That budget of $750 was purely for hotel costs, and I have found a few within that budget! I have looked into hostels, but for 4 of us, they would cost more than it would for us to stay in NJ.

This isn't a strict budget but I am trying very hard to keep this trip as cheap as possible.

I have researched travel costs and I do know what to expect with the bus and the subways as far as that goes. I have also researched the prices of the museums and other sights we plan to see. I'm not going into this completely blind!

And honestly, we probably won't be out past 11 on most nights, if any at all. We are not into the clubbing scene.

Again, does anyone know much about taking the bus from Secaucus to NYC?

Here's some info about the buses from/to Secaucus - Last month i went outlet shopping there (Eileen Fisher was having a sample sale- nothing over $65.!)
It was surprising quick and convenient TO THE OUTLETS. I think there was a hotel along the route. i seem to remember it was around $6. each way, but I could be wrong.

"Express buses bring travelers from Secaucus to the Port Authority Bus Terminal, near Times Square, in approximately 20 minutes. Trains from Secaucus Junction reach Penn Station New York in 9 minutes and Hoboken in 10 minutes. You may change to a PATH train to lower Manhattan in Hoboken. All northern New Jersey NJ Transit rail lines and Amtrak stop at Secaucus Junction Access to Secaucus Junction rail station is by taxi, or bus only. There is no commuter parking at the station."
http://www.secaucus.org/buses.html

"Again, does anyone know much about taking the bus from Secaucus to NYC?"

The website for bus schedules to/from NJ is njtransit.com There is a trip planner that will tell you which bus is closest if you put in the hotel address. You can also use maps.google.com to plot the hotel and then use the "search nearby" feature for bus stops. Some hotels are closer to bus stops than others. The buses can take anywhere from 20 mins. to an hour depending on time of day.

I assume you know about reviews on tripadvisor. Here's a link for the Red Roof Secaucus reviews. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...ew_Jersey.html

If you can swing it, I would definitely stay in a hotel with subway access. Being able to stop by the hotel mid day -- to drop off bags, change shoes/clothes, put your feet up, etc -- is a huge plus. I can't emphasize how nice that is. I would rather pay a bit more on a hotel and, say, eat for cheap than stay a NJ Transit bus ride away from the city.

If your dates are locked and you won't cancel, take a look at hotwire. There are 2.5 and 3* hotels in Manhattan for $120 a night.

But are those for 4 adults?

Yep - 4 adults. With only 2 adults, you can get a room for $89 on hotwire.

It's crazy -- $200 used to be a steal.

bethke has come up with an amazingly good suggestion (I'm embarrassed I didn't think of it) to use Hotwire. I find a 3* hotel in midtown central for that time for 4 people for $106/night. The icons suggest it's the Holiday Inn midtown.

This is an excellent location and a hotel with spacious rooms. Tax will add another 15% or $122/night but it's still a steal to be right in midtown Manhattan within walking distance of so much. You'll save quite a bit in transportation. There's a swimming icon which most hotels don't have so it's pretty certain with the help of the Hotwire list on betterbidding.com that it's that Holiday Inn.

Your only issue now is parking. For 6 days, I'd consider leaving the car at the Port Imperial terminal in Weehawken, NJ for $8-10/day.
http://nywaterway.com/Home/RidetheFe...ult.aspx?ID=11

The ferry is expensive but convenient for you. You could also take the bus from there to Port Authority.

The buses to and from Secaucus are geared for commuters, not tourists, so they run fairly frequently during the day and especially at rush hour, but not frequently at all at night or on weekends. I've taken the buses to the Secaucus area a few times, but I don't do it often, and it's not a bad trip. As another poster said, it can take 20 minutes or an hour depending on traffic.

Many people on this board stay in NJ to save money, but I don't recommend it. You can search for many other trip reports and posts about staying in NJ to get more information. If you are on a tight budget and have a party of four, I think you will find it much more cost-effective to stay in Queens because of the extra cost of traveling from NJ (the train from Secaucus Junction is particularly expensive).

Wow, mclaurie, thank you so much for the time you put into that! I can't believe how cheap of a room that is for Manhattan, and even with taxes it isn't much at all over budget! I am seriously going to consider that.

Oops and thanks to bethke!!!

here's a very good piece that ran in yesterday's NY Times about bidding on priceline. prices are really coming down for the slow periods in Manhattan hotels.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/13/bu...&st=Search

thought about priceline, but they only guarantee for 2 guests, not 4.

Did it on hotwire! Thanks again, everyone! I will plan on leaving my car at Weehawken unless anyone has any other ideas!

Did you in fact get the Holiday Inn Midtown for $106/night?

I'm really glad it worked out - I think you will be lots happier in Manhattan.

Enjoy your trip!

I did get it! And I totaled it up with what I'll pay for parking and the ferry, and it will actually be cheaper than what I would have payed to stay in NJ and take the bus in and out every day! So THANKS again!!! I had never used Hotwire before, but I will keep that in mind for future trips.

Hotwire is good for NYC if you're more than 2 people. Otherwise, Priceline is cheaper but only good if you're 2 and can share a bed. Don't forget to check hotel lists on betterbidding.com before bidding so you have a good idea of what you're getting. B/c the HI Midtown is the only 3* in the are with a pool, it was easy to figure out. Btw, the pool is not enclosed so don't bring bathing suits expecting to use it.