Planning a New York trip: all the travel tips you need to know
Are you planning a trip to New York? Then you've come to the right place! We've put together our top New York travel tips to help you plan your trip. At the end of the article you'll find a checklist so you can see when you should plan and book something. So you're all set for your New York trip!
You've never planned a trip this stress-free before - we promise! Step by step we take you by the hand.
We make your travel planning easier and save you time by researching New York on the internet. We know how it feels to visit this mega metropolis for the first time. We answer the following questions here:
Which neighbourhoods to book a hotel in? Manhattan, Brooklyn or somewhere completely different?
How do we get from the airport to the city?
How do we get from A to B?
Is a Metro Card worth it?
How many sights can we see in one day?
What are the opening hours of the sights and museums?
What do I need to know to visit the Statue of Liberty?
Which museum is worth visiting?
... and many more!
Thanks to these travel tips, your New York trip is guaranteed to be unforgettable!
What you can see and experience in one week in New York, I have described here in my New York travelogue for one week in my New York travelogue. If you have only one day in New York read more here. We love Brooklyn. Here you can find our highlights for Brooklyn. Insider tips for New York can be found here.
Feedback and comments from readers:
"Very helpful, detailed and well summarised article. Having been to New York myself, I know how much effort is involved in planning such a trip."
"Thank you for the great suggestions and travel tips. Thanks to your site I can prepare the trip optimally.We will be in New York for a week in May."
Before we get started, we have summarised a few interesting facts about New York for you.
How many days should you plan for your New York trip?
In our opinion, you should plan at least five days for a city trip to New York. Especially if it's your first visit to the Big Apple. Seven days is ideal. Any extra day you have available is ideal. Especially with the long flight time and time difference, it is not worth travelling to New York for less than five days.
Here are the most important New York sights at a glance. at a glance.
Here you can read our New York travelogue for one week with programme
Our tips for 1 day in New York
Stopover in New York - how many days?
If you're not sure if you like the city, do a stopover before or after a round trip and stay at least two to three nights. I have friends and family who thought New York was terrible and were happy to move to California or Florida on to California or Florida. I like New York and the diversity of the Big Apple. So I stayed for a week on each of my New York trips (4 of them).
If you have more time, you can also visit Boston, Chicago, Washington D.C., Niagara Falls and Cape Cod. All great places that I recommend to you.
My tips for New York sights
Facts and figures about New York
The national language is English, the official currency is the US dollar ($), 1 USD equals about 0.89 €.
New York officially has about 18.9 million inhabitants (metropolitan area). New York City has 8.6 million inhabitants. This makes New York the most populous city in the USA.
New York is located in the US state of New York. However, the capital of it is Albany.
New York consists of five boroughs: Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island.
Time difference to Germany: -6 hours.
A ride on the metro costs $3, a 7-day ticket $32. There are no zones. You pay per ride.
Apply for an ESTA entry permit
To enter the USA, you need a biometric passport that is valid for at least 6 months and has at least two free pages.
To do: Check whether your passport is still valid! If not, apply for a new one.
To enter the USA, you need an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Programme.
The best way to apply for ESTA online is several weeks before your trip. ESTA application online. ESTA costs a fee of $21 and is valid for 2 years. If you get a new passport within this time, you have to apply for ESTA again for the new passport.
All information about the application and a step-by-step guide for the German form can be found in this article:
ESTA form for the USA - Instructions
Beware of rip-offs
If you search for the website for the ESTA visa on the internet, you will come across fee-based service providers who want to "do the work for you". These agencies cost considerably more. Only apply for ESTA via this official website here.
Tip to save money: Buy tickets in advance
Make a plan for sightseeing
Before your trip, think about which New York attractions youyou definitely want to visit. Buy tickets in advance on the internet. They are cheaper then. Alternatively, you should check whether one of the New York Passes (see point 4.) is worthwhile.
You can visit a city like New York without a detailed plan. You should not do this in New York. If you are visiting New York for the first time and want to see many sights, it can be not only expensive but also time-consuming. Queues at the main sights are long.
Waiting times take away valuable time to see more of the city.
