How much to take to NYC

jpsartre

securityguy wrote: »

Moreover, it's quite a feat to have found the one hotel in NY which doesn't throw in at least coffee, bagels and muffins for breakfast.

Breakfast hasn't been included in any of the hotels I've stayed at in NYC. I don't think that's so uncommon.

Meadows

jpsartre wrote: »

Breakfast hasn't been included in any of the hotels I've stayed at in NYC. I don't think that's so uncommon.

I have stayed in five Manhattan hotels and one included breakfast and pre dinner horderves only because we had a Club room, the normal rooms did not include breakfast, and another provided danish pastries & coffee but had a limited amount and when it was gone it was gone, so you are right it is not the 'norm' for all Manhattan hotels.

piglet74

Imo.. Its not enough, but it depends on what you plan to do in terms of shopping and where to eat

I tend to work and save really hard for holidays (esp for going to usa) and then $ is no object in terms of if I see something I like, I buy it.. Or buy 2 of it..

We tend to buy a few pairs of sketchers each, perfume / aftershave in the duty free, I get a few handbags, hubby is a shoe shopper,

Like mentioned above, breakfast is usually bought from a deli, lunch is buffalo wings and a few beers, and in the evening we eat and drink out,

What I really love about the holiday then is ££ doesn't restrict what I do and what I buy.

I know this don't sound very MSE, but please bear in mind I will have saved really hard for the holiday, and I spend cash all the way (no CC)

Ps been 5 times now and never come across a hotel that serves any kind of breakfast.

Pps.. Have a ball, it really is the city that never sleeps, and I do be shocked to the extreme if I ever hear someone say they didn't have a blast in nyc!

duchy

I pretty much budget to spend in NYC what I'd spend in central London on food and bits and bobs. Everyone has different essentials with the bits and bobs so I think that's the best guide. That said I think your budget is a bit low so fi you can take more I think you should ....worst scenario is you don't spend it all !

Agree about the breakfast ....other places in the US it's more usual especially in the cheaper chains to have it included - but NYC it's rare. Far more fun to go out to a deli or diner and have a breakfast that will often tide you over lunch too anyway. More MSE too as lunch is always more expensive than breakfast Leave the cereal at home and pack tea bags and decent instant coffee instead !!

Doshwaster

securityguy wrote: »

They have grocery stores. They're cheap. Taking cereal is insane, given you'll need to buy milk anyway.

Moreover, it's quite a feat to have found the one hotel in NY which doesn't throw in at least coffee, bagels and muffins for breakfast.

Although in my experience hotel coffee in the US is almost always terrible. Far better to pop out to the nearest deli or coffee shop. And don't even think about drinking tea over there. A proper cuppa is an alien concept to them.

The biggest problem with NYC at the moment is that the exchange rate isn't great. Oh, how I miss those days of $2 to the pound. I'd take an empty suitcase over to fill up with clothes and other shopping.

Having breakfast out is a great way to experience another side of the city. There is so much competition that prices can be very low - but be prepared to answer 20 questions with every order.

Meadows

piglet74 wrote: »

I'd be shocked to the extreme if I ever hear someone say they didn't have a blast in nyc!

Almost everyone I know that has been to Manhattan loves it and of the few that have not had not really been able to afford to go so doing it on too tight a budget (as I said earlier food there is not as cheap as other touristy places in the US).
But it really depends what people want from it and there are many things that can be done for free or cheap, like taking the free ferry to Staten Island and coming straight back so you get a really close view of Liberty.
Or the MoMa that would cost $25 but admission is free for all visitors during Target Free Friday Nights, held every Friday evening from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tickets for Target Free Friday Nights are not available in advance, target Free Friday Night ticket permits Museum galleries, exhibitions, and films.
Or we like to walk so we did the Three bridge walk (subway to Williamsburg, walk back across the bridge, down into China Town, across the Manhattan Bridge to Brooklyn, out to the esplanade & back then across the Brooklyn Bridge to Manhattan). Then Walked all the way to Mid Town (13.5 miles and about a three and a half hour walk at a moderate pace taking in all the sites).
Or the 59th Street/Queensboro Bridge cable car (few $') to Roosevelt Island, walk up the island across the Roosevelt Bridge to Queens, down towards the 59th street/Queensboro Bridge which is right by Silver Cup Studios and back across to Manhattan, stopping at Dylan's Candy Bar, Bloomingdales & FAO Schwartz Toy Store.

