Is New York City Expensive?

Is New York City expensive to visit?

New York City is a well-liked but higher-priced destination. It's generally considered to be a somewhat expensive destination, and our cost analysis agrees as the daily average travel price is $363. When compared to the rest of North America, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced place. It stands in the top 50% of cities in North America for its travel costs. This makes it comparable to Chicago and Orlando.



New York City

How expensive is New York City?

Travelers spend an average of $363 per day when visiting New York City (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. You can stay fairly close to this average if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for New York City here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to New York City?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a weekend trip to New York City costs around $1,088 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $2,175.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to New York City?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to New York City will cost around $2,538 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $5,076.



New York City

Is it expensive to backpack in New York City?

With more than 10 hostels around town, New York City is a very popular backpacker destination. Hostels usually cost around $48 per night. There's a wide range in prices though, with the cheapest beds costing about $20 and the most expensive rooms costing about $70. (See hostel prices in New York City here.)

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in New York City.

  • $45 for a dorm bed at Chelsea International Hostel
  • $36 for a dorm bed at HI NYC Hostel
  • $40 for a dorm bed at The Local NYC

Are hotels expensive in New York City?

Examining hotel prices in New York City, we can see that they are slightly more affordable when compared to hotels in other cities. The average cost for a night in a hotel room is approximately $175. The city is equipped with about 50 five-star hotels, boasting an average nightly rate of $464. For travelers aiming for a comfortable yet budget-conscious stay, three-star hotels come in at an average of $158 per night, while two-star hotels offer a more pocket-friendly choice at $141 per night.


Hotels by star rating in New York City
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
5 stars 50 $464
4 stars 195 $207
3 stars 197 $158
2 stars 136 $141
1 star 7 $92
No rating 12 $224

119 W 45th St, New York City
Overall Rating 9.3
136 West 55th Street, New York City
Overall Rating 9.3


New York City

How expensive are sightseeing activities in New York City?

In New York City, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $180 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is more than the country's average of $55.

  • New York City Historic Walking Tour of Hamilton and Washington: $50
  • #1 Rated NYC Chinatown Food and History Walking Tour with FNYT: $85
  • Central Park Photography Tour with Local Photographer: $100
  • Little Italy's Past and Present Food & History Tour with FNYT : $84
  • Brooklyn NYC Food & Walking Tour with a 5th Generation New Yorker: $150
  • The Best of Brooklyn Walking Tour: "The Brooklyn Revolution!": $50
  • NYC Secrets of Grand Central Private Walking Tour : $156
  • 5 Neighborhoods NYC Walking Tour: $68

Is food expensive in New York City?

In New York City, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $87 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $96.

  • Ultimate Chinatown Walking Food Tour in New York City: $109
  • Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn Bridge, and DUMBO Food Tour: $88
  • The Best of New York Food Tour: $129
  • New York Greenwich Village Speakeasy and Ghost Tour (with pizza!): $45
  • Food Tour in East Village in French: $73
  • NYC Greenwich Village LGBTQ+ History And Food Tour: $89

Is transportation expensive in New York City?

Local transportation in New York City can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $49 on local transportation per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $46. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.



New York City
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



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