Spending Money for NYC trip
Oct 29th, 2013, 04:09 AM
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Spending Money for NYC trip
Hi guys,
I wonder could I ask some advice please? I will be in NY with my fiancé from Nov 12th to 19th, 2013. I want to try and put together a budget so I can roughly estimate how much currency to exchange/put on debit card etc. All our flights and accommodation are paid for already. We also have a few activities already paid for such as Giants game, Book of Mormon tickets, TOTR and 9/11 Workshop Museum. We will need to budget for Breakfast,Lunch and Dinner each day, additional sightseeing (Ellis Island, The Met, Natural History Museum, Highline - no bus tours) and some shopping (just some xmas gifts for family and some clothes!!). We are not looking for extremely fancy restaurants, just some nice, local places with good food. I have also put money aside for our 7 day metro cards already.
I appreciate that when talking about money people spend differently and have different opinions but if someone could give me a rough guide that would be great.. We have never been to NYC and have heard that it is as expensive as here (Dublin,Ireland) and others have said it is far more expansive. I just want to be as prepared as possible.
Many thanks from a very excited traveller!!
I wonder could I ask some advice please? I will be in NY with my fiancé from Nov 12th to 19th, 2013. I want to try and put together a budget so I can roughly estimate how much currency to exchange/put on debit card etc. All our flights and accommodation are paid for already. We also have a few activities already paid for such as Giants game, Book of Mormon tickets, TOTR and 9/11 Workshop Museum. We will need to budget for Breakfast,Lunch and Dinner each day, additional sightseeing (Ellis Island, The Met, Natural History Museum, Highline - no bus tours) and some shopping (just some xmas gifts for family and some clothes!!). We are not looking for extremely fancy restaurants, just some nice, local places with good food. I have also put money aside for our 7 day metro cards already.
I appreciate that when talking about money people spend differently and have different opinions but if someone could give me a rough guide that would be great.. We have never been to NYC and have heard that it is as expensive as here (Dublin,Ireland) and others have said it is far more expansive. I just want to be as prepared as possible.
Many thanks from a very excited traveller!!
Oct 29th, 2013, 04:41 AM
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You are right, everybody's spending/eating habits are different. So here's a tip I use when traveling (it works for most everybody no matter where you go in the world) - Budget the same amount for food if you were to eat those same meals in similar type restaurants "back home". If you live in a major metropolitan area (like Dublin) add 20% to 25% to that estimated number. If you live in a major metropolitan area add 10% ton 15%. The result will be pretty close to what you will probably spend and, in some instances you'll have a little left over.
Entrance fees for museums and points of interest vary greatly but if you budget around $30 to $40 per person per venue you'll average out about right.
As far as shopping is concerned - it's really difficult to give you any advice. In NY you can buy gifts and clothes in all price ranges - anything's available from a $5 token gift to $1+ million pieces of jewelry - same with clothes - you can buy $10 t-shirts to haute couture gowns for $10,000's. Budget what you'd spend for gifts "back home" and enjoy your shopping.
Entrance fees for museums and points of interest vary greatly but if you budget around $30 to $40 per person per venue you'll average out about right.
As far as shopping is concerned - it's really difficult to give you any advice. In NY you can buy gifts and clothes in all price ranges - anything's available from a $5 token gift to $1+ million pieces of jewelry - same with clothes - you can buy $10 t-shirts to haute couture gowns for $10,000's. Budget what you'd spend for gifts "back home" and enjoy your shopping.
Oct 29th, 2013, 04:42 AM
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I can't give a specific budget recommendation, but here are some things I do to save money.
food
save my restaurant money for dinners only. You can save a LOT by eating breakfast in your room with foods you buy from a nearby food market. Rolls, bagels, or fruit, yogurt, cereal, etc all work well and are pretty cheap. You can buy milk/juice the evening before and keep it on an ice bucket overnight if you want that in the morning.
Lunches - get to-go lunch from one of the many thousands of delis or shops all around town. When I visit NY I pack a sandwich, water, fruit, and snack in my backpack so I can eat any time, just about anywhere without having to find a restaurant. Some of my best memories are just hanging out in a small park people watching while eating a picnic lunch. There are also numerous food trucks that park on the streets where you can grab an easy lunch to go.
Dinners - sample the many different ethnic restaurants - asian, european, mexican, etc. Yes, you can spend $100 or much more for a dinner at a restaurant, but you can also get by for about $20-$30 for two if you just pop into a cheaper neighborhood place.
food
save my restaurant money for dinners only. You can save a LOT by eating breakfast in your room with foods you buy from a nearby food market. Rolls, bagels, or fruit, yogurt, cereal, etc all work well and are pretty cheap. You can buy milk/juice the evening before and keep it on an ice bucket overnight if you want that in the morning.
