Affordable Hotels in New York: Our Best Picks for Budget Travelers

Our Top Picks: Affordable Hotels in New York

In this article, we’ll walk you through all your options for staying in New York without breaking the bank.

If you just want a quick overview, we’ve put together a table below listing our favorite cheap hotels in New York City.

How much does a budget hotel in New York City cost?

If you want to stay in New York on a budget, you can’t be too picky. When we look for a good, affordable hotel, the things we care about are:

• Cleanliness
• Comfortable beds (after all, we’re only here to sleep)
• A good location or solid transit connections
• An optional, affordable breakfast

That’s it. That’s genuinely all you need for a great New York trip.

For hotel rooms that tick these three or four basic boxes, expect to pay roughly between 150 and 400 euros per night in New York.

More money-saving tips for budget hotels in New York

You’ll find hotels that are a little cheaper than that — but with those, you’ll be making compromises not just on comfort, but on quality too. We can’t speak for everyone, but the feel-good factor at a hotel matters a lot to us.

What we can live with if it means saving money in New York:

• Skipping a top-floor view (we’ll get that from somewhere like The Edge)
• Small rooms (New York hotel rooms are often compact anyway)
• No extras like a bar or fitness center (with all the sightseeing, you won’t have time for those at the hotel anyway)

Pro tip: New York is big, New York is loud. It’s always worth messaging the hotel in advance and asking for a quiet room on one of the upper floors.

A few more things to keep in mind when searching for a cheap hotel in New York:

1. Booking early pays off — if only because the cheaper room categories won’t be sold out yet.
2. In January, February, July, and August, hotels in New York are cheaper than in other months. Also check out our article on the best time to visit New York.
3. Hotel prices in New York fluctuate enormously — even from day to day. For longer stays, it can actually make sense to split your trip between two hotels.
4. Travel with friends or family and share a room with two double beds among four people. This tip also works great for visiting New York with kids.
5. Stay outside of Manhattan. Our top suggestions: Queens, Jersey City, and the Bronx.

Budget Hotels in Manhattan

Admittedly, hotel prices in Manhattan are never truly cheap. The borough (shown in teal above) is simply THE place to be in New York. This is where you’ll find many of the top 25 attractions and highlights in New York, and you’ll be right in the middle of the action.

That said, it’s not impossible to find affordable hotels in Manhattan. Here are our five favorites:

The Cloud One New York Downtown by the Motel One Group

The Cloud One New York-Downtown is part of the German Motel One Group. We think it’s really cool and it sits right at the top of our list of great budget hotels in New York.

The hotel is well thought-out, stylish, and brilliantly located.

At 16 m², the rooms are relatively spacious by New York standards. The hotel is in downtown Manhattan, near the One World Trade Center and Wall Street — a perfect base for your New York sightseeing itinerary.

And the rooftop terrace with its skyline views is not to be missed either.

Prices at the Cloud One fluctuate quite a bit. But you can regularly find rooms here for under 300 euros a night — a seriously good deal for downtown Manhattan.

To the Cloud One New York-Downtown

Pod 39

The Pod 39 is one of the best addresses for a stylish yet affordable place to stay in Manhattan. We’ve stayed here ourselves!

The rooms are small but cleverly designed. There are various categories, from single rooms with shared bathrooms to double rooms with private bathrooms.

For a double room with a private bathroom, you’ll pay around 130 euros in the off-season, while prices can climb to around 190 euros during peak season.

For the prime location, that price is genuinely unbeatable. The hotel is right in the heart of Midtown, just a few minutes’ walk from Grand Central Station — from there, you can easily reach every corner of New York by subway.

Especially cool: the rooftop terrace with its spectacular skyline views.

To the Pod 39

Pod 51

The Pod 51 is a classic among solid, no-frills budget hotels in New York. It leans more toward a hostel vibe — and we mean that as a compliment, not a criticism. Just something to know before you book.

The rooms are very small, but the limited space is put to great use.

There are various room types and comfort levels, and prices vary accordingly.

In the off-season in January, you can get the cheapest 8 m² room with bunk beds and a shared bathroom for around 125 euros. For a room with a double bed and private bathroom, expect to pay around 180 euros.

Also great: the rooftop terrace and the hotel’s fantastic location. The Pod 51 is in Midtown, right around the corner from Top of the Rock and many other New York highlights.

To the Pod 51

Mimosa Hotel Chinatown

The Mimosa Hotel in Chinatown is, for us, an under-the-radar gem in New York. It’s not part of any chain and has only 30 rooms — with genuine New York City character baked in.

Chinatown is fantastic — not only do you have tons of great authentic and affordable restaurants nearby, but the neighborhood also borders cool spots like the Lower East Side and Little Italy, and the Brooklyn Bridge is just a 15-minute walk away.

The rooms are a compact 12 m² but cleverly furnished — simple, bright, and styled with a 1950s aesthetic. In the summer months, the cheapest room costs around 200 euros a night, and in January — the best month for deals — you can find a night for as low as 130 euros.

