United States

New York City

Skyline views, world-class museums and a different city in every neighbourhood.

Local time
UTC-5
Population
8.34M
Safety

Cost of a day

$$$$$
Very expensive
  • Food$$$$$About $113 a day: light breakfast, cheap lunch, mid-range dinner
  • Stay$$$$$3-star hotel about $286 a night for two
  • Transport$$$$$About $12.0 a day: 4 public transit rides

Exchange rate

🇺🇸 USD =
Rates from 2026-10-23, refreshed monthly.

Getting in

JFKJohn F. Kennedy International AirportThe main international airport, in Queens.
HowCostTime
AirTrain + subwayManhattan$11.7550-90 min
AirTrain $8.75 + subway $3.00, paid with OMNY.
AirTrain + LIRRPenn Station / Grand Central$14-1635-50 min
Yellow cab (flat fare)Manhattan$70 + tolls and tip45-75 min
About $90-110 all in.
EWRNewark Liberty International AirportIn New Jersey, 25 km west of Midtown.
HowCostTime
AirTrain + NJ TransitPenn Station$17.25about 30 min
Taxi / UberMidtown$70-11040-70 min
Plus tolls.
LGALaGuardia AirportClosest to Manhattan, mostly domestic flights.
HowCostTime
Q70 bus + subwayManhattan$3.0040-60 min
Free Q70 LaGuardia Link to the subway.
Taxi / UberMidtown$35-6025-45 min
Metered, plus tolls.

Estimates, checked October 2026. JFK to Manhattan compared 2026 · JFK taxi fixed fare 2026 · JFK, LGA & EWR compared

Getting around

The subway for most trips; walk Manhattan's grid for short hops.

  • Metro ★The subway runs 24 hours. Tap OMNY (contactless) for $3.00 a ride, with a weekly fare cap.
  • BusBuses use the same fare. The M-routes cover Manhattan avenues.
  • Taxi / ride appsYellow cabs are metered (plus congestion surcharges). Uber and Lyft work everywhere.
  • Rental carDriving and parking in Manhattan are slow and expensive. Skip the car.
  • Walking ★Manhattan's grid is easy to walk. 20 blocks north-south is about a mile.
  • FerryThe free Staten Island Ferry passes the Statue of Liberty.
Recommended stay★ 3 nights (4 days)

Three nights covers the big museums, a skyline view and a Brooklyn walk without rushing.

Best for
  • CultureThe Met, MoMA, Broadway and the old downtown streets.
  • FoodBagels, pizza slices, Chinatown and a steakhouse night.
  • ViewsSkyline decks, bridges and the Staten Island Ferry.

Weather by month

4°-3°Jan🌧 10d
6°-3°Feb🌧 10d
10°0°Mar🌧 10d
16°6°Apr🌧 12d
21°12°May🌧 12d
26°17°Jun🌧 11d
30°21°Jul🌧 13d
28°20°Aug🌧 12d
25°16°Sep🌧 10d
19°11°Oct🌧 9d
12°4°Nov🌧 8d
7°0°Dec🌧 10d

Average daily high / low (°C), sea temperature and rainy days. Typical figures, not a forecast.

Climate

Four clear seasons. Hot, humid summers and cold winters. Spring and autumn are the best times to walk the city.

  • Best time: April to June and September to OctoberHighs of 16–26°C. Comfortable for walking and parks. These are the busiest months.
  • Summer is hot and humid (July to August)Highs near 28–30°C with muggy nights. Plan indoor sights at midday and walk in the morning or evening.
  • Winter is cold (December to February)Highs of 4–7°C and lows near or below 0°C. Bring a warm coat, hat and gloves.
  • Rain is spread through the yearAbout 8–13 rain days a month. April and July are the wettest. Carry a small umbrella.
  • Autumn is crisp and clearOctober highs near 19°C and fewer rain days. Great for parks and skyline views.
  • What to packComfortable walking shoes, layers, a rain jacket and sunscreen for summer. A warm coat for winter.

Landmarks 75

Must-see · 7

  1. 1

    Statue of Liberty

    The symbol of America on Liberty Island. Only Statue City Cruises from Battery Park lands there; book pedestal or crown tickets weeks ahead. The free Staten Island Ferry passes it without landing.

  2. 2

    Times Square

    Neon heart of Midtown and the Broadway theatre district. Go after dark for the full effect; the TKTS booth sells same-day discount show tickets.

  3. 3

    Central Park

    843 acres of lawns, lakes and bridges in the middle of Manhattan. Walk from the Plaza to Bethesda Terrace and Bow Bridge, or rent a bike.

  4. 4

    Empire State Building

    The 1931 Art Deco skyscraper with an open-air deck on the 86th floor. Open until late; go at sunset for day and night views in one visit.