Lunches - get to-go lunch from one of the many thousands of delis or shops all around town. When I visit NY I pack a sandwich, water, fruit, and snack in my backpack so I can eat any time, just about anywhere without having to find a restaurant. Some of my best memories are just hanging out in a small park people watching while eating a picnic lunch. There are also numerous food trucks that park on the streets where you can grab an easy lunch to go.
Dinners - sample the many different ethnic restaurants - asian, european, mexican, etc. Yes, you can spend $100 or much more for a dinner at a restaurant, but you can also get by for about $20-$30 for two if you just pop into a cheaper neighborhood place.
Oct 29th, 2013, 05:28 AM
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How much you spend on meals can vary wildly.
Do you want a sit-down breakfast? Then expect to pay no less than $12. Do you want a bagel and coffee? Then you can get by on $5. Eat in your hotel? Expect to pay at least $20.
What about lunch? If you want a sit-down lunch at a real restaurant, then $15 to $20 minimum. If you want a sandwich or something simpler, then $10 (or at most $12) will do it, even less if you just grab an sandwich and drink or fast food.
A soda here costs about $1 to $2. A bottle of beer at a grocery store $3; at a bar or restaurant $6 to $8. Lots of places have happy hour from 5 to 7, where drinks are reduced or half-price.
For dinner, no less than $20 unless you want fast food. No less than $30 if you want a glass of wine or a beer. But there area lot of places where you can get a nice 3-course prix-fixe dinner for around $35. Expect to pay an extra $10 to $12 for one glass of wine, a bit less for a beer, and even less for something non-alcoholic. I'd budget no less than $30 per dinner on average.
I've not been to Dublin, but my experiences in Europe are that food is about the same as NYC, but costs can vary wildly.
Shopping will be about the same as at home and possibly significantly cheaper. We tend to pay in dollars what people in Europe pay in euros for clothing and other similar items.
Some NYC museums have fixed admissions fees of up to $25. Others like the Metropolitan Museum or the Museum of Natural History have a "pay-as-you-wish" plan, so you can just pay something ... say $10. The Highline is free, but it costs $20 for the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (and you really must book in advance ... Crown tickets are already sold out until January), and while Ellis Island is open, almost all of the exhibits have not yet been restored and won't be until next year.
Don't forget to budget for transportation. A typical taxi ride costs $6 to $20 depending on how far you go. A one-week unlimited bus/subway Metro card costs $30 per person. Otherwise, you pay $2.50 per ride. I'd recommend that over taxis for most trips.
Do you want a sit-down breakfast? Then expect to pay no less than $12. Do you want a bagel and coffee? Then you can get by on $5. Eat in your hotel? Expect to pay at least $20.
What about lunch? If you want a sit-down lunch at a real restaurant, then $15 to $20 minimum. If you want a sandwich or something simpler, then $10 (or at most $12) will do it, even less if you just grab an sandwich and drink or fast food.
A soda here costs about $1 to $2. A bottle of beer at a grocery store $3; at a bar or restaurant $6 to $8. Lots of places have happy hour from 5 to 7, where drinks are reduced or half-price.
For dinner, no less than $20 unless you want fast food. No less than $30 if you want a glass of wine or a beer. But there area lot of places where you can get a nice 3-course prix-fixe dinner for around $35. Expect to pay an extra $10 to $12 for one glass of wine, a bit less for a beer, and even less for something non-alcoholic. I'd budget no less than $30 per dinner on average.
I've not been to Dublin, but my experiences in Europe are that food is about the same as NYC, but costs can vary wildly.
Shopping will be about the same as at home and possibly significantly cheaper. We tend to pay in dollars what people in Europe pay in euros for clothing and other similar items.
Some NYC museums have fixed admissions fees of up to $25. Others like the Metropolitan Museum or the Museum of Natural History have a "pay-as-you-wish" plan, so you can just pay something ... say $10. The Highline is free, but it costs $20 for the ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (and you really must book in advance ... Crown tickets are already sold out until January), and while Ellis Island is open, almost all of the exhibits have not yet been restored and won't be until next year.
Don't forget to budget for transportation. A typical taxi ride costs $6 to $20 depending on how far you go. A one-week unlimited bus/subway Metro card costs $30 per person. Otherwise, you pay $2.50 per ride. I'd recommend that over taxis for most trips.
