Saving money in New York just requires a little bit of creativity and some advance planning -- both traits most couponers have in spades.
I just came back from a weekend in NYC, and here are the top 5 dos and don'ts I discovered on how to save money in the Big Apple.
DON'T pay for more hotel than you need.
Most folks vacationing in New York want to see New York, not a hotel room -- so there's no need to spend big bucks for a lavish sanctuary if you're going to spend all day and night away from it.
The trick is to find a well-reviewed hotel close to two things: a) at least two or three of the top attractions you want to visit and b) a subway station, so you can get around the rest of the city without paying for an expensive cab ride.
I also like finding hotels that offer both a complimentary hot breakfast, and snacks in the lobby throughout the afternoon. That can save you anywhere from $5 to $10 per family member per day in food costs.
We stayed at the Hampton Inn Seaport/Financial District, which gave us free breakfast, plus bananas and cookies to hit the streets of New York with. Plus, we were able to walk from the hotel to the Brooklyn Bridge, Battery Park, the World Trade Center site, Little Italy, and more.
DO pack a (small) survival kit.
Toiletries and other basic necessities are priced as much as 40% higher in New York than in other parts of the country -- and many parts of the city don't have supermarkets in any recognizable sense of the word.
So while you don't want to over-pack your suitcases, it's important that you bring along a readiness kit that will help you survive days of hitting the hot pavements. Otherwise, you'll be stuck paying big-city prices when a small emergency crops up. Here's what you should tote along:
- sunscreen and aloe vera -- the tall buildings can reflect a lot of light, and you'll be burned before you know it!
- bandages and blister pads
- hand sanitizer and hand lotion -- trust me, you'll want to wash your hands after every subway trip.
- granola bars or nutrition bars -- the food carts look very appealing, but even a small snack will cost you $4 to $6 per person.
- face wipes and/or travel-size deodorants -- you will be sweating, especially if you visit anytime between April and October.
And don't bother packing water -- it's too heavy to carry a full day's supply per person, plus you can find Poland Spring bottled water for around a buck each on practically every street corner.
DON'T leave room in your bags for souvenirs.
More than any other city I've been to, New York is loaded with souvenir stalls and adorable shops, full of unique and original items that you just know your co-worker/uncle/neighbor would love.
More than any other city I've been to, New York is loaded with souvenir stalls and adorable shops, full of unique and original items that you just know your co-worker/uncle/neighbor would love.
But souvenirs have hidden costs. You pay once to purchase them, then pay again when you check your bags at the airport, which costs as much as $25 per bag each way. And heaven help you if your bag goes over 50lbs. -- some airlines will charge you $90 or more!
By leaving room in your bag for souvenirs, you've already rationalized purchasing them before you've even seen them -- and that's a mental trick that can empty out your wallet fast.
If you must purchase souvenirs, stick to postcards or magnets, which are light and take up hardly any room in your luggage. And consider buying those in bulk.
For example, I found books of 12 postcards at Liberty Island that were on sale 2 for $6. That works out to just a quarter per card, compared to the $1 apiece it cost to buy them individually. That meant I had enough postcards to send to everyone I know, with enough left over to scrapbook with or fill a photo collage frame for my own souvenir.
For example, I found books of 12 postcards at Liberty Island that were on sale 2 for $6. That works out to just a quarter per card, compared to the $1 apiece it cost to buy them individually. That meant I had enough postcards to send to everyone I know, with enough left over to scrapbook with or fill a photo collage frame for my own souvenir.
DO practice the peak-end rule.
Trent Hamm describes the peak-end rule in the Christian Science Monitor as "a psychological phenomenon in which we judge our experiences almost entirely on how they were at their peak (pleasant or unpleasant) and how they ended."
Trent Hamm describes the peak-end rule in the Christian Science Monitor as "a psychological phenomenon in which we judge our experiences almost entirely on how they were at their peak (pleasant or unpleasant) and how they ended."
So basically, the peak-end rule means you don't have to stuff your vacation with a bunch of expensive experiences in order to create lasting memories. Plan for two splurges, whether that's dining at an expensive New York restaurant like Peter Luger or taking a classic but pricy horse-drawn carriage ride around Central Park.
Just make sure one splurge is about mid-way through your vacation, and the second one is scheduled right at the end. Fill the remainder of your days with low-cost fun that makes sense for your family, like a sightseeing trip to FAO Schwarz on 5th Avenue or a free Friday night evening expedition to MOMA.
This also frees up your schedule to enjoy any unexpected events you may stumble into -- like when we went to Central Park, not knowing the National Puerto Rican Day Parade was happening at the same time.
DO bring cash.
I was startled at how cash-centric New York City is -- lots of restaurants don't take credit cards, and almost all 'black car' services are cash-only as well. There are no-name ATM machines on nearly every block ready to solve your temporary cash problem. But you'll pay dearly for the privilege, both in fees from the host ATM and from your own bank.
I was startled at how cash-centric New York City is -- lots of restaurants don't take credit cards, and almost all 'black car' services are cash-only as well. There are no-name ATM machines on nearly every block ready to solve your temporary cash problem. But you'll pay dearly for the privilege, both in fees from the host ATM and from your own bank.
So be sure to Google your bank's ATM branches near your hotel or list of planned attractions before you travel, so you won't be stuck paying out out of pocket to access your own money. If your bank doesn't have a lot of branches in NYC, that also gives you time to schedule a bank trip before you head out on vacation.
The upside to carrying cash is that it forces you to think twice before snagging an impulse purchase!
Your turn:
Have you been to New York City recently, or are you planning an upcoming trip? Share your tips on thrifty traveling in the comment section below!
Have you been to New York City recently, or are you planning an upcoming trip? Share your tips on thrifty traveling in the comment section below!
My cousin has lived in NYC for 25 years so I have been a few times. Here are some more tips:
ReplyDelete1) Use the Subway! It is perfectly safe and you can go anywhere. Do not rent a car by any means!
2) Do not plan to eat in the super touristy areas like Times Square or near the Southern part of Central Park.
3) Take the Subway to The Cloisters, Columbia University, the Brooklyn Bridge, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Central Park and Lincoln Center (do Lincoln Center at night). These are all free or by donation and beautiful to look around and take pictures.
4) Don't pay to tour the Statue of Liberty. Instead ride the Staten Island Ferry for FREE and get a pretty good view of the Statue and a nice ferry ride to boot.
5) Research where to eat using Yelp or Urban Spoon. There are GOOD affordable places to eat in NYC.
6) If you have a military ID you get a huge discount at the Top of the Rock
7) Don't do the Empire State building AND the Top of the Rock. The Rock has way better views and you can see the ESB from up there.
8) Broadway shows are great, but you can see them right here in San Antonio and they are just as good and half the price.
9) Use VRBO to get an apartment to stay in, especially if you are traveling with more than two people. You will then have a kitchen and can save some money by eating some at "home".
I love NYC! ENJOY!
I'm about to write up an article on this very topic.. I'll link this one up. :)
ReplyDeleteIf you want to see a Broadway show go to Times Square the day of the show and score tix up to 50% off. Drawback is that not all shows sell tickets in Times Square. Free entertainment can also include attending a taping of The Late Show, or The Colbert Report or some other TV show. Lastly check out The New Yorker Magazine for tons of local events. If you're there in the summer try to catch Shakespeare in the Park another free event.
ReplyDelete