New York is one of those cities you have to see at least once in a lifetime. The skyscrapers, the lights, the thousands of things to do and see: you will feel like you are inside a movie! Although it is nicknamed the city that never sleeps because it is active 24 hours a day, the choice of where to stay becomes essential! New York is indeed very extensive and comprises no less than 5 boroughs, so it is not limited to Manhatthan, the most visited borough and, of course, also the most expensive! But one factor will come to your aid: the excellent public transport, especially the underground, which will allow you to get anywhere in the city even if you choose accommodation further away from the main attractions.
Here's a guide to where to sleep in New York: tips and the best neighbourhoods to stay in!
SEE ALSO: What to see in New York
Useful tips: the best neighbourhoods to stay in
New York is a very large city, with an area of 783.8 square kilometres and more than 8 million inhabitants! It is divided into five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens and The Bronx.
The best borough to stay in is definitely Manhattan, but it is also the most expensive, because this is where you will find the main attractions such as the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center with the Top of The Rock, Times Square and Central Park, not to mention the many museums, shops and events. In turn, Manhattan can be subdivided into several areas and neighbourhoods, but is generally divided into Uptown, Midtown and Downtown.
There are also inexpensive solutions in Manhattan: hostels, but you will have to make some compromises. If, on the other hand, you want a large, private room with its own bathroom, for cheaper accommodation we can recommend the boroughs of Brooklyn and Long Island in Queens. The latter is particularly far from Manhattan and you will have to use the underground every day! Staying in Manhattan, you can move to the Harlem district. For those travelling with children, we recommend quieter neighbourhoods such as the residential Upper West Side and Upper East Side.
Suggested areas tosave money: Long Island City, Brooklyn borough of Harlem
Recommended areas forfamilies with children: Upper West Side, Upper East Side, West Village
Best areas foryoung people: Midtown Manhattan, Times Square area
Best accommodation: We have selected the best hotels, B&Bs and hostels in New York. Discover our recommendations and book on Booking
New York Zones Guide
New York, as already mentioned, is divided into 5 boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens and The Bronx. However, we do not recommend accommodation in Staten Island and The Bronx, while for Queens you can opt for Long Island City. For Brooklyn, choose rather the westernmost part, the one near the famous Brooklyn Bridge.
Manhattan is the best borough in which to sleep, because of its proximity to attractions and, above all, its wide range of tourist attractions! Furthermore, although it is impossible to visit all of New York on foot, staying in Manhattan will allow you to walk around the neighbourhoods and reach some of the attractions on foot. The neighbourhoods of this district are really numerous, but are grouped into three large areas, each with its own characteristics and different accommodation facilities:
Uptown Manhattan: the northernmost part, here one finds the Upper West Side, the Upper East Side and the Harlem district. It develops around Central Park going northwards
Midtown Manhattan: the heart of the borough, it includes attractions such as Times Square, the MoMa, the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center
Lower Manhattan: the southernmost part, includes neighbourhoods such as Greenwich Village, Soho and Tribeca. This is also the heart of the financial district, with Wall Street and the World Trade Center.
Areas to avoid: although New York is a big city, it is still very safe. There are, however, areas where it is better to avoid staying and which are off the beaten track anyway. We therefore advise against the South Bronx, where it is advisable to move carefully even during the day, and East Brooklyn (the attractions and main accommodation are concentrated in the western part). In general, caution is advised in all suburban areas at night.
Uptown Manhattan / Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Harlem
Uptown Manhattan is the northernmost part of the borough of Manhattan. Here you will find the Upper West Side and Upper East Side districts, divided by Central Park, and further north the Harlem district.
This area is especially recommended for families, as it is mainly residential. It is also good for quick access to Central Park, which is ideal to visit with children thanks to the many activities to do, such as the Central Park Zoo or, in winter, the skating rink. This area is also home to important museums and is well served by the underground. Thanks to the many stations, strategically located near the main attractions, you can move quickly throughout Manhattan!
The Harlem district is suitable if you are on a tight budget. Here it is easier to find offers and slightly larger rooms. Again, getting around to the other parts of Manhattan will be very easy thanks to the efficient underground and bus service!
Average prices in the neighbourhood range from around €70.00 for low-cost accommodation to €400.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the best accommodation selection on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
3-star hotel 15 min from Central Park. Featuring a gym and indoor parking. Ideal for families and couples | |
Self-catering flats in Harlem. Pets allowed. Ideal for families, groups and couples | |
Hostel on the Upper West Side, 10 min from Central Park. Shuttle service, restaurant. Ideal for young people and couples | |
4-star hotel 805 m from Central Park. Suites also equipped with kitchenette. Equipped with gym, bar and restaurant. Ideal for families and couples |
Midtown Manhattan / Times Square, Broadway
Midtown Manhattan is the heart of New York City. Here you will find Times Square, Broadway, Rockefeller Center and the Empire State Building, one of the symbols of NYC.