Oct 29th, 2013, 05:38 AM
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A couple of notes:
Yes, prices for food will probably not be much more than Dublin for the same time of place. But you also need to allow for the 20% tip (unless the waiter throws things at you that is standard) on top of listed prices. This is true any place you are served food - even a very modest coffee shop. If you pick something up at a counter - Starbucks or fast food - no tip is needed. And do be aware that at lunch hour many coffee shops/delis have a $10 minimum for anyone sitting down - even if you get only a coffee or soft drink.
You also need to allow 20% on top of the taxi fare on the meter - or the quoted rate for a car service.
In hotels yon need to give a couple of $ to anyone who helps with luggage and you leave the same in the room each night for the maid.
As for changing cash - just DO NOT. You should use your credit cards wherever possible and use debit card to pull walking around money from ATM machines you will find everywhere. Be aware that these machines have service fees (unless in a bank linked to your bank at home) typically $2 to $3 per transaction - so do not make small withdrawals - take $200 to $300 at a time.
If anything costs less than $20 or so plan on paying cash (newsstands and street vendors take cash only).
Also for museums check policies - some (the Met, AMNH) are pay what you wish at all times.
Yes, prices for food will probably not be much more than Dublin for the same time of place. But you also need to allow for the 20% tip (unless the waiter throws things at you that is standard) on top of listed prices. This is true any place you are served food - even a very modest coffee shop. If you pick something up at a counter - Starbucks or fast food - no tip is needed. And do be aware that at lunch hour many coffee shops/delis have a $10 minimum for anyone sitting down - even if you get only a coffee or soft drink.
You also need to allow 20% on top of the taxi fare on the meter - or the quoted rate for a car service.
In hotels yon need to give a couple of $ to anyone who helps with luggage and you leave the same in the room each night for the maid.
As for changing cash - just DO NOT. You should use your credit cards wherever possible and use debit card to pull walking around money from ATM machines you will find everywhere. Be aware that these machines have service fees (unless in a bank linked to your bank at home) typically $2 to $3 per transaction - so do not make small withdrawals - take $200 to $300 at a time.
If anything costs less than $20 or so plan on paying cash (newsstands and street vendors take cash only).
Also for museums check policies - some (the Met, AMNH) are pay what you wish at all times.
Oct 29th, 2013, 05:40 AM
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Thank you for all the helpful hints.Looking at the average prices Doug_Stallings has quoted, they are quite similar to here so that in itself is a great help. We are staying at the Beacon hotel and it has a kitchenette so the idea of buying in some groceries is a great idea. I would like to say that we will be grabbing and going for breakfast and lunch but at 5 months pregnant I'm not sure if I will be up to this everyday. I really want to pack in as much as possible so sitting down for every meal is really not what I want to do (except for dinner).
Do you guys have any special tips you like to give to people travelling to New York, your 'must see' or 'don't do' etc?
Do you guys have any special tips you like to give to people travelling to New York, your 'must see' or 'don't do' etc?
Oct 29th, 2013, 06:34 AM
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I generally tell people not to do the Empire State Building. Although it's an iconic sight, it has been overcommercialized and has such long lines (hours long during much of the day). You can either buy your tickets in advance and skip some (but not all) of the line, or you can simply to go Top of the Rock. It's similarly overpriced, but it generally has no wait time and offers (for me) better views.
Do go to another Broadway show if you have energy and time. You can get discount tickets at the TKTS booth in Times Square (30% to 50% off) if you just want to see something. The best time to avoid lines is around 5pm on weeknights for 8pm shows; there are always still some tickets somewhere. You might enjoy Once, which is set in Dublin (especially if you liked the movie). It's often 50% off, though sometimes (on weekends especially) it's only 30% off.
You can take the Staten Island Ferry and have a view (though not close up) of the statue. That's free and takes only 90 minutes or so round-trip, including wait time. Going to the Statue takes a minimum of 4 or 5 hours. But if you do this, try to do it on the day you visit the 9/11 Memorial since they are close to each other. If you like shopping, also visit Century 21 the day you visit the 9/11 Memorial. It's a discount designer store. You never know what you'll find, but if you dig, you can discover some really amazing bargains.
A lot of foreign visitors take a day-trip up to Woodbury Common Outlet Mall, one of the biggest and best in the US. That might be worth doing if you want to do some Christmas shopping, but it takes all day, and it's exhausting (it's a bit more than an hour's drive from Manhattan). If you do this, leave as early as you can. There's a lot of schlock there but also some amazing bargains, especially on expensive designer goods like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Prada (there are only a handful of Prada outlets in the US).
