50+ Tips to Make NYC Affordable

Is it possible to travel solo to New York City on a budget?

Yes. But, it will take some planning.

While New York City can be expensive, there are plenty of affordable things to do and see. There are always free events going on, off-broadway theater, and, of course, the energy of this amazing city. I’ve been many times and I never get tired of New York or stop finding new places to eat, visit, and explore.

Compared to most people, I do New York on a shoestring. So, I have advice for you.

The companion post to this is Best Places to Stay in New York City for Solo Travelers.

A Fabulous Solo Trip to New York on a Budget

It’s true that New York City is expensive.

It’s also true that you can have a great time visiting the city without spending a fortune.

The key, I think, is to take your time and dig in a little deeper than the average tourist. Travel a little more slowly. Take public transit. Go to events that locals attend. Eat at smaller restaurants rather than those of celebrity chefs. The bottom line is, don’t focus on the high ticket tourist activities that eat up your time and your budget. And, if there are things like going to the top of the Empire State Building that you think are a must, list them all and see what is truly important to you. Then cut the rest off your list and take advantage of some of the tips below.

So that the Big Apple doesn’t take a big bite out of your wallet, here’s my take on the best of budget New York City for solo travelers.

Getting Around New York City on the Cheap

Balancing safety with your budget is important when you travel solo. The New York transit system works well and is generally very safe. Yellow cabs are more expensive but safe. Uber and Lyft are a slightly more expensive option to cabs and have their safety system built in through the rating process. I don’t recommend ever getting into an unmarked cab, though I have often been offered one in New York.

Here are options for getting into, out of, and around the city.

1. From the airport to the city: take your pick. This article gives you information on traveling from all NYC airports via public transit. In some cases the GO Airlink Shuttle is a better deal in terms of time and money.
2. Get a MetroCard. The bus and subway system in New York City is a really efficient way to get around. The MetroCard costs $1 and you can load money onto it and swipe as you go, or you can tap your contactless debit or credit card or smartphone digital wallet. Most fares are $2.90. You can check out all the options here.
3. Take the people’s ferry. The Staten Island Ferry is free and offers such a great view of the city. It runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with more frequent service during rush hour on weekdays (when it is packed, so you might want to avoid commuting hours to enjoy a more leisurely experience). You can get free Wi-Fi on the ferry and in the ferry terminals. Here’s a post that gives you great information on a Staten Island tour. Pro tip from a local: Christine says, “Make sure you are on the starboard side, and preferably on the deck outside when you leave from the Battery.”
4. Take a bus tour. A Hop On, Hop Off tour is great if you’re short on time or want to get an overview of the city before you dig into its specifics. If I only have a couple of days in a city I generally take one.
5. Explore New York City by bike. Like most large cities, New York has a bike sharing service. City Bike has stations around the city where you can rent a bike for $4.79 per trip to a 30 minute maximum or $19 for unlimited 30-minute rides for 24 hours. There are hundreds of stations where you can rent a bike and a map to confirm availability at a station near you. Here’s a link to some of the best cycling routes in NYC.
6. Walk and soak up the city. Budget New York City definitely includes walking, which is great because there are so many wonderful areas to explore. As you walk, listen to the city as well. It’s quite unique.

Our Solo Travel Society readers give walking a big thumbs-up for those who are solo on a budget in New York City:

• Sandra – I had a great day exploring Harlem for next to nothing. It’s easy to get to on the Metro and great if you want to explore Black history & music plus some wonderful architecture.

• Tracy – Staying in the city can be expensive but being there doesn’t need to be. There are tons of free things to do if you can walk. Walking around the park, the walk across the Brooklyn Bridge is fun, and the Highline is fabulous. Cut through Chelsea Market while walking it and pick up a picnic lunch which will be cheaper than a restaurant meal.

• Ian – The 9/11 memorial is a nice walk, then onto Battery Park. Dumbo (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) is nice to walk around, after walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. There’s a nice food hall next to the merry-go-round. Also, if you are in Dumbo, walk along the promenade on the other side of the bridge. They have turned the old piers into floating parks and there are also sports venues with waffleball, roller hockey, basketball, etc.

