The 6 steps to organize your trip to New York

Planning a trip to New York? Follow these 6 essential steps to organize your getaway smoothly and make sure you don't forget anything important.

1/ Check Your Passport

Start by verifying that your passport is valid before you book flights and hotels for your New York trip. On the New York Forum, several travelers have shared stories of booking their entire trip—flights and accommodation—only to panic at the last minute when they discovered their passport had expired and renewal took longer than expected. Checking the expiration date takes just seconds and will save you from stress later.
You also need to confirm you can enter the United States without issues. To do this, determine whether you need a visa. Rules change regularly, so check our article on entry requirements for the United States to find out what applies to you.

Booking your flight is the first step in planning a New York trip. Your flight dates will shape everything else about your stay. While many flights depart for New York daily, availability is limited, and you’ll want to find the best price. This may mean checking different departure dates and adjusting your arrival or return by a few days to match lower fares.
The current trend is to book as early as possible. Airlines offer their lowest fares when reservations open. The earlier you book, the better your chances of a good price. Last-minute deals exist, but they’re unpredictable—and any savings on the flight may disappear when you book your hotel, which will have fewer options available.
Air traffic in 2024 exceeded pre-pandemic levels, and demand for flights is intense. Book early whenever you can.

With your flight booked, it’s time to find a hotel. The choice is much larger this time: the New York Hotel Association represents over 270 hotels with more than 75,000 rooms. You’ll have plenty of options to explore.
Start by setting a budget for accommodation. There’s no getting around it: the lower your budget, the more basic your hotel will be. Like anywhere else, New York has no five-star hotels at two-star prices. Your budget will determine which hotels are realistic options.
From experience, I’d suggest choosing a hotel in Manhattan. You’ll be in the heart of the action with the New York atmosphere right outside your door. You’ll save time on transportation and can easily return to your hotel for a break during the day. This is far more relaxing than staying in Queens or New Jersey and commuting back each evening.
Read hotel reviews from other travelers in our New York Hotel Reviews section to make sure your choice offers good value. You can also trust the hotels listed in our New York Hotel Guide—they’ve all received positive feedback from our community members, and I keep the list current based on visitor reports.

To enter the United States, you must complete an electronic travel authorization at least 72 hours before departure. Apply on the official US Department of Homeland Security website. Note: ESTA processing times have increased in 2025, so apply at least a month before your New York trip.
The form is straightforward—answer questions about your name, passport number, passport expiration date, arrival date, and more. Then pay the fee: ESTA costs $40 as of September 30, 2025. Once approved, your authorization is valid for two years, so you can already start planning your next US trip!
To avoid mistakes, read our guide on how to complete the ESTA form. You’ll also find other helpful articles in our US travel requirements section.

Before you leave for the United States, verify that you have medical coverage. Contact your insurance provider or bank to confirm you’re covered for hospitalization or accidents abroad. If not, purchase travel insurance for the USA.
Don’t skip this step: healthcare costs in the United States can be very high. Make sure you’re properly covered.

Now that your flight, hotel, ESTA, and insurance are arranged, you can focus on the most exciting part: planning what to see and do. Start with our New York guide, which covers the essentials, and follow our ideal New York itinerary.
You can also book your tours and activities in New York in advance, including passes, a helicopter tour over New York, or a New York cruise. Booking early in euros means you’ll have fewer dollars to exchange, saving you money. On our CNEWYORK site, you can also pay for some purchases with ANCV vacation vouchers.
If you’d like a personal guide in New York, visit our page on guided tours.
Finally, consider ordering the latest edition of my guidebook Destination New York. All 248 full-color pages contain everything you need to know to prepare your trip and make the most of your time in the city. Visit the Destination New York guidebook page for details.