This list of the best tips for travelling to New York will help you not to miss anything and to enjoy the most of all the experiences offered by this incredible city, which we are sure will surprise you and exceed any expectations, no matter how high they may be.
Known for being the city that never sleeps, here you can enjoy activity 24 hours a day while you fall in love at first sight with its endless skyscrapers, iconic neighbourhoods like Soho or Harlem, the impressive Central Park, viewpoints like the Top of the Rock or its thousands of leisure and cultural activities.
In addition to all these experiences, which make it impossible to get bored, the city has a wide gastronomic offer with excellent restaurants from all over the world and it is also a shopper's paradise with its numerous shops and outlets, so we are sure that New York will become one of your favourite cities in the world.
Based on the experience of the two times we have visited the city that never sleeps, the first time on an 11-day trip to New York and the last time spending a month and a half in Manhattan, during which we wrote this New York travel guide, we have compiled this list of what we believe are the 10 must-know New York travel tips.
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1. When is the best time to travel to New York?
Although we could say that any time is perfect for a trip to New York, we think the best time of year is spring and autumn, when the weather is pleasant, hotels are less expensive and there aren't as many queues to get to tourist attractions. Between these months, our favourites are May and June, when parks like Central Park are at their best and you can have a picnic on the lawn.
Summer is one of the worst times due to the sweltering heat that can reach over 30 degrees Celsius, skyrocketing hotel prices and queues at some attractions and restaurants that can become interminable. On the plus side, there are numerous festivals, open-air cinemas and music and theatre shows in parks and squares during these months, so if you don't mind the high temperatures, it can be a great time to enjoy the city.
In winter, the cold can be quite extreme with temperatures below freezing and the presence of snow can bring the city to a standstill. Despite these adverse weather conditions that can occur, New York is one of the best cities to enjoy Christmas as throughout the month of December the city dresses up with fantastic Christmas decorations in streets, buildings and shop windows as well as ice rinks and the lighting of the huge Christmas tree.
2. Entry requirements
To travel to New York or any city in the United States, you must obtain an ESTA authorisation at least 3 days in advance from this official website, which costs $14 and lasts for two years. In recent years there has been a proliferation of websites that offer the service of processing the ESTA for more than 80 dollars, if you do it from the official website you will avoid scams, it will be cheaper and it will not take you more than 10 minutes. Don't forget!
On the plane or in the customs control area of the airport, you will be given a form to fill in with your flight details and show at the security checkpoint along with your passport, which must be valid for at least 6 months.
Although the security controls at US customs have a bad reputation, on the 3 occasions we have had to go through them, everything has been quite fast and we haven't found any difference with respect to other countries.
If you are not fluent in English, you don't have to worry, as Spanish is widely spoken and there is sure to be someone to help you.
Remember that if you are Spanish and you are travelling as a tourist for less than 90 days, you will not need any type of visa, apart from the ESTA. If you are from another country, we recommend that you consult the website or call the American Embassy in your country or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to find out what documents are required.
Passport3. Travel insurance and security
Good travel insurance is almost essential when travelling to New York or any city in the United States, as it is a country with a particularly expensive health system.
Bear in mind that if you don't have insurance and you have any mishap, it can cost you anything from 500 euros for a simple medical consultation to 25,000 euros for appendicitis. To avoid any complicated situation, we recommend you take out the best travel insurance for New York, which includes all medical expenses without having to advance any money and offers 24-hour telephone assistance in English, which is very important, especially if you don't speak English.
We always travel insured with Mondo, with whom we take an insurance fully adapted to the needs that we are going to have on the trip.
If you take out your insurance with Mondo here, just for being a Viajeros Callejeros reader, you get a 5% discount.
Due to the current health situation, all Mondo insurances include medical assistance in case of coronavirus infection. Also included is the extra stay you need in case of quarantine infection and, of course, the test in case it is necessary.
In terms of safety, despite the bad reputation of the past, New York is one of the safest cities in the United States and the world. Crime rates have dropped dramatically over the last decade and only some areas, such as the South Bronx, East Harlem and Brownsville in Brooklyn, are best avoided, especially at night.
Another of the best tips for travelling to New York is not to walk around Central Park at night. We lived next door and it's one of the recommendations we got the most from the locals.