Where to Eat Cheap in New York City and Feel Comfortable Solo

1. Go to Arturo’s for a slice and some jazz. A New York City institution in the West Village, Arturo’s has been serving up coal oven pizza and nightly jazz since 1957. They also offer a wide choice of Italian food and gluten-free options. I had the arugula salad with shaved parmesan and a 13? pizza that I could only eat a third of. The service is great. Eating at the bar, which is a social option when you’re traveling solo on a budget in New York City, is fun here.
2. Enjoy Beatnic vegan restaurant. By Chloe has been renamed to Beatnic. There are four New York City locations. Healthy and yummy! They also take good care of gluten-free patrons. A casual atmosphere makes Beatnic great for solo travelers.
3. Check out a little bar called George Keeley. Located at Amsterdam and 83rd it offers local beers and exceptionally good “everything bagel fries”. Grace went here after her run. See Grace’s Nerdy New York City Adventure.
4. Eat at a food truck. Food trucks can be a big part of a budget New York City experience but where do you find them? Food trucks are always on the move. Here’s a site that will tell you where and when the most popular food trucks are in NYC.
5. Get your free pizza. The Alligator Lounge offers free pizza with the purchase of a drink every day of the week along with karaoke, trivia, comedy, or whatever’s going the night you’re there.
6. Consult a local guide. Check out TimeOut New York’s cheap eats guide for their latest recommendations. Also, Eater NY has a list of 40 dining options for under $20 across the city.

Top Things To Do in New York City Traveling Alone

1. Take a free tour. When you’re traveling solo on a budget in New York City, or any other large place for that matter, free walking tours are a great way to see the destination, meet locals and other travelers, and learn from people who are passionate about their city – all while spending very little.
   • Big Apple Greeter. Whatever your interests, with luck, you’ll get a volunteer tour guide who shares them and will show you their beloved New York.
   • New York By Foot. Pay-what-you-wish, with no set fee. Think about how much a 2-hour tour would cost you otherwise and tip generously if you enjoyed yourself.
   • Tour Grand Central Station. These range from free or pay-what-you can walking tours, to GPS guided tours for $2.99, to guided tours of variable prices.
   • High Line Tour: From Freight to Flowers. Hear the story behind New York City’s park in the sky. Free tours are led by High Line Docents, knowledgeable volunteer guides who offer you an insider’s perspective on the park’s history, design, and landscape.
   • Brooklyn Literary Audio Walking Tour. Created by the Brooklyn Public Library, this audio tour guides you from neighborhood to neighborhood, telling you about the literary sites along the way: fictional places where novels have been set, real apartments where the authors once lived, and the libraries they visited.
   • Flatiron NoMad Walking Tour. Learn the fascinating details and scandalous tidbits of the past that make this area integral to New York and U.S. history. It includes some of the city’s most notable landmarks, including the New York Life Building, the MetLife Clock Tower, the Appellate Courthouse, and the famous Flatiron Building.
2. Get the New York City Discount Pass. There are three options: the New York CityPASS ticket, which includes admission to 5 Big Apple attractions; the New York C3 ticket, a three-admission pass designed for shorter-stay visitors; and the New York C-All pass, which offers one-time admission to 10 attractions over 9 days. Have a look and see if the New York CityPASS will save you money on what you want to do in New York.
3. Visit museums. Watch for free times for visiting the many museums in the city. Here is a list of free museum entrance days. Note: The Museum of Modern Art is free for New York State residents only.
4. Go to Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. Located on the upper west side, Saint John the Divine is a massive cathedral and a major attraction in the city. Bonus: down the block is the diner featured in the Seinfeld series.
5. Go shopping and get a deal. Here’s a guide to shopping deals in New York City. You can also check out the NYC Sample Sales Calendar on The Stylish City website.
6. Seek out cheap entertainment. New York City is the entertainment capital of the world. When you consider live theater plus television, film, opera, concerts, and more, I think New York takes the title. Here are tips for entertainment when you’re solo on a budget in New York City:
   • TodayTix. This is an app for getting discount theater tickets in New York City, London, Toronto and other major cities. The last time I was in New York, I tested it on tickets to see a show. The seat I got sells for $109 online. On TodayTix I chose the lottery option. If I had won, I would have got my ticket for $25. I received an email that said I didn’t win but I could buy a ticket for $30, which I did! Before buying, I looked at reviews of the service to make sure they were legitimate and I turned on my VPN as I was going to use my credit card on public Wi-Fi (for more on this, read Best VPN for Travel: What, Why, How & New Recommendations). I picked up my ticket from a TodayTix customer service person outside the theater.
   • Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. This is a great deal though their theaters have closed. They are planning to continue in a pared-down format. I’m leaving it on the list in hopes that it becomes possible to attend their performances again. Founded by Amy Poehler and others, UCBT also offers classes. You can join their mailing list to find out when performances resume.
   • Buy discount Broadway tickets. Shows on Broadway are expensive, but, if you’re willing to stand in line, you can buy tickets for 20%-50% off on the day of the show. There are a couple of places you can do this but go to the TKTS Discount Booths (their flagship location is in Times Square) and you’ll be supporting the non-profit Theatre Development Fund.
   • Off-Broadway productions. Off-Broadway is cheaper than on, so check out The New York Theatre Guide to Off-Broadway shows.
   • Go to a Poetry Slam in Brooklyn. The iconic BRIC Arts Media Center hosts exhibitions, concerts, performances, and screenings year-round. Many events are free.
   • Get your Shakespeare on. Normally, from late May to mid-August you can enjoy Shakespeare under the stars in Central Park. In 2024, things are going to run a little differently, while the open-air Delacorte Theater is under construction. The Public Theater will be taking the show on the road, offering free programming in a variety of locations around the city. Get all the details here.
   • And a few tips from Solo Travel Society members:
     • Danielle –  “For free and/or cheap stuff to do, check out the skint. It’s the absolute best.“
     • Karla uses playbill.com to get discounted tickets in advance.
     • Kim – “If you want to see a Broadway show, look into the Theatr app for last minute cheaper tickets.” (This app connects people who have tickets they’re not using with people who want to buy or exchange for face value or less.)
     • Christopher recommends going to small indie theaters instead of Broadway shows. “Go see bands at dive bars in Alphabet City instead of concerts at Madison Square Gardens.”
     • Denise recommends 1ota for information on getting tickets to a taping of your favorite television show while you’re in the city.

