How to send mail from New York?

Text messages, emails, and WhatsApp may be convenient, but nothing beats a real postcard to send an authentic piece of New York to friends and family. You’ll find postcards easily in souvenir shops throughout the city, especially around Times Square or in Chinatown. Then it’s just a matter of getting your mail sent.

Where to find post offices in New York

Finding post offices in different neighborhoods around New York is straightforward. Here are some well-located branches—our favorite post offices:

• Financial District: A convenient post office sits just north of the 9/11 Memorial, at the corner of Church Street and Vesey Street, where One World Trade Center stands. Open Monday to Friday 8 am to 8 pm, Saturday 8:15 am to 3:45 pm.
• Between Greenwich Village and Union Square: Head to the corner of 4th Avenue and 11th Street. Open Monday to Friday 9 am to 5:45 pm, Saturday 9 am to 3:45 pm.
• Near Bryant Park in Midtown: 3 West 43rd Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues. Open Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 5 pm. Closed Saturday.
• Another excellent option: the James A. Farley Post Office Building, the main post office, located in the Garment District across from Madison Square Garden and near the Empire State Building. This grand historic landmark is worth visiting even if you have no mail to send. The main post office offers the longest hours: Monday to Friday 7 am to 10 pm, Saturday 9 am to 9 pm, and Sunday 11 am to 7 pm.

How to mail your postcards

Here’s what you need to know: you don’t need to speak perfect English to mail your postcards. Here’s how it works:

• Wait your turn in the line that leads to the windows marked “International Shipping.”
• Approach the counter and ask for the number of stamps you need. The word for stamp is “stamp” in English (“stamps” in plural). If you don’t speak English, simply hand over your postcards and point to the destination address. The postal worker will understand immediately and give you the correct stamps.
• The postage rate for sending a postcard from New York is the same to all European countries: currently $1.70 per stamp.
• Once you’ve paid for your stamps, stick them on and drop your postcards in a mailbox. Done!

Tip: You can buy stamps individually and mail your postcards later from any of the mailboxes you’ll find on New York’s streets and avenues. Your postcards will typically take about a week to reach their destination.