New York Practical Guide

New York's primary international airport, 15 miles southeast of Manhattan in Queens. The AirTrain ($8.50) connects to the subway and LIRR at Jamaica Station — from there, it is 30-45 minutes to Midtown by E train or 20 minutes by LIRR to Penn Station. Taxi to Manhattan has a flat rate of $70 + tolls and tip. Uber/Lyft runs $60-100 depending on time of day. Allow 60-90 minutes for the full journey.

The closest airport to Manhattan (8 miles), primarily domestic flights. The new terminal opened in 2022 and is dramatically better than the old one. The Q70-SBS bus (free) connects to the 7 train at Jackson Heights or the E/F/M/R at Roosevelt Avenue — total transit time about 60 minutes to Midtown. Taxi/rideshare runs $35-55 to Manhattan. No flat rate; tip 15-20%.

In New Jersey but often cheaper for flights and less chaotic than JFK. The AirTrain ($8.25) connects to NJ Transit trains to Penn Station Manhattan (30 minutes, $15.25 total). Uber/Lyft to Manhattan runs $60-90 with mandatory tolls. During rush hour, Newark can actually be faster to reach Midtown than JFK. Terminal B was recently renovated; Terminal A opened new in 2023.

Amtrak's Northeast Corridor runs to Penn Station from Boston (3.5 hrs, $50-150), Philadelphia (1.5 hrs, $30-80), and Washington DC (3.5 hrs, $50-200). The Acela express is faster but pricier. Book 2-3 weeks ahead for the best fares. Driving to NYC is possible but parking is $40-80/day in Manhattan. If exploring upstate New York, fly into JFK/Newark and rent a car for the second half of your trip — you do not want a car in the city.

New York has moved beyond the MetroCard. OMNY (One Metro New York) lets you tap any contactless credit/debit card, phone, or smartwatch at turnstiles and bus readers. Each ride is $2.90. After 12 rides in a week, the rest are free — equivalent to the old weekly pass ($33) but automatic. No need to buy anything. Just tap the same card every time. OMNY works on all subways, local buses, and the Staten Island Railway.

Download the MTA app or use Google Maps for real-time train arrivals. "Uptown" trains go north, "Downtown" trains go south. Express trains skip stops — check the map dots (white = local only, black = express stops too). Late night, trains run less frequently (15-20 minute waits). Stay in the middle cars after midnight for safety. Weekend service changes are constant — check mta.info before traveling Saturday/Sunday.

Local buses accept OMNY ($2.90) and cover areas the subway misses — crosstown buses (M14, M23, M34, M42) are especially useful in Manhattan. Express buses to outer boroughs cost $7. NYC Ferry ($4) runs scenic routes from Wall Street to Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Roosevelt Island — a budget alternative to sightseeing cruises. The free Staten Island Ferry offers the best Statue of Liberty views at zero cost.

The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) from Penn Station reaches Long Island beaches, wineries, and the Hamptons. Metro-North from Grand Central goes to the Hudson Valley, Connecticut, and upstate New York. Both cost $5-20+ depending on distance and peak/off-peak. Grand Central Madison — the new LIRR terminal below Grand Central — opened in 2023 and cuts 10 minutes from east-side commutes. Off-peak fares are 25% cheaper.

The best overall time to visit. Cherry blossoms in Central Park (mid-April), comfortable temperatures (55-75F), outdoor dining season begins, and rooftop bars reopen. Hotel prices start climbing in May. The Met Gala, Tribeca Film Festival, and Pride Month (June) add cultural energy. Pack layers — April mornings are still cool.

Hot and humid (85-95F with thick humidity), but the city is alive. Free concerts in Central Park, Shakespeare in the Park, outdoor movies, and rooftop everything. Many New Yorkers leave for the Hamptons on weekends, making some neighborhoods quieter. Hotel prices are moderate (except July 4th week). Subway platforms are brutally hot. Hydrate constantly.

Our top recommendation alongside spring. September is warm and golden. October brings spectacular fall foliage to Central Park, the Hudson Valley, and upstate. Temperatures are ideal (50-70F). The NYC Marathon (first Sunday in November) and Thanksgiving are major events. Hotel prices peak in October but November offers deals. Upstate leaf-peeping peaks early-to-mid October.

