5 tips for your last day in New York

Even if you’d like to stay in New York a bit longer, it’s time to head home. Here are my 5 tips for making the most of your last day.

1/ Wake up very early on your last day

• On your departure morning, set your alarm for early—say 6 am. This helps you adjust to the time difference with Europe: at 6 am in New York, it’s already noon in Europe. On your last day, it’s worth starting to reset your body clock.
• Another benefit of waking early: you’ll have a longer final day to make the most of it. Some ideas: head to the top of Top of the Rock or SUMMIT, visit Battery Park for one last look at the Statue of Liberty, explore New York’s Financial District one more time, stroll through Midtown, or take a walk in Central Park. Your last day is also a chance to discover the High Line and Little Island.

• Tip: Not sure what to do with your luggage on your last day? Reserve a locker at a luggage storage facility in New York. It’s affordable and convenient.

2/ Don’t venture to the far reaches of New York

• On your last day, avoid exploring a distant neighborhood. I learned this the hard way. On one of my early trips, I decided to visit the Cloisters on my last day—an annex of the Metropolitan Museum of Art tucked away in Fort Tryon Park at the far north of Manhattan. Between unreliable buses, time spent there, travel distances, and traffic getting back to my hotel to collect my luggage before heading to the airport, I nearly missed my flight.
• Instead, plan visits close by. My advice: stay in Manhattan. If a subway line has problems, you can always take a bus or taxi to get back to your hotel.

3/ Get rid of your loose change

• After paying for meals and shopping in New York, you’ll end up with lots of coins in your wallet. They’re bulky and useless once you’re home—no exchange office or bank will take them. Only bills can be exchanged. On your last day, make sure to spend your quarters and other coins.
• A tip: prepare small stacks of $1 bills that you can hand over when you make a purchase. This saves you from counting change at the register while New Yorkers wait impatiently behind you.

4/ Organize and check your luggage

• Golden rule for packing: keep your New York souvenirs in your carry-on bag rather than checked luggage whenever possible. If your checked bag is lost or damaged, at least your souvenirs will be safe.
• Remember that liquids aren’t allowed in the cabin. If you want to bring back an American soda, New York honey, or any other liquid product, pack it in your checked luggage.
• Before leaving your hotel, check that you haven’t left anything in the safe or closets. Take time for a final room inspection before you go.

5/ Build in extra time for your airport transfer

• Airlines ask you to arrive at least an hour before departure, but I recommend giving yourself a safety margin in case of subway delays or traffic. Add time for airport crowds, check-in, and security. To be truly comfortable, leave Manhattan 3 hours before your flight departs. This gives you a good hour of buffer in case of delays.
• You can even leave earlier if you want to eat at the airport or browse the duty-free shops for last-minute New York purchases.
• For your airport transfer, find different options you can book in advance in our New York airport transfers section.