Live Like a Local in New York City

1. Go to Chess Forum. Chess lovers must go to Chess Forum. If you want to learn chess you must go. If you want to see a Greenwich Village institution, go. Chess Forum is “located at the original site of Grandmaster Nicolas Rossolimo’s Chess Studio. Bobby Fischer was a frequent visitor to the studio and so were art and film greats Marcel Duchamp and Stanley Kubrick.”
2. Go to local art galleries. On the recommendation of Imid from Chess Forum, I went to the Pomegranate Gallery where I had the great fortune of meeting Oded Halahmy, the artist and gallery owner. “Oded Halahmy was born in Iraq, moved with his family to Israel in the 1950s, was educated at St. Martin’s School of Art in London, taught sculpture, and is in the collection of the Guggenheim Museum, the Hirshhorn Museum, and the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, as well as many other public and private collections worldwide.”
3. Join a local running group. The North Brooklyn Runners is just one of the groups you can join for a run and a coffee afterwards. Here’s a list of running groups in NYC.
4. A calendar of free events. You can see what’s free at DoNYC.com and Free NYC events on eventbrite. There are plenty of entertainment options to be found when you’re traveling solo on a budget in New York City.
5. Check out Meetup.com. Hiking, architecture, technology, wine: there are groups for people interested in every subject imaginable. Find a Meetup in New York City and go to meet locals who have similar interests as you.
6. Go to an Open Mic. In a city with as much talent as New York you know that the Open Mic scene has to be a good one. And where there’s an Open Mic there are always friends (locals) out to support the artists. Here’s a list of Open Mic events in the city.
7. Go kayaking on the Hudson. What a city! The Downtown Boat House promotes public access to the waterfront for all and offers free kayaking from May to October. Don’t know how to kayak? Take one of their free classes.
8. The drama of chess. Go to the southwest corner of Washington Square and watch the drama as people try to beat the regulars. You can also test your own skills at $5 a game.
9. Take a beer tour and tasting. Brooklyn Brewery hosts tours and tastings are offered Monday to Friday. Check for details.
10. Bookstores worth browsing. Spoonbill Books, Berl’s Brooklyn Poetry Shop, Housing Works Bookstore Cafe. Here is a list of 15 of the Best Bookstores in NYC.
11. Visit the local chapter of your favorite organization. Are you a member of a service group or association? If so, plan to go to a local chapter meeting and see the city through a local’s eyes – and maybe find yourself a volunteer tour guide! Read Take Your Membership Benefits on the Road: 11 Ways to Save for more ideas to save through organizations you already belong to.

Last updated: 4th March, 2024