The cheapest way to do a weekend in New York City
A weekend trip to the concrete jungle is a great way to have a mini vacation, and getaway from the ordinary for a bit. However, many people think that New York City has to be an expensive city, but there are ways to do NYC on a budget! Here are some tips to help keep the costs down during your trip.
Bus down
While it is a relatively short drive from Toronto to NYC, driving in the city itself can be quite the perilous adventure. So, instead of driving and to save from the cost of flying, opt to take the bus down to the city. Megabus offers cheap bus rides, and run fairly frequently. As long as you are okay with riding in a bus for 8 hours with 52 other people, it is a great wait to save some money!
Take the metro
Instead of taking a trademark yellow taxi everywhere in the city, opt to take the metro instead. It is relatively easy to understand, and metro passes cost a fraction of what a taxi or ride-hailer service will cost. And if you are able, walk as much as possible. One of the best ways to experience the city is to fully emerge yourself in it, and walk around, just be sure to bring a good pair of walking shoes with you!
Book early and online
There is no shortage of things to see and do in the city and you can often find online deals for many attractions if you book ahead of time. Many tourist cities, like NYC have a number of online sites that allow you to order tickets for popular attractions for a discount rate. Sites like Groupon also offer discounts on various attractions based on the area you are looking at. So, take some time to go through what they have to offer, you may find a deal for something you maybe wouldn’t have previously known about!
Broadway rush/Lottery programs
If taking in a show on Broadway is on your must-do list, take advantage of the Broadway rush and lottery programs. Some shows offer tickets to those who line up at the box-office early in the day for heavily discounted prices, while others offer a daily lottery to get cheap tickets to highly coveted shows.
Bring lunch with you
If you know you are going to be site seeing all day, it may be in your best interest to pack a lunch ahead of time. Often food options in popular tourist spots can get pretty pricey, especially if you make your way to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty (since there are no other option available for food). If a packed lunch isn’t feasible to carry around with you, at least keep a few small snacks on hand to help curb the munchies between meals.
Take advantage of happy hour
If you are hoping to have a few drinks during your trip, be sure to scope out bars that offer some sort of happy hour. With so much competition in the city for entertainment, most establishments offer happy hour specials. They often have them posted outside, so be sure to check before committing on a certain bar!
Limit souvenirs
As hard as it is, try to limit how many souvenirs you buy when you are there. If you bring something back for everyone you know, it can get pretty pricey, not to mention, they take up tons of room in your luggage. And often, the souvenirs you get tend to collect dust once you get home. It is best to pick one or two items that you know you’ll use, or really want to remember your time in NYC.
Shop around for travel insurance
Since you are leaving the country, you’ll need to get travel insurance. Even though you are not going far over the boarder, and only leaving the country for a short period of time, it is still wise to ensure that you have coverage. Getting travel insurance before you leave can save you money in the event that something goes awry when you are away. And, since you are only going for a short period, emergency medical coverage should be relatively inexpensive. To help save you some money, HUB Insurance Hunter has a handy tool to help you find the cheapest travel insurance possible.