How much budget to plan for a trip to New York?

1/ Flights and Hotels

Transportation and accommodation will be your two biggest expenses for a New York trip. These are unavoidable costs—you need to get there and have somewhere to sleep. Here’s what to budget:

• Flights: Book in advance and you can find round-trip tickets from Europe to New York for around $600. Anything under $500 is a great deal. Prices vary by season. During peak times—July, August, and December—expect to pay closer to $800 or even $1,000. Check out my tips for finding cheap flights to New York.
• Hotels: Price depends entirely on your comfort level. A 5-star hotel costs far more than a youth hostel. For a decent hotel, budget around $200 per night for a room for two people. Below $200, expect basic amenities. Above that, comfort increases with price. Adjust based on your preferences. For more guidance, see my article on finding affordable hotels in New York.

2/ Getting Around the City

Once in New York, you’ll need to budget for two essential transportation costs:

• Airport transfers: You’ll need to get from the airport to your hotel and back. Several options are available, as explained in the section on airport transfers in New York. A taxi transfer typically costs around $70, including tolls, tip, and any rush hour surcharge (charged between 4 pm and 8 pm on weekdays).
• City transit: You’ll need an OMNY card for the subway and buses. A weekly unlimited pass costs $32. OMNY gives you unlimited access to the subway and bus system.

3/ Sightseeing and Activities

You’re visiting New York to see the city’s major landmarks, museums, and attractions. Expect to spend $20 to $50 per attraction.
To save money, consider buying a pass based on what you want to see. These passes give you access to multiple sites at a much lower price than buying individual tickets.
Several different passes are available, each with its own focus.

• The most popular choice for first-time visitors is the New York City Pass. It includes six major attractions: the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and more. You can book passes on the New York City Pass page. Expect to pay around $125 per pass.
• Another option is the Explorer Pass, which lets you choose from about fifty attractions. Perfect if you prefer flexibility. Book on the Explorer Pass reservation page. Prices start around $90 for three attractions and go up to $215 for ten attractions.

Not sure which pass to choose? Follow our guide to choosing the right pass.

4/ Meals

Budget for meals in New York. If your hotel includes breakfast, you’ll only need to cover lunch and dinner.

• Lunch: Grab a quick bite at one of New York’s many affordable spots. See my suggestions for sandwiches and bakeries in New York. Budget around $20 for lunch, including afternoon drinks.
• Dinner: You’ll want something more substantial. New York has restaurants at every price point, but to save money, try diners, pizzerias, and burger joints and delis. Budget around $30 for dinner.

In total, plan for at least $60 per day per person for meals.

5/ Shopping

Shopping in New York is the hardest to estimate because it depends on what you want to buy! 🙂
If you just want a few souvenirs—a t-shirt, a cap, decorative items—budget around $100 total.
But if you’re after designer clothes, sneakers, records, an iPhone, or camera gear, costs can add up quickly.
If you plan to shop seriously, based on my experience and feedback from the New York forum, set aside around $500. That should give you plenty to spend.

Budget Summary

Here’s what to budget for a week in New York:

• Flights: $600 per person.
• ESTA: $40 per person.
• Hotel for 7 nights, including taxes: $1,400 (for a room for two people), or $700 per person.
• Airport transfers round-trip: $75 (2 × $37.50).
• OMNY transit card: around $32 per person.
• Sightseeing and activities: $130 per New York City Pass.
• Meals, drinks, and water: $500 per person.
• Shopping, souvenirs, and extras: $200 per person.
• Total trip budget: approximately $2,400 per person for a week in New York.
• Daily expenses (excluding flights and hotel): approximately $1,000 per person.

For more tips on visiting New York while keeping costs down, check out our guide.