The underground at night, in the less central stops, doesn't give you much of a feeling of safety either, but it's more for the few people you meet than for other reasons. Bear this in mind and although it is important to travel with common sense and taking basic precautions, it is not worth becoming obsessed.
For a unique and artistic experience, consider staying at a hotel in Bushwick Brooklyn. This trendy neighborhood is renowned for its vibrant street art scene, eclectic galleries, and an array of hip eateries and bars. Immerse yourself in the local culture, explore the Bushwick Collective murals, and embrace the neighborhood's artistic spirit. Find the perfect hotel in Bushwick Brooklyn on hotelsofnewyorkcity.net.
4. Change money
To have dollars for a trip to New York - one euro is currently equivalent to 1.11 dollars - we recommend that you withdraw money from cash machines in the city rather than going to an exchange office or bank in your own country. Remember that to avoid paying commissions and always have the current exchange rate, you can use the Revolut card and the N26 card, which are the ones we use, are free and will save you a lot of money.
You can find more information in this article on the best cards for commission-free travel.
6. How to get from New York airport to the hotel?
New York has three main airports: JFK, Newark and La Guardia. When travelling to New York you will most likely land at either John F. Kennedy International Airport or Newark, as La Guardia is used for domestic flights.
JFK, located 25 kilometres from Manhattan, is the busiest airport in the city and has 9 terminals.
The following means of transport are available to get to the city centre from this airport:
Airtrain + Subway: the Airtrain connects the airport with Jamaica Station (E, J and Z underground) and Howard Beach (A underground). The total journey time is 60 to 90 minutes and the cost is about $12.
Airtrain + LIRR: The LIRR train connects Jamaica Station to downtown Grand Central Madison and Penn Station Jamaica Station for $18, although it is slightly faster and more comfortable.
Taxi: the price of a taxi to Manhattan is about $90 including tip and tolls.
Uber: this is a legal option and cheaper than a taxi.
Private transfer: this is the most comfortable way to get to your hotel, as you will have a driver waiting for you at the terminal with a sign with your name on it who will take you directly to your accommodation.
Shared vans: these usually cost around US$25 per person.
For more information on the transfer you can check this post on how to get from JFK airport to Manhattan or this one on how to get from Newark airport to Manhattan.
Newark Airport, located 23 kilometres from Manhattan, has 3 terminals connected by a free train.
To get to the city centre from this airport, you have the following options:
AirTrain + Train: the Air Train will drop you off at Newark Liberty International Station and from there you have to take the NJ Transit to Penn Station in Manhattan. The total journey time is half an hour and the cost is $15.50.
Taxi: The cost of a taxi to Manhattan is about $100 including tip.
Uber: Uber is legal in New York and is usually cheaper than a taxi.
Private transfer: this is the most comfortable option as you will have a driver waiting for you at the terminal who will take you directly to the door of your hotel.
New York7. Where to sleep when travelling to New York
If you're travelling to New York during the high season, from May to September or Christmas, it's almost essential to book several months in advance if you want to find a well-located hotel at a good price.
The best area to look for a hotel is Midtown, located in the centre of Manhattan Island, especially if it's your first time in New York. From here you can reach most of the city's tourist attractions such as Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building and Grand Central Station in a few minutes by underground or on foot.
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Times Square, located 500 metres from Times Square. In addition to its fantastic location, it has 24-hour reception and if you get one of the rooms on the upper floors, you have an incredible view of the Empire State Building from your bed.
Other well-located hotels with some of the best value for money in the city include the Arlo Midtown, the Pestana CR7 Times Square, La Quinta by Wyndham Time Square and the MOXY NYC Times Square.
Other quieter areas of Manhattan that are well served by the underground include the East Village, Lower and Upper East Side and if you're looking for something more affordable we recommend the Harlem area located closer to Central Park or near DUMBO in northern Brooklyn.
Queens is another cheaper area, although for us it's too far from downtown and we wouldn't recommend it if it's your first time in the city and you're only travelling for a few days.
Another of the best tips for travelling to New York is to look for the best hotel at the best price in this recommended search engine.
For more information, check out this post on the best neighbourhoods and hotels to stay in New York.