  5. 5

    Brooklyn Bridge

    The 1883 stone-and-steel bridge. Walk it from Manhattan to DUMBO (about 30 minutes) for skyline views; early morning avoids the crowds.

  6. 6

    Metropolitan Museum of Art

    One of the world's greatest museums, from Egyptian temples to Van Gogh. Allow half a day; the rooftop garden is open in warmer months.

  7. 7

    9/11 Memorial

    Two reflecting pools in the footprints of the Twin Towers, free and open daily. The museum below needs a timed ticket and about two hours.

1Statue of Liberty2Times Square3Central Park4Empire State Building5Brooklyn Bridge6Metropolitan Museum of Art79/11 Memorial

Cultural

Statue 1

Skyscraper 6

Bridge 1

Modern History 2

Museum 5

Urban Hub 4

Park 2

Market 1

University 3

Modern Architecture 3

Christian 1

Natural

River 1

Sea 4

Island 1

Activities

Amusement Park 6

Theater 5

Zoo 1

Brewery 1

Painting 14

Cruise Tour 2

Filming Location 4

Food 1

Football Stadium 1

Library 2

Cable Car 1

Cafe 1

Bookstore 1

Overview

History & significance

Highlights

    Day trips from New York City

    Philadelphia · 1 h 21 by train

    ★★★★★ · Full day · 152 km from New York City

    Best way: Train is faster than bus or car and arrives at 30th Street Station, close to the sights.

    Amtrak or NJ Transit/SEPTA combo runs directly from New York Penn Station to Philadelphia's 30th Street Station in about 1.5 hours.

    • Train ★1 h 21 · from $20-$600
    • Bus2 h 00 · from $22-$110
    • Car2 h 06 · taxi ≈ $340

    What to see

    • Independence Hall
    • Liberty Bell
    • Philadelphia Museum of Art steps
    • Reading Terminal Market
    • Old City

    8 landmark quests to check off here

    Good to know

    • Independence Hall tours often require booking ahead
    • The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall are best early in the day
    • Amtrak is faster but pricier than the NJ Transit/SEPTA combo

    Princeton · 1 h 34 by train

    ★★★☆☆ · Full day · 83 km from New York City

    Best way: NJ Transit train plus the Dinky shuttle drops you right in town in about the same time as driving.

    Take NJ Transit from New York Penn Station to Princeton Junction, then transfer to the short Princeton Branch shuttle train (the 'Dinky') into town.

    • Train ★1 h 34 · from $6-$33
    • Bus1 h 30 · from $17-$40
    • Car1 h 19 · taxi ≈ $190

    What to see

    • Princeton University campus
    • Nassau Hall
    • Princeton University Art Museum
    • Nassau Street shops
    • Morven Museum & Garden

    1 landmark quest to check off here

    Good to know

    • The Dinky shuttle from Princeton Junction is a short ride into town
    • Best visited in spring or fall for the campus grounds
    • Buses arrive near Palmer Square, close to campus

    Times and prices are typical one-way estimates (train and bus: Omio / Rome2Rio route data; taxi: local tariff × road distance, tolls extra). Exact prices are on the booking page.

    Plans

    New York is big but its sights cluster in Manhattan. Pick how long you have and what you enjoy most. Prices checked October 2026; ≈ marks estimates.

    How long?

    What do you enjoy most?

    3 nights · Culture ★ Recommended length

    First-timers who want the big museums, downtown history and one Broadway night.

    Stay: Midtown. Walk to Times Square, Central Park and Grand Central. Best for first-timers and short trips. Noisy and busy.

    Tickets & tours
    ≈ USD 233
    per person
    Taxis
    ≈ USD 173
    per taxi, up to 4 people
    Hotel
    USD 540–1,650
    3 nights · Midtown
    Day 1

    Arrive and downtown history

    Tickets ≈ USD 0 pp · taxis ≈ USD 76
    1234
    Approximate route · map © OpenStreetMap contributors
    1. Taxi from your hotel · 7 km · ≈ 35 min · ≈ USD 23
    2. 1

      13:00–14:00 · Memorial free; museum ≈ USD 33

      9/11 Memorial Landmark quest

      Start here after checking in. The memorial is free and open daily.

      Open Memorial open daily; museum hours vary, check on the day · Source

    3. Taxi · 697 m · ≈ 8 min · ≈ USD 10
    4. 2

      14:15–14:45 · Free to walk

      Wall Street Landmark quest

      Short walk south. See the Stock Exchange and the Charging Bull.

      Open Always open

    5. Taxi · 762 m · ≈ 8 min · ≈ USD 10
    6. 3

      15:15–16:15 · Free

      Staten Island Ferry Landmark quest

      Free ride past the Statue of Liberty. Stay on at Staten Island and come back.