For most tours and attractions in New York, you can get tickets cheaper if you buy them online in advance of your trip. Or you can buy one of the many New York Passes.
These passes include all the sights. You can really save a lot of money and time.
⚠️ We have a discount deal for the New York all-inclusive pass from Go City! When booking via this link in the discount code VIELUNTERWEGSNY (capitalise everything) and save 10% when buying a 3, 6 and 10 day pass.
Read on here:
Top sights in New York
New York Pass Comparison: How to save a lot of money
Why the New York Pass is worth it for sightseeing
Save money with a New York Pass
There are more than five New York City Passes for tourists to visit sights and attractions. You also get many discounts and queue-free access at some attractions. Buying one of these passes in advance can really pay off.
A City Card is not always worth it. That's why I'll give you some tips on how to check whether a pass is worthwhile for you or not. 1.
1. think about which sights you want to see before you travel
Before your trip, think about which sights you would like to see during your visit to New York. 2.
2. make a list of the entrance fees and compare them.
List roughly how much admission would cost for these attractions. Compare the prices with the New York Passes.
My experience and comparison of passes: Best New York City Pass Comparison (german).
Which pass makes sense certainly depends on the duration of the stay and also the choice of attractions. For us, the New York Pass was the most worthwhile. 3.
3) Buy the pass you want before your trip and save money.
Passes are always cheaper on the internet. There are almost always discount offers on the New York Pass. You pay more on the spot.
Read the New York Pass comparison article now
⚠️ We have a discount deal for the New York all-inclusive pass from Go City! When booking via this link in the discount code VIELUNTERWEGSNY (capitalise everything) and save 10% when buying a 3, 6 and 10 day pass.
The best time to travel to New York
In our opinion, the best seasons for New York are spring (April to June) and autumn (September and October). During these months, the temperatures are comfortable and ideal for sightseeing without being too hot or cold. However, we were also very lucky with climate and good weather in March and November. December is great for Christmas shopping or Black Friday at the end of November. New Year's Eve is definitely a great event in the Big Apple.
Before you travel, there is one thing you should know: New York is very popular with tourists at any time of year. More and more tourists also come to Brooklyn. The summer months of July and August are very hot. On our first visit we had 40 degrees and smog.
We would avoid the summer. On my first visit, I was in New York in August. It was very humid and hot. Temperatures around 40 degrees and smog were everyday. The heat "stands" and is very oppressive. Not everyone can cope with it. The desire to go sightseeing is lost a little.
Here you will find my detailed recommendation for the best time to travel to New York
The most important holidays in the USA
New York is a popular destination not only during the summer holidays, but also on public holidays, when many tourists come to the Big Apple. Here I have listed the most important holidays. Sights are still open, only offices are closed.
1 January: New Year's Day.
3rd Monday in January: Martin Luther King Day.
3rd Monday in February: Presidents Day.
17 March: St. Patrick's Day.
April: Easter falls on the same holidays as here.
Last Monday in May: Memorial Day.
4 July: Independence Day, a bank holiday.
First Monday in September: Labor Day
11th November: Veterans Day
4th Thursday in November: Thanksgiving
(more important than Christmas)
25 December: Christmas Day - 24 and 26 December are not public holidays in the USA.
Read more: Best and recommended time to visit New York
Accommodation tips: Hotel with ideal location
You'll save time if your accommodation is ideally located in Manhattan on your first trip. Hotels in the centre are unfortunately incredibly expensive. Flats on Airbnb are often too.
Have you already been to New York several times? What about accommodation in Williamsburg or Brooklyn? That way you have the opportunity to eat out like locals and visit great bars and cafés in the evening.
Tip: If there are more than two of you travelling, it's always worth renting a flat on Airbnb. We weren't sure if there were good places to eat breakfast so we resorted to a hotel.
Prices for a mid-range hotel are around 150 - 300 euros (depending on the time of travel). Airbnb accommodation is often only worth it if you are more than 2 people. Prices in Manhattan have risen significantly in recent years.
Check out our hotel tips for New York here
HOTEL WANTED? ????
If you are looking for a good hotel, we recommend the platform Booking.com. We always book our accommodation on this platform or directly with American Express, as we get additional discounts with the American Express Platinum credit card (see details here, only worthwhile for frequent travellers).
