the city by only walking. If you stay in Midtown you are within walking distance to Central Park, Time Square and Broadway, but if you want to see Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty and other sites, the walk is over an hour each way. The best way to get around New York is to use the subway. Rides are $2.75 per swipe, or you can get 7 day unlimited fares for $33.
Budget Breakdown - $800
New York is generally not as budget friendly as other destinations, but you can still visit the city for a long weekend for under $800 (this includes flights, hotels and transportation). See below for the budget breakdown:
Roundtrip Air Fare: $138
Jewel Hotel $1,200 (3 Nights): $600
Transportation $50
Total Cost $788
What to do in New York
As you plan your trip below are my favorite activities to do in the city:
Walk Around Central Park: Central Park is massive and you can spend hours walking around. I highly recommend spending time here, especially on a weekend as there is a ton going on and a great place to people watch.
Take a Food Tour: Food tours are one of the best ways to see the city and get to experience local food, picked by a local. My favorite options in New York are:
Greenwhich Village Food Tour
China Town and Little Italy Food Fest
Visit the Statue of Liberty: The Statue of Liberty is touristy, but in my opinion well worth a visit to this iconic landmark. You can either tour on your own or go with a guide. If you go on your own, I recommend paying extra for the audio guide. If you would prefer to have a tour where someone walks you through the history, follow this link to a great Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour.