Hi guys,

I'm a single female with no kids and last year with your help managed to travel to Paris and London. I'm from South Africa. I hold a full time job. I've been saving a log but I'm kind of torn between saving for a trip to New York and starting my own business. I'm just tired of working but I also want to travel extensively as I don't have kids or a family yet.

Do you guys have tips for me on where to find specials and cheaper travelling ways overseas. I'm not a fan of Contiki as I like exploring things at my own pace and time.

Thanks in advance.

You can do New York on a budget - there are quite a few places that are free or pay what you wish - and a lot of neighborhoods and galleries than can be explored for free.

Your biggest expense will be lodging. If you can do a hostel have alook at the Hosteling International on the upper west side. It's huge and has a good reputation in a nice residential area near Columbia University. You can get a bed and locker in a shared dorm room for abuot $45 per night.

If you want a hotel at bargain prices go in Jan or Feb - yes it's the winter and will be cold and a lot of snow is possible - but prices are 1/2 what they are much of the year and probably 1/3 of what they are in Nov and Dec (high season here - everything is mobbed, most everything is expensive - but it's a beautiful, incredible time for the holidays).

If you give an approximate budget and interests people can provide more advise.

Oh - and NYC is the safest large city in the US (by a lot over many other tourist cities) and all tourist areas are safe - unless you wander alone down dark alleys at 3 am.

There are numerous discount hotel sites - I hae no idea which is the best.

However, in NYC Hotel rates are high and Jan/Feb ais the best time to bet bargains.

During high season - there are few bargains to be had - and anything under $300 a night is very unlikely except for a few non-busy days.

If you don't insist on your own bathroom or much space the Jane Hotel - http://www.thejanenyc.com/ - is way under $300 all year. Great location near 12th and the Hudson river. But it, too, is cheaper in the off season ($135 for a single in Nov, $79 for some dates in Jan).

True that the Jane is a real bargain - but for the lowest prices you share a bath and the single room is barely bigger than one twin (single) bed.

Right, but how long are you going to be in the room? I have stayed there several times and would do it again. The bathrooms are kept clean and I've rarely had to wait. I'd rather share a bathroom than a bedroom, which you would have to do in a hostel.

Other options are the Chelsea Inn and the Chelsea Lodge. I haven't stayed at either, but they are on my possibles list and are also way under $300/night.

If the OP is willing to live with limited amenities - then it's fine.

We don't know what she's looking for or willing to sacrifice.

Well, the OP did say she was looking for ways to save money. Fewer amenities and smaller rooms are certainly ways to do that. But I was mostly disputing your claim that a hotel room in NY for under $300 was "unlikely". And if you want your own bathroom the Pod And the Cosmopolitan are both well under $300 in November. You just haven't been looking, which if you live in NY is understandable.

nyt, you always use that $300 limit, but it's totally fictitious. Do you stay in hotels in your own city? Because I have paid $250, taxes included, for a room in Midtown in May, more than once in the last two years. Limited amenities? No, not at the Royalton.

Will December be much more expensive than May? Of course, because the single term "high season" isn't sufficient to describe NYC hotel rates--there are higher seasons, and the highest, and lower, and so on.

But a room can be had in a good neighborhood in Manhattan for less than $300 in months that are not January and February.

Of course, we don't know what this OP can afford, but information posted on this thread may prove useful to a wider audience.

May is NOT high season - it's mid season. Highest season is November and Dec (except few days right before Christmas) and often parts of Oct. Prices then are much higher than May.

And prices in Jan/Feb are much lower and there are a lot of bargains.

Like other places - when the city is the busiest prices are highest.

The OP's clear priority is to save money. He/she says nothing about requiring an en suite bathroom (none of the following suggestions have them). Manhattan, as mentioned, is much safer than most US cities, so the only other criteria is relatively easy access to the sights.

Hostelling International is a good suggestion.

Look also at: The International Student Center, Chelsea Highline Hostel, Chelsea Inn, Hotel 17, and Royal Park Hotel & Hostel.

nyt, the Wyndham 45 is available Christmas week for $259:
http://www.jetsetter.com/hotels/new-...d-midtown&cl=1

Yes, the few days running up to Christmas are much lower than the rest of high season. But - a $259 rate with taxes is $300 per night.

You can save money by selecting budget hostel option and budget apartments in New York. At http://www.budgetplaces.com/new-york/ you can choose budget hostel and appartment here as per your budget.

Recommend that anyone choosing these budget properties check them out on trip advisor - and understand what the facilities include and don't.

Hi guys, thanks for all the answers. I love how you are debating everything, it's helpful. I will check out the places you are mentioning.


Yes I don't need anything fancy just a comfortable bed really as I don't plan to stay there during the day accept to sleep.

And also I think that I can go in May, June, July or even August during my birthday month. Of course December would be ideal but the flights are way too much for me. I would love love December but like someone mentioned in one of the forums, some places needed to be seen in all of their seasons and I plan to do that with New York. Once I book flights and accomodation I will be fine.

And I would also share a bathroom than a bed.

Ok been checking the flight prices March might just work. Thank you for your help.

Ok guys, any one know this place? I couldn't find it on Trip Advisor. And is Queens safe?

Chaiis Bed and Breakfast, New York
12804 143rd street, Queens, New York

http://www.newyork50.com/offer/detai...ests=1#tab=map

Thank you

Well if you're coming by yourself who would there be to shared a bed with?

If you mean hostels they don;t put strangers in the same bed, they put up to 6 or 8 people, each in their own small bed - in the same room - like in dorms in college. Just more people per room.