      Open Runs 24 hours, roughly every 30 minutes · Source

    7. Taxi · 6 km · ≈ 30 min · ≈ USD 20
    8. 4

      17:30–18:30 · Free to enter; food paid per stall

      Chelsea Market Landmark quest

      Early dinner under the old factory roof. About 20 minutes by subway.

      Open Usually open daily, roughly 07:00–21:00; check on the day · Source

    9. Taxi back to your hotel · 3 km · ≈ 18 min · ≈ USD 14
    Day 2

    Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

    Tickets ≈ USD 103 pp · taxis ≈ USD 44
    1234
    Approximate route · map © OpenStreetMap contributors
    1. Hotel pickup included

    2. 08:30–12:30 · Guided tour · GetYourGuide

      NYC: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Guided Tour

      ★ 4.6 (2,969) · 2-4 hrs · $59 ≈ USD 59 per person

      • 1Statue of Liberty Landmark quest
      • 2Ellis Island Landmark quest

      Book ahead. Security lines are long, so arrive early. Check the tour page for which entry tickets are included.

      Book this tour
    3. Taxi · 3 km · ≈ 20 min · ≈ USD 15
    4. 3

      14:00–15:30 · ≈ USD 44–50 for the observatory; check online

      One World Trade Center Landmark quest

      Observatory on a clear day. Check the day's hours.

      Open Observatory usually open daily; check the day's hours · Source

    5. Taxi · 3 km · ≈ 19 min · ≈ USD 14
    6. 4

      17:00–18:30 · Free

      Greenwich Village walk

      Evening walk and dinner. Try a pizza slice and a coffee.

      Open Always open

    7. Taxi back to your hotel · 4 km · ≈ 21 min · ≈ USD 15
    Day 3

    Museums and Broadway

    Tickets ≈ USD 130 pp · taxis ≈ USD 53
    1234
    Approximate route · map © OpenStreetMap contributors
    1. Taxi from your hotel · 4 km · ≈ 23 min · ≈ USD 16
    2. 1

      09:30–12:30 · ≈ USD 30 adults; pay-what-you-wish for NY State residents

      Metropolitan Museum of Art Landmark quest

      Go at opening on a weekday. Pick two or three galleries, not all of them.

      Open Usually open daily; check the day's hours · Source

    3. Taxi · 977 m · ≈ 9 min · ≈ USD 10
    4. 2

      13:00–15:00 · Free

      Central Park Landmark quest

      Walk south through the park after lunch. The Met is on its edge.

      Open Open daily 06:00–01:00 · Source

    5. Taxi · 4 km · ≈ 23 min · ≈ USD 16
    6. 3

      16:00–16:30 · Free to walk

      Times Square Landmark quest

      Quick look, then dinner nearby before the show.

      Open Always open · Source

    7. 4

      19:00–22:00 · ≈ USD 80–200 per ticket; discounts at the TKTS booth

      Broadway Theater District Landmark quest

      Book tickets weeks ahead. Some shows have cheaper same-day seats.

      Open Shows usually evening, with some matinees · Source

    8. Taxi back to your hotel · 605 m · ≈ 8 min · ≈ USD 10

    Swap in instead

    • Swap a Midtown day for Brooklyn: walk the Brooklyn Bridge, then DUMBO and Brooklyn Bridge Park.
    • Add a half-day at the American Museum of Natural History or the Met. Both need 3–4 hours.
    • Take the free Staten Island Ferry for skyline and Statue of Liberty views, then ride back.

    Getting around

    • The subway runs 24 hours; tap OMNY (contactless) for $3.00 a ride, with a weekly fare cap.
    • Buses use the same fare; the M-routes cover Manhattan avenues.
    • Yellow cabs are metered (plus congestion surcharges); Uber and Lyft work everywhere.
    • Driving and parking in Manhattan are slow and expensive; skip the car.
    • Manhattan's grid is easy to walk; 20 blocks north-south is about a mile.
    • The free Staten Island Ferry passes the Statue of Liberty.

    Where to stay

    • Midtown · ≈ USD 180–550 a night
      Walk to Times Square, Central Park and Grand Central. Best for first-timers and short trips. Noisy and busy.
    • Lower Manhattan · ≈ USD 170–500 a night
      Near the Statue of Liberty ferry, Wall Street and the Brooklyn Bridge. Quiet at night on weekends.
    • Upper West Side · ≈ USD 160–450 a night
      Next to Central Park and the Natural History Museum. Calmer, family-friendly, good subway links.
    • Brooklyn · ≈ USD 140–420 a night
      Brooklyn Bridge Park, DUMBO and cheaper rooms. 20–30 minutes to Midtown by subway.

