Daily Budget Ranges
New York City is notoriously expensive, but you can visit on various budgets. Budget travelers should plan for $100–150 per day (hostels, street food, free attractions), mid-range visitors $200–350 daily (modest hotels, casual dining, paid activities), and luxury travelers $400+ (upscale hotels, fine dining, Broadway shows). These figures exclude flights and assume you're splitting accommodation costs or staying in outer boroughs.
Accommodation
Hostels in Midtown or Lower East Side range from $40–70 per night, while budget hotels in Queens or Brooklyn offer $80–150. Mid-range hotels in Manhattan run $150–300, and luxury properties exceed $300. Save significantly by staying in neighborhoods like Astoria (Queens) or Williamsburg (Brooklyn), where you'll find better value without sacrificing access to attractions via the subway.
Food, Transport & Activities
Street food and casual dining cost $12–20 per meal; sit-down restaurants range $25–50. The 7-day MetroCard ($33) covers unlimited subway and bus travel. Major attractions vary widely: the Statue of Liberty ferry is $24, while many museums offer "pay-what-you-wish" hours (like MoMA on Fridays 4–8pm). Free attractions include walking the High Line, exploring Central Park, and visiting neighborhood markets like the Chelsea Market. Eating from food carts, using public transit strategically, and timing museum visits during discount hours stretch your budget considerably.