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I moved to New York after graduating, with barely any savings, so I know how intimidating this city can be on a budget.
I’ve lived in NYC for three years now, and while I make more money than I did when I first got here, I’m no stranger to living here on a budget. I also value a good time and spending money on joy and experiences, so I’ve learned how to do so even in one of the most expensive cities.
The good news: some of the best things in New York are free. Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, the High Line, and the West Side Highway don’t cost a thing, and you can eat well for under $20.
Here’s the short version of a 4-day NYC itinerary. Day 1 is Central Park and the MET. Day 2 is Brooklyn. Day 3 is the High Line, Chelsea Market, and downtown. Day 4 is Midtown and the Upper West Side.
In this guide, I’ll cover inexpensive places to stay, my favorite budget eats, and the money-saving tips I’d give a friend. Let’s get into it!
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NYC on a Budget at a Glance
- Day 1: Central Park, the Met and a picnic at sunset
- Day 2: the Brooklyn Bridge, Dumbo, the Brooklyn Flea and Williamsburg
- Day 3: the High Line, Chelsea Market, the West Village and SoHo
- Day 4: a self-guided Midtown tour, the Upper West Side and a discounted Broadway show
I’d budget about $100 to $200 a day for food, attractions, and transportation, not including your hotel. Most of that goes to food, because most of the sights below are free.
Before You Go
Getting Around
The subway is the cheapest and fastest way around the city. You can tap your credit card or phone at the turnstile, and walking is free and often just as good.
I take the subway all the time, but I don’t usually ride it alone after about 11 or 11:30 p.m. If I’m close, I walk on busy streets. If I’m farther, I take an Uber, so leave a little room in your budget for that.
When to Go
Winter, January through March, is the most inexpensive time to visit, outside the holidays. Just know that January here is a gray, damp cold. Spring and fall are nicer and still cheaper than summer. I don’t suggest visiting in January, but it is the cheapest.
Where to Stay
Hotels are the biggest cost in New York. My budget picks are below, and my guide to the safest places to stay in NYC covers each neighborhood.
Planning a weekend away?
Get The Weekender: weekend trips, already planned.
Day 1: Central Park and the MET
Start with the classics. Today costs almost nothing except the MET.
Morning: Central Park
Central Park is one of my favorite places in New York. Walk The Mall, visit Bethesda Terrace, and cross Bow Bridge. Here’s my easy first-timer route.
In spring or summer, rent a rowboat at the boathouse for an hour. For coffee near the park, try Birch Coffee or Ralph’s Coffee (around $10 for a drink and a treat).
Afternoon: The MET
The MET is my favorite museum in the world. New York residents pay what they wish, and visitors should budget about $30 for general admission.
I love the Ancient Egypt exhibit. If you’re here in May or early summer, don’t miss the annual fashion exhibit.
Check out the rooftop for views of Central Park. In spring, it gets crowded, so buy tickets ahead of time.
For lunch, Bluestone Lane on the Upper East Side has brunch, sandwiches and small plates for about $15 to $20.
Evening: A Sunset Picnic
If it’s warm, pick up picnic food at Eli’s Market or Whole Foods and a cookie from Levain Bakery, then head back into the park for sunset. Picnics in Central Park are one of my favorite things to do in the summer, and it’s the cheapest dinner with a view in the city.
If you’d rather eat out, The Penrose near the MET has good bar food for $15 to $20 in a cozy, exposed-brick space.
Day 2: Brooklyn on a Budget
Today is bridges, markets, and Brooklyn’s best neighborhoods.
Morning: The Brooklyn Bridge
Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge for free views of the Manhattan skyline. Give yourself about an hour, and go early to beat the crowds.
Late Morning: Dumbo and the Brooklyn Flea
On weekends from April to December, the Brooklyn Flea in Dumbo is an outdoor vintage market with affordable finds.
Walk the cobblestone streets, Jane’s Carousel, and the waterfront. Dumbo isn’t my favorite part of Brooklyn to hang out in, but the views by the water are worth it.
For a coffee break, try Brooklyn Roasting Company or Dawn’s Til Dusk.
Afternoon: Williamsburg and Smorgasburg
Take the subway to Williamsburg, my favorite neighborhood in Brooklyn. It’s more chill than Manhattan, with vintage shops and restaurants along Bedford Avenue.
Walk to Domino Park for views of Manhattan. On Saturdays from April to October, it’s home to Smorgasburg, a big outdoor food market.
If Smorgasburg isn’t on, have lunch at Egg Shop (under $20). For coffee, I like Partners Coffee and Matchaful, and Doughnut Plant has gluten-free and vegan donuts.
Evening: Pasta and a Rooftop
Forma Pasta Factory has the most affordable pasta I’ve found in New York, around $15. Then end the night with a drink at a Williamsburg rooftop. Superior Ingredients and The Crown Hotel rooftop are my favorites for skyline views.
Day 3: The High Line, Chelsea Market, and Downtown
Today is Manhattan’s west side and my favorite neighborhoods.
Morning: The High Line
Walk the High Line, an elevated park with art installations and great views. It’s free and takes about an hour or so.
