Which place is cheaper, New York City or Havana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Havana or New York City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Havana and New York City can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Havana or New York City?
Havana
The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).
This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.
New York City
The most populated city in the United States, New York City, sits at the mouth of the Hudson River and encompasses both the island of Manhattan as well as the surrounding land on Long Island, most of which is known as Brooklyn. It's a cultural, culinary, theatrical, and art center that has much to offer domestic and international travelers alike. The city covers an area of 305 square miles and has a population of about 8.2 million people in the city proper with 18.7 million in the metropolitan area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.
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Havana Prices
Cuba PricesNew York City Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHavana $74New York City $363
The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $74, while the average daily cost in New York City is $363. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Havana and New York City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHavana $42New York City $175
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHavana $84New York City $350
Compare Hotels in Havana and New York City
Looking for a hotel in Havana or New York City? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: New York City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Havana $19New York City $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:
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Short Taxi Ride$0.68
Typical Local Transportation Prices in New York City
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New York City are as follows:
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Subway$4.50
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Taxi Ride$8.00
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Subway$2.50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New York City
Also for New York City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 10-Minute Helicopter Transfer from Manhattan to JFK: $245
- 10-Minute Helicopter Transfer from Manhattan to Newark Airport: $245
- Airport Limousine Transfer one-way - LaGuardia Airport - Lincoln MKT: $275
- Airport Transfer: New York to Newark Airport EWR by Business Car: $162
- Arrival Transfer: Newark Airport EWR to New York by Luxury Car: $232
- Arrival Transfer: Newark Airport EWR to New York by Luxury SUV: $174
- Brooklyn Cruise Terminal One-Way Transfer to/from Manhattan: $155
- Cape Cruise Port to J.F. Kennedy Airport (JFK)-Departure Transfer: $43
- Cape Cruise Port to LaGuardia Airport (LGA) - Departure Transfer: $43
- Central Park Private Walking Tour with Transfers: $171
- Central Park Zoo Skip-the-line Tickets & Private Transfers: $291
- Departure Transfer: New York to J.F. Kennedy Airport JFK in Sedan: $162
Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or New York City?
Prices for flights to both New York City and Havana change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayHavana $18New York City $87
Typical Food Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:
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Pizza$0.03
Typical Food Prices in New York City
For New York City, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Gelato$7.50
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Snacks for Two at Yankees Game$34
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Coffee$6.53
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Smoothie$6.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New York City
For New York City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Lower East Side Food Tour: $34
- The Greenwich Village Food Tour: $39
- The Chinatown, Little Italy, Food Tour: $39
- Private Pizza Experience (5 tastings) in Manhattan: $45
- Lower Manhattan's Ultimate Pizza Crawl experience (5 tastings): $46
- Brooklyn's must-try Pizza Crawl experience (5 top rated slices!): $46
- East Village Food Tour | Tasty Tours NYC: $50
- Lower East Side Food Tour: Iconic Eats & NYC History Walking Tour: $60
- NYC Chinatown and Little Italy Food Tour: $63
- Lower East Side Skip-the-Line Food Tour with Museum Entry: $64
- New York City's Best Pizza tour - You be the judge!: $65
- Asian Food Tour NYC Flushing Chinatown: $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Havana $11New York City $180
Typical Entertainment Prices in New York City
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New York City's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Comedy Show Tickets$56
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City Map$8.00
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Broadway Musical$111
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Broadway Show Program$10
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Magazine$6.99
Tours and Activities in New York City
For New York City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- New York's Hidden Gems: Self-Guided City Tour: $1.14
- NYC Central Park Scavenger Hunt & Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.50
- Roosevelt Island: An Audio Tour by a Filmmaker: $5.00
- A New York Date Night Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- New York: Central Park Walking Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- New York: Wall Street Personalized Self-Guided App Tour: $5.00
- Self Guided Central Park Bike or Walking Tour Application: $5.00
- New York World's Fair Site: Explore its utopian future on an audio tour: $5.39
- Central Park Stolen Archives: NY Exploration Game and Tour: $5.82
- NYC Superhero Academy: Self-Guided Comic Adventure: $5.93
- New York City Audio Tour: $6.35
- Central Park Outdoor Escape Adventure: $7.00
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Things to do in New York City with Kids, Things to Do in Central Park in NYC, and The Best Museums in New York City.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHavana $5.76New York City $29
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:
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Mojito$0.15
Sample the Local Flavors in New York City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New York City:
- Brooklyn Distillery Tour: $22
- NYC Bar Crawl: Games, Live Music & Underground Nightlife: $28
- New York Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- NYC Pub Crawl Tour: $30
- NYC Pub Crawl & Rooftop Clubbing Experience: $34
- NYC FIFA Pub Crawl: Midtown/Times Square VIP Access & Prof Photos: $45
- Brooklyn Literary Pub Crawl: $49
- Best of NYC Drag - Drag Bar Crawl with Drink: $49
- Broadway Prohibition Pub Crawl: $64
- East Village Gangster Ghost Pub Crawl: $64
- Underground Brooklyn Walking Brewery Tour: $99
- Full day Long Island Brewery Tour: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and New York City, we can see that New York City is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Havana is in Caribbean Islands and New York City is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Havana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Havana and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in New York City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New York City than you might in Havana.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Havana Expensive? and Is New York City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Havana or New York City?
New York City has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Havana. When comparing the sizes of Havana and New York City, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Havana or New York City?
New York City has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Havana or New York City in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Havana as well as New York City. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to New York City for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Havana is around the same temperature as New York City. Typically, the summer temperatures in Havana in July average around 27°C (81°F), and New York City averages at about 77°F (25°C).
It's quite rainy in New York City. Havana usually gets less rain in July than New York City. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while New York City receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHavana 27°C (81°F)New York City 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Havana or New York City in the Autumn?
Both New York City and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to New York City because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Havana is generally much warmer than New York City. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 25°C (77°F), and New York City fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
In October, Havana usually receives around the same amount of rain as New York City. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHavana 25°C (77°F)New York City 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Havana or New York City in the Winter?
Both New York City and Havana during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to New York City this time of year.
It's quite cold in New York City in the winter. Havana is much warmer than New York City in the winter. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and New York City fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).
Havana usually gets less rain in January than New York City. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHavana 21°C (70°F)New York City 31°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Havana or New York City in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and New York City. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Also, many travelers come to New York City for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Havana is much warmer than New York City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Havana in April average around 24°C (75°F), and New York City averages at about 52°F (11°C).
In April, Havana usually receives less rain than New York City. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while New York City receives 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHavana 24°C (75°F)New York City 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for New York City and Havana
| Havana | New York City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 inches (88 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.