    Food & drink

    • Start with a New York breakfast: a bagel with cream cheese and lox, or a bodega egg sandwich, about $8–15.
    • Grab a pizza slice for $4–6. Sit-down dinners run $30–60 a person before drinks.
    • Chinatown and Flushing have the best cheap eats: dumplings, noodles and roast meats for $10–20.
    • Food halls and markets (Chelsea Market, Essex Market) let a group split up and eat cheaply.
    • Book popular dinner spots a few days ahead. Many places add tax and tip on top of menu prices.

    Tips

    1. MetroCard or OMNY tap-to-pay works on all subway and buses — buy a 7-day unlimited pass for extended stays.
    2. Many museums offer free or pay-what-you-wish hours (MoMA on Fridays, Met suggested admission).
    3. Tip 18–22% at restaurants and for taxis — it's standard, not optional.
    4. Times Square and Midtown are tourist hubs — explore neighborhoods like Brooklyn, Harlem, or the West Village for a local feel.
    5. Bagels and dollar slices are iconic — don't leave without trying both.
    Sources for prices and hours

    Taxi costs are estimates from straight-line distance and the metered fare. Map positions are approximate.

    Tours & activities

    Take this tour to unlock 2 landmark quests

    Statue of Liberty
    Ellis Island
    • Ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island with a guide
    • Stories of the statue and of the immigrants who arrived here
    • 2,969 reviews · 4.6 rating
    Ferry includedGuided

    NYC: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Guided Tour

    GetYourGuide · ★ 4.6 (2,969) · 2-4 hrs

    $59View tour

    Take this tour to unlock 1 landmark quest

    SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
    • Mirrored rooms and glass ledges 1,000+ feet up
    • Next to Grand Central
    • 61,342 reviews · 4.7 rating
    Entry included

    SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Tickets

    GetYourGuide · ★ 4.7 (61,342) · 1.5-2 hrs

    $48View tour

    Take this tour to unlock 1 landmark quest

    9/11 Memorial
    • Timed entry to the museum beneath the memorial pools
    • Optional guided tour
    • 35,217 reviews · 4.8 rating
    Entry included

    9/11 Memorial & Museum Timed Ticket

    GetYourGuide · ★ 4.8 (35,217) · 1 day

    $25View tour

    Take this tour to unlock 1 landmark quest

    Empire State Building
    • Open-air 86th-floor deck
    • Interactive museum on the way up
    • 29,190 reviews · 4.7 rating
    Entry included

    Empire State Building Observation Deck & Museum Ticket

    GetYourGuide · ★ 4.7 (29,190) · 1 day

    $50View tour

    Take this tour to unlock 1 landmark quest

    Rockefeller Center
    • Classic view of the Empire State Building and Central Park
    • Three decks at Rockefeller Center
    • 22,747 reviews · 4.6 rating
    Entry included

    Top of the Rock Observation Deck Ticket

    GetYourGuide · ★ 4.6 (22,747) · 2 hours

    $46View tour

    Take this tour to unlock 1 landmark quest

    The Museum of Modern Art
    • Van Gogh's Starry Night, Monet, Warhol
    • Skip the ticket line
    • 14,400 reviews · 4.6 rating
    Skip the lineAudio guide

    Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Entry Ticket

    GetYourGuide · ★ 4.6 (14,400) · 1 day

    $30View tour

    Souvenirs

    MTA subway merchandise

    USD 10–501 small item · estimate

    Souvenirs themed on the New York City subway system, run by the MTA. They are a fun nod to the city's most famous everyday transit.

    Where: MTA Transit Museum Store
    Look for small items here, since they are easy to carry home.

    Black and white cookies

    USD 20–404 to 6 cookies · estimate

    A classic New York deli and bakery treat with half chocolate and half vanilla icing. It is a long-standing part of the city's baking tradition.

    Where: William Greenberg Desserts, Madison Avenue
    These have a short shelf life, so buy them just before you fly home.

    Flights

    Dates are departure dates at each airport, which may differ from your itinerary arrival date. Select your flight and complete payment on Trip.com.

    Search flights · Trip.com

    Hotels

    Search all New York City hotelsHotels.com

    Popular hotels

    eSIM

    Get an eSIM for New York CityStay connected in United States from day one · Airalo
    1 GB3 days$4 USDSelect plan →5 GB30 days$14 USDSelect plan →10 GB30 days$23 USDSelect plan →
    Compare all 5 plans · choose data and duration

    Check that your phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked. Data-use estimates are a guide; verify coverage, activation rules and the final price on Airalo.

    Luggage storage

    Store your bags in New York CityDrop luggage at nearby shops and hotels · Bounce