Cold (25-40F) with occasional snowstorms, but Christmas in New York is genuinely magical. Rockefeller Center tree, holiday markets at Bryant Park and Union Square, window displays on Fifth Avenue. January-February are the cheapest months for hotels (30-40% below peak) and Broadway tickets. Restaurant Week in January offers prix-fixe deals at top restaurants. Layer up and embrace it.

Tipping is essential in New York — service workers depend on tips. Restaurants: 20% on pre-tax total (18% minimum, 25% for excellent service). Bartenders: $1-2 per drink or 20% on a tab. Hotels: $2-5/night for housekeeping left on pillow with a note, $1-2/bag for bellhops. Taxis/rideshares: 15-20%. Coffee shops: $1 or tip jar contribution. Food delivery: 15-20% minimum, more in bad weather. Never tip at fast-casual counter service.

Budget: $150-200/day (hostel $50-80, street food and dollar pizza $20-30, subway $12, one free museum). Mid-range: $300-500/day (3-star hotel $200-350, sit-down meals $60-100, attractions $30-50). Luxury: $700+/day (boutique hotel $400+, fine dining $150+, shows/experiences $100+). New York is the most expensive city in America for visitors, but free parks, museums with suggested donations, and incredible cheap food balance it out.

The CityPASS ($146) covers 5 top attractions and saves 40%. Many museums have free or pay-what-you-wish hours (Met, MoMA Friday evenings, Brooklyn Museum first Saturday). Central Park, High Line, Brooklyn Bridge, and Staten Island Ferry are all free. Dollar pizza ($1-1.50/slice) is everywhere and surprisingly decent. Happy hour deals (4-7pm) slash drink and appetizer prices by 50%. The TKTS booth in Times Square sells same-day Broadway tickets at 20-50% off.

Credit and debit cards are accepted virtually everywhere — many places are cashless. Apple Pay and Google Pay work at most terminals. International visitors: use a no-foreign-transaction-fee card (Charles Schwab, Wise, or Revolut) to avoid 3% surcharges. ATMs charge $3-5 fees; use bank ATMs inside branches. Tax is 8.875% in NYC (added at checkout, not included in listed prices).

New Yorkers walk fast and with purpose. Stay to the right on sidewalks. Never stop suddenly in the middle of the sidewalk — pull to the side if you need to check your phone or look at a map. Don't walk more than two abreast. Jaywalking is universal but watch for turning vehicles. Times Square pedestrian traffic is its own nightmare — locals avoid it entirely.

Let people exit before you board. Move to the center of the car, not blocking the doors. Backpacks go between your feet or on your lap, never on your back in a crowded car. Give up your seat for elderly, disabled, or pregnant passengers. Keep your music in your headphones. Don't eat messy food. Don't hold the doors — another train is coming in 2-5 minutes.

Costumed characters in Times Square will demand $5-20 for a photo — agree on a price before posing or avoid entirely. "Monks" offering prayer beads expect a $20+ donation. Three-card monte games are rigged. "Free" CDs handed to you on the street are not free. Pedicab drivers quote per-minute, not per-ride — clarify before getting in. Ignore anyone who says "the subway is closed" and tries to direct you to a cab.

Manhattan below 96th Street, Brooklyn waterfront neighborhoods (Williamsburg, DUMBO, Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights), and Long Island City in Queens are all safe at night. Use common sense everywhere: stay on well-lit, populated streets. The subway is generally safe at night but avoid empty cars — ride in the conductor's car (middle of the train, marked by a black-and-white striped board on the platform). Uber/Lyft is widely available for late-night travel.

New York City is statistically one of the safest large cities in America. Violent crime is rare in tourist areas. Pickpocketing is uncommon but keep valuables in front pockets in crowded subways and Times Square. Don't flash expensive electronics unnecessarily. Phone snatching by people on bikes is the most common petty crime — keep a firm grip when using your phone near the curb. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts and walk to the nearest open business.