New York City is one of the most exciting, fast paced and recognizable cities in the world and, as a result, tourists flock to its streets by the millions. Unfortunately, NYC can also be one of the most expensive cities making it too easy to spend a small fortune unnecessarily. However, a thrifty trip to the Big Apple is possible if you have the right information. In this guest post, Nadine Hallak provides 5 insightful insider tips to help you save on spend and maximise on fun.

1. Lodgings: Hotels in New York City are insanely expensive, right? Wrong. When people say “hotels in NYC” they tend to mean “hotels in Manhattan,” which tend to be on the pricey side. However, Brooklyn and Queens offer countless hotels, motels and hostels that will instantly cut your expenses by a large chunk, so a little research can go a long way. When selecting a hotel, make sure it’s close to a subway and in a safe neighbourhood. The vast majority of NYC is perfectly safe, but there still are areas you should avoid. Luckily, lots of choice means that’s very easy to do.

2. Explore off the beaten path: Times Square is well worth a visit, so spend a little time perusing the area and try a bus tour for around US$40-50, but avoid the restaurants, stores and other tourist-traps in this area. Other less touristy neighbourhoods to check out include Greenwich Village, Hell’s Kitchen, West Village, and So-Ho in Manhattan as well as Park Slope, DUMBO and Prospect Park in Brooklyn, and Astoria in Queens. The Empire State Building is a must-see for most people, so go early during a weekday when there’s less chance of a queue. The Statue of Liberty is just as good when experienced from a distance, but if you want a full tour, expect to be standing in line for a good portion of the day.  The best water tour in NY can be had on the Staten Island Ferry, which is free of charge!

3. Eat like a local: NYC has thousands of inexpensive sidewalk eateries where locals enjoy grabbing an excellent slice of pizza, gyro or sandwich on the cheap. Also, research ahead of time to find some of the many affordable restaurants and you can have an amazing sit-down meal for $10 per person. Recommendations include Eisenberg’s Sandwich Shop (5th Avenue), Li-Lac Chocolates (8th Avenue), Chinatown Ice-cream Factory (Baynard Street) and Mardi Gras Pizza (Maiden Lane).

4. The subway: Many tourists may be intimidated by the subway system but it is the cheapest, easiest and quickest way to get around the city and millions of locals ride it every day. Buy yourself a week pass (currently $29) and ride the buses and trains as often as you like. You’ll save on taxis and get around more quickly, so don’t be afraid to just hop on a bus and watch the city go by. With flights to New York available at bargain prices, transport is one cost you won’t have to worry about.

5. A view from the top: The best views of NYC are from Brooklyn. Check out the Brooklyn Bridge Park and Governors Island for views. The latter is only open during the summer, but includes a free ferry service and is a great experience. These two spots offer the best skyline shots of the city.

This post was written by Nadine Hallak, a travel expert at leading flight tickets website Cheapflights.co.uk

Photo Credits: Josh Derr | Leslie at The L-List | Mark Kalan | A.G. Photographe | dgj103