I love looking at the apartments along the way. Afterward, walk over to the West Side Highway. It’s my favorite place in the city, and I run there three or four times a week.
Afternoon: Chelsea Market, the West Village and SoHo
Chelsea Market has every kind of food. I’d get Los Tacos No. 1 and then gelato.
Then wander the West Village, my favorite neighborhood, and window shop in SoHo. Browsing boutiques, bookshops, and bakeries costs nothing.
Stop in Washington Square Park on the way. It’s the best people-watching in the city.
Evening: A Cheap, Cozy Dinner
For dumplings, go to Nom Wah or Vanessa’s Dumpling House (under $10).
For a cozy neighborhood dinner that won’t break the bank, I go to Top Thai, Emporio for Italian or Kazunori for hand rolls.
If you want to explore other areas for food and drinks, in the summer, Orchard Street on the Lower East Side is packed with outdoor tables at reasonably priced restaurants. And if you’re out late, 7th Street Burger is my go-to cheap late-night food.
Day 4: Midtown, the Upper West Side and Broadway
Your last day is the touristy one, plus a slower afternoon uptown.
Morning: A Self-Guided Midtown Tour
Free Tours by Foot has a self-guided audio tour for about $3, or you can explore on your own.
See Times Square, the New York Public Library, Bryant Park and Grand Central, then walk Fifth Avenue to Rockefeller Center. Times Square is touristy for a reason, so see it once. Once is definitely enough.
Afternoon: The Upper West Side
Skip lunch in Times Square, where food is overpriced. Head to the Upper West Side for a bagel at Zucker’s.
If you’re gluten-free like me, go to Modern Bread and Bagel instead. The whole menu is gluten-free.
Then walk the brownstone streets, see Lincoln Center or the American Museum of Natural History, and relax in Riverside Park.
On Sundays, the 79th Street Greenmarket at Columbus Avenue is my favorite year-round farmers market, and the Grand Bazaar flea market is nearby.
Evening: Dinner and a Discounted Broadway Show
Eat early on the Upper West Side, so you have time for a show. La Pecora Bianca is a great Italian spot at a decent price.
For the show, get same-day discounted tickets at the TKTS booth or on TodayTix. Budget about $50 to $75. TKTS usually has a line, so leave extra time.
I’ve seen Six, The Book of Mormon, Aladdin, and Maybe Happy Ending. A Broadway show is worth the splurge.
More Free Things to Do in NYC
- Ride the Staten Island Ferry for free views of the Statue of Liberty.
- Picnic on the West Side Highway at sunset in the summer.
- Walk the length of Manhattan. I’ve done it, and a friend of mine does it every year.
- Cheer at the NYC Marathon on the first Sunday in November. The whole city comes out.
- Go to Rockaway Beach by subway or ferry for a cheap beach day.
- Explore more parks. Here are my favorite outdoor activities in NYC, and most are free.
Budget-Friendly Places to Stay
Staying in NYC doesn’t have to cost a fortune. These are my budget picks.
HI NYC Hostel: affordable dorm-style rooms near Central Park. Great for young solo travelers.
Pod 51: a budget micro-hotel in Midtown with a rooftop lounge.
The Blue Angel Hotel: a cozy budget hotel in Midtown East, close to MoMA and Rockefeller Center.
📍Check Prices at The Blue Angel Hotel→
Top Money-Saving Tips for NYC
- Plan around free attractions. Parks, bridges, the ferry and neighborhood walks are some of the best things here.
- Take the subway and walk. Save Ubers for late at night.
- Check museum hours. Many museums have pay-what-you-wish or free hours on certain days.
- Eat like a local. Skip the tourist traps around Times Square and eat in the neighborhoods.
- Picnic. Grab food from a market and eat in a park.
- Compare flights. Use miles if you have them, or a tool like Skyscanner.
FAQs
What is a realistic budget for NYC?
About $100 to $200 a day for food, attractions and transportation, plus your hotel.
How do I explore NYC on a budget?
Build your days around free sights, eat in the neighborhoods instead of tourist areas, and take the subway.
How much should I tip in NYC?
Plan on 15 to 20% at restaurants, $1 per drink at bars, and $1 to $2 per bag for hotel staff.
What is the cheapest time to visit New York?
January through March, outside the holidays. It’s cold and gray, but hotels are cheaper.
Is NYC safe on a budget trip?
Yes. Cheap doesn’t have to mean less safe. Stay in a well-located hostel or hotel, stick to busy streets at night and keep a little money set aside for a late-night Uber.
Final Thoughts
Anyone can do New York on a budget. Some of my favorite days here have cost almost nothing: a run on the West Side Highway, a picnic in Central Park, and a walk through the West Village.
Spend your money on a few things you care about, like a great dinner or a Broadway show, and let the free stuff fill in the rest.
If you’re looking for more ideas, here’s my 4-day NYC itinerary.
I hope you have the best time!
A Weekend in NYC, planned for you
Friday night to Sunday afternoon in the city I live in, mostly on foot, on one printable PDF.
Or just download it, no sign-up needed.
I hope you have the best trip!
Everything here comes from my own time in New York. Take what’s useful and make the trip your own.
