New York Travel Guide
Three airports, five boroughs, one contactless tap
Last updated: 2026-09-05
The city's 24-hour rhythm.
Turn the dial to any hour and it tells you where you should be.
Katz's Delicatessen
The most iconic culinary stop in New York famous for massive pastrami sandwiches
New York: places to visit
Central Park
The park runs from 59th to 110th Street and holds lakes, meadows and walking paths. Its southern tip connects to a Midtown day, while the northern half leads to the Metropolitan and Natural History museums — entering at one end and leaving toward a museum saves more time than walking its full length.
SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
Mirrored rooms and a glass-floored ledge in the tower next to Grand Central. It is the observation deck closest to the centre, so it slots into the same day as Grand Central and a Midtown walk. Entry is by timed slot and sunset sessions sell out first.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
On Fifth Avenue along the eastern edge of Central Park. Your ticket also covers The Cloisters on the same day. It is closed on Wednesdays; Friday and Saturday run to 21:00, which suits anyone avoiding crowds. Advance tickets are not required.
Brooklyn Bridge
A bridge with its own raised pedestrian deck. Walking from the Manhattan side toward Brooklyn puts the skyline behind you; the reverse direction keeps it in front. Paired with DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights it only needs to be walked one way, with the subway for the return.
Statue of Liberty
Liberty Island is reached only on the official Statue City Cruises ferry, which departs from Battery Park; the ticket covers Ellis Island and the audio tour. If you do not intend to land, the free Staten Island Ferry passes the statue at a distance — that is the actual choice. Pedestal and crown entry is limited and reserved well ahead.
What to eat in New York
Katz's Delicatessen
A delicatessen running since 1888; lunchA traditional Jewish delicatessen serving hand-cut pastrami on rye. You take a ticket at the door and order at the counter, and portions are large enough for two. Put it on the same day as your Lower East Side walk, and plan it for lunch rather than dinner.
Joe's Pizza
Pizza by the slice, standing up; a quick refuelA small counter selling thin-crust New York slices. There is almost no seating and the queue moves fast. It fits a Greenwich Village evening or a pre-theatre stop; if you want a sit-down dinner, this is not it.
Los Tacos No. 1
A taco counter inside Chelsea Market; a standing lunchA taco counter serving grilled meat on fresh corn tortillas, with stools and standing room rather than tables. A High Line walk runs through Chelsea Market, so it lands naturally on the same day. The queue usually moves quickly.
Levain Bakery
Thick chocolate chip cookies; a Central Park breakA small bakery known for heavy, thick cookies; there is no seating, so you take them outside. The Upper West Side branch is walking distance from the park's western gates, which is why it belongs to the park day as a dessert stop.
Russ & Daughters
Smoked fish and bagels; breakfastAn 'appetizing' store trading since 1914, selling smoked salmon, cream cheese and bagels. The original shop is takeaway; a separate café branch handles sit-down service. Slot it into the Lower East Side day as breakfast.
Peter Luger Steak House
Dry-aged porterhouse; dinner, by reservationA classic Williamsburg steakhouse built around dry-aged porterhouse. Reservations usually fill weeks ahead and the restaurant applies its own payment rules, so check both before you go. It suits the evening of the Brooklyn day.
Where to stay
| Areas | Midtown ManhattanPrice: High | Lower Manhattan / Financial DistrictPrice: High | Chelsea & Greenwich VillagePrice: High | Williamsburg (Brooklyn)Price: Medium | Long Island City (Queens)Price: Medium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Times Square, Broadway and the major observation decks are here — the busiest and best-connected part of the city. | Wall Street, the 9/11 Memorial and the departure point for the Statue of Liberty ferries; business on weekdays, quiet at weekends. | The district of the High Line, the galleries and the eating streets — the stretch best suited to covering ground on foot. | On the Brooklyn side of the East River: a district of cafés and music venues looking back at the Manhattan skyline. | On the Queens side of the East River, one stop from Midtown, with a cluster of recently built hotels. |
| Best for | First-time visitorsShort staysLate-night returns | History and architectureBusiness tripsA quiet evening | Food and drinkWalkingLonger stays | Bringing the room rate downCafés and nightlifeSkyline views | Comfort on a budgetFamiliesAnyone wanting a larger room |
| Accommodation profile | PriceHighNightlifeHighWalkabilityHigh | PriceHighNightlifeLowWalkabilityHigh | PriceHighNightlifeHighWalkabilityHigh | PriceMediumNightlifeHighWalkabilityHigh | PriceMediumNightlifeLowWalkabilityMedium |
| Transport | Times Sq–42 StGrand Central–42 StPort Authority Bus Terminal | Fulton StWall StSouth Ferry / Whitehall Terminal | 14 St / 8 Av14 St / 6 AvPATH — 14 St | Bedford Av (L)Marcy Av (J/M/Z)NYC Ferry — North Williamsburg | Court Sq (7/E/M/G)Queensboro Plaza (7/N/W)NYC Ferry — Hunters Point South |
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Planning notes.
Researched recommendations, practical information and route decisions.