Subway to Brooklyn, back across the bridge turn right & head passed the Court Houses to China Town (Canal Street/Mott street/Little Italy, Manhattan Archway) then backtrack to Pier 17 & Southsea Sea Port (shops etc.), walk down toward Staten Island ferry terminal, slip up Whitehall or Slate Street to see the Bull & Wall Street, back down to the terminal. Follow the bay around taking in the view of Liberty Fort/Island & Ellis Island, then carry on around to the Marina, through the atrium to ground Zero, Century 21 cheap designer shop & then subway back to mid town.

Walk Central Park (and then some) taking in Strawberry Fields, Belvedere Castle, Bethesda Fountain, Carousel, Ice Rink, Jackie Onassis Reservoir, Harlem Meer etc (all free).

The if you bought the Metro saver ticket ride out to Coney Island down the boardwalk to Brighton Beach & subway back.

As well as all this for free or next to nothing you can do all the touristy bits, stop off at bars along the way, if you are lucky you may find the odd street market.


But I have to say I have never gone to Manhattan without spending a hefty amount and that is not on shopping (1 - I don't do Shopping. 2 - Be aware you have a low allowance for what you can bring back, you can bring in goods worth up to £390 duty-free after that you could be charged taxes on the excess). That is normally on getting out and about and dining in nice places after all we are on holiday so we want to make the most of new places, different places etc.


http://gonyc.about.com/od/museums/ss/Free-Admission-And-Discounted-Admission-At-New-York-City-Museums.htm

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/new-york-city/travel-tips-and-articles/76493

https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/arrivals-from-outside-the-eu

saul_jacob

My advice is; don't bother to go there (USA) :j:j

whatyadoinsucka

my missus went 4-5 years back and spent a grand in 5 days, i went in 2007 for a few days and spent very little, wandered around and ate at sandwich/coffee shops, lots of free stuff in NYC (just wandering the park, times square and brooklyn bridge, wall steet etc is excellent)

off in october i plan we have £100-150 each a day for 4 days. excluding flights/hotels. and use my credit card..
if i come home with money it'll be a bonus..

piglet74

Meadows wrote: »

Almost everyone I know that has been to Manhattan loves it and of the few that have not had not really been able to afford to go so doing it on too tight a budget (as I said earlier food there is not as cheap as other touristy places in the US


But I have to say I have never gone to Manhattan without spending a hefty amount and that is not on shopping (1 - I don't do Shopping. 2 - Be aware you have a low allowance for what you can bring back, you can bring in goods worth up to £390 duty-free after that you could be charged taxes on the excess). That is normally on getting out and about and dining in nice places after all we are on holiday so we want to make the most of new places, different places etc.


http://gonyc.about.com/od/museums/ss/Free-Admission-And-Discounted-Admission-At-New-York-City-Museums.htm

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/new-york-city/travel-tips-and-articles/76493

https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/arrivals-from-outside-the-eu

Same... I only know one person who hated NYC... Tho as her OH get turned back at immigration.. And she went on alone.. And spent 2 days there alone bfore a family member made it over.. I can see why she's maybe not a fan!!!

It is one place I would not try to do on a tight budget, I save really hard for the States when I go, and tho I do a bit of shopping, like you.. I do spend lots on food too.. Its not that the food is dear.. But we tend to eat nice meals and lots of them with drinks too, so it does add up quite quickly.

Delree

Last time I went (June 2012) 4 nights in New York I spent an average of $175 per day, not including hotel costs. This was breakfast, taxis, lunch, dinner and evenings (oh boy the evenings). I'm going again on Thursday for 5 nights and am taking $1000 for spend, it's an expensive city.

I don't think $500 is nearly enough, I'm not saying you need to be as extravagant as me but meet somewhere in the middle. You probably won't be drinking till 6am every night like I was so wipe some bucks off that.

Think about it and if you can increase your budget I would, there's no point flying seven hours across the Atlantic to the greatest city in the world only to cheap out and miss out on loads of stuff. I'm not talking attractions but enjoying the lifestyle.