To the Hotel Mimosa

Hilton Garden Inn Financial Center Manhattan Downtown

The Hilton Garden Inn is located at the southern tip of Manhattan. That’s where most New York boat tours depart from, and where you can visit the Statue of Liberty.

The location isn’t quite as central as some of the other budget hotels in Manhattan, but it’s far from a dealbreaker.

Wall Street, the 9/11 Museum, and the One World Trade Center are all within easy walking distance.

The rooms are enormous by New York standards — a full 20 m² with a king-size bed. Prices range from 260 to 400 euros per night. Book well in advance here.

To the Hilton Garden Inn

Budget Hotels in New York Outside of Manhattan

You don’t necessarily need a hotel in Manhattan to have an amazing time in New York.

Here are three neighborhoods outside of Manhattan where you can stay comfortably without spending a fortune:

• Jersey City
• Queens
• Bronx

Budget Hotels in Jersey City

Jersey City (shown in teal above) is located west of Manhattan, separated by the Hudson River.

If you opt for a cheap hotel in Jersey City, you won’t actually be staying in New York City — you’ll be in New Jersey. That comes with both advantages and disadvantages. The biggest downside is that New Jersey simply isn’t New York.

You may have come across this good-natured rivalry between New York City residents and New Jersey in a movie or two.

But don’t let that put you off. Jersey City more than makes up for it with incredible views of the New York skyline and great transit connections to Manhattan. By bus, ferry, or the PATH train, you’re in the thick of it within ten to twenty minutes.

Here are our three favorite budget hotels in Jersey City:

Peachtree Suites

The Peachtree Suites Hotel in Jersey City offers seriously good value for money.

Prices throughout the year range between 160 and 315 euros per night. It’s especially perfect for families or groups of three to four friends traveling together.

Even the cheapest room category — the “Studio” — includes a separate bedroom, and for a few euros more you can get the Deluxe Studio with two double beds for up to four people.

The rooms are around 40 m² — we’ve never seen a hotel room this spacious anywhere near New York.

The location is great: the hotel is right next to the Journal Square PATH station, which gets you to Manhattan in twenty minutes.

The hotel doesn’t offer breakfast, but you do have a small kitchenette in your room, so you can easily eat in — or even cook dinner.

There’s a grocery store not far from the hotel, and you’ll find plenty of affordable restaurants and cafés right around the corner.

To the Peachtree Suites

Canopy by Hilton

The Canopy by Hilton in Jersey City is a newer property that delivers everything you’d expect from a Hilton at fair prices: upscale furnishings, spacious rooms, and seriously comfortable beds.

If you’re confident about your travel plans — or you have travel insurance and don’t need the free cancellation option — booking non-refundable can make a noticeable difference in price.

In the off-season, you can get a room here for around 300 euros a night, and in January it gets even cheaper. For families who appreciate a more upscale stay, there are also rooms with two double beds available.

The location is excellent. The Grove Street PATH station is right outside the door, and the Hudson River is just a ten-minute walk away.

To the Canopy By Hilton Jersey City Arts District

Doubletree by Hilton

Another Hilton property. The DoubleTree is essentially the Canopy but a bit older and a bit cheaper. Book early enough and you can snag a room here for under 250 euros per night.

Thanks to its proximity to the Hudson River, some rooms have a truly stunning view of the New York skyline. You can also add breakfast as an optional extra.

To the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites

Budget Hotels in Queens

The borough of Queens (shown in teal above) is located east of Manhattan, on the other side of the East River. From Queens, you also get a great view of the New York skyline.

Queens is the largest of New York’s five boroughs, and it’s much more laid-back than Manhattan. Expect a mix of residential neighborhoods with traditional row houses and modern high-rises.

The advantages of staying in Queens: accommodations are cheaper than in Manhattan, you get excellent value for money, and you’re still very close to all of New York’s major attractions.

Another point in favor of a hotel in Queens: two of New York’s airports are located there — JFK and LaGuardia.

Here are our top picks for cheap hotels in Queens:

LIC Plaza

The LIC Plaza in Queens is a solid mid-range hotel without any frills — great location, no surprises, with fairly stable prices around 150 to 300 euros a night including breakfast.

The hotel is right next to three subway lines, making it easy to reach anywhere in Manhattan quickly. To give you an idea: it’s only fifteen minutes to Times Square.

At the same time, you have excellent infrastructure right outside your door: grocery stores, delis, restaurants, cafés — everything you need is there.

To the LIC Plaza Hotel

Hyatt Place

The Hyatt Place is a real standout among affordable hotels in New York. Starting at around 260 euros, you get an unbeatable package with breakfast included.

The rooms are very spacious and well-equipped. There’s also an on-site restaurant, a bar, and parking at the hotel.

The location is great too. You have everything you need around you, and with three subway stations nearby, you’re fifteen minutes from Times Square and fifty minutes from JFK.

