One of the most popular places in the world is New York City. People flock there for work, vacation and pleasure. When planning a trip to this fantastic city, it can be challenging to find cheap plane tickets because most airfare companies charge outrageous prices during peak season.
The secret to finding cheap plane tickets to New York is booking a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday flight. Sites like Skyscanner also come in handy. These sites let you compare flight prices by month, thereby enabling you to find cheap flight dates.
While most airlines are notoriously expensive these days, you can find cheap plane tickets to New York with the right strategy. From being smart when you book your ticket to choosing the right activities, there are many ways to cut back on your New York trip. Here’s what you need to know.
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Is New York Expensive to Visit?
Visiting New York is quite expensive. Generally, New York is the most expensive city in the US for both tourists and residents. One area you should expect to spend a fortune in is accommodation.
The average hotel room in New York City costs $255 per night. And with the city boasting some of the best hotels in North America, that price can go up quite quickly. This price isn’t inclusive of your flight, which isn’t cheap either.
However, it’s possible to find cheap food and transportation in New York. Public transport in the city is excellent and can help you get around cheaply. And with a bit of research, it’s possible to eat on the cheap too.
What is the Cheapest Month to Fly to New York?
If you want to travel to New York on a budget, you will want to look into the cheapest month to fly there.
The good news is that it’s possible to find cheap flights all year round in most cases. However, prices do tend to be a little lower from January through March. In these three months, the cost of flights and accommodation, on average, is the lowest for the whole year.
But before you book your ticket, there are a few caveats you should be aware of. For starters, while hotels are cheaper during these months, not all hotels offer this advantage. Major hotel districts that serve businesses and conventions are not necessarily your go-to when you need bargain accommodation. These hotels are incredibly costly during the weekdays.
The cost of your flight will also depend on several factors, including:
- How early in advance you booked the plane ticket
- Which day of the week you’re flying
- The day of the week you purchased the ticket
- Which airport you fly into
Also, keep in mind that the cheapest months are not necessarily the best time to visit New York. January through March are mostly winter months, and most people don’t want to be out in the cold. The best months are July, August and September because it’s warm enough outside for you to enjoy outdoor activities but not so hot that it’s unbearable.
What's the Cheapest Airport to Fly Into in New York?
New York LaGuardia Airport is hands down the cheapest airport to fly into in New York. LaGuardia is simply the best place to find cheap flights, and it’s right on Long Island, which means you can be downtown quickly.
On average, you should expect to pay $460pp, which is quite affordable compared to other airports.
What's the Best Search Engine to Find Cheap Plane Tickets to New York?
Searching for a flight can be downright frustrating. There are many things to consider, such as price, dates, layovers, and departure times.
Fortunately, several search engines can help you find cheap plane tickets to New York in no time at all!
Most people rave about Skyscanner because it’s easy to use, and they break up your searches by specific costs or locations. You don’t have to fill out ten different dropdown menus to find what you’re looking for either.
Plane Tickets Search Engine - Other Excellent Options to Consider
Other reliable search engines that will help you find cheap plane tickets to New York include:
- Kayak
- Momondo
- Expedia
- Orbitz
- Priceline
- Agoda
- Hotwire
- Travelocity
- Google Flights
Before you decide on one plane ticket search engine, be sure to run a few searches on all of them. That way, you’ll get more options for your cheap plane tickets search! Additionally, start well in advance of your trip. This way, you have more time to compare prices and find the best bargain.
You can keep track of flight deals to New York by signing up for email alerts from these trusted travel websites.
What are the Most Popular Tourist Destinations in New York?
Apart from the cost of travelling to New York, if it’s your first time in the city, you must be curious about what to do there. What tourist attractions are must-see? There’s so much you can do in New York, and the city has something to offer for every type of traveller.
Whether you’re visiting the city to attend a Broadway show, sporting event, or to shop, you’ll love the city’s energy and excitement. Some of the popular tourist destinations in New York include
Central Park
Central Park is a must-do on most tourists’ itineraries, and it’s not hard to see why. With its mature trees, statues and fountains, this urban park is the perfect way to escape the busy streets of New York. The park is at the heart of the city, and it’s half a mile wide and 2.5 miles long.
Besides being the perfect place to enjoy nature, Central Park has several attractions within its borders. And guess what? Most of the sites are free. Therefore, if you’re looking for cheap things to do in New York, Central Park should be at the top of your list.
Some of the places to visit within Central Park include:
- Central Park zoo
- Belvedere castle
- Strawberry Fileds
- The Lake
Statue of Liberty
Another must-see is the Statue of Liberty, which forms part of the famous skyline at New York Harbour. The statue was given to America by France in 1886 as a gift for their friendship during the American Revolution. However, it took nine years to build. When it was shipped to America, it took an additional four months to rebuild since it had to be disassembled to be sent to New York.
The statue stands at 150 feet tall from the base of the torch and weighs about 450,000 pounds. It’s one of the biggest statues in the world.
You can see the statue from land, with extremely breathtaking views from Battery Park. However, to truly appreciate the Statue of Liberty, you need to take a trip to Liberty Island and see it up close. You can walk around the base or enter the pedestal. At an extra fee with advanced reservations, you can go right up to the crown.
On your tour of the statue, you can shop at Ellis Island and explore the Immigration Museum. The museum is a great place to go and learn more about the history of immigration in America.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
It’s one of the most famous museums in New York, and you’ll find everything from Egyptian mummies to famous paintings here. The museum was founded in 1870 and has a collection of over 2 million art pieces spanning over 5,000 years.
The museum has three sites, but the centerpiece is The Met Fifth Avenue. Here, you’ll find rooms for ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, Asian art, as well as a special room dedicated to medieval armor.
The museum also holds exhibitions meant to showcase some of the world’s best works to the public. If you’re serious about your time at the Met, you can also sign up for a private tour of the museum before it opens up to the public. The tours consist of 25 people, and you’re guaranteed value for your money.
Empire State Building
This list wouldn’t be complete without the Empire State Building. It’s the most iconic building in New York and is one of the best places to visit in all of America. For a long time, the Empire State Building was the tallest in the world. However, this changed the 1 World Trade Center tower rose higher, 41 years later. Today, it’s still a top-rated tourist attraction with people coming from all over to visit.
The view of New York City at night is breathtaking from up here. There are also restaurants inside where you can get food and drinks while enjoying that amazing view.
You can buy tickets online ahead of time for a timed entrance – this way, you don’t have to wait in line too long!
Broadway and the Theater District
For broadway and theater enthusiasts, New York City is a dream come true. There are many shows to see and enjoy throughout the city – from classic broadway productions, off-broadway plays, concerts in theaters or symphonies at Lincoln Center
Theater tickets can be expensive if you buy them last minute, so it’s best to plan ahead of time where you want to go. It’s also a good idea to check and see if there are any discounts available.
For the best experience possible, it’s a good idea to get tickets for matinee or evening performances. That way you can enjoy your show and then do some exploring at night!
Wrapping Up
There you have it! This is everything you need to know about the cost of travelling to New York City and how to get the best bargain. Remember to plan ahead of time, and you can experience the best of New York City for less.
Also, keep in mind that certain shows and activities will be more expensive than others. So, it’s best to do your research before you go so you can plan accordingly. Most importantly, book your tickets on the right day of the week. As we mentioned, you can save a lot of money by buying your tickets on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Also, you want to consider doing things like going for matinee or evening performances so that way you can enjoy the show and then do some exploring at night! It’s such a beautiful city that people find themselves wanting more time there than they originally anticipated.
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