CITY
New York City
STATE
New York
COUNTRY
United States of America
CONTINENT
North America
LANGUAGE
English
CURRENCY
US Dollars
BEST TIME TO VISIT
April to June and September to November
NEAREST RAILWAY STATION
Howard Beach Station & Jamaica Station
NEAREST AIRPORT
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
EMERGENCY HELPLINE NUMBER
911
INTERNET ACCESS
Most public parks in the city now offer free wi-fi. Some prominent ones include the High Line, Bryant Park, Battery Park, Central Park, City Hall Park, Madison Square Park, Tompkins Square Park and Union Square Park (Brooklyn and Queens are also well covered). For other locations, check out www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/wifi. Even underground subway stations now offer free wi-fi, offering a way to pass time or get work done while waiting for signal problems or other delays to be resolved. LinkNYC (www.link.nyc), rolled out in 2016 to replace anachronistic pay phones (once iconic symbols of the city and where Superman changed into his suit), has installed free internet-connected kiosks, replete with charging stations and wi-fi access. The network aims to install some 7500 of these structures throughout the five boroughs.
It’s rare to find accommodations in New York City that don’t offer wi-fi, though it isn’t always free. Most cafes offer wi-fi for customers, as do the ubiquitous Starbucks around town.
VISA
The US Visa Waiver Program allows nationals of 38 countries to enter the US without a visa, but you must fill out an ESTA application before departing.
Visa Waiver Program
The US Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows nationals from 38 countries to enter the US without a visa, provided you are carrying a machine-readable passport. For the up-to-date list of countries included in the program and current requirements, see the US Department of State (https://travel.state.gov) website.
Citizens of VWP countries need to register with the US Department of Homeland Security and fill out an ESTA application (Electronic System for Travel Authorization; www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/esta) before your visit. There is a $14 fee for registration; when approved, the registration is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
Visas Required
You must obtain a visa from a US embassy or consulate in your home country if:
You do not currently hold a passport from a VWP country.
You are from a VWP country, but don’t have a machine-readable passport.
You are planning to stay longer than 90 days.
You are planning to work or study in the US.
HOTEL
The best way to truly experience New York is to stay in Manhattan, rather than trying to commute from the suburbs, which can be time consuming and a little tiring. The hotels mentioned below are all centrally located in Manhattan and close to many of the major attractions.
LUXURY
The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park and the Mandarin Oriental are both outstanding luxury properties, with great locations near the south end of Central Park. Farther south, near Bryant Park, the New York Public Library, and Grand Central Terminal, the posh Langham Place, Fifth Avenue is another reliable five-star hotel. One of the hot new arrivals on New York’s hotel scene is the Crowne Plaza HY36 Midtown Manhattan. This four-star property offers affordable luxury and is located within walking distance to the High Line, Penn Station, and Times Square. In a similar price range, near Times Square, is the boutique Casablanca Hotel by Library Hotel Collection.
MID-RANGE
With a prime location, within walking distance of Times Square, Central Park, and Rockefeller Center, The Pearl Hotel is at the higher end of mid-range. It offers quality rooms, great service, and very reasonable rates. Other noteworthy mid-range hotels in good locations include the 414 Hotel, just west of Times Square, and the Hilton Garden Inn New York/West 35th Street, located in a great position near the Empire State Building.
BUDGET
Hotel rates vary considerably depending on the season, but it’s usually possible to find a few quality budget hotels offering reasonable rates. Some popular, modestly-priced hotel options include the Econo Lodge Times Square, just north of Times Square. A little removed from the main attractions but still within walking distance of Bryant Park, Grand Central Terminal, and subway stops, Seton Hotel is a quaint boutique hotel. Near Seaton Hotel is the more modern and affordable Pod 39 Hotel, with funky, compact rooms featuring en-suite bathrooms, and sociable common areas.
COST OF LIVING
New York City has a reputation for being very expensive, and especially as a place to sleep it deserves that reputation. But once you have that handled you can actually get by on a fairly low budget, especially if you spend time away from the cheesy Times Square area. The famous attractions are expensive but a few of them are not well suited to most visitors and the city is jammed with free and cheap things to do. If your time is short you should consider doing one of the Circle Line cruises, which are the fastest way to see most of the famous buildings as well as the best close-up view of the Statue of Liberty on every cruise.
Hotels in New York City are cheapest from mid-January through March, but relative bargains are possible almost any time of year. Booking as far as possible in advance is usually the best strategy, though sometimes prices do come down as the dates approach if rooms are not booked and demand is weak. Hotels outside of Manhattan are cheaper than ones on the main island, but for most people it’s worth paying for the convenience of staying near all the action, since commuting back and forth can drain lots of time and energy. Star ratings in New York City can seem arbitrary in many systems so don’t assume that a cheap 4-star hotel is nicer than a more expensive 2-star hotel on the same block. Rooms tend to be surprisingly small, and street noise can be a problem, so it’s a good idea to read reviews you can trust before you lock in a place.
Drinking in NYC is expensive but if you self-cater with some beer or wine before you go out it keeps things from getting out of hand. Great and cheap meals are quite easy to find as long as you get out of the main hotel districts
