What budget to travel New York (Manhattan)? Money and currency

What budget for activities and outings New York (Manhattan)?

Let's face it: in New York, sightseeing is expensive, very expensive. The city's must-see museums, including MoMA, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim, charge US$25 for admission, while climbing to the skyscraper observatories costs a minimum of US$35. That's a lot of money, which is why it's a good idea to buy a pass to visit New York's must-sees at unbeatable rates.

In our opinion, the best deal is the CityPass(www.citypass.com/new-york). It gives access to 5 attractions for US$138, a discount of around US$90. There are many other passes, including the New York Explorer Pass, the Sightseeing Pass and the New York Pass. Do the math and see which one works best for you!

The other way to save money while taking advantage of New York's immense cultural offering is to visit museums when they're free: check the website of the museum you're interested in, which is indicated in the rates section. Some museums have a " pay what you wish" policy, meaning that visitors can pay as much or as little as they like - no questions asked! Examples include the Museum of Natural History and the Brooklyn Museum.

Wherever you are in the world, the cheapest sporting activity is still running, and when you do it in Central Park, it takes on a whole new dimension! And when the weather's nice, all the city's parks offer free outdoor sports sessions: dance, yoga, Pilates, bootcamp, CrossFit... In season, sporting events are listed on the New York Parks website(www.nycgovparks.org), and all you have to do is register online to reserve your place. Bryant Park, in particular, becomes every summer the incredible epicenter of free activities, with its ping pong tables, board games, readings, yoga sessions, fencing and painting classes..

It's an aspect of New York that we tend to forget, but the city, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, is blessed with lovely sandy beaches! For a dip, just take the subway to Coney Island, Brooklyn, or the ferry to Rockaway Beach, Queens. Fancy a dip?

Finally, if your dream is to go and see a basketball, baseball, field hockey or American soccer game during your stay in New York and you haven't bought your tickets in advance, here's a tip: download the GameTime app(www.gametime.co) and check out the ticket prices on the day. Tickets still available are often sold out at unbeatable prices!

America's favorite bargain stores are TJ Maxx and Marshalls, which sell new, often brand-name products at discounted prices. You'll find golden deals! A shopping session in New York will cost you more or less the same as in France, although the strength of the euro will soften the final figure somewhat. Don't forget that in the U.S., local taxes are not included in the listed price. In New York, it is 8.875% on clothing.

New Yorkers go out several times a week, and whatever your budget, you'll have no trouble imitating them! Certainly, tickets for the best-known shows and concerts on Broadway or in well-known venues can easily be purchased for over US$100 per person, and the experience is often grandiose. But there's no shortage of intimate, off-the-beaten-track venues, and the performances are almost always top-notch. Push open the door of a small jazz club on a stroll through the West Village, and you might just see some virtuosos for the price of a single drink... The same goes for off-Broadway theaters, which can be full of surprises. At Comedy Clubs and certain jazz clubs, you'll often have to add two obligatory drinks to the ticket price (which is usually around US$10-15).

For those who are broke and absolutely insist on seeing The Lion King on Broadway, there are other solutions. The first is to line up at one of the three TKTS kiosks (in Times Square, South Street Seaport and Lincoln Center), which offer discounts of 25% to 75% on all Broadway and off-Broadway shows, depending on availability. It's a great deal everyone knows about, so plan to arrive before the kiosks open, and expect to wait in line for at least an hour!

The second option, little known to tourists, is to queue outside the theater where the play of your choice is playing to obtain rush tickets, often sold for as little as US$30. These are unsold tickets for the shows playing on the same day. In some cases, a handful of even cheaper tickets (from US$25) allow you to see the show standing up, behind the last row of spectators! Information on how to obtain these tickets varies from show to show, and can be found on the Playbill website(www.playbill.com). In any case, first come, first served!

The other way to get discount tickets for Broadway shows is to visit New York during Broadway Week! Thanks to this twice-yearly festival, you can buy two tickets for the price of one to a wide selection of shows. Broadway Week runs for two weeks in mid-January and early September. Tickets, which go fast, go on sale about two weeks in advance. So it's best to be quick on your feet!

Finally, the less courageous can buy tickets at reduced prices without lifting a finger, thanks to dedicated ticket resale sites: www.schooltix.com - www.bestofbroadway.com - www.stubhub.com.

What budget to eat New York (Manhattan)?

Food isn't cheap in New York. Restaurants are quite expensive, especially as the prices do not include tips or local taxes. If you're staying with an AirBnB or your hotel room is equipped with a kitchenette, you're in for some serious savings!

