New York is synonymous with glitz and glamour, so can you still visit this exciting American city on a modest budget? The answer is yes, you can. Here are some tips on how to scrimp and save on your trip to the United States without missing out on any of the fun.
New York is a huge tourist destination both in terms of size and popularity and the good thing about that is that it there are many airports and low cost airlines to choose from. This obviously means that airfares vary enormously so do a bit of bargain hunting before you buy your flight. Start your hunt on http://www.jetblue.com/that often has cheap deals up for grabs.
When looking for somewhere to rest your head think Bohemian rather than sleazy and head for somewhere with a bit of character. Not having a lot of money to spend on accommodation doesn’t mean you have to stay in one of the grimy urban holes that are out there. Only book your hotel if it has been personally recommended to you or you can see photos. The new Google maps “street view” tool is a great way to have a look at the place at least from the outside so that you know what to expect. Budget hotels in New York are hard to come by but do exist and if you can find one that includes breakfast in the price of the room, so much the better. If you are staying for over a week, you might want to consider renting an apartment in or near to New York
to lower costs and guarantee you a peaceful, private place to stay. Certain areas, such as Brooklyn tend to offer more budget accommodation than others.
There are plenty of burger and hot dog vendors around for cheap eats and cheap or free entertainment is equally easy to come by. Combine a pleasant stroll at the Queens Botanical Garden and Staten Island Botanical Garden on a sunny day with a free jam session at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in the evening for example, or just walk around Time Square and watch the world go by. There are few places in the world as cosmopolitan and buzzing as New York, so getting bored is highly unlikely whatever your taste or budget!
