What's the average trip to New York City cost?
A a four-day trip to New York City for two people will typically cost around $4,300, covering accommodation, flights, food, activities, and transportation. The average nightly accommodation cost is approximately $333, with flight tickets averaging about $350 per person. You can expect to spend roughly $250 per person per day on food, drinks, and activities, and $250 in total for trasportation.
A trip to the Big Apple could come with a big price tag, if you don’t take the time to research trip costs in 2024 and plan your budget accordingly.
Fortunately, our travel experts have created a guide that will allow you to customize your New York City trip and create an itinerary that allows you to see the sights for a price you can afford.
From romantic and relaxing weekend getaways in the fall to four-day summer trips that incorporate all of the city’s best attractions, there are endless ways to experience New York City.
Find out which version of New York is best for you, and learn more about what it costs to travel there. Let’s get started!
Average Trip to New York City Cost in 2024
The average four-day trip to New York for two people will cost about $4,300:
- Average Accommodation Cost: $333 per night
- Average Flight Cost: $350 per person
- Food, Drink & Activities: $250 per person, per day
- Transportation: $250 total
- Total: $4,282
New York City is one of the most versatile destinations that you can visit, so your final costs will vary significantly based on what you choose to do during your stay.
For the most part, you will be able to rely on the robust public transportation in New York City, so your transportation costs may be minimal.
In addition, the activities you choose to enjoy and the attractions you visit will influence the final cost of food, drink and activities.
You can opt for a very simple, budget-friendly trip where you spend most of your time walking the city and spending time in Central Park, or you can pack a whirlwind getaway into four days when you visit the best museums, attractions and sights that the city has to offer.
New York Trip Cost: Average by Item
Lucasinacio.com/Shutterstock
As you review each section, remember that your own costs will depend on how many people are traveling in your party, where you choose to stay in the city and what you decide to do once you arrive.
These average prices will give you a starting point as you build your budget.
Accommodation Costs
The vast majority of travelers who visit New York City book hotel rooms for their stay, and as a result, there are plenty of hotels to choose from.
While the COVID-19 pandemic effectively shut down travel in the city for a year or longer, the industry has come back stronger than ever.
According to CityGuide NY, nearly 40 new hotels opened for business in 2022 alone, and the average daily rate for hotels increased steadily in the wake of the pandemic. Currently, the average daily rate for a hotel room in New York City is $333.
It’s worth noting, however, that there are hotel rooms for as cheap as $99 per night or as high as $1,000 per night or more.
It all depends on where you stay and what type of room you book. As you weigh the cost of accommodations in the city, keep in mind that location is everything in New York.
If you are traveler who is looking to see popular tourist attractions, you may want to consider paying a bit more for a hotel that is located in the heart of the city. Midtown, Manhattan and the Upper West and East Sides are excellent options for travelers who want to be near it all.
Flight Costs
With two airports to choose from in the city and dozens of airlines that fly directly into New York, flight prices are actually lower than in other major hubs around the country.
Travelers who are flying into New York City should compare the cost of flights between JFK and La Guardia airports. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the average flight to JFK is about $425 while the average flight to La Guardia is $325.
Newark is also often cheaper than La Guardia and JFK, but there are less flights from destinations around the country. It’s always a great option to check, though, as there are great transportation options into Manhattan.
SkyScanner notes that because so many airlines offer direct flights to New York City, it can be easier to score a cheap, last-minute deal on a flight. Interested travelers should watch trends closely, and keep an eye on possible deals before their trip.
August is one of the cheapest months to fly to New York, but prices also tend to be lower in January and February, when there are fewer tourists looking to go to the city.
While flight prices to New York can fluctuate, it is relatively easy to book a convenient flight for an affordable price. Your final fare will depend on the airline you choose, the destination you are flying from and the seat you select for your flight.
Food, Drink & Activities Costs
Sergii Figurnyi/Shutterstock
Food, drink and activities costs in New York City are highly variable, because no two travelers are alike. The average couple planning their first trip to the city should plan on having around $250 per person, per day in spending money.
Eating is an experience in and of itself in New York City, and many consider it to be the best foodie destination in the world.
Restaurants in New York City range from corner diners where the locals gather to high-end restaurants that cater to celebrities, world leaders and politicians.
If you opt to stick with casual fare during your New York City trip, you may find that you can eat for about $50 per person, per day. If you choose to indulge in a fine dining experience, however, you may be paying more than $500 per person.
