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Exactly how expensive is New York for a tourist?

I'm going to New York city on a trip with my show choir coach this February, and, according to the claims of people who have already been, it is a very expensive place. But how much, exactly? Is everything there considered a bit more expensive than the regular price, such as a can of Coke for $3.50 instead of the occasional $1.00? I would like to know in terms of increase, if possible. And while I'm at it, are there any tips you can offer? I would greatly appriciate it! :D

12 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    You can definitely count of a can of coke being more expensive. Everything there is more expensive. At least in the more touristy parts, like times square, where I'm guessing you'll be going.

    Like someone else said, M&M world. They sell M&M's, just like any Wal-Mart, but for 5X the price. Because it is the "M&M Store" they can do that. They do sell different colors of M&M's, stuff like that. If you want to buy something like that, then do it. You're only there once.

    Food, like at restaurants is more expensive too. When figuring out how much money to bring, I would take into account all of these things. And also budget your money while your there. If it isn't important to you to be bringing home left over money at the end of this trip, then go ahead and buy the t-shirts, and souvenirs. They are expensive, but like I said, you're only there once.

    Another tip is to bring a debit/credit card if you have it. Almost everywhere (not if your buying a knockoff purse in China town) accepts them, and if you lose your purse, or forget it somewhere, you can call your bank and cancel your card. Make sure to bring the number that you can call to cancel the card as well. However, if you bring hundreds of dollars in cash, then it's gone.

    In addition to that, Canal st. (china town) sells knockoff everything: souvenirs, t-shirts, sunglasses, purses, watches, DVD's, ect. If you were planning on buying something from there, then you need cash. If you know that your tour group is going there, and you really wanted to save some money, then I would not buy an souvenirs from times square, and wait until I went to china town. They have everything (I guarantee you almost anything you can buy in the tourist shops, they have at china town), and I promise you it will be less then half the price it normally is. You can save a lot of money this way, and still get the product that you want.

    I think that should be it. If you have any more questions, feel free to message me. Good luck! Have fun on the trip! :)

  • 1 decade ago

    Basic Items aren't much more expensive. With all the competition in the city a can of coke at a hot dog vendor could only cost a buck. It's the restaurants there that cost a lot of money. The average place cost about $50 a person to eat and then you throw them a 20% tip. Do your research and make sure you don't go into a place that will cost you $400 for a tiny piece of chicken and celery. A great place to go in the city is called Jekyll and Hyde. It's a restaurant/bar that has live shows going down the whole time they're open. It's fun for adult and kid's love it to. The place will run you about $40 a person (depending on what you get without tip, they also charge a fee for the show they're putting on which is worth it.) The place keeps you busy for a few hours and has pretty good food. Enjoy the trip! It's the best city in the world!

    Source(s): Life long New Yorker!
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Don't listen to all the people saying that it's VERY expensive. New York is huge, and because of that, there are a lot of very expensive places, but a lot iof inexpensive places too. You just have to use your head wisely, keep a tight eye on what your spending, and you'll be fine on a tight budget.here are a few if my tips to keep your spending to a minimum..

    - Ride the subway as much as you can, AVOIDING taxis. The subway costs $2 a ride, to anywhere in the city and you can transfer for free to other lines where possible. So strictly speaking, you could get from northern Manhattan to southern Manhattan for $2, or pay about $40 in a taxi.

    - Be wise when eating out. Beware of places that don't have a menu nd a price list in the window! I know it isn't a nice thought to eat in common places like McDonalds.. but it will probably be your cheapest option. If you do go to a nice restaurant, find one with special offers, or student discount. And have tap water to drink instead of soda.

    -If anything seems too good to be true, it probably is. When I visited last week, I was persuaded by some guy to go to a comedy club in Times Square. The tickets were $10, pretty cheao I thought. But whne I got inside he told me there was a 2 drink minimum at the bar. my boyfriend and I ended up having to pay a further $25 for the drinks and tip, on top of the $20 entry. And it wasn't even that good.

    So yeah, just be smart and avoid rash spending. It doesn't have to be as expensive as people make out.

    Have fun!

  • 1 decade ago

    NY isn't THATTTTT expensive. Since there are a lot of visitors, though, the regular "tourist spots" are pretty overpriced though. For example, the restaurants in Times Square, the hot dog vendors around museums/central park, etc. I would suggest not taking a lot of cab rides and depending on the subway instead. If you think about what you're buying, the price for some food, admissions and souvenirs won't cost you too much.

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  • 1 decade ago

    Prices in Manhattan are usually higher than anywhere else. If you watch TV while here, you will see it in the fine print while a commercial is playing.

    It's best to run into a supermarket and grab what you need. You can even go to the nearest "Dollar Tree" where everything is (you guessed it) a dollar. Just plug in the zip code of the hotel (or where you plan to stay or be) to get one close by.

    http://dollartree.com/

    If you plan (or have time to visit attractions, buy a "pass" which cuts your admission costs. Some will provide a map and guide to make you spend less time getting around.

    http://411newyork.org/guide/2007/05/23/passes-for-...

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    NYC is not that expensive..

    & a can of coke depending where you are

    (uptown manhattan... its only $0.75)

    but it's a pretty Cool place!

    i live in manhattan & if you plan on taking the train & bus a lot,

    metro cards are killer.

    the fare is $2.00 for a single ride!!!

    but other than that you can survive with $30,

    more is a lot helpful though ;]

    ps. dont read into these *ny is expensive as hell ppl* i've lived here for 16 years! if you wanna go eat at a restaurant... go into a book store grab the zagat survey. you dont have to buy it bkuz its lyk 15 bukks. but chekk it out! it has EVERY restaurant in the city!! & if you want you can go to zagat.com now b4 you come down here & you'll have some in mind alreadii... ;]

  • ?
    Lv 4
    5 years ago

    For the family members on a funds. would I recommend the citypass decrease value pass, that gets you extