New York

The official currency in New York is the US dollar.

ATMs are everywhere in the city. At most ATMs — especially the standalone ones tucked inside restaurant or deli entrances — you’ll pay up to $5 in transaction fees.

The great thing about New York is that you’ll rarely need cash.

On our last trip, we withdrew $200 at the start and easily stretched it over two weeks.

Credit cards are accepted at almost all stores, restaurants, and ticket counters, so you really won’t miss the cash.

New York is definitely not a budget-friendly destination. Hotels are expensive, and admission prices for the major attractions aren’t exactly cheap either.

Eating out has a reputation for being pricey — but we’d push back on that a little.

At casual restaurants, delis, and the many food markets, you can eat really well and affordably. Prices are a bit higher than in Europe, but not by much.

What is noticeably more expensive: upscale restaurants and alcoholic drinks anywhere.

Here’s a quick cost overview for New York:

Flight to New York: $550–$1,000
One night at a good mid-range hotel: $150–$250
1-liter bottle of water: $1–$3
Beer (12 oz or 16 oz): $5–$10
Coffee: $3–$5
Subway ticket: $2.90
Dinner at a casual restaurant: $10–$20
Dinner at a nicer restaurant: $20–$40
Food court or food truck meal: $5–$15

In New York, tipping makes up a significant part of the income for most service workers. It’s not optional — it’s expected. Before you go, it’s worth knowing who to tip and how much.

Here’s a quick overview:
Waitstaff at restaurants/cafés 15–20 percent
Delis/fast-food (no table service) no tip needed
Bartenders $1 per drink
Hotel housekeeping $2 per day
Hotel bellhops $2 per bag
Coat check $1 per item
Taxi drivers 15–20 percent

At restaurants, you’ll get your bill, hand over your credit card, and receive a printed receipt.

On that receipt, you write in the tip amount — most places even print suggested amounts right on the bill.

A handy shortcut: take the sales tax and multiply by two. That gets you to roughly 17.5% tip.

New York City is a very safe city, and you really won’t face any particular dangers here.

We’ve walked around Manhattan at all hours of the day and night and never once felt unsafe. Just use common sense — the same way you would in any big city — and you’ll be absolutely fine.

Before your trip, you should definitely get an international travel health insurance policy that covers the USA — a single doctor’s visit in the US can quickly run into thousands of dollars.

Not all policies automatically include the USA, so double-check that the USA is explicitly covered before you leave home.

Finding a doctor in New York is straightforward — the city has no shortage of them, and English is of course the language you’ll be treated in.

You’ll typically need to pay for your visit on the spot by credit card, so make sure your card has enough headroom.

Depending on the doctor, the treatment, and the setting (a private practice vs. a hospital ER), expect to pay anywhere between $100 and $2,000.

If you end up at a hospital facing a larger bill, hospitals can sometimes bill your travel insurance directly.

Either way, always ask your doctor for a medical report detailing the diagnosis and treatment — you’ll need to submit this together with the bill to your travel health insurance provider.

There are plenty of pharmacies in New York, though they’re not always easy to spot. As a rule, pharmacies are located inside drugstores that are open around the clock.

You’ll find a wide range of over-the-counter medications, personal care products, and sometimes even basic groceries.

Just keep in mind: the prescription medication counters usually aren’t open 24 hours — they keep regular business hours.

The main drugstore chains with in-store pharmacies are Duane Reade, CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens.

For the USA, no special vaccinations are required. Make sure your routine vaccinations are up to date — and we personally always travel with Hepatitis A and B coverage as well.

Yes — New York uses plug types A and B, which are different from most European outlets. We always pack a universal travel adapter and a multi-port USB charger, and that combo has never let us down.

If this is your first trip to New York, we recommend combining these two guides:

Dumont Reiseführer New York: Classic travel guide
Polyglott Spaziergänge für New York: 30 walks through the city

Of course, the best guide really depends on your interests and travel style. We’ve rounded up even more options here:

The best travel guide for New York

Yes, New York tap water is safe to drink. The chlorine taste can be a little strong at first, but it’s completely harmless.

In almost all restaurants and cafés, tap water is served free of charge — and if you’re lucky, it’ll have been filtered too.