If you prefer a more intimate and cozy lodging option, New York City offers a range of charming Bed and Breakfast establishments. These accommodations provide a home away from home experience, offering personalized service and a chance to connect with local hosts. Wake up to a delicious homemade breakfast and enjoy the warmth and comfort of a Bed and Breakfast setting. Discover delightful New York City Bed and Breakfast options throughout.
Once you have your accommodation, it's worth checking this list of the 10 things to book before travelling to New York, in case you're missing any of them.
Times Square8. Getting around the city
When booking a hotel when travelling to New York, even if it's centrally located, it's very practical to have an underground station nearby, the best public transport to get around the city and get to all the tourist attractions for little money.
Before taking the metro, we recommend buying a Metrocard, a card that you can top up or pay US$32 for unlimited travel for a week. Single tickets with the card cost US$2.75 and without the card, US$3, so you'll save money the first time you use it.
A slower and more complicated option for getting around the city is the bus. Remember that if you don't have a Metrocard, which is also valid on buses, you'll have to carry $3 in coins to pay the fare. The metro and bus run 24 hours a day.
A more convenient alternative, especially at night, is to take a taxi, which usually costs about US$10 between the most central points of the city.
If you're only in New York for a short time, you can book the sightseeing bus, which stops at the city's main attractions and has recorded commentary in English about each one.
Take the sightseeing bus when travelling to New York9. Top tourist attractions
Another of the best tips for travelling to New York and not missing out on anything important is to complete this list of 28 must-see places to visit in New York and this list of the best things to do in New York.
Before visiting the city's main attractions, it's a good idea to check whether it's worth buying a tourist card that allows you to save on entrance fees and time by skipping the long queues at some of these places.
The 3 most highly rated cards that allow you to save the most are:
- The New York Explorer Pass gives you entry to 3, 4, 5, 5, 7 or 10 of the top attractions with great flexibility and a choice of 58 attractions available until the last minute. You can book your pass here.
Read more about the New York Explorer Pass here.
- The New York CityPass gives you entry to 6 of New York's most visited attractions and saves you up to 43% on ticket prices. You can book the CityPass here.
Read more about the New York CityPass here.
- The New York CityPass gives you free admission to over 100 New York attractions, with a choice of 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 or 10 day passes. You can book this pass here.
Much more information about the New York Pass here.
10. City tours
Before travelling to New York or leaving your hotel, it is advisable to map out your walking and underground routes to make the most of your time.
Depending on how many days you have, we recommend between 5 and 7 days if it's your first trip to New York, you'll be able to get a more or less comprehensive view of this endless city.
Based on our experience, we've put together these customised routes (including this list of restaurants where to eat in New York) optimised by days
These routes can be combined with a tour or guided visit to learn about the history and anecdotes of the city, such as this free tour of New York for Free! or the famous Contrasts Tour, which allows you to get to know other realities, both with a guide in English.
Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge on a trip to New YorkExcursions on a trip to New York
Once you've done all the must-visits and tours of the city, if you still have extra time, you can complete your trip with some of the best excursions in New York.
These day trips will allow you to see some of the gems that are closer to the city, such as Washington DC, Niagara Falls and Boston, among many others.
The first recommendation is to take a trip to Washington from New York. The nation's capital has many interesting government buildings such as the White House and the Capitol, spectacular museums such as the Air and Space Museum, memorials to the soldiers who died in the various wars and charming neighbourhoods such as Georgetown.
From New York you can get to Washington by train from Pennsylvania Station in about 3.5 hours or by bus in about 5 hours. A more convenient option is to book this tour of Washington with an English-speaking guide.
The second proposed excursion when travelling to New York is Niagara Falls, one of the great natural wonders of the world, where you can't miss the boat tour that brings you close to the waterfall and allows you to hear its thrilling noise, or go to the Canadian side from where you get the best views.
If you only have one day, you can book this tour by plane in one day, although the price is much higher than if you book this one-day bus tour or this two-day bus tour. All these tours include an English-speaking guide.
The last recommendation is a visit to Boston, one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the United States. Although it is a city you could easily spend 3 days in, if you don't have that much time you can always make a quick one-day visit.
To get to Boston you can take the train from Pennsylvania Station, which takes about 3 hours, or the bus, which takes about 4 hours.
Another more convenient way to learn about the history of the city is to book this tour with an English-speaking guide.
Washington
