10 First-Time Visitor Fears About New York

1/ Is US Customs Really That Bad?

• Many first-time visitors worry about passing through US immigration before they even arrive in New York. Everyone has heard a story—from a friend or online—about someone’s nightmare experience. The truth: in 99.9% of cases, immigration goes smoothly. Just answer questions honestly, don’t make jokes, and follow instructions (place your fingers for prints, look at the camera for your photo).
• Thousands of tourists arrive daily at New York’s three airports, and very few encounter problems. If you’re still nervous, read my article on 5 tips for passing US immigration.

2/ How Do I Get from the Airport to Manhattan?

• After customs, the next big worry is getting from the airport to Manhattan. Again, you can relax: thousands of tourists arrive daily at New York’s three airports, and none get stuck there.
• New York is well organized. You’ll have several transportation options depending on your budget. To choose the right one and plan ahead, check out our guide to airport transfers to New York.

3/ Is New York Safe?

• Police dramas set in Manhattan can make you think New York is dangerous. Some people remember the crime-ridden 1960s, when gangs clashed in the Bronx and no one walked Times Square at night. New York has changed dramatically. Even neighborhoods once considered rough, like Harlem, are now much safer.
• That said, don’t visit naively. New York is a big city with petty crime and pickpockets. The only real advice: stay alert and watch your belongings, just as you would in any major European city.

4/ I’m Worried About Getting Lost in New York’s Streets

• At 790 km² (305 sq mi), New York is no small town. On our forum, I’ve seen visitors anxious about a city nearly 8 times larger than Paris. Two things should reassure you completely. First, as a tourist, you’ll focus on Manhattan, New York’s heart. Manhattan is an island with streets laid out in a perfect grid. Only the far south is more winding, but you’ll quickly spot landmarks like One World Trade Center, which guides anyone lost in SoHo.
• Second: New Yorkers love helping tourists find their way. I once pulled out a map to check what to visit next, and a local immediately approached and asked where I was going. Faced with such kindness, I asked for a random landmark just to let them help! You’ll see—it’s automatic. Pull out a map and look up, and someone will offer directions within minutes.

5/ I’m Worried About Getting Lost in the Subway

• If you’ve never taken the New York subway, you’ll need a moment to adjust. You’ll learn that some trains are “Express”—they skip certain stations to save time—while others are “Local” and stop at every station. Don’t worry: trains are clearly marked on the platforms, and the subway map is straightforward. Stations marked with a black circle are served only by Local trains, while those marked with a white circle are served by all trains.
• After one or two trips, you’ll feel like a seasoned New Yorker. For more details, check out our guide to the New York subway.

6/ How Do I Manage If I Don’t Speak English?

• This comes up often on our forum: how do you get by if you only speak your native language? It’s easier if you know some English, but I’ve seen plenty of visitors arrive speaking no English at all—and they had wonderful trips. New Yorkers are used to tourists, and gestures work surprisingly well.
• Often you don’t need to speak at all. If you have a museum and monument pass, just hand it to the cashier for your ticket. For meals, point to the “burger,” “sandwich,” or “pizza” on the menu.
• At hotels, show your printed reservation and you’ll get your room key. Millions of tourists visit New York each year, and not all speak English.

7/ What If I Get Sick and Can’t Get Care?

• Some visitors worry about falling ill in New York and not being able to get treatment. Forget those fears: New York is a modern city with excellent healthcare. You’re not arriving in the middle of nowhere. You’ll find many medications available without a prescription at New York drugstores. You’ll recognize many of the brands you know from Europe.
• If things get worse, you’ll easily find a doctor or dentist. The only thing you need is travel insurance covering your stay. Check with your insurance provider before you leave, or ask your bank about coverage included with certain credit cards.
• If you don’t have travel insurance, you can purchase a policy designed for trips. It covers health emergencies and doctor visits. See our page on travel insurance for the USA.

8/ What If I Packed the Wrong Clothes?

• The forecast said 15°C (59°F), but temperatures dropped and the wind made you cold? No problem: just visit one of New York’s countless shops. Same if you forgot your razor, memory cards for your camera, or a phone charger. You’ll find absolutely everything in New York. Plus, prices are far more competitive than in Europe, especially for clothing and electronics.
• On your next trip to New York, you might even forget things on purpose to refresh your wardrobe! For shopping recommendations, check out my New York shopping guide.

9/ What If I Don’t Have Enough Cash?

• Even with a budget planned before you leave, it’s hard to know exactly how much you’ll spend. It’s vacation—you want to treat yourself. Then you buy a souvenir you didn’t plan for, and suddenly your dollars are gone. To avoid tightening your belt, I recommend two things: bring at least two international credit cards (Visa or Mastercard) and ask your bank to temporarily raise your withdrawal limit. If you run short on cash, you can easily withdraw money from ATMs throughout New York.
• One more tip: to avoid excessive bank fees, withdraw larger amounts less often rather than small amounts frequently.

10/ What If I Don’t Have Time to See Everything?

• This is the one worry I can’t ease for you. Even if you stay one or two months in New York, time will feel short and there will always be more to do. But isn’t that a good sign? Instead of seeing the glass as half empty, see it as half full—you have plenty of reasons to return to New York.
• For your first trip, plan the things you absolutely must see. Once you’ve done those, everything else is a bonus. You’ll still have plenty left for future visits. One thing is certain: if you go to New York, you’ll go back.