How to plan a trip to New York?

The Big Apple is one of the liveliest metropolises with the most cultural and leisure options in the world. But it can also be an expensive and complicated city if you are not used to getting around big cities. That’s why, before embarking on your trip, it’s important that you get all the information you need to make sure your vacation goes smoothly. At Passporter we want to help you plan your trip to New York, so we have prepared this post where we discuss the details to keep in mind and that will make your trip more enjoyable.

Did you know that in New York you always have to leave a tip to waiters, or that not all points of interest are in Manhattan? Below we review some myths about the city and help you prepare for your adventure. Further on you can read about how to get to and around the city, the best time to travel or the necessary travel documentation among many other key aspects.

1. Prepare the necessary documentation for travel to New York

To travel to the United States, in addition to having a valid passport, you will need to apply for a visa or ESTA, which is a permit for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. If you search online, you will see that there are many websites that process it, but you must be careful because some of them are scams or simply charge more, when the price is $14. We recommend that you consult the embassy website for the correct website through which to process it.

Before applying for ESTA you should also be aware that the United States has a list of banned countries which includes Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Somalia and Yemen. This means that if you have recently been to any of these countries or have dual citizenship, you may not be allowed access to the country. At best you will be asked to have a face-to-face interview at the embassy.

These are the documents you should have ready before take-off and upon arrival in New York:

1. Biometric passport: all travelers, including minors, must have a valid passport, valid for at least six months when entering the country. It must also have a machine-readable system.
2. Travel Authorization ESTA: this is a type of visa for stays of less than 90 days. The application is submitted online through the official website of the U.S. Embassy, and it is recommended to apply at least 72 hours before of your trip. Once approved, the ESTA is valid for two years. The processing fee is 14 euros.
3. Visa: if your stay will be longer than 90 days or if you are traveling for reasons other than tourism or business, you will need to apply for a specific visa. If you are traveling from Spain, you will need to do so in person at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid.
4. Return ticket: it is necessary to have a return ticket to ensure that you will leave the country. In case you don’t know what day you will return, there are agencies that will buy it and then cancel it and refund your money.

Although if you are only traveling to New York you will most likely not drive, if you want to rent a car to tour the United States you will need to apply for an International Driving Permit, which is valid for one year in most countries around the world. It can be processed online and the price is 11€.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

2. Choose the date to plan your trip to New York

Any time of year is a good time to visit the city as every season has its charm, though it can also have some negative sides. And while you’ll never find the city empty, our recommendation is that you try to travel in low season, between the months of January and March.

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of traveling in each season:

• Spring: the city is full of flowers and the days begin to lengthen. The weather is pleasant, ideal for walking in Central Park or along the High Line. It is a high season for tourism, especially during Spring Break or Easter, but not as crowded as summer.
• Summer: New York vibrates with a special energy in summer, with many outdoor events, such as concerts, festivals and film screenings. However, it is also the hottest and most humid season, and when there is the largest influx of tourists.
• Autumn:is another of the best times to travel to New York. The weather is cool and pleasant, and the fall foliage in Central Park puts on a colorful show. It is an excellent season for cultural activities, such as visiting museums and galleries. In addition, lodging prices can be lower after the peak of summer.
• Winter: despite the cold and the possibility of snow, the winter season attracts visitors with its Christmas decorations, ice skating rinks and Christmas markets. Prices can be higher around the holidays, but generally drop in January and February.

3. Find out how to get to and around New York

There are several airports in New York that receive domestic and international flights, but the best connected to Europe are John Fitzgerald Kennedy or Newark International Airport, which are a similar distance from the city center. With the Passporter App you can compare and buy your tickets exactly through Skyscanner and always carry them with you in an organized way.

From Spain there are frequent flights from Madrid and Barcelona. The journey takes 8h and prices range from 300€ to 650€ depending on the season.

Once you land you can reach the city center in the following way:

• Metro: To get to the metro you must take the AIRTRAIN, which costs $8.25. In the subway you can get a ticket for $ 3.00 or $ 2.75 if you have Metrocard. There are also 10-trip passes that are worth taking if there are several of you.
• Train: There is a train that connects the airport with the city. It’s a bit more expensive (between $7.75 and $10.75 depending on the hour) but it’s also faster. It will drop you off downtown in 25 minutes.
• Taxi or Uber: This is the most comfortable option, but the price can reach $90.

In the city we recommend that you discard the idea of walking because the distances are enormous. It’s best to get around by metro. You can buy individual tickets, but if you are going to stay several days, it is best to take a weekly pass with unlimited travel for $ 33. There is also the option of taking multi-trip passes that you can share with your friends.

4. Compare and find accommodation with Passporter

When you start planning your trip to New York we recommend looking at accommodation ahead of time. You’ll see that it’s not a particularly inexpensive city, so you’ll be able to choose the best options. With the Passporter App you can manage your bookings through Booking and read about other travelers’ experiences.