To the Hyatt Place Long Island City

Holiday Inn Express Suites

Want a cheap hotel in Queens? You can’t go wrong with the Holiday Inn (© Holiday Inn Express & Suites)

The Holiday Inn Express & Suites is located a bit deeper into Queens than the other two hotels.

It takes around 30–40 minutes to get to Times Square in Midtown. JFK is a 40-minute ride away, and there’s a free shuttle to LaGuardia.

The hotel is on a busy street, so it’s not quite as cozy as the other two. That said, the value for money is still solid.

In the off-season, you can get a standard room from 220 euros a night, and with a bit of luck you’ll stay under 310 euros even during peak season. Breakfast is included.

To the Holiday Inn Express & Suites

Budget Hotels in the Bronx

You’re probably thinking: Are you serious? There’s no way I’m staying in the Bronx.

And yes, we totally get that reaction. You might know the Bronx (shown in teal above) from movies — a run-down neighborhood, a rough area. Honestly, the Bronx just has a really bad reputation that it doesn’t entirely deserve.

Sure, as a tourist you shouldn’t go wandering into every corner of the Bronx. But the neighborhood genuinely has some cool things to see, like Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Zoo, and the New York Botanical Garden.

Staying in the Bronx also gives you the chance to experience the real everyday life of typical New Yorkers.

We’re not trying to talk you into finding a hotel in the Bronx at all costs. But it is a legitimate option for staying in New York on a real budget.

Wingate by Wyndham Bronx Haven Park

The Wingate combines modern comfort with affordable prices. The rooms aren’t particularly large, but they have everything you need for a comfortable stay.

A real bonus is the proximity to the subway station, which is just one block away and gets you to Manhattan fast. You can be in Upper Manhattan in five minutes.

Breakfast is included in your booking, and the hotel’s own restaurant, “Rosa’s at Park,” serves Spanish cuisine in the evenings.

With prices starting at around 260 euros per night, this is a solid choice for a New York affordable hotel.

To the Wingate by Wyndham Bronx Haven Park

Highbridge Hotel

The Highbridge Hotel is a great pick if you want to travel on a real budget without sacrificing comfort.

The rooms are compact but thoughtfully designed. A standout feature is the rooftop terrace, which offers an impressive panorama across the city.

The location is ideal. Yankee Stadium is just a short walk away, and the “167 St. Station (River Av.)” subway stop is practically right at your doorstep. You can be in Manhattan in about fifteen minutes.

With prices starting at around 120 euros per night, the Highbridge Hotel offers some of the best value for money in New York.

To the Highbridge Hotel

Alternative: Stay Even Cheaper in New York at a Hostel

Staying at a hostel in New York — not your thing? We completely understand. Our first instinct is always “ugh, haven’t we outgrown that stage?”

But there are genuinely good reasons to reconsider.

A hostel is a great alternative if:

• you’re traveling solo
• you’re traveling with friends and can share a four-bed dorm room
• you’re into the hostel vibe
• you’re traveling as a couple and can give up a double bed to save a bit of money

If having a private room is important to you, the price difference between an affordable hotel with a double bed and a private room in a hostel is often not significant enough to justify giving up the comfort of a hotel.

Here are some hostels in Manhattan we can recommend:
Nap York: A great hostel in Midtown, just south of Central Park. It’s especially well-located for first-time visitors, giving you a perfect base for all the city’s major sights. Cool modern design and the most privacy thanks to the pod-style beds.

American Dream New York: Not far from New York University (NYU), so right in one of the trendiest neighborhoods in the city. Twin rooms with shared bathroom, breakfast included, starting from 150 euros.

HI New York City Hostel: If you’re going purely by lowest price, this is the one — on the Upper West Side, west of Central Park. Dorm beds go for about 40 euros per person, or as a group of four you can get a private room with four beds for around 220 euros.

Staying in New York on a Budget with Airbnb?

On Airbnb, you can often find apartments that are cheaper than comparable hotel rooms. That said, we’d advise against it in New York. Here’s why:

Airbnb has been effectively illegal in New York since October 2016 (with narrow exceptions)

Affordable housing in New York has always been in short supply. It certainly didn’t help that the city was flooded with apartments being rented out exclusively through Airbnb.

To give you a rough sense of prices: a small room in a shared apartment (a window counts as a luxury!) with its own bathroom in Manhattan costs between $1,700 and $3,500 a month.

No wonder New Yorkers spend an average of 60 percent of their income on rent.

Airbnb made the situation even worse in recent years, which is why stricter regulations were introduced.

Renting out apartments for short periods (less than a month) is now illegal — regardless of whether it’s actually a private apartment that’s only rented out occasionally, or one rented specifically for the purpose of subletting.

The only exception: when just one room in an apartment is being rented out and the actual tenant is also present on the premises.

Since the strict regulations were introduced, enforcement has also been stepped up significantly. As a visitor, you personally won’t face any fines. However, it does happen regularly that apartments are canceled at short notice due to inspections. We wouldn’t want to take that risk.