A city that is enchanting in every way. A city that transforms dreams into reality. A city that has it all. Traveling to New York is like stepping into a movie, where every corner has a story to tell, and every street carries its own unique character. I had high expectations as I sat on the plane heading to this metropolis. It was something I had dreamed of since I was a child… and New York truly lived up to my high expectations! This is the best guide for your trip to New York City.
How much time do I need in New York?
Because there is so much to discover in New York, it requires spending at least a few days there. Our trip was five days long, and I felt that it was perfectly okay; we managed to see most of the attractions, but at least 5 days should be spent there. Of course, the more time you have, the better – spending a couple of weeks in New York would be wonderful.
What is the best time of year to visit New York?
New York is fantastic to visit year-round as there are always events happening. However, it is preferable to go between spring and fall, from April to October; temperatures are more pleasant, and the days are long enough to experience things before the sun sets.
Submit an ESTA application
To travel to New York, you need an entry permit, and you can easily apply for it online through their website. The application costs 150 SEK and is mandatory for traveling to New York.
How to get to and from the airport?
John F Kennedy airport
From JFK, you can easily and smoothly get from the airport with Airtrain to Manhattan. A ticket costs 7.5 USD, and it includes access to the New York subway system.
Newark
From Newark, you can take either a bus or Airtrain. If you choose to go with Airtrain, you first go to “Newark airport train station” and then transfer to “NJ Transit,” which takes you to “Penn station New York.” If you take the bus, you go to “Port Authority Bus Terminal,” and from there, you have to walk a few minutes to the subway that takes you to Manhattan.
Taxi
Taxi is undoubtedly the most expensive option and costs 60 – 90 dollars depending on the time of day. Of course, there is also Uber, which is cheaper, costing around 40 dollars for two people.
Plan ahead
Before your trip to New York, it can be smart to plan ahead which attractions you want to see; otherwise, it’s easy to miss something. This helps you maximize your time and avoid feeling lost once you’re there.
Best guide for tipping in New York
It is very important not to forget tipping if you don’t want people to look at you strangely or provide you with bad service. They have a completely different culture when it comes to tipping in the USA compared to many other parts of the world. It is something people expect, and ideally, you should leave up to 20% in tips. How much should you tip in different situations?
Restaurant: 15-20%
Drinks: 2-3 dollars per drink, perhaps a little lower if you order 3 or more drinks.
Taxi: 20%
Hotel: If you get help with your bags, you should give 2-3 dollars in tips.
Tour guide: 5 dollars if it’s with a larger group that doesn’t take much time, 10 dollars if it’s a smaller group over a longer period
How do I get around in New York?
The easiest way to get around in New York is to use the subway; it is easy and convenient to get around with the subway. A single ticket costs 2.75 dollars, and for a week with unlimited rides, it costs 35 dollars.
If you want to see a bit more of New York, the best way is to simply walk along the streets; I really recommend doing that because it is the best way to discover New York, and when your legs start to get tired, just hop on the subway.
Sightseeing bus – the best guide to experience New York
If you want to kill two birds with one stone and both see New York while getting around, I can recommend hopping on a hop-on-hop-off bus. We took a couple of hours on a sightseeing bus, and we actually saw a lot. Sometimes it’s nice to feel like a real tourist and just go with the flow in the big city. The price for a bus tour starts from 40 dollars and upwards.
What attractions should I not miss in New York?
There are numerous attractions that you absolutely must not miss when visiting New York. I have done my best to summarize everything you should see in my post that you can find here…
With these tips in mind, you are ready to explore all that New York has to offer. The city is full of opportunities and surprises, so make sure to seize every moment. Have a fantastic trip to this absolutely amazing city that never sleeps!
