How far in advance should we book our holiday to NYC?

MsDemeanour

Hi

My husband and I are planning a belated honeymoon to NYC for September 2013.

My question is, how far in advance should we be looking to book? We will be booking flights and accomodation separately rather than a package; when are we likely to get the best prices or does it not really matter?

Delree

I have just booked a holiday to NYC for mid March and did the same thing earlier this year too, so that's just under six month's time. Got a Virgin Flight for £430 which is good these days. Try and go with Virgin, they're a really good airline and the fact they're a British carrier will ensure decent entertainment (US airlines prepare for endless 30 Rock and Baseball).

I use booking.com for the hotel as you can get some good deals (although I'm sure other sites are just as good) and will be looking to book those out before xmas, so call that three months.

Taxi into Manhatten is the best way to get from the airport, it's a $45 flat fare (excluding tolls which you may incur and push the fare up $10).

If I were you and were absolutely certain that you are going and what the dates are I'd snap up any flights sub £350 now but certainly wait no longer 4-5 months otherwise. Last year I paid £480 so be prepared for prices in that range.

I've done this exact type of holiday three times now and have booked a fourth, I'd be happy to give you any more advice if you think it would be useful.

Happy planning, you won't regret going

MsDemeanour

Thanks for the replies

neilandrewhall - I don't mind you PMing me, but as it's general advice might it be better posted here in case other people find it useful too?

delree - thanks. do you find that there is still a good range of accomodation 3 months in advance? we're considering booking a b&b in harlem as they get excellent reviews on tripadvisor, but I'm worried about leaving it too late.

also, do people think it would be best to secure accomodation first and then book flights, or vice versa?

whatmichaelsays

Delree wrote: »

Taxi into Manhatten is the best way to get from the airport, it's a $45 flat fare (excluding tolls which you may incur and push the fare up $10).

You've got a customary tip on the cab fare as well.

$60 including tolls and tip is usually the 'standard'.

martindow

Might be worth looking through the NY thread

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2230655

Delree

MsDemeanour wrote: »

Thanks for the replies

delree - thanks. do you find that there is still a good range of accomodation 3 months in advance? we're considering booking a b&b in harlem as they get excellent reviews on tripadvisor, but I'm worried about leaving it too late.

Three months is usually just fine but for peace of mind book earlier. I usually stay on the Upper West Side which is a bit lower than Harlem, bit closer to the action but not in it, plus cheaper taxi rides at night (because it's not so far uptown).

whatmichaelsays is right btw, think $60 for the cab and you won't go wrong.

What sort of budget are you looking at, me and my friend who I go with usually work on $100 per night each and that seems to do okay.

MsDemeanour

Our budget is £1500 for flights and accomodation (ie £750 each.) for 6 nights stay. So about $150 a night for our room. Looks like we'd be pushing it if we booked a hotel in midtown (unless we were happy with a shared bathroom, which we're not) but doable in a Harlem b&b

Delree

MsDemeanour wrote: »

Our budget is £1500 for flights and accomodation (ie £750 each.) for 6 nights stay. So about $150 a night for our room. Looks like we'd be pushing it if we booked a hotel in midtown (unless we were happy with a shared bathroom, which we're not) but doable in a Harlem b&b

£750 each I assume that's excluding spending money.
That's not a bad budget, assuming £450 for your flight (to be safe) that £600 in total for accommodation equalling (roughly) $950 which if you really root around (research it well) will get you an en suite double in Manhatten. Got to be worth a go?

Don't blame you on the no sharing bathrooms, I dislike sharing it with my mate who I go with let alone strangers!

MsDemeanour

Delree wrote: »

£750 each I assume that's excluding spending money.
That's not a bad budget, assuming £450 for your flight (to be safe) that £600 in total for accommodation equalling (roughly) $950 which if you really root around (research it well) will get you an en suite double in Manhatten. Got to be worth a go?

Don't blame you on the no sharing bathrooms, I dislike sharing it with my mate who I go with let alone strangers!

Thanks Delree, yeah that's excluding spending money.
Tbh we'd rather stay in a hotel in more central Manhattan (be it Midtown, Greenwich Village etc.) but the places within our budget with a private bathroom don't tend to get great reviews Whereas the Harlem b&bs get such good reviews.