How Much Does a Trip to New York Cost? Our Budget Guide

New York Travel Costs at a Glance

Before we break down the costs of a New York trip in detail, here’s a quick overview:

• Flight: approx. $350–$600 per flight per person (depending on the time of year)
• Visa (ESTA): $21 per person
• Travel health insurance: from €20
• Hotel: from $250 per night for two people ($125 per person)
• Getting around: $33 per person for seven days of unlimited subway rides
• Food: approx. $40–$100 per day per person
• Activities: approx. $200 per person and up
• Internet: between $20 and $50 (depending on usage duration and plan)

All of these — flights, accommodation, activities — are key factors to keep in mind when planning your New York trip.

Cost of Flights to New York

Flights to New York typically cost between $350 and $600 per person, depending on the time of year and when you book.

We recommend booking as early as possible to lock in the best prices. A great tool for comparing flights is Skyscanner.

We booked our flights to New York in 2024 very last-minute and paid €430 per person. We flew with Delta Airlines and had a great experience.

To save on baggage fees, we traveled carry-on only — a small carry-on bag plus a backpack. Checked baggage typically costs an extra $20–$50.

Total: $350–$600 (+ $20–$50) per person

Cost of Accommodation in New York

New York is known for its high cost of living, and hotel prices are no exception.
The most affordable yet well-rated hotels start at around €250 per night for two people (€125 per person). These are often simple hotels, but well-maintained and comfortable.
Hotel prices in New York can fluctuate significantly, and there’s virtually no upper limit.
We monitored prices for several hotels over an extended period and found that it really pays to check prices regularly. With a little patience, you can often catch much better deals.
On our last visit to New York, we stayed at the Pod Hotel near Times Square. Simple but solid — small, practical rooms, a central location, and super easy transit access.
Total: from €250 per night for two people (€125 per person)
Check out our New York hotel recommendations too:

Cost of Activities in New York

New York offers a huge range of things to do — from breathtaking observation decks to boat tours. Here’s an overview of the key costs:

• New York observation decks: $38–$56 (depending on time slot and deck)
• New York boat tours: from $30
• New York museums: approx. $25 (some are cheaper)
• Citi Bike: approx. $10 per 30 minutes
• New York hop-on/hop-off bus: approx. $50–$80
• Broadway musicals: approx. $50–$200 and up (depending on the show and seat, e.g. via TodayTix)

The average visitor does two to three major activities per day — that’s ten to fifteen per week.

So you know exactly which highlights to factor into your budget, we’ve put together a detailed guide to the top 25 New York attractions.

Of course, you don’t have to spend a ton on sightseeing every single day. There are also some genuinely great free things to do in New York.

Total: $50–$150 per person per day or $300–$800 per person per week

Also read:

Save Money with a New York Tourist Pass?

If you want to pack in as many attractions as possible, a tourist pass might be worth it for you.
A tourist pass is a ticket bundle that gets you into multiple attractions at a lower combined price. In New York, there are four different passes:

1. New York Pass (from $154)
2. New York Explorer Pass (from $84)
3. New York CityPass ($147)

Read our New York pass comparison to see which one is right for you

Cost of a New York Visa (ESTA)

Most visitors from Visa Waiver Program countries don’t need a full visa to enter the US if your stay is fewer than 90 days and the purpose of your visit is tourism or business.

Instead of a visa, you’ll need to apply for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization).

You do this through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website — and only there! This is really important. There are a lot of scams out there, and in the worst case, you could be denied entry.

The application must be submitted online at least 72 hours before departure and costs $21.

You’ll receive your ESTA approval by email — in most cases within 24 hours. No printing needed. Your information is entered electronically into the U.S. border control system.

It is valid for two years and allows multiple visits within that period.

Important: If your ESTA application is denied or you don’t qualify for the Visa Waiver Program, you’ll need to apply for a regular visa at the U.S. Embassy.

Total: $21 / approx. €19 per person
Also read our tips for entering the USA

Cost of Travel Health Insurance

Travel health insurance for New York is absolutely essential!

Standard health insurance from your home country won’t cover you in the USA, and even basic medical treatment can quickly cost several thousand dollars.

To make sure you’re covered if something goes wrong, take out appropriate travel health insurance before you go. Costs vary depending on the provider and level of coverage.

We recommend reading our travel health insurance comparison to find the best option for your trip.

Total: from €20

Cost of Getting Around New York

There are plenty of ways to get around New York, but the subway is by far the best and most affordable option. It also takes you from JFK Airport straight into the city.
A single subway ride costs $2.90. But there’s a weekly spending cap of $33 (about €30).
Once you’ve spent $33 on the subway within a week, the rest of your rides that week are free. That kicks in after 12 trips. And it doesn’t matter whether you pay by credit card or via OMNY.
A week starts the first time you use the subway, not on Monday or any fixed day — so it doesn’t matter which day you arrive.
Total: max. $33 per person per week
Also read our tips for the New York City subway

Ferry and hop-on/hop-off bus costs are covered above under “Cost of Activities” — we don’t count those as everyday transportation.

