How expensive is a New York vacation?

Question

I'm planning a 6 night vacation in New York for the end of May. My boyfriend and I are planning to save at least $2000 to cover all expenses. For anyone who's been to NY, is this a realistic amount? So far I have found some decent hotels going for around $150 a night. I am mostly worried about the higher cost of food, travel, etc.

Also, I am flying for free so airfare will not be included in my expenses.

Answer 1

That's PLENTY! I could live on that, and that's with my Brooklyn rent included. New york is notorious for having a LOT of everything, including cheap places to eat. Find a small japanese restaraunt, a local diner, the corner deli, and you're set for food. New York has sensational pizza on every corner (downtown anyway.) New York is only expensive if you need to live in luxury. We poor people live here too! May I offer some suggestions:

Take the subway instead of a cab (don't let TV fool you. It's safe, if not the cleanest, and most definetly the FASTEST way to travel.) =$2.00 per ride

Local deli for picnic supplies (go to central park or battery park to see the statue of liberty) OR go to 29th and Lex for AMAZING home made hummus, baba ganouj, and chutney. =10.00 for 2ppl

Make your way to Canal street/Chinatown, where you can buy souvenirs for everyone you know back home. 3 tshirts/baseball caps for 10 bucks, buy more and bargain with them! Fake (or regular non-designer) hadbags for 10-15 bucks. Again BARGAIN.

Finish the day off with a manicure at any of New York's 10,000 nail salons. =$8.00 (11.00 if you want the French manicure).

Crawl back to your hotel, collapse into eachother's arms, fall into bed for a free nap= priceless

Answer 2

i went for the same amount of time in august. i didnt buy too too many souvineers and spent around that amount (maybe a tad more) for flight, hotel, and everything. It depends if you travel by cab or the subway and where you want to go- museums and such are expensive so check out days when they are free for small savings like that - be be forewarned -GO EARLY. the subway is awesome and a must- learn to use it. that will run you around $24/week for 1 metro card (their subway card) per person. i stayed at the New Yorker Hotel (recently purchased by Ramada) on 8th ave and 34th street. It's right down the street from Madison Square Garden and a few blocks from the Empire State Building. There was NO WAY IN HELL i was going to stay in a hostel, but i would definitely stay there again in terms of location vs cost. The rooms are damn small, but the location is great and accessible. It was clean though and that was good enough for me (i don't have that low of standardz either). after you get over the shock of your room size, it'll be fine. you're just going there to sleep really, so don't waste your time in the room. i noticed that some of the best food is street food and little small - and that isn't too expensive. try local small yummy stuff and don't get caught up in the hype of fancy restaurants and such.

the best way to experience new york is to live like a new yorker. 2000 should be enough. have fun! (p.s. - i recommend the Sex and the City tour - it takes you ALL OVER NYC for $40 and it's silly too :) )