Manhattan from an observation deck, the Liberty Island ferry, a dawn walk over Brooklyn Bridge. Budget, OMNY subway, neighborhoods: the full 2026 guide.
New York at a glance
Population
8.5M (city)
Airports
JFK · EWR · LGA
Ideal stay
4 to 6 days
Budget / day
€120-450
Flight Paris
~8h direct
Time diff
-6h vs France
Current climate
Best season
In brief
Pay the subway contactless (OMNY)
The MetroCard retired in January 2026. A ride costs $3 per tap of a bank card or phone, capped at $35 a week: every ride after that is free.
Book observation decks ahead
Empire State from $44, Top of the Rock $45, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt around $45. Dynamic pricing: sunset slots run $10-20 more.
CityPASS if you plan 4-5 attractions
$164 (~€150) for 5 attractions including the Empire State and the Natural History Museum, valid 9 days. Real savings of about 40% versus single tickets.
Staten Island Ferry: the free Statue view
The orange ferry is free, runs 24/7 and passes 400 m from the Statue of Liberty. The official ferry that lands on Liberty Island costs $32.50 with Ellis Island.
Budget for tipping
18 to 20% at restaurants, and it is not optional. With tax (8.875% added at the till), a $20 dish ends up around $26.
Must-see
843 acres in the middle of Manhattan. Bethesda Terrace, the Mall, Bow Bridge, Strawberry Fields. Rent a bike or walk from the south end to the reservoir.
Ferry from Battery Park, a stop on Liberty Island, then the Ellis Island immigration museum. Book the 9am slot to skip an hour-long line.
The 86th floor of the 1931 Art Deco icon. From $44, $79 with the 102nd floor. Open until midnight; go at 10pm for the lit-up city without the crowd.
A 1.1-mile walk above the East River, then Dumbo's cobblestones and the postcard view from Washington Street. At sunrise you have it to yourself.
Two reflecting pools engraved with 2,983 names, on the towers' exact footprints. Memorial free to visit, museum $33 (free Monday 5:30-7pm, reservation needed).
Two million works on Fifth Avenue: Temple of Dendur, Egyptian and American wings, rooftop bar in summer. $30 for non-residents, allow 3 hours minimum.
The screens, the crowd, the noise: 15 minutes is plenty. The real reason to come is a musical. Same-day tickets at 50% off at the TKTS booth.
1.5 miles of planted elevated railway between the Whitney Museum and Hudson Yards. Free, and lines up perfectly with lunch at Chelsea Market.
The Starry Night, Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, Campbell's Soup Cans: the densest modern collection anywhere, on 53rd Street. $30, timed entry online.
Thrift stores on Bedford Avenue, Smorgasburg food market on Saturdays (April-October), Manhattan skyline from Domino Park. The Brooklyn that replaced the East Village.
Choose your district
Times Square, Bryant Park, both train stations: everything on foot, but loud and soulless at night. From $250/night, often $350.
★ Practical
Bars, galleries, Chinatown next door. The Manhattan that stays up late. Design hotels from $220/night.
Trendy
One L-train stop from Manhattan, rooftops with skyline views. Best vibe-to-price ratio in the city. From $180/night.
★ Recommended
New towers facing Manhattan, 10 minutes by subway from Grand Central. The smart pick for mid-range budgets. From $150/night.
Budget-friendly
Brownstones, Sunday gospel, soul food at Sylvia's. Manhattan at $130/night, 20 minutes by subway from Midtown.
Local feel
Getting around
Subway (OMNY)
24/7, 472 stations. $3 a ride per bank-card tap, $35 weekly cap then free. Express vs local: check before boarding.
Staten Island Ferry
Free, every 30 minutes, around the clock. Statue of Liberty and skyline views both ways. 25-minute crossing.
Yellow cab / Uber
Meter from $3 plus surcharges. Midtown-JFK: ~$70 flat fare before tolls and tip. Uber often pricier at rush hour.
Citi Bike
Docks everywhere, day pass ~$25. Ideal for Central Park, the Hudson River greenway and Brooklyn. Protected lanes on major avenues.
Climate & crowds
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Spring
Apr to Jun · 12-26°C, bright · Ideal: Central Park cherry blossoms in April, terraces from May
Summer
Jul to Aug · 26-33°C, humid · Fine: sticky heat, but free concerts and rooftop season
Autumn
Sep to Oct · 12-25°C, dry · Ideal: Central Park foliage in late October, crisp skies
Winter
Nov to Mar · -4 to 8°C, dry cold · Fine: magical at Christmas but packed, January freezing and cheaper
How much
Backpacker
€120
per day
Comfort
€300
per day
Premium
€650
per day
Our tested itinerary
Day-by-day program.
Around
50 min by subway · Beach, retro amusement park and Nathan's hot dogs
1h30 away · Bear Mountain hikes, river towns and fall foliage
1h20 by Amtrak · Liberty Bell, Old City and cheesesteaks
1 h on the A train · New York's surf beach, boardwalk tacos
FAQ
Laura Petit ✓
·Europe specialist
Last updated: June 10, 2026.