Travel guide for New York
If you've never been to New York, we recommend buying a guidebook. Especially good is the New York Travel Guide "Discover New York like a Local".
As a supplement we have the Dumont Picture Atlas for New York as a supplement.
You can find more recommendations for New York travel guides in our article. We now own about 20 different guides for the city.
Recommendation of the best travel guides for New York
Travel expenses
New York is not a cheap destination. Accommodation and entrance fees to crowd pullers are not always cheap. When it comes to food, it depends on what you want to eat. Fast food is cheap, "healthy food" a bit more expensive than here.
Especially alcohol and restaurants that are known from TV or food series cost a bit more.
The question about expenses comes up again and again and I can't give a general answer. It always depends on which sights and attractions you want to visit and in which part of town you stay.
Staying in the centre is expensive, staying a bit outside is cheaper. But you lose time by taking the metro to Manhattan, where almost all the sights are located.
Read our article on our costs for New York
Book a flight
To get to New York, you need to know that New York has three airports: John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK, in Queens), La Guardia Airport (LGA, in Queens) and Newark (EWR) in New Jersey. Here I have all the tips for airport transfers in New York..
In theory, it doesn't matter which airport you land at. However, if you have accommodation in Brooklyn a flight to JFK or La Guardia is much better. The taxi ride is much shorter and cheaper.
Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines fly from Frankfurt am Main directly to New York. We prefer to book a direct flight with Singapore Airlines. Because this airline generally allows two large pieces of luggage. Those who go shopping have a decisive advantage here.
The flight times with Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines are almost identical. From Frankfurt to New York, you have a day flight that leaves Germany in the morning and lands around noon. The return flight is in the evening. This way you can get the most out of your trip.
Direct flights to New York are available from Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin and Düsseldorf.
We always search for cheap flights on Skyscanner.
See tips for booking cheap flights here
Money and credit card tips
1. withdraw money in New York or change money at home?
Preparing for your trip to New York includes answering questions like:
Where do I change my money?
How much cash do I take with me?
How can I pay in New York?
Can I withdraw money with my EC card or should I take a credit card? credit card use a credit card?
Change money in Germany? I never do.
I get off the plane, pick up my luggage and then go straight to the ATM. Thanks to my DKB Bank credit card I can withdraw US dollars without having to pay any fees. Nowhere in the world. Isn't that great?
I recommend you check out the offer. You can save a lot of money with it and then spend it shopping in New York (here you can find my Shopping tips for New York).
2. check your credit card/EC card limit abroad
Many banks have now introduced limits to protect you from misuse abroad. Check how much money you have set as a limit per day/week/month. Some cards have to be activated before you can use them abroad. Friends have had this experience, especially with traditional banks (Sparkassen and Raiffeisenbanken). It is best to call your bank before the trip and inform your contact person about the trip.
My tip: Use a credit card that allows you to make free payments abroad and withdraw money from ATMs without having to pay fees.
You can read all the other information here in the article on the best credit card to use when travelling.
How much cash do I need to take with me to New York?
There are many ATMs in New York. You very rarely need cash. On my first trip, I withdrew about $150 in cash. That was enough for a few days. You can pay by credit card everywhere.
Only for tips do I withdraw a small amount of about $50-100 directly at the airport in New York on arrival.
You have to pay fees when changing money at the bank before your trip. Also, you often get a worse exchange rate. If you have a good travel credit card, you can withdraw money from ATMs without paying fees.
Does that sound great to you? Then you might be interested in this article:
My best free travel credit cards
Arrival and entry
Getting into New York can be quick or not. We have had both experiences. If you are entering for the first time with your ESTA visa, you will unfortunately not be able to use the machines at immigration. You have to queue with the staff and be questioned if necessary.
This can be annoying. Therefore, have the address of your accommodation and your date of return ready. Tell them you are a tourist on holiday and everything should go smoothly.
Tips for transfers from the airport to the city centre
New York has three airports. JFK in Queens, La Guadria in Queens and Newark in New Jersey on the other side of the Hudson River. That's why we've written a detailed article on the fastest and cheapest way to get from each airport to your accommodation.