Either way, you are going to be enjoying the delicious, savory food that New York City is known for. You just need to choose the type of dining experience that fits within your own personal budget.
Alcohol can significantly drive up the cost of your food bill in New York City, so one of the best ways to save money is to cut out the drinks.
According to The Savvy Backpacker, the typical cocktail in New York City costs between $18 and $22, while a high-end beer may cost up to $12. The amount that you spend on your activities will depend on what you decide to do while you are in New York.
These are the costs for some of the most popular tourist attractions in New York City:
- Statue of Liberty — $24.50 per ticket
- 9/11 Memorial and Museum — $29 per ticket
- American Museum of Natural History — $28 per ticket
Those who looking to pack in the city’s most well-known attractions may want to consider a city sightseeing pass. Several vendors offer discounted packages that allow you to see the most famous places in New York City for a lower price.
Transportation Costs
The total cost for transportation for your trip to New York City will vary based on the type of transportation that you choose. Public transportation is the most affordable way to get around the city — and it’s usually the fastest way too.
Many travelers enjoy riding the famous New York City Subway, which costs $2.75 per ride. In addition, there are buses that traverse around the city, and the fare is the same as the subway at $2.75 per ride.
If you opt for an Express Bus, which has fewer stops and will reduce your transportation time, the fare is $6.75 per ride.
Taxis can be quite costly in New York City, so many visitors are opting to rely on ride-sharing apps such as Uber or Lyft to save a bit of money. For the most part, you should plan on spending about $250 for transportation around the city during a typical four-day stay.
Things to Consider
Mikayel Bartikyan/Shutterstock
Before you book your trip to New York City, consider these travel tips which can help improve your experience and lower the cost of your getaway:
- Do not rent a car if you are visiting New York City. The city is best explored by public transportation, which is quick, reliable and affordable. Riding the New York City Subway is an experience in and of itself, and should be a part of any itinerary.
- Avoid eating or shopping in Times Square. In fact, make this one of the places you pass through for a photo opportunity. Times Square is a tourist hotspot, with minimal local flavor, and it’s also incredibly expensive.
- Research the restaurants that you want to visit, and consider making a reservation in advance. Walk-in dining is incredibly difficult — if not impossible — in the city.
- Don’t be afraid to keep it simple when it comes to dining in New York City. There’s nothing wrong with indulging with a slice of New York Style Pizza as you walk from one attraction to the next.
- Tipping is expected in New York City, and you should plan to tip between 15 and 20 percent on your bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pisaphotography/Shutterstock
How much is an average trip to NYC?
An average trip to New York City for a couple who wants to spend four days exploring will cost about $4,300. Of course, it is possible to build a budget-friendly trip to New York, it’s just important that you know what your priorities are and how you want to spend your time in the Capital of the World.
What s the cheapest month to visit NYC?
Typically, the least expensive time of year to visit New York City is after the holidays and during the cold winter months. The cheapest months to visit New York are usually January, February and March.
Not only are flights and hotels cheaper during this slow travel season, but tickets to some of the city’s best attractions are often available at lower prices than normal during this time.
Is 4 nights in New York City enough?
Most people consider four days to be the perfect amount of time to introduce yourself to the city. However, there is so much to do in New York, it would be easy to spend at least 7 to 10 days figuring out your personal favorite places in the city.
What areas in New York are the best to stay?
Tourists who want to be centrally-located to the best that New York City has to offer will want to consider staying in either Midtown or Manhattan.
Accommodations are usually priced higher in this area, but transportation costs are lower because you are able to quickly reach the best attractions in the city.
Is eating in New York expensive?
New York City is considered to be one of the best places in the world to dine, and as a result, meal prices are typically higher here than in other major cities.
Your New York City food budget should be based on the type of dining experiences that you want to enjoy while you are in the city. If you are opting for several fine dining experiences at the city’s most exclusive restaurants, then yes, it is going to be pricey to eat in New York.
So, What Is the Average Cost for a New York Trip?
| 🛎️ Average Accommodation Cost | $333 per night |
| ✈️ Average Flight Cost | $350 per person |
| 🍽️ Food, Drink & Activities | $250 per person, per day |
| 🚕 Transportation | $250 total |
| 💲 Total Cost | $4,282 |
Planning a four-day trip to New York City for two people who want to visit at least a few of the city’s best attractions, such as the Statue of Liberty or the Metropolitan Museum of Art, will cost about $4,300.
You can rely on these average prices to build your own budget and design an itinerary that allows you to enjoy a life-changing visit to the City That Never Sleeps. Happy travels!