You might think that it's impossible to find cheap accommodation in New York City. We are here to tell you it's not!
As a walking tour company offering pay-what-you-wish walking tours of New York City, we know how to find ways to save money in the Big Apple.
Here we share some ways to find affordable accommodations in NYC. We even have some suggestions on how to stay for free!
Want to save MORE money? Explore NYC on our pay-what-you-wish walking tours!
Ways to Find Cheap NYC Accommodations
If you know how to look, you can find great New York budget accommodation options! Read on!
1. Take advantage of hotel search tools
TripAdvisor, Booking.com, and Kayak.com allow users to use filters to narrow down their price and location preferences, in addition to reading reviews of each lodging facility.
2. Look at websites offering deals
Groupon and Living Social. Both offer significant deals on New York City hotels, as well as trip packages.
3. Ask members of our Facebook group
Join our NYC Travel Tips and Hacks and find out from savvy budget travelers how they found great deals.
At the bottom of this post, we share some ideas from a few members of our group.
4. Go in the offseason
Nearly all types of accommodation are cheaper in the off-season simply because the demand for rooms is much less.
Read about the cheapest times to visit NYC.
5. Opt for a hostel
Although many people think of hostels as dormitories, most are very clean and offer the option of a private or single-sex room.
Guests who stay in a hostel in NYC spend an average of $32 per night, while guests who stay in a hotel spend an average of $290!
This is a list of some of our favorite hostels in New York City.
6. Check out Eurocheapo
Think as the Europeans do! Budget accommodations have been a staple across cities in Europe for decades.
Eurocheapo is a site that helps travelers find cheap hotels mainly in Europe, but they also cover New York City and San Francisco!
Eurocheapo sends their editors unannounced to hotels to thoroughly inspect the rooms and pass their recommendations on to the customers.
7. Savings through association memberships
If you are a member of an association such as AARP or AAA, you may find some type of offer or free add-ons like free parking, upgrades, or free breakfast.
Some unions, like the UAW and UFT, will also get you savings on accommodations.
Be sure to check with your union before booking.
8. Stay in a bed and breakfast
Bed and Breakfast.com is a site that allows users to browse for affordable B&Bs that are located near many of New York City’s great attractions.
9. Rent an Airbnb or VRBO
Sites like Airbnb and VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner) offer visitors accommodation at many price points.
Accommodations in New York City run from about $60 a night to $200.
The farther out from Manhattan, the better the chances of finding a cheap price.
Most rentals are for apartments that only you occupy.
However, a NYC law requires that hosts who rent an apartment via Airbnb must stay in the space with guests.
So if you are fine having a roommate, this is a great option to stay low-cost right in the heart of the city.
10. Consider housesitting
Many single or family home/apartment owners are looking for housesitters to take care of homes and pets.
Trusted Housesitters (US) is a site that connects people who are looking either for or to house-sit.
They also offer our guests 10% off an annual membership when they use FREETOURS10 at checkout.
11. Join a hotel loyalty program
Many hotel chains offer money-saving opportunities to members of their loyalty program.
12. Reduced prices with special status
Some hotels offer lower rates to educators, military personnel, students, return guests, and those with another unique status.
Ask! You never know if you are eligible.
13. Consider buying a trip package
When you buy airfare, accommodation, and activities as a trip package, you will save money on each component, meaning lower hotel costs.
You may find even greater savings if you book your trip package through your credit card's travel department, such as American Express.
14. Consider Couchsurfing
Couchsurfing is a travel collective that allows people who are interested in a cultural exchange to host travelers for free.
I've been a member of Couchsurfing since 2007 and have hosted over 100 guests in her apartment in NYC. It's always been a positive experience!
It was a perk that when I went traveling, I contacted some of the people who couchsurfed with me, and I stayed free with them in their city!
If you do look into Couchsurfing, please read all the safety information on staying with hosts.
It's easy to join. You create a detailed profile and then you can contact potential hosts to see if they can offer you a place to stay.
One of the parts I enjoyed most about hosting was sharing with my guests an insider's perspective on life in the Big Apple. They loved that aspect as well.
Both hosts and guests can leave reviews so that other travelers can choose where to stay.
This is an excellent budget-minded way to travel, especially for those traveling to New York City alone!