Here I have all tips for airport transfers in New York..
Getting around New York
The best way to get around New York is on foot. You will see the most of the city if you move above ground.
Travelling by underground and MetroCard
For longer distances, it is worth taking the underground. The network is very well developed. You can get everywhere quite quickly.
That's why it's worth buying the rechargeable MetroCard for New York. You pay a one-time fee of $1 for this card.
The MetroCard is valid for all New York subways and buses. MTA Long Island Bus, MTA Staten Island Railway, MTA Bus Company, Westchester Bee Line Buses, Roosevelt Island Tram.
The New York MetroCard is available in different versions. Which one is worthwhile for you depends on the time you spend in New York:
How long you will be in New York
How much you want to walk
I usually buy a single-ride ticket for $5.50 (pay-per-ride MetroCard). Then $2.75 is deducted from your credit for each ride. The single rides are therefore cheaper than with the Single Ride Ticket for $3.
If you are in New York for a week, the 7-Day Unlimited-Ride Card is usually worthwhile for you. The pass is valid from the first use until the 7th day, at midnight. The MetroCard costs $32.
New: Metro Card as an app thanks to OMNY
Best of all, there's a new payment system for the Metro and buses, OMNY (One Metro New York). Everything works via app! Download the MTA app to your mobile phone and create an account before you travel. It's never been easier to ride the metro and bus!
More info on the official website.
Taxi, UBER and Lyft
Taking a taxi in New York is just like taking one here. Just wave to the driver, give him your address and pay later. You can also pay by credit card in taxis. However, during our last visit we experienced again that taxi drivers simply charge far too much.
Cheaper are rides with UBER and Lyft. The drivers are also friendlier. Before each trip, check with both apps to see where the price is cheaper. This depends on peak times and availability of cars. It pays to compare!
Cycling
Want to cycle across the Brooklyn Bridge or through Central Park? No problem. There are numerous bike rentals around Central Park. The New York Pass even includes one free rental.
Otherwise, be sure to download the CitiBike App on your mobile phone before your trip. It costs $3 for 30 minutes or more, but you can buy a day pass for $12. That could definitely be worth it. On the website you can find popular bike routes for New York. We highly recommend the ride through Central Park. Check the website for current prices and conditions.
Internet and phone
For New York, it's a good idea to buy a local SIM card. You need data volume for UBER, Lyft or Open Table to book a table for dinner.
Sometimes you buy tickets spontaneously on the spot to avoid the queue. For daily raffles for musical tickets via app, the data pass is also worthwhile.
We like to use the Tourisim in the USA because we can order it before the trip and need a lot of data volume (30 GB). Are you travelling for work and need more data? Then you should buy an eSIM from Telekom in the USA. You can find instructions herehere (works, we have tested it).
Tip
All over the US, service workers earn a low base salary. They depend on tips. That's why people tip around 15-20%. On bills, there are often suggestions for 10, 15 or 20 per cent to make it easier for you to calculate.
When you get the bill from the restaurant, you just have to fill in the amount of the tip. If the café or restaurant uses an iPad, you only have to click on the percentage. We find this very practical.
If we order directly at a counter like in a fast food restaurant or kiosk, we don't give a tip because we are not served.
Eating in New York
In New York, there is a great café or restaurant on almost every corner. On our last visit, friends asked us if all we did all day was eat?
We really ate our way through it. Without exaggerating. If you follow these tips, you can't go wrong:
Use the app YELP to search the area. It's much more respected in the US and has more accurate reviews for restaurants.
On Yelp, you can find tips that are guaranteed not to be in the travel guide.
But as another typical meal in New York, I would recommend:
Shake Shack for burgers (alternative: Spotted Pig, Dure Smaak or Bareburger).
Ess-A-Bagel - the institution for a bagel for breakfast (or a French breakfast at Maison Kaiser - okay, maybe not a revelation for you, since they also have them in Germany).
Pizza at Roberta's Pizza, Two Boots Pizza or 99 Cent Pizza (you can find it everywhere, it's cheap but not a revelation).