- Walking the Brooklyn Bridge one way and taking the subway back
- Pick one observation deck: SUMMIT is one of the most central options, while the Empire State often stays open late; its closing time varies by season
- Crossing the harbour on the free Staten Island Ferry for a distant view of the Statue of Liberty
- Posing with costumed characters in Times Square — a tip is demanded afterwards
- Turning up at observation decks and popular museums without a ticket; timed slots do sell out
- Planning the Metropolitan Museum for a Wednesday — it is closed that day
- Do not buy separate subway tickets: tap a contactless card or phone, and rides beyond $35 in seven days are free
- Only put neighbouring districts in the same day; most lost time in this city goes on transfers
- The Roosevelt Island Tramway runs on the normal subway fare and crosses the East River from above
New York map
What will it cost me?
Figures are per-person daily USD estimates compiled from BudgetYourTrip, Numbeo and recent traveller reports. Flight/ferry tickets not included.
✓ Prices are compiled from real traveller spending. · Last updated: Aug 2026
How many days?
Choose the best route for your schedule.
What to know before you go.
Tourist traps, SIM, money, taxis, safety, health, transit and language — the city in eight answers.
Ignoring geography when planning your day. Putting Midtown, Brooklyn and Downtown into the same day can waste hours on the subway; keeping each day within one area means you actually see more.
scamThe emergency number in the United States is 911. The real planning risk here is the night timetable: the A and E run local overnight, and weekend maintenance can reroute lines. Check your return route on the MTA planned work page before you head out.
safetyTap water is drinkable, and a refillable bottle removes the daily water cost entirely. Healthcare in the United States is expensive — do not travel without medical insurance.
healthYou do not need a separate tourist card. Tap your contactless card, your phone, or an OMNY card bought at any station machine: a ride is $3, transfers between subway and local bus are free within two hours, and once the same card reaches $35 in a seven-day period the remaining subway and local bus rides are free. AirTrain sits outside that cap and costs $8.75 separately.
cardEnglish is enough day to day, and Spanish is the city's widely spoken second language. The thing to read on your bill: unless there is a 'gratuity' or 'service charge' line, the tip is not included and is left separately.
languageNew York: weather and crowds by month
🎒 What to pack
- ✔ Walking shoes
- ✔ Power adapter
- ✔ Jacket
- ✔ Layers
- ✔ Gloves & beanie
- ✔ Umbrella
- ✔ Sunscreen
- ✔ Hat
- ✔ Light clothing
FLIGHTS
Airport to city
AirTrain JFK plus subway (E/J/Z or A)Manhattan via Sutphin Blvd–Archer Av or Howard Beach
About 50–60 minutes
Best for: The cheapest rail option, unaffected by road traffic
Limitations: AirTrain is outside the $35 seven-day cap and is paid separately. On the A, only Far Rockaway-bound trains serve the airport — Lefferts Boulevard trains do not. The A and E run local overnight, which lengthens the trip.
♿ Accessible
↗ Official sourceAirTrain JFK plus LIRR (Jamaica station)Penn Station, Grand Central Madison and Atlantic Terminal
About 35–45 minutes
Best for: The fastest option if you are staying in Midtown or Downtown Brooklyn
Limitations: The LIRR ticket is bought separately, from a machine or the TrainTime app. Not every train stops at Jamaica, so check before boarding.
♿ Accessible
↗ Official sourceLaGuardia Link Q70 (free) plus subwayJackson Heights–Roosevelt Av (E/F/M/R) or 74 St–Broadway (7)
About 30–45 minutes; can reach an hour in traffic
Best for: The cheapest airport connection in the city
Limitations: The Q70 only stops at Terminals C and B; Terminal A is reached by shuttle from B. There is no direct rail link, so a transfer is required.
♿ Accessible
↗ Official sourceM60 SBS busUpper Manhattan — the 125th Street and Broadway corridor
About 45–60 minutes
Best for: A direct ride for anyone staying in Harlem or on the Upper West Side
Limitations: Subject to road traffic. Anyone heading to Midtown needs a subway transfer at 125th Street.
♿ Accessible
↗ Official sourceAirTrain EWR plus NJ TransitNew York Penn Station (Midtown)
About 30 minutes
Best for: The fastest option if you land at Newark and stay in Midtown
Limitations: Tickets come from a machine or the NJ Transit app; OMNY is not valid here. Going via PATH to 33rd Street or the World Trade Center drops the cost to $11.75 but takes longer.
♿ Accessible
↗ Official sourceNewark Airport Express (Coach USA)Grand Central, Bryant Park and the Port Authority Bus Terminal
About 50 minutes
Best for: A single ride with no transfers, comfortable with luggage
Limitations: Subject to road traffic; the journey can take noticeably longer at peak times.
♿ Accessible
↗ Official sourceNew York: frequently asked questions
What is the most practical way to get from JFK Airport to Manhattan?
How does a visitor use OMNY on the New York subway, and is a MetroCard still needed?
Which ferry actually lands at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and should I book in advance?
Is it better to book Broadway tickets in advance or use the TKTS booth in Times Square?
Which should I choose: Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Edge, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt or One World Observatory?
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