Statue of Liberty and Ellis IslandAttraction
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
The statue and the old immigration station, reached by ferry from the southern tip of Manhattan.
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Things to do in New York
Compare tickets, tours, transfers, hotels and flights for New York in one place, and see who provides each one before you book.
Photo: Christian David, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
AirportsJohn F. Kennedy (JFK), LaGuardia (LGA), Newark (EWR)
Getting aroundSubway, buses and on foot
CurrencyUS dollar (USD)
Best monthsApril to June, September and October
New York in brief
New York is the largest city in the United States, spread over five boroughs. Most of the famous sights are in Manhattan.
Manhattan’s streets follow a numbered grid, so finding your way is easy. Walking and the subway are the fastest ways to get around.
Come for the skyline, the museums, the theatres of Broadway and the food. The most popular sights need tickets booked ahead.
Top attractions in New York
Tickets and guided visits for the city’s best-known sights.
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Empire State BuildingAttraction
Empire State Building
The classic skyscraper, with open-air and indoor observation decks high above Midtown.
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Central ParkAttraction
Central Park
A vast park in the middle of Manhattan, with lakes, lawns, bridges and walking paths.
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The Metropolitan Museum of ArtAttraction
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
One of the largest art museums in the world, on the east side of Central Park.
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9/11 Memorial and MuseumAttraction
9/11 Memorial and Museum
Two memorial pools where the Twin Towers stood, with a museum below ground.
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Brooklyn BridgeAttraction
Brooklyn Bridge
A nineteenth-century suspension bridge with a walkway and views of the Manhattan skyline.
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Photo: Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island — 銀河市長 (CC BY-SA 4.0); Empire State Building — Dllu (CC BY-SA 4.0); Central Park — Dietmar Rabich (CC BY-SA 4.0); The Metropolitan Museum of Art — Epicgenius (CC BY-SA 4.0); 9/11 Memorial and Museum — Christian David (CC BY-SA 4.0); Brooklyn Bridge — Arild Vågen (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons
Tours and day trips
Guided tours, day trips and experiences, with photos, reviews and prices.
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Getting there and around
Airport transfer from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)A pre-booked car from arrivals to your hotel. Alternatives are the AirTrain with the subway, or a yellow taxi at a flat fare to Manhattan.
Trains from New YorkTrains reach Philadelphia in about an hour and a half, Washington in about three hours and Boston in about four.
Car rentalNot needed. Traffic is heavy and parking is costly. Driving is on the right.
Flights
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Where to stay
Pick a neighbourhood first, then compare hotels.
1
Midtown Manhattan
Central for the theatres, Times Square and many sights. Busy at all hours.
2
Lower Manhattan
Near the Statue of Liberty ferry and the 9/11 Memorial. Quieter in the evening.
3
Upper West Side
A residential area beside Central Park, close to museums.
4
Brooklyn
Across the river, with skyline views, good food and often lower prices.
Hotels in New York with live prices
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New York day by day
- Day 1: MidtownThe Empire State Building in the morning, Fifth Avenue and Grand Central at midday, then Times Square after dark.
- Day 2: Lower ManhattanThe ferry to the Statue of Liberty early, the 9/11 Memorial in the afternoon, then a walk across Brooklyn Bridge at sunset.
- Day 3: Central Park and the museumsThe Metropolitan Museum in the morning, then an afternoon in the park.
- With a fourth dayWalk the High Line, then spend the afternoon in Brooklyn.
Local tips
- Tap a contactless card or phone at the subway gates to pay.
- Tip in restaurants, bars and taxis. Fifteen to twenty per cent is usual.
- Sales tax is added at the till, so prices are higher than shown.
- Buy Statue of Liberty tickets only from the official ferry operator.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You will walk a great deal.
Before you go
Travel insuranceCover for medical costs and cancellations.
Luggage storageLeave bags near the station or the sights.
Flight delay compensationCheck whether a delayed or cancelled flight qualifies.
Everything for New York
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Travel guide
New York is best in April to June and September to November, and four to five days covers the main sights. Use the subway with a contactless payment, and reserve tickets for the big viewpoints and the Statue of Liberty crown.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit New York?
April to June and September and October are mild. Summer is hot and humid, and winter is cold, though December is festive.
How many days do I need in New York?
Four to five days cover the main sights at a comfortable pace.
Do I need to book the Statue of Liberty in advance?
Yes. Ferry tickets that include the pedestal or the crown sell out weeks ahead.
How do I get from the airport to the centre?
From JFK, the AirTrain connects with the subway and commuter trains, and the trip to Manhattan takes about an hour. Yellow taxis charge a flat fare to Manhattan, and pre-booked transfers are available.
Is the New York subway easy to use?
Yes. It runs all night. Check whether your train is going uptown or downtown, and whether it is express or local.