Food at food trucks like Halal Guys, Big Gay Ice Cream, Wafels&Dinges or the typical hot dog cart.
And a pastrami sandwich at Katz's Delicatessen, of course.
Breakfast / Brunch: Dominique Ansel's Bakery, Balthazar or Shuka
There would be so many more tips for good food. I always check the Yelp app on my phone to see what tips other locals recommend. We all use Yelp, rather less Google or TripAdvisor. Check out here our other tips for good food in New York here..
Packing List for New York
Not sure what to pack? Definitely comfortable trainers that will allow you to walk 10-20 km (our distances) a day. In summer it gets unbearably hot. Air conditioners are very popular in the metro and restaurants. A waistcoat or thin jacket to wear is advisable.
To charge your electronic things, you will need a travel adapter USA. We no longer use a universal travel adapter and also pack a multiple USB plug.
In spring and autumn it gets quite chilly in the evenings. Remember to bring a jacket. The climate is about the same as here. Only in winter it gets noticeably colder. Be prepared for anything. A snowstorm or blizzard has surprised many tourists.
If you plan to visit rooftop bars with a dress code, you should pack dressier clothes for the evening.
City trip packing list for orientation
Safety
"How safe is New York?" is a question we get asked all the time. In general, there are no special travel advisories for the USA. You can find this information and current tips on the website of the German Foreign Office.
You can move around safely in the centre of Manhattan. We never felt unsafe. However, you should be aware of which areas to avoid. In the Bronxs, but also in Brooklyn, there are streets you should avoid, especially at night.
As in any big city, watch out for thieves in Manhattan. In the crowds at rush hour in the New York underground or at sporting events, something can always be stolen. Just like anywhere else. Nothing has ever happened to us.
Our tip: Listen to your gut. We feel safe.
Travel insurance and health
Do you have travel health insurance? Then check whether it is also valid for the USA. The USA and Canada are often excluded. A visit to the doctor can be very expensive in an emergency.
I myself now have private insurance. My insurance covers everything. Before that, I had health insurance from Hanse Merkur (from 10 euros). I can highly recommend it.
Articles on insurance when travelling: Which ones make sense?
Checklist for New York
What should you consider before you leave, what should you take with you in your luggage? Here are the most important things you need to do and organise before you travel to New York:
Apply for an entry permit ESTA form (visa). Make sure you register before you leave so that you don't have any problems entering the country. Use only the official website that I have linked to in my detailed instructions. ESTA costs $21. If you have to pay more, you have landed on another website.
At the latest 2-3 months before your trip: Book flights - How to find cheap flights to New York.
At least 1 month before the trip: Book a hotel - My hotel tips for New York
At least 1 month before your trip: Book a helicopter flight in New York
Check validity of passport (valid for at least 6 months, at least 2 pages free and biometric)
Save money by choosing the right New York Pass (comparison)! If you want to see a lot of sights, one of the New York discount passes is worthwhile.
Buy New York Travel Guide
Camera - My camera with photo accessories when travelling. Find tips on buying a new digital camera for travel.
Credit Card - Check your limit for withdrawals abroad. Often credit cards are blocked and have to be activated first. A quick call to the bank is all it takes. In general, I recommend a travel credit card that allows you to withdraw money and pay with it free of charge.
You can read my recommendations here.
Travel adapter for the USA - you definitely need one, as there is only 110 V in America and the plugs have a different shape. My favourite travel adapter- for USA travel even has two extra USB slots for iPhone and battery pack (to charge iPhone and GoPro battery during the day).
Sneakers- a city trip without comfortable trainers? Never. I travelled almost exclusively on foot in New York.
Apps for New York: Yelp, Spotted by Locals and the Tripadvisor app. I recommend other travel apps here.
Book a rental car for your USA trip. If you're starting a road trip in New York, here are tips on what to look for when booking a rental car abroad.
Map with all sights in New York
Here is our New York map. We have included all the sights such as Central Park, Times Square, Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Museum of Modern Art or Ellis Island. So you have all New York travel tips at a glance.
Plus our restaurant tips for New York and personal highlights marked. Open the map of New York on your smartphone and navigate quickly and easily through the city.
Have fun in the city that never sleeps.