Taxi Prices in New York

If you’re traveling to New York with kids, it’s worth checking current taxi and Uber prices too.

We’ve found that taxis and Uber in New York are surprisingly affordable. And with kids, they’re honestly more relaxed than the subway.

We paid a total of $12 for a taxi ride of about two kilometers for four people, including tip.

Average Uber prices in New York run around $15 to $30 for five to ten kilometers.

Cost of Food in New York

Eating in New York can get expensive fast — but there are affordable options if you want to keep your food budget in check.

Here’s a quick price overview for food and drinks in New York:

Snacks

• Hot dog from a food truck: $5–$6
• Fruit cup to go in Central Park: $4
• Soft serve from an ice cream cart: $8
• Slice of pizza: from $4
• Bagel: $6–$10

Full meals

• Breakfast at the hotel: from $20 (or included in the room rate)
• Breakfast at a café: from $10
• Burger at a restaurant: from $10
• Avocado toast with two eggs: from $20
• Dinner: from $20 per entrée
• Salad bowl: $15 for a bowl (Sweetgreen)
• Tacos: from $12
• Ramen: $20

Drinks

• Americano: $4–$6 (up to $8–$10 at specialty cafés)
• Beer: $8–$10
• Cocktail: from $15

The bottom line: Restaurants in New York are pricier than in most other cities, mainly because taxes and tips always get added on top.
And by the way: In the US, it’s completely normal to hand your credit card to your server. They’ll process the payment for you. It might feel a little strange at first, but we never had any issues with it.

Total: $45–$75 per person per day
Also read:

Tipping in New York

In restaurants in the US, tipping is expected — usually between 18 and 25 percent of the bill.

When paying by card, you can select the tip amount directly on the card reader, which typically has preset options (18%, 20%, 22%, or 25%).

For a coffee to go or a quick snack, it’s fine to tip little or nothing at all. Don’t stress about it — just pay what feels right.

One important heads-up: Some restaurants in New York now automatically add a service charge, which will appear on your bill. Always take a close look at your check before paying so you don’t end up tipping twice.

Cost of Internet in New York

You have two options for mobile data in New York:

• eSIM plan for your existing SIM card: e.g. from Saily or Holafly for €19–€50
• Buy a new SIM card on arrival: e.g. from T-Mobile or AT&T for around €50

We recommend the eSIM. It’s cheaper and way more convenient — no hunting for a SIM card at the airport.

After purchasing your eSIM plan, you’ll receive a QR code by email that you scan to install it. Just activate it when you land in New York.

Total: €19–€50 depending on your plan

Grand Total: How Much Does a New York Vacation Cost?

So, how much does a trip to New York actually cost? It’s an unforgettable experience — but it does come at a price. And that price depends on the time of year, your choice of accommodation, and your personal travel style.

For a one-week trip to New York, plan on roughly €2,000 to €4,000 per person.

The biggest expenses are flights and accommodation.

On top of that come food and sightseeing costs, which quickly add up to a daily budget of €90–€210 ($95–$225).

Public transit and paperwork like the ESTA and insurance are comparatively affordable.

The takeaway: New York is a seriously incredible city, but it’s not cheap. With some careful planning and a few smart money-saving moves, you can still experience a lot without blowing your budget.

Check out our money-saving tips below for more.

Cash or Credit Card in New York?

In New York, almost everything runs on credit cards — during our entire stay, we never once needed cash. You can pay by card for even small purchases, and many stores no longer accept cash at all.

In most cases, you can add the tip directly to your credit card payment. If you do want some cash on hand, a few dollars for emergencies or tipping at bars and hotels will be plenty.

In New York, a credit card is non-negotiable. It’s required at hotels, restaurants, subway ticket machines, and ticket counters. You can bring a debit card, but you’ll barely use it.

Also read our recommendations for travel credit cards

New York Money-Saving Tips: How to Spend Less

To wrap things up, here are a few tips to help make your New York trip a little more affordable:

1. New York is generally cheapest during the off-season, meaning January through March. Prices for flights, hotels, and activities tend to be significantly lower during this period. That said, New York is also a great destination in July — hotel prices in particular tend to drop then.
2. You can get cheaper flights by booking as early as possible. Use flight comparison sites like Skyscanner and set a price alert to catch the best deals. Mid-week flights are also often cheaper than weekend ones.
3. Away from the tourist hotspots, hotels are often cheaper. Take a look at neighborhoods like Queens and Jersey City — and check out our tips for budget-friendly hotels in New York.
4. Walk as much as possible to explore the city — it saves money, and you’ll honestly see so much more.
5. Instead of eating at pricey restaurants every meal, grab delicious street food at delis, bodegas, or food stands. It’s cheaper and gives you a much more authentic New York experience.
6. Mix paid and free activities. For example, pair a stroll through Central Park with a visit to the Empire State Building.