New York can absorb almost any budget, so deciding what is already paid for is the first step in working out spending money.
Food, attractions and optional shopping are usually the categories where daily totals vary most.
Plan your budget
How much will your trip cost?
Build a personalised estimate for flights, accommodation, food, transport, activities and other major travel costs.
Calculate My Trip →How much should you budget?
Separate prepaid flights and accommodation from your daily spending budget, then estimate food, local transport and planned attractions.
Your final cost will depend on travel dates, booking time, accommodation standard and the experiences you choose. Treat estimated figures as a planning guide and compare live prices before booking.
Accommodation costs
If accommodation is not already paid for, it will be one of the largest costs and should be budgeted separately from ordinary spending money.
Location can make a major difference, so compare the total value of staying centrally with the cost of travelling in from cheaper areas.
Food and drink
You can mix inexpensive breakfasts and casual meals with selected restaurants rather than using the same dining budget for every meal.
A useful approach is to mix inexpensive everyday meals with a smaller number of restaurants or experiences you particularly want to try.
Getting around
Public transport can cover most sightseeing journeys, although airport transfers and occasional taxis should be considered.
Remember to include airport transfers and any longer journeys or day trips rather than budgeting only for short local transport.
Activities and experiences
Observation decks, museums, shows, sports and tours can make attraction spending substantial, so book your priorities into the budget.
List your must-do experiences before travelling so that attraction and tour costs do not become an unexpected addition to your budget.
How to keep the trip cost down
Pre-plan the expensive attractions you genuinely want to do and keep a separate optional allowance for shopping rather than treating it as essential spending.
You can also use the Mystique Getaways travel cost calculator to create a starting estimate for your own route, trip length and travel style.
Keep planning
Explore more before you book
Frequently asked questions
Planning your trip
Is New York expensive?
It can suit different budgets, but the biggest variables are usually flights, accommodation, season and travel style. Planning those costs first gives you a much clearer idea of the total trip price.
How much spending money should I take?
That depends on what you have already paid for. Build a daily allowance for food, local transport and activities, then add a buffer for optional purchases and unexpected costs.
How can I get better value?
Compare dates, accommodation areas and transport options before booking. Shoulder periods can sometimes offer a better balance of price, weather and crowds than peak dates.