Quick facts
Budget breakdown
| Category | Budget | Midrange |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $40–80 | $150–250 |
| Food | $25–40 | $60–100 |
| Transport | $5–10 | $15–30 |
| Activities | $0–20 | $40–80 |
| Drinks | $10–20 | $30–50 |
| Daily Total | $80–170 | $295–510 |
Daily per-person estimates. Costs vary by season and travel style.
Practical info
Visa & Entry
- Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries need an ESTA ($21) approved before travel — apply at least 72 hours in advance
- All others need a B1/B2 visa from a US embassy. Processing times vary by country
- JFK, Newark (EWR), and LaGuardia (LGA) all serve NYC. JFK's AirTrain + subway to Manhattan is $10.75 total
Health & Safety
- No vaccinations required. Travel insurance is essential — US healthcare costs are extreme without it
- NYC is very safe for tourists. Standard city precautions: watch your phone on subway platforms, avoid empty streets late at night
- Tap water is excellent — NYC has some of the best municipal water in the US. Refill bottles freely
Getting Around
- NYC subway runs 24/7 — get a 7-Day Unlimited MetroCard ($34) or use OMNY contactless pay (auto-caps at $34/week)
- Walking is the best way to experience Manhattan. Most avenues are 750ft apart, crosstown blocks are 250ft
- Uber/Lyft work well but surge pricing is brutal during rush hour. Yellow cabs are often cheaper for short trips
Connectivity
- Free WiFi across all subway stations (TransitWirelessWiFi), most cafes, and public spaces like Bryant Park and Times Square
- US SIM cards: T-Mobile prepaid ($30/month unlimited) or Mint Mobile eSIM. Buy at any phone store
- Cell service can be spotty underground on older subway lines — download offline maps before heading into stations
Money
- Cards accepted virtually everywhere — many places are cashless. Apple/Google Pay widely used
- Tipping is expected: 18–20% at restaurants, $1–2 per drink at bars, $2–5 per bag for hotel bellhops
- ATMs are everywhere. Avoid currency exchange booths — US bank ATMs give the best rates with a debit card
Packing Tips
- Comfortable walking shoes are essential — you'll walk 10–15 miles per day without realizing it
- Layers for spring/fall (temps swing 15°C in a day). Summer is hot and humid (30–35°C). Winter needs a serious coat
- A light rain jacket and portable charger are must-haves. Backpack over suitcase for subway stairs (most stations lack elevators)
Cultural tips
Tipping Culture
Tipping 18–20% at restaurants is mandatory, not optional — servers earn $2–3/hour base pay. Tip $1–2 per drink at bars. Pre-tax amount is the tipping base. 15% is considered poor service feedback.
Walking Etiquette
Walk fast, stay right, don't stop in the middle of the sidewalk. Treat the sidewalk like a highway. Standing on subway escalators? Stay right, walk left. Blocking the flow is the cardinal sin.
Subway Culture
Let people exit before boarding. Move to the center of the car. Don't lean on poles during rush hour. Backpacks go on the floor. Manspreading is frowned upon. Keep music in your headphones.
Food Rules
Real New York pizza is folded in half and eaten walking. A "regular coffee" means milk and sugar at most delis. Bagels are boiled then baked — if it's not, it's just bread with a hole.
New York Directness
New Yorkers aren't rude — they're efficient. Ask for directions and you'll get detailed help. Don't take the brusqueness personally. "How ya doin?" doesn't require a life story — "good" will do.
Taxi & Rideshare
Only hail yellow cabs with their roof number lit (means available). Never get in an unmarked car offering rides at the airport. Licensed Uber/Lyft drivers display their TLC plates on the windshield.