Do go to another Broadway show if you have energy and time. You can get discount tickets at the TKTS booth in Times Square (30% to 50% off) if you just want to see something. The best time to avoid lines is around 5pm on weeknights for 8pm shows; there are always still some tickets somewhere. You might enjoy Once, which is set in Dublin (especially if you liked the movie). It's often 50% off, though sometimes (on weekends especially) it's only 30% off.
You can take the Staten Island Ferry and have a view (though not close up) of the statue. That's free and takes only 90 minutes or so round-trip, including wait time. Going to the Statue takes a minimum of 4 or 5 hours. But if you do this, try to do it on the day you visit the 9/11 Memorial since they are close to each other. If you like shopping, also visit Century 21 the day you visit the 9/11 Memorial. It's a discount designer store. You never know what you'll find, but if you dig, you can discover some really amazing bargains.
A lot of foreign visitors take a day-trip up to Woodbury Common Outlet Mall, one of the biggest and best in the US. That might be worth doing if you want to do some Christmas shopping, but it takes all day, and it's exhausting (it's a bit more than an hour's drive from Manhattan). If you do this, leave as early as you can. There's a lot of schlock there but also some amazing bargains, especially on expensive designer goods like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Prada (there are only a handful of Prada outlets in the US).
Oct 29th, 2013, 08:06 AM
#10
As mentioned earlier, ethnic restaurants are a more reasonable choice. If you like Vietnamese or Thai , for example, you will have good meals at a much lower cost.
When visiting the The Highline, you can pick a lunch to go from several of the shops in the Chelsea Market. By eating your breakfast in your hotel room you'll save money as well as time.
When visiting the The Highline, you can pick a lunch to go from several of the shops in the Chelsea Market. By eating your breakfast in your hotel room you'll save money as well as time.
Oct 29th, 2013, 09:41 AM
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You mentioned clothes shopping - try Century 21 (near World Trade Center). It can be a zoo, but some great prices.
A classic - and free- thing to do is walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Some people take the subway to Brooklyn and then just walk it in one direction (best views are from Brooklyn to Manhattan) but the subway is a ways from the bridge entrance on the Brooklyn side so I think it's better to just walk from the Manhattan side - go half way or all the way and then turn around and come back. Total walking distance is not that much further. There is some construction on the bridge right now but most of it is fine.
If the weather is nice, the NY WaterTaxi is a great way to see the skyline, the SOL, etc and you can get on and off in different neighborhoods.
Walk around Central Park (the area below 79th street is much more interesting than north of that).
Walk around the west village (Greenwich Village around and west of Washington Square Park).
A classic - and free- thing to do is walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Some people take the subway to Brooklyn and then just walk it in one direction (best views are from Brooklyn to Manhattan) but the subway is a ways from the bridge entrance on the Brooklyn side so I think it's better to just walk from the Manhattan side - go half way or all the way and then turn around and come back. Total walking distance is not that much further. There is some construction on the bridge right now but most of it is fine.
If the weather is nice, the NY WaterTaxi is a great way to see the skyline, the SOL, etc and you can get on and off in different neighborhoods.
Walk around Central Park (the area below 79th street is much more interesting than north of that).
Walk around the west village (Greenwich Village around and west of Washington Square Park).
Oct 29th, 2013, 09:57 AM
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For bringing food into the hotel you are right across B'way from Fairway and only about 5 blocks south of Zabars - both huge gourmet shops - that have prepared meals and a huge selection of cheeses, meats and baked goods.
You are also only a couple of blocks from Central Park and should not miss the NY Historical Society and the American Museum of Natural History - both are world class. Check the departments before going - or you could spend a full day in each one.
And the Met - the greatest cultural institution in the western hemisphere i right across the Park - a 15 minute walk or a quick rid on the 70th St crosstown bus.
You are also only a couple of blocks from Central Park and should not miss the NY Historical Society and the American Museum of Natural History - both are world class. Check the departments before going - or you could spend a full day in each one.
And the Met - the greatest cultural institution in the western hemisphere i right across the Park - a 15 minute walk or a quick rid on the 70th St crosstown bus.
Oct 29th, 2013, 11:35 AM
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Some thoughts from one who just stayed at the Beacon Hotel a fortnight ago:
The 1 week unlimited Metro card is well worth it. We found the New Yorkers very friendly and helpful and we (in our late 70s) were offered seats many times on the subway.
We shopped for breakfast/lunch food at the Fairway market across from the hotel. They also have a cafe for pizza there (or take out). We also enjoyed shopping at Trader Joe's which has a market just below the 72nd St. Metro station.
If you are on the High Line around lunchtime, you can walk down the steps to 16th St. and get something to eat in Chelsea Market.