You also need to consider the area where you are staying. While it’s easy to get around by subway from place to place, you don’t want to go too far either. These are the best areas to stay in New York:

• Midtown Manhattan: a hub for business, shopping and entertainment, it is home to iconic attractions such as Times Square and the Empire State Building.
• Upper East Side: upscale and residential, known for its museums, upscale shopping and exclusive restaurants.
• Greenwich Village and West Village: bohemian vibe with cobblestone streets, cafes, bars, and independent stores; ideal for a neighborhood experience.
• SoHo and Tribeca: heart of fashion and art, famous for its designer stores, galleries, and distinctive architecture.
• Brooklyn: laid-back and youthful, with vibrant nightlife, beautiful parks and great views of Manhattan.
• Financial District: financial center with skyscrapers and historic sites, less crowded on weekends and with a quieter ambiance.

5. Choose the activities you want to do in New York

When planning your trip to New York we recommend that you organize your visits to the main points of interest, where you will most likely find queues, but also leave time to explore the neighborhoods and stroll through Central Park.

If you’re going to spend several days in the city the best option is to buy a tourist card that includes the main attractions. Some brands such as Go City Explorer, Sightseeing Flex or Citypass offer cards with a fixed number of attractions, others are limited by days and others by types of activities. The price of these cards ranges from $160.

Here is a list of the must-sees in New York, and if you want to know more we encourage you to visit this post: What to see and do in New York

• Liberty Statue and Ellis Island: take a ferry to visit these symbols of freedom and hope, key to American history. The price for adults is $34.
• Central Park: explore this vast park in the heart of Manhattan, perfect for strolling, biking, or just relaxing.
• Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met): It is one of the most impressive art collections in the world, with works spanning 5,000 years of history. Admission is $30.
• Broadway: A favorite tourist activity is taking in a show in the famous Broadway theater district. The price is steep, but if you’re a lover of musicals and theater it’s worth it.
• Times Square: Experience the bustle and dazzling lights of this iconic intersection filled with illuminated panels, especially impressive at night.
• Empire State Building: Enjoy panoramic views of the city from the observatory of this iconic skyscraper. Passes are every 15 minutes and at sunset tickets are more expensive. The price exceeds $100.
• Museum of Modern Art (MoMA): With masterpieces of modern and contemporary art, MoMA is one of the most influential museums in the world. Admission is about $20 and the first Friday of every month is free.
• Brooklyn Bridge: Walk or bike across this historic bridge for breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline and the East River.

6. Where and what to eat in New York

When we think of dining in New York, the first thing that comes to mind is burgers, pizza and other fast food options. However, the city’s culinary offerings are a reflection of its cultural mosaic, offering to every taste from luxurious Michelin-starred restaurants to iconic street food stalls. You can savor dishes from around the world, highlighting New York-style pizza, bagels with lox, and hot dogs from street vendors. The city is also famous for its innovative fusion food scene, weekend brunches and desserts such as New York cheesecake.

Something to keep in mind when you go to a restaurant is that VAT is not included in the prices and that tipping, while not mandatory, is customary. 15% or 20% is usually left at table-service restaurants.

7. Organize a trip with friends to New York

Discovering New York with your friends can be an amazing experience, but it can also be a real challenge when there are conflicting interests or logistical problems. And in the case of New York, which is a sea of opportunities and options, it’s quite likely that you won’t agree on everything. That’s why it’s important that everyone in the group is involved in the creation of the itinerary.

A good way to organize your trip with friends is through the Passporter App, with which you can create a common travel route and share your experience through images and comments with other travelers. We have also prepared this post where we leave you some useful tips for traveling with friends: Group travel: The best way to travel with your group of friends.

8. Tips for planning a trip to New York

• The currency of the United States is the dollar.
• We recommend that you take out cash or pay with an international card during your stay. Avoid exchanging money at the airport or exchange houses where the cost may be higher.
• Investigate safe areas and neighborhoods to stay in.
• There is a 6 to 9 hour time difference between the United States and Spain.
• Remember that in the United States measurements are in miles, gallons and pounds.
• New York’s water is potable.
• Pack appropriate clothing for the weather, especially if you’re traveling in winter.
• Book flights and accommodations in advance for better prices.
• Find out about events or festivals during your visit.
• Be covered for medical emergencies: travel insured. Choose a good travel insurance, such as for example the one provided by Mondo.
• Sign up for Passporter and discover our New York travel itinerary. Using passporter to plan trips is free and helps you get inspiration from other travelers 🙂

9. How to prepare what to see on your trip to New York

Download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by other travelers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
• Organize your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or typology (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
• Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and information of the trip.
• Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
• Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
• Book your flights, accommodations, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app to always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documentation…
• Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip
• Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travelers with your experience. In addition, you will be able to share your experience on how to plan your trip to New York.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

10. Frequently asked questions about a trip to New York