New York City is one of the most popular destinations across the world, and it’s not hard to see why. The Big Apple is home to bright lights, impressive attractions, and a whole host of food that you just don’t want to miss out on. However, there’s no doubt about the fact that a trip to New York City isn’t a cheap one. The hotels alone can set you back a small fortune, and that’s before you tick off all of the things on your bucket list. But what if we told you that it didn’t have to be that way?

Plan your trip wisely

While New York City in the summer can be an appealing thought, it’s also appealing to other people across the globe. This is one of the busiest times of the year for people, and it’s fair to say that hotels take full advantage of people wanting to stay in their rooms. They hike the prices up, and that can soon take a huge chunk out of your budget. So, it might be an idea to opt for off-peak times of the year, such as January to early April, and September to November. This will save you a whole host of money.

Head underground

When you think of New York City, you probably think of the iconic yellow cabs. While most people jump in one of these when they make their way out of La Guardia or JFK airport, this will set you back a huge amount of money. It’s so much easier – and cheaper – to simply head underground and use the subway. What’s more is that you can buy yourself a 7-day ticket (or a different ticket depending on how long you are going to be there), so you can continue using it throughout your whole trip.

Choose free alternatives

There are so many attractions in New York City, but many of them come complete with entrance fees. However, if you do your research, you can have the same experiences without it costing you a cent. For example, if you want to check out the Statue of Liberty, don’t pay to go on a boat tour. You can instead hop on the Staten Island Ferry that floats right beside the monument, and it is completely free! Alongside this, don’t pay to go up the Empire State Building. Many people do this to check out the New York skyline, but a trip to the Top of the Rock Observation deck is not only free but will also give you the chance to see the Empire State Building at the same time.

Utilize food trucks

Exploring New York City is going to make you pretty peckish, but it’s best to avoid high-priced restaurants if you’re on a budget. Instead, utilize the hundreds of food trucks that you can find around the city. Sometimes, the food is so much better on the streets than in a restaurant.

If you’re heading to New York City but don’t want to break the bank, this is how you can explore New York on a budget.