Getting around: subway, walking and the grid
The subway is usually the fastest and cheapest way to cross the city. Most stations accept tap-to-pay with a contactless card or phone through OMNI, so you generally do not need a MetroCard. Fares change from time to time, so check the MTA’s official site for the current price.
Walking is the other main way you will see New York. Expect to walk a lot, and wear comfortable, broken-in shoes.
The grid makes Manhattan easier than it looks. North of Greenwich Village, avenues run north-south and numbered streets run east-west, with numbers increasing as you go uptown. Downtown, streets are more irregular, so a maps app helps there. Apps like Google Maps also show live subway directions. Our apps for international travel guide covers other useful tools.
Taxis and ride-hailing are useful late at night or with luggage, but traffic can make them slower than the subway in daytime.
Where to stay
Where you stay shapes the whole trip.
- Midtown puts you close to Times Square, Rockefeller Center and major transit hubs, which is convenient but busy and often pricey.
- Lower Manhattan is good for sights downtown and the ferries.
- Brooklyn or Queens can offer lower prices and good subway links to Manhattan.
- Upper West Side suits museums and Central Park.
Compare the total price including taxes and fees, and check how close the nearest subway station is.
What to see first
Think in themes rather than a checklist:
- Skyline views from an observation deck, the Staten Island Ferry or a walk across Brooklyn Bridge
- Museums such as the Met, MoMA or the American Museum of Natural History (choose one or two, not all)
- Green space in Central Park and the High Line
- Neighborhoods like Greenwich Village, SoHo, Chinatown and DUMBO
Our 5 days in New York City itinerary shows how to combine these day by day. For something shorter, pick two neighborhoods per day, or see our fun quick getaways for long-weekend planning.
Etiquette and local culture
New Yorkers are often described as brisk rather than rude. A few habits help you fit in:
- Keep to the right when walking, and step aside to check your phone or map instead of stopping mid-sidewalk.
- Let people off the subway before boarding.
- Be direct and polite. Short exchanges are normal, and people will often still help if you ask clearly.
- Keep your voice and bags in check on crowded trains, and offer seats to people who need them.
- Crossing the street: Locals often cross against the signal when it is clear, but follow the signals, especially around heavy traffic.
Money, tipping and budgeting
Cards and mobile payments are accepted almost everywhere, though a little cash is handy for small purchases. Tipping is customary: roughly 18 to 20 percent at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, and a few dollars for hotel porters. Counter-service usually does not require a tip. Our USA visiting tips explain tipping and sales tax in more detail.
A weekly budget depends heavily on lodging, so there is no single figure that fits everyone. Whether a given amount such as $2,000 covers a week depends mainly on how much you pay for your hotel. Look up current hotel prices for your dates first, then divide the rest between food, transit and attractions. Free or low-cost experiences include walking the Brooklyn Bridge, the Staten Island Ferry, Central Park and the High Line.
What to pack
- Comfortable walking shoes (and a spare pair if you can)
- Layers, since weather and indoor air conditioning vary
- A small day bag, a portable phone charger and a refillable water bottle
- A compact umbrella or rain jacket
- Your passport or ID if travelling from abroad, plus travel insurance details
Common first-timer mistakes
- Trying to see too much in one day, and crossing the city repeatedly.
- Buying tickets from street sellers instead of official sites.
- Staying in Times Square for dinner simply because it is nearby. Walking a few blocks usually offers better value.
- Not booking popular attractions or shows ahead.
- Underestimating how much walking you will do.
Quick answers
- Where should first-timers go? Typically a mix of a skyline view, Central Park, one major museum, Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridge.
- What do I need to go? If you are travelling from abroad, entry documents such as a passport and a visa or ESTA, depending on your nationality. Check official sources before you travel.