Even so, there are options for smaller budgets. The first is to eat a slice of pizza for US$1 or US$2 at one of the city's countless pizza joints, a typically New York experience! Low-priced Asian restaurants often offer dishes at unbeatable prices, as do salad bars. Finally, food carts generally offer hearty dishes for under US$10. They're everywhere, even on the chic Upper East Side, where you'll find one of the city's most famous food carts, Tony's Dragon Grill. Last but not least, fast food chains - and God knows there are plenty of them in the U.S. - offer bargain prices, even if, from a dietary point of view, you could hardly do worse.

The best way to treat yourself at one of the city's fine restaurants without blowing your budget is to take part in Restaurant Week. This gourmet event is held twice a year, in June/July and January/February. Around a hundred restaurants take part, offering very attractive fixed-price menus. For more information on participating restaurants, visit www.nycgo.com/restaurant-week.

The Zagat guide to the city's must-try restaurants has long been a New Yorker's bible. In recent years, however, The Infatuation (www.infatuation.com) and Eater (www.ny.eater.com) have become the main reference sites. These sites offer good addresses for every wallet, with interactive maps by neighborhood.

The vast majority of restaurants accept payment by credit card, with the exception of some that opened ages ago. This is particularly true of Lombardi's, New York's oldest pizzeria, located in NoLIta.

If you're planning to take full advantage of New York's nightlife by scouring the city's bars (and you'd be wrong not to!), it's best to go out with a well-stocked wallet. Prices do not include local tax (8.875%) or tip. It's customary to leave a US$1 or US$2 tip per drink or, if you've had many drinks and are paying by credit card, around 18% of the bill.

Rooftops undoubtedly charge the highest prices, as do speakeasies, where cocktails can cost up to US$20. Wherever you go, beer remains the most affordable alcoholic beverage, and there are some local and artisanal brands that are well worth the splurge! Conversely, wine is atrociously expensive, especially if you're from France... In bars and restaurants alike, the price of a glass of wine varies between US$12 and US$18. In cafés and tearooms, a hot drink generally costs between US$3 and US$4.

Fortunately, there are plenty of broke people in New York, and they've found a way to go out without breaking the bank! Ask them what their secret is, and they'll whisper two magic words: Happy Hour. This usually takes place on weekdays, between 5pm and 7pm, sometimes earlier. Alcoholic beverages are half-price or a few dollars cheaper than usual. In some bars, reduced prices also apply to food, usually starters or plates to share.

What is the budget for accommodation New York (Manhattan)?

For a basic double room (i.e. a bed between four walls and a tiny bathroom), you'll need to pay at least US$100 per night. Rates can double in high season, but also from one day to the next, depending on occupancy. To find the best prices, don't hesitate to do a lot of research on the Internet, on the hotel's website and then using comparators such as Booking.com.

For those on a budget, youth hostels offer dormitory rates from US$25 to US$100 per person. A continental breakfast is often included in the price. In the U.S., hostels are widespread, and the best-known chain, HI Hostel(www.hiusa.org), has a presence on New York's Upper West Side. To find independent hostels, visit www.hostels.com and www.hostelworld.com.

Another option, and not the least expensive: bed and breakfasts, often charming and romantic addresses nestled in beautifully restored mansions. Rates range from US$150 to US$300 per night, and a minimum stay of two nights is sometimes required. Breakfast and hot meals are usually included in the price. Here are a few websites to check out: www.bedandbreakfast.com, www.bnbfinder.com and www.selectregistry.com. Cash and credit cards are accepted in all establishments.

Last but not least, wifi is free in most hotels, with the exception of a few luxury establishments that charge a daily supplement. Parking, on the other hand, is not free. Expect to pay between US$60 and US$80 per night.

Travel budget New York (Manhattan) and cost of living

Money has a way of slipping through your fingers in New York! The cost of living has risen dramatically in recent years. While real estate prices have always been higher than those in Paris (already insane), other expenses have traditionally been cheaper in New York than in France. Bad news: this is no longer the case. For European tourists, the United States is an increasingly expensive destination. A stay in New York generally leaves you with lasting memories and a bank account that looks rather grim... It's hard to eat in a decent restaurant for less than US$10, it's hard to stay in a barely salubrious hotel for less than US$100, public transport is prohibitively expensive (US$2.75 for a subway ride, US$33 for a week's pass ), it's hard to eat without leaving a 15-20% tip, it's hard to stay in New York without doing some shopping, and so on.

One thing to bear in mind when drawing up a budget for a stay in New York: you're about to plunge into the world's temple of consumerism andentertainment . The extremely enterprising spirit of New Yorkers means that, wherever you are in the city, you'll be asked to spend money. A little snack at 4pm in front of a cosy bakery , a pair of jeans, I Love NY souvenirs, a concert by an artist you've been dreaming of for years but will never get to see in France, and so on. The list of temptations is as long as your arm!