15. Work for it
Though usually targeted toward budget travelers who are willing to work on a farm or do construction in exchange for free food and accommodation, Workaway also operates in NYC.
Guests are usually asked to feed pets or do dishes (as farming is not an option!) in exchange for a couple of nights' stay in New York City!
16. Stay in New Jersey
You won't find bargain basement prices on hotels at hotels outside of Manhattan, but it’s worth broadening your hotel search to include nearby New Jersey.
Rooms typically cost less than those in Manhattan.
If you are traveling with a family or a group of friends, New Jersey hotels are a good option for more than four people.
Think more space for less.
While it is easy to travel from some locations in New Jersey to Manhattan, like the ferry service and the PATH subway train, you will have to dish out for transportation.
Read more about staying in New Jersey here.
17. Look at other NYC Boroughs
Savings aren't massive across the board in the outer boroughs, but there are hotels outside of Manhattan that will cost less and are in relatively nice areas.
In Queens, Long Island City is becoming a favorite location for travelers due to lower room costs and quick transportation to Manhattan.
Brooklyn has hotels that can charge as low as $60 a night, but they are not in the most desirable neighborhoods.
That doesn't mean they aren't safe. It just means you shouldn’t go exploring the area.
The Bronx has a few hotels that are on the cheaper side and are clean and safe, but again, don't plan on spending time in the immediate area.
18. Camp Nearby
If you love both the great outdoors and the bright lights of the big city, camping is for you!
There are a few legal campgrounds in and around New York City.
If you already have camping gear, camping near the city can be cheaper than a hostel.
Some campsites are a subway ride away from Manhattan where you will likely be spending most of your time.
If you have a car, that is both a pro and con. Getting to the campsite will be easy. But it is very difficult to find parking in Manhattan and garages are expensive.
Sites cost as low as $30 a night. But you'll have to budget for transportation.
Also, build the travel time into your daily schedule.
Read our post about the costs of the subway and how to buy tickets.
Gateway National Recreation Area has several campsites throughout New York City (not Manhattan though.)
Campsites are $30 a night and up to four people may camp at a single site. You’ll need a tent and all the other creature comforts you desire.
Some of the sites are about an hour from Manhattan by public transportation.
Harriman State Park is about 30 miles north of NYC and is a gorgeous park.
It takes just under 90 minutes to reach Port Authority Bus Station in Midtown Manhattan.
Skyline RV Camp is great ff you're traveling in an RV. Prices start as low as $85 a night for non-hook up.
You can hop a quick NYC ferry into Manhattan or take the subway via the G train.
The campground has unbelievable skyline views of Manhattan!
19. Rent and Stay in a U-Haul Van
First, let me say I do not recommend this. But I have heard of travelers renting a U-Haul truck to stay in overnight.
They claim that with rates as low as $20 overnight, staying in a U-Haul is worth the risks.
But let me tell you about those risks.
1. It is NOT safe.
I have heard of people who have rigged the pulldown door to lock it from the inside.
But the safety risks of either being broken into or worse, locking yourself in are not worth taking the chance.
2. There is very little ventilation. There’s also a chance for carbon monoxide buildup and that is a quick way to end your trip to NYC.
3. Good luck finding free parking. It’s hard enough with a normal-sized car.
Why take the chance of getting a parking ticket that could cost hundreds of dollars? It defeats the purpose of finding a cheap place to stay.
4. No bathroom. Say no more.
5. Against U-Haul's terms of service.
U-Haul explicitly prohibits using its trucks as accommodations. If you violate U-Haul’s terms, you could be penalized big time.
Tips From Locals and Travelers
If you're looking for advice from locals or people who have stayed in New York City, our New York Travel Tips Facebook group members love to offer suggestions.
Below are some of their thoughts on how to find inexpensive accommodations.
When you are done looking at these, you can search for more suggestions by looking at comments on our Facebook group. Maybe you want to ask a question yourself!
Michael’s idea is quite smart. To find out about hotels outside of Manhattan see our post Where to Stay in NYC which is organized by neighborhood.
Choose your dates wisely. Our post Cheapest times to visit NYC can help you decide when to visit.
Wonderful ideas from Tracy!
If you are willing to gamble a bit, Mirella who traveled to NYC from the UK, has a great way to save money!
Once you find your special place, it’s time to see the Big Apple with Free Tours by Foot!