There is no shortage of shops, restaurants and clubs, as well as nightclubs and bars open all night! It is the ideal place to stay if you want to be central and close to everything. Obviously the prices are slightly higher, but you can also find great low-cost solutions in hostels, most of which are well cleaned and organised, and there are many here, especially suitable for young people! We always advise you, before choosing an accommodation, to also read the reviews left by previous guests! Of course there is also no shortage of super-luxurious options, with incredible views of New York and prices from €600.00 per night!
Average prices in the neighbourhood range from around €75.00 for low-cost accommodation to €600.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
4 stars, 500 metres from the Empire State Building and Times Square. 24-hour reception, gym, restaurant, rooms for the disabled. Ideal for families and couples | |
Flat 500 m from Rockefeller Center. Family rooms available, 24-hour reception, private parking. Ideal for families, couples and groups of friends | |
Hostel with communal laundry and kitchen facilities. Rooms with shared bathroom and linen included. Continental breakfast and free WiFi. Ideal for young people | |
5-star hotel on 5th Avenue. Room service, 24-hour reception, restaurant, bar and parking. Ideal for couples and families |
Lower Manhattan / Greenwich Village, Soho, Tribeca
Lower Manhattan is the southern part of the borough! This is above all the financial heart of New York, due to the presence of Wall Street and the World Trade Center, where the Twin Towers once stood, today you can visit the 9/11 Memorial here.
This area of Manhattan is also a great place to choose accommodation and you will have plenty to choose from: the neighbourhoods themselves in this part of the borough are very diverse! Greenwich Village, ideal for families, or Soho and Tribeca, artistic neighbourhoods full of designer shops and art galleries, more suitable for couples. Soho, especially, is also a very expensive district to live in, so prices here are very high.
If you stay in this area you can easily reach many attractions: the underground will take you to both Midtown and Upper Manhattan. Ferries also leave from here to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. The underground station to get to the terminal is South Ferry Station!
Average prices in the neighbourhood range from around €75.00 for low-cost accommodation to €600.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the best accommodation selection on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
4 stars with bar and restaurant. Non-smoking rooms, rooms for the disabled. Ideal for families and couples | |
Hotel with 24-hour reception. Rooms with fridge, private bathroom, free wi-fi and city view via private terrace. Ideal for couples | |
Residence with fully equipped accommodation: kitchen, private bathroom, dishwasher, microwave, fridge and coffee machine. Ideal for families and groups | |
5 stars in Soho. Non-smoking rooms, gym, restaurant, airport shuttle service. Ideal for couples |
District of Queens / Long Island City
Staying outside Manhattan is not a good choice, as you risk wasting a lot of precious time travelling by underground or public transport. But if you want to get to know a different area, one that is perhaps quieter and at the same time has good connections, then we recommend Long Island City! It is located in the borough of Queens and is chosen because it has much cheaper prices!
Long Island City is located in the westernmost part of Queens and is washed by the East River. From its banks you can admire the beautiful New York skyline. Accommodation is plentiful here, so you will have no trouble finding something for your needs. Furthermore, the connections to Manhattan are very good: you can also get to the opposite bank of the river with the ferry that connects Hunters Point South, Long Island, and East 34th Street, Manhattan. In addition, the Purple 4 underground connects Vernon Boulevard-Jackson Avenue Station to Bryant Park Station, a short walk from Times Square
Average prices in the neighbourhood range from around €55.00 for low-cost accommodation to €250.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
3 star hotel with gym, restaurant, parking. Pets allowed. Ideal for couples and families. 300 metres from metro station | |
3 stars with terrace, bar and private parking. 200 metres from the metro station, great for couples | |
Hostel with shared kitchen, skyline terrace, bar, 24h reception. Ideal for groups of friends and young people | |
Hotel inside a 100-year-old paper factory. Fully equipped rooms. 24-hour reception, fitness centre and free WiFi. Ideal for couples and families |
Countries near New York where to stay
As it is a very large city, made up of no less than 5 large boroughs, it is not recommended to sleep in nearby towns, as it will take you a very long time to reach the attractions you intend to visit.
The expense of public transport to Manhattan should not be underestimated either! There are several season tickets that will save you money, but the expense is still high! Moreover, after a long day walking the streets of New York, it might be particularly stressful and tiring to take more than an hour on public transport to reach your accommodation!
However, a good alternative is Jersey City, New Jersey, right on the border with New York State and in the area of Liberty State Park, where the Statue of Liberty is located. This area is not part of New York, but there are attractions to visit anyway, such as the Hoboken district! There are also numerous accommodations to choose from, from hotels to hostels. To reach Manhattan then you can take the underground, buses or the ferry across the Hudson River - Hotels and B&Bs from €80.00 per room
If you are in New York on business or as a one-day stopover to other destinations, consider sleeping near the airport. Find the best solutions and selected hotels on Booking.com
Map of New York accommodation prices
Related articles
Where to go to the beach in New York | Beaches near New York
What to see in New York: 20 best attractions and things to do
New York itinerary in 7 days
Excursions from New York: the best day trips around New York City
Christmas 2024 in New York: what to do, practical info and tips
Hotel recommendation New York: Tips for hotels from cheap to hip
New York: where to sleep, how to get around and useful information