The Viand restaurant right next to the hotel offers a good affordable meal. If you want something fancier, walk over two blocks on 75th St. to Columbus to the Italian restaurant Pappardella. Just a 1 stop subway ride away (72nd to 79th on #1) you'll find two restaurants which have prix fixe price dinners- Sarabeth's on Amsterdam nr. 80th ($36) and Nice Matin ($38)at corner of 79th and Amsterdam where we had our best NYC dinner!
Enjoy your visit!
The 1 week unlimited Metro card is well worth it. We found the New Yorkers very friendly and helpful and we (in our late 70s) were offered seats many times on the subway.
We shopped for breakfast/lunch food at the Fairway market across from the hotel. They also have a cafe for pizza there (or take out). We also enjoyed shopping at Trader Joe's which has a market just below the 72nd St. Metro station.
If you are on the High Line around lunchtime, you can walk down the steps to 16th St. and get something to eat in Chelsea Market.
The Viand restaurant right next to the hotel offers a good affordable meal. If you want something fancier, walk over two blocks on 75th St. to Columbus to the Italian restaurant Pappardella. Just a 1 stop subway ride away (72nd to 79th on #1) you'll find two restaurants which have prix fixe price dinners- Sarabeth's on Amsterdam nr. 80th ($36) and Nice Matin ($38)at corner of 79th and Amsterdam where we had our best NYC dinner!
Enjoy your visit!
Oct 29th, 2013, 11:35 AM
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you also need to allow for the 20% tip
Oh for the love of G-d, a 15% baseline on the total bill should do.
And yes, you MUST tip unless the service is horrendous, in which case you would have left and/or called the manager.
In NYC, ethnic restaurants are everywhere. Check TimeOut.com for suggestions as well as New York magazine's own website.
You could live off Zabar's and Fairway. Much of the Upper West Side does anyway . . .
Oh for the love of G-d, a 15% baseline on the total bill should do.
And yes, you MUST tip unless the service is horrendous, in which case you would have left and/or called the manager.
In NYC, ethnic restaurants are everywhere. Check TimeOut.com for suggestions as well as New York magazine's own website.
You could live off Zabar's and Fairway. Much of the Upper West Side does anyway . . .
Oct 29th, 2013, 04:40 PM
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Use credit cards. There are very few restaurants, stores, or service providers in NYC that do not take credit cards. Visa or MasterCard are accepted most everywhere and American Express is also very widely accepted in NYC.
On a recent trip to Spain I needed to keep quite a few Euros on hand; however, when I travel in the US, $50 in cash goes a long way if I make good use of my credit cards.
HTtY
On a recent trip to Spain I needed to keep quite a few Euros on hand; however, when I travel in the US, $50 in cash goes a long way if I make good use of my credit cards.
HTtY
Oct 29th, 2013, 04:52 PM
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Sorry - but in NYC 20% is the standard base for tip - in restaurants on the food and drink bill - but not on the tax (8.25%). In taxis you will see that the credit card option shows 20% as the lowest tip option - although you can override and put in a lower amount if you really want.
(I only do more than 20% if the driver hauls a lot of luggage around for me or does a special trip (a very short trip in bad weather - and you don;t want to give just $1).
(I only do more than 20% if the driver hauls a lot of luggage around for me or does a special trip (a very short trip in bad weather - and you don;t want to give just $1).
Oct 30th, 2013, 03:34 AM
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We stayed at the Beacon last year. We had breakfast at Café Viand next door each morning as $10.00 got a cooked breakfast, orange juice and coffee. (even with the tip and tax it was still a great deal for us) We only used the kitchenette to boil a kettle for a cuppa. Eating out was too enjoyable. I didn't want to sit in our room eating. Watching and listening to everyone eating around us was part of the fun.
Also, we walked all day long so sitting down for lunch or coffee was a much needed rest before heading off again. As said in a previous post, the Fairway market across the road has wonderful food and prepared meals if you want to eat in.
Another thing to remember is that a lot of serving sizes are huge. An appetiser salad was enough for lunch and often under $10.
Coming from Australia I found restaurant meals reasonably priced.
My husband still misses American style bacon for breakfast.
Have a wonderful time. It has been a year since we were there and I wish I could go back there every year.
Also, we walked all day long so sitting down for lunch or coffee was a much needed rest before heading off again. As said in a previous post, the Fairway market across the road has wonderful food and prepared meals if you want to eat in.
Another thing to remember is that a lot of serving sizes are huge. An appetiser salad was enough for lunch and often under $10.
Coming from Australia I found restaurant meals reasonably priced.
My husband still misses American style bacon for breakfast.
Have a wonderful time. It has been a year since we were there and I wish I could go back there every year.
