How to See the City that Never Sleeps on a Budget

The world is your oyster if you have a passport and a backpack. Indeed, there are so many places to see and so little time. But how does one get to visit and explore some of the more expensive cities in the world? Let’s say New York, for example.

There is some good news for solo travellers who don’t need to be pampered from head to toe to have a great trip. Specifically in huge cities, there are so many travel options available to you, specifically if you are willing to look past the Insta-grammable life many have fallen victim to. Traveling is about experience and culture, it’s about getting to know yourself better by mastering challenges, it’s about finding perspectives and insights that you can take with you for your entire life – free of charge. So, why not take a look at things you can see and do without breaking the bank.

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Plenty of Accommodation Options

The first thing to know about New York City is that while it may be pricey in the center of Manhattan, that’s not the case all over. New York City is made up of five boroughs sitting where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean, and it’s pretty obvious that staying a few miles outside of town will do your budget a world of good. With train lines going into the city every few minutes, you could even go as far out as Connecticut and only pop into the city when you’ve got something special planned or you’ve booked the best New York pass. Going into the city and then back out also allows you to appreciate both the business of NY and the calmness on the outskirts. It’s about balance.

Going further away from the main city will show you parts of a magical country that are oftentimes not seen. If you take some time to research, there are smaller and less populated towns that have the flair of NY combined with the small-town feel of comfort and contentment. If you can, try to travel off-season because it will most probably decrease your costs for flights and accommodation alike, which are the two biggest account drainers. Because New York is known to be expensive in terms of rent, some New Yorkers have opened their homes to host travelers at a fraction of the cost of a hotel. Try to see the beauty of being on a budget – you get a real feel of the city from various perspectives depending on where you choose to stay. Think about a home stay with an American family, something that you’ll think of fondly forever. Before you head on an adventure, be sure to plan your trip a little beforehand, even if you are one of those spontaneous travellers. 

Mixing it Up 

What is meant with the term ‘mixing it up’? Actually, it’s about not sticking to one way of traveling or living. There’s incredible beauty in going with the flow and living in the moment. Having said that, in order for those of you who are amazing solo female travelers to be and stay safe, be sure to let someone know where you are at all times and keep people updated. The beauty of mixing it up is that you get a real feel of the state, the food is going to be just as good in boroughs outside of Manhattan and perhaps even more authentic since many people leave the city but take their tradition and culture with them.

Don’t forget that nature outside of the city and walking in particular help you stay grounded (literally and figuratively) and assist in keeping you healthy for the remainder of your trip.

If you are, however, keen to stay in the city that never sleeps, another way to keep that budget happy and stave off the currently popular hedonistic approach to life, is to book a nicer place for one to two nights towards the end of the week, and stay at a hostel for four to five nights. That way, you have something to look forward to and can also meet new people during the week, maybe to go on adventures with, and then have some alone time on the weekend in your more expensive rental. It really depends on what kind of person you are, but introverts and extroverts alike will be glad that they came.

Some Things in Life are Free

While you’re traveling, also look out for free activities like group walking tours, or even walking around alone, which has so many health benefits, and visit parks and museums too. Not everything has to be an extravagant outing, sometimes it’s fun to just lay down on a park bench and read a book. Lastly, don’t forget that you’re allowed to negotiate, depending on the country’s customs of course. Another must-see and free-of-charge adventure is to walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, a bridge of many firsts and a historic part of the city.

The bridge is considered a brilliant feat of 19th-century engineering and was the first suspension bridge to use steel for its cable wire, the first bridge to use explosives in a dangerous underwater device called a caisson, and the first fixed crossing of the East River. While you can join a group and walk the bridge, you are also more than welcome to do so alone and find a place to rest and meditate while you’re at it. The sheer size and magnitude of the famous bridge will awake something inside of you, and walking across feels like you’ve made it, you’ve achieved something. That’s what traveling does, it unleashes things in you that you didn’t even know where there.

Final Thoughts on Visiting New York on a Budget

So, you’ve surely noticed in this article that while many believe New York to be mind-blowingly expensive, this is not the case if you play your cards right and choose wisely. Preparation is key, and if you sort out inexpensive accommodation, mix up your activities to include things that are free of charge, and join locals happy to show visitors around, then you can enjoy and really live the New York lifestyle at a fraction of the price.

There are many New Yorkers who are passionate about their beautiful and diverse city, and who would love to show you around, for example via couch surfing. That’s a great way to meet locals and network a little. Yoga and Pilates are also offered for a very small fee at Central Park. Remember that traveling is not about letting other people know that you’re doing it or show off, it’s actually about you seeing new places through your very own eyes and not through a lens or filter.

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