Make it a trip · New York, United States
What New York costs
once you land
Real prices, from the airport ride to a room for the night, each with where we found it. Checked October 2026, around Manhattan.
Prices as the source quoted them.
Dorm bed, three cheap meals, getting around, a coffee, two beers and water.
Private room, a cheap lunch, dinner out (your half), a coffee, two beers, two rides and the top sight.
Half a villa or 4-star room, two meals out, a coffee, two beers and the signature experience.
Arriving
-
ESTA travel authorisation Fixed
For AU, NZ, GB, IE, NL, DE, FR, SG passports.
Rose to $40.62 on 16 October 2026. Valid two years. Apply only on the official CBP site or app.
Sources: VisasNews, ESTA fee rise (2026-10), Buch dein Visum, ESTA fee (2026-10)
US$41 -
JFK AirTrain plus subway to Manhattan Fixed
$8.75 for the AirTrain and $3 for the subway, about an hour. A yellow cab has a flat fare to Manhattan plus tolls and tip.
Sources: Loudavym Krokem, NYC transport 2026 (2026), NYC Moov, subway fare 2026 (2026)
US$11.80 Book an airport pickup -
No visa or ESTA needed Fixed
For CA passports.
Canadian citizens visit visa free with a passport.
Source: Layla, US ESTA guide (2026)
Free -
Free
Getting around
-
Subway or bus ride Fixed
Tap any contactless card or phone at the OMNY reader. Free transfers within two hours.
Sources: Numbeo, New York (2026-10), NYC Moov, subway fare 2026 (2026)
US$3 -
OMNY weekly cap, seven days Fixed
After 12 taps on the same card in seven days, the rest of the week's rides are free. There is no day pass.
Sources: Loudavym Krokem, NYC transport 2026 (2026), The Better Vacation, getting around New York (2026)
US$35 -
Car hire, per day Many reports
Before insurance, tolls and fees, which can double it. You don't need a car in Manhattan.
Source: Cheapflights, New York car rental (2026-05)
US$86 Compare cars
Eating and drinking
-
Meal at a cheap restaurant Many reports
Including tax and a tip. Delis, food carts and pizza slices cost far less.
Source: Numbeo, New York (2026-10)
US$27 -
US$14.50
-
Dinner for two, three courses Many reports
A mid-range restaurant, without drinks. Add 8.875% tax and an 18 to 20% tip.
Source: Numbeo, New York (2026-10)
US$120 -
US$6.60
-
Draught beer, a pint Many reports
Before tip. Happy hours bring it down to about $5.
Source: Numbeo, New York (2026-10)
US$8
At the supermarket
-
Water, 1.5 litres Many reports
NYC tap water is excellent and safe.
Source: Numbeo, New York (2026-10)
US$2.70 -
US$3.90
-
Beer, half a litre, to take away Many reports
Drinking in public is illegal in New York.
Source: Numbeo, New York (2026-10)
US$3.40 -
Plain pizza slice Many reports
The median at slice shops. The old $1 slice has mostly disappeared; Midtown charges $5 or more.
Sources: Gothamist, NYC slice prices (2025), Fox 5 New York, slice price (2025)
US$3.80
Doing
-
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island ferry Fixed
Adult ticket with grounds access. The free Staten Island Ferry passes the statue if you only want the view.
Sources: Loudavym Krokem, Statue of Liberty 2026 (2026), National Park Service, Ellis Island fees (2026-03)
US$26 Get tickets -
Broadway show Many reports
The average ticket in the 2025 to 2026 season. The TKTS booth in Times Square sells same-day seats for 20 to 50% off.
Source: BroadwayWorld, 2025 to 2026 season record (2026-05)
US$131 Get tickets
Everyday
-
Wash and fold, per pound Range
Manhattan rates run $2.50 to 2.75 a pound; Brooklyn and Queens are cheaper. Self-service washes cost $4.50 to 7 a load.
Source: CostCheck USA, laundry in New York (2026)
US$2.50 -
Coworking, day pass Range
WeWork and Regus day passes in Manhattan.
Sources: WeWork, New York City (2026), Regus, New York (2026)
US$29 to US$49
Sleeping, per night
-
Hostel dorm bed, from Range
A large dorm runs $45 to 60 in low season and up to $80 in summer and December.
Source: Hostelz, choosing a hostel in New York (2026)
US$45 Find a hostel -
Private room in a hostel Many reports
Average across New York hostels. Budget hotels cost about the same.
Source: Hostelz, New York budget guide (2026)
US$145 Find a guesthouse -
Four-star hotel Many reports
Before about 15% hotel tax. January and February are cheapest.
Source: GetCostIdea, NYC 4-star hotel cost (2026)
US$370 Find a hotel
Prices change. Fixed fees come from official or widely reported figures; ranges are what travellers and operators report for 2026. Some links are affiliate links: they never change what you pay. How we make money.
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