New York is one of the most expensive cities in the world to visit, and some hotels there charge thousands of dollars per night. The words “cheap” and “New York” don’t typically go together. A common misconception about New York, however, is that taking a vacation there will be extremely expensive.
There are many ways to reduce costs, so we’ve come up with advice and suggestions to find cheap accommodation in New York to save you money.
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Set reasonable goals
New York is a beautiful city, a place with a lot to offer and a lot of people. Many people travel to New York City. Numerous holidays, when the city is bustling with visitors and decorations, are among the most well-liked times to visit NYC.
You must not miss the opportunity to view NYC’s Christmas beauty. Or how about seizing the opportunity to witness the ball drop on New Year’s Eve?
We must now advise you to have reasonable expectations. Although these are wonderful times to visit New York City, they will not be inexpensive. Even if you can find cheap hotels in New York City most of the year, you will still have to pay a pretty penny to stay there from December to early January and in the summer.
Try to schedule your trip for a time when lodging demand is not quite as high. Even if your trip is not during the holiday season, it will still be a blast. To save money, try going generally during the week.
Consider hotel substitutes
People all over the world have grown accustomed to believing that hotels are the only accommodations available when traveling and that you must suck it up and pay a premium to stay somewhere nice.
This is not exactly accurate. There are numerous alternatives to hotel stays that can provide decent and reasonably priced lodging. Take a hostel as an illustration. Worldwide hostels are listed on the website hostelworld.com. You can enter your locations and dates and it works similarly to cheap hotel booking websites.
You can search for private rooms or reserve a shared space dorm room. Private areas are available for incredibly low costs. You will have similar amenities in a private room as you would in a hotel.
Discovering an Airbnb in NYC is a wonderful alternative to staying in a hotel. In this situation, full apartments are occasionally available for more affordable prices. For the greatest savings, you could also just look for a private room in someone’s house, depending on the number of people traveling with you.
You can enter your dates and locations on the official Airbnb website and browse available accommodations (if you want $55 off your first trip, use our referral link). You will probably share a bathroom, but at least you will have a cosy, private area for sleeping and lounging. After all, you will be out sightseeing for much of your time.
As you book, keep in mind the reviews as always. Read them carefully and keep an eye out for problems with street noise, construction, or wi-fi. As you travel in NYC, be on the lookout for general scams.
Spur of the Moment Sometimes Pays Off
We would advise you to plan to obtain the best resources. On the contrary, if you are the spontaneous type, you might be able to book a cheap hotel in NYC at the last minute.
Visit the Hotel Tonight website or app. This is primarily for people who make last-minute reservations or who might become stranded while traveling and require a last-minute fix. These are essentially extra rooms that were never booked and are being marked down at the last minute.
If you can take off at a moment’s notice, it is worth a shot. The best times to use this option are on weeknights during off-peak times.
Sign up for a loyalty program
More and more hotel chains are beginning to give significant discounts to people who join their loyalty programs. Depending on the hotel, being a member may entitle you to room discounts, free Wi-Fi, upgrades, or breakfast.
Get a better deal by negotiating
Never be reluctant to request a reduction. It is typical to haggle with hotels to get a better deal. You may not always have any wiggle room, but you will never know unless you inquire. Try Hotwire Hot Rate hotels and save up to 60% on 4-star hotel with the help of hotwire coupon codes.
In America’s competitive hotel market, you can frequently negotiate the nightly rate. Ask inquiries like, “Is this the best price you can offer right now?” Is there a discount available for a longer stay? Could you match the price I saw online?
Avoid Manhattan
Avoiding Manhattan is the most underutilized strategy for finding cheap lodging in New York City. Prices in New Jersey’s towns like Jersey City (shown here) and East Rutherford/Secaucus, which have direct train connections to Manhattan, are significantly less expensive. Try some underrated areas of Queens, like Long Island City or Jackson Heights, for a hotel or Airbnb if you want to stay near the New York City subway system. If you enjoy the hipster art scene and nightlife, renting an Airbnb in Bushwick, Brooklyn, would be a blast.
Online price comparison
Online prices are typically less expensive than those you will be quoted over the phone, and by using comparison websites, you can quickly and easily compare the costs of hotels that are like one another and keep track of last-minute discounts.
Look for coupons, discounts, and promotional codes to use on lodging while you are online. For instance, good shop, which updates its lists of Expedia coupons, is a good resource for finding these traveler incentives online.
Use Available Resources
You can find excellent deals on a variety of websites. For instance, booking.com can assist you in locating the top cheap hotels for travel anywhere in the world. They can offer you a variety of options and they always have good rates.
You merely enter your location, the total number of guests, and a few tentative dates. Feel free to fiddle with your dates as you plan and see if you can find better offers for different time frames. Your trip will be much more affordable if you use websites like these to find affordable hotels in New York City that are not listed on every website. There are high and low options available here. For the best outcomes, make sure to carefully read the reviews!
Last Ditch FREE Option
Couch surfing is your last free option if you are traveling alone and are essentially out of options. This is our lowest recommendation, and if you choose to follow it, we urge you to proceed with the utmost caution.
It is a fantastic way to meet some locals, but for your protection, you should read reviews carefully and check references.
Whatever kind of lodging you are looking for in New York, hopefully, our advice will make it easier for you to find a low-cost place to stay. Do your homework in advance to ensure that you are getting the best deal and location possible. Now, go explore this wonderful city on your own.