Complete New York Travel Guide: Manhattan, Brooklyn and Practical Tips

Quick facts

Prices verified · March 2026

Cost per day: Backpacker€95/person/dayMid-range€340/person/dayLuxury€898/person/day
Best time to visit: Spring (April–June): Pleasant temperatures (15–25°C), Central Park in bloom.

new yorkusanorth america

Why Visit New York

New York is the city that never sleeps. With its iconic skyscrapers, world-class museums, an unmatched food scene and neighbourhoods with their own personalities, the Big Apple is a destination every traveller should experience at least once.

JFK

Find cheap flights

Best Time to Visit

Spring (April–June): Pleasant temperatures (15–25°C), Central Park in bloom.
Autumn (September–November): The best time. Spectacular colours, 15–22°C, marathons and festivals.
Summer (July–August): Intense humid heat (30–35°C), many outdoor events.
Winter (December–February): Cold (-5 to 5°C) but the Christmas lights and ice skating at Rockefeller Center are magical.

Tip

The cheapest flights from London are usually found in January–February and November (outside Thanksgiving). Expect £250–400 return.

What to See in Manhattan

Midtown

Times Square: Neon lights and Broadway theatres. A show costs $80–250. Lottery tickets at $30 available for many shows.
Empire State Building: Observatory on the 86th floor (from $44) or 102nd floor (from $79). Go at sunset. Seniors 62+ and children 6–12 from $39.
Top of the Rock: Rockefeller Center observatory with views of the Empire State and Central Park. $43.
MoMA: Museum of Modern Art. $30. Free on Fridays 17:00–21:00.

Downtown & Financial District

Statue of Liberty: Ferry from Battery Park. Pedestal only: $24. Crown: $24 + reservation months in advance.
9/11 Memorial: The memorial is free. The museum costs $33.
Brooklyn Bridge: Walk across from Manhattan to Brooklyn (30 minutes). Best at sunrise or sunset.
Wall Street: Photo with the Charging Bull at Bowling Green.

Upper Manhattan

Central Park: 341 hectares of nature in the heart of the city. Free. Don't miss Bethesda Fountain, Bow Bridge and the Reservoir.
Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met): One of the world's largest museums. $30 (recommended, not mandatory for NY residents).
Natural History Museum: $28. Famous for its dinosaurs and the "Night at the Museum" film.

Info

The CityPASS ($146) includes entry to 5 main attractions and saves up to 40%. The New York Pass (per day) is another good option if you want to see a lot.

Brooklyn

Brooklyn has become New York's coolest borough:

DUMBO: Iconic views of the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges. The classic photo on Washington Street.
Williamsburg: Hipster neighbourhood with vintage shops, craft breweries and food from around the world.
Brooklyn Heights Promenade: Panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline.
Prospect Park: Brooklyn's version of Central Park, less crowded.
Smorgasburg: Outdoor food market on Saturdays (April–October). Over 100 stalls.

Getting Around

The subway runs 24/7. A single ride costs $3.00 and the weekly cap is $35 (after 12 rides, the rest are free). MetroCard is no longer sold — use OMNY (contactless) directly with your bank card or phone. A physical OMNY card costs $2.

From the Airport

JFK to Manhattan: AirTrain + subway ($8.25 + $3.00), 60–75 minutes. Taxi: flat rate $70 + tolls and tip (about $90 total).
Newark to Manhattan: AirTrain + NJ Transit ($15.25), 45–60 minutes.
LaGuardia to Manhattan: M60 bus + subway ($3.00), 60 minutes.

Warning

NYC taxis run on meters. Make sure it's switched on. Uber and Lyft also work but charge a Manhattan congestion surcharge ($2.50 extra).

Where to Stay in New York

Accommodation is the biggest line in a New York budget, and where you sleep swings it more than anything else. The trade is simple: Midtown costs the most and saves you commuting; one subway stop out costs roughly half.

Area	Best for	Trade-off
Midtown Manhattan	First visit, Broadway, everything on your doorstep	The most convenient and the most expensive
Lower Manhattan	Skyscrapers, Statue of Liberty, quiet nights	Business hotels drop their rates at weekends; the area empties after dark
Williamsburg, Brooklyn	Food, nightlife, local feel	10–15 minutes by subway, far more authentic than Midtown
Upper West Side	Families, Central Park	Quiet, safe, residential — next to the park
Long Island City, Queens	Tight budgets, skyline views	One stop from Midtown, modern hotels at roughly half the Manhattan price

Tip

Long Island City is the value play: a single subway stop from Midtown, new hotels, and the Manhattan skyline view you are paying Midtown prices to be standing inside of.

Where to Eat

NYC Classics

Pizza: Dollar slice at 2 Bros Pizza or Joe's Pizza (Greenwich Village). From $1–3.50.
Bagels: Russ & Daughters (since 1903) or Ess-a-Bagel. A bagel with cream cheese: $4–6.
Pastrami sandwich: Katz's Delicatessen (since 1888). The famous sandwich costs $27, but worth every penny.
Hot dog: From street carts at $2–3.
Cheesecake: Junior's (Brooklyn) is an institution. Slice from $9.

Cheap Eats

Halal Guys: The famous halal food cart at 53rd and 6th. Plate from $9.
Chinatown: Dumplings at Vanessa's from $5 for 8 pieces.
Chelsea Market: Food hall with options from $10–15.

	Budget	Mid-range	Luxury
Accommodation (per night)	£30–65 (hostel)	£120–250 (hotel)	£400+
Food (per day)	£15–28	£40–65	£120+
Transport (daily)	£4–8	£12–20	£40+
Attractions (daily)	£0–12	£25–50	£80+

Hotels in New York

Find the best deals

Practical Tips

Visa/ESTA: UK citizens need an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). Costs $21 and is processed online. Apply at least 72 hours before travel.
Tipping: Mandatory in restaurants (18–20% of total). At bars, $1–2 per drink. Taxis: 15–20%.
Plugs: US uses type A/B plugs (flat pins). You'll need an adaptor. 120V.
Safety: New York is quite safe. Avoid Central Park at night and be aware of pickpockets on the subway.
Water: NYC tap water is excellent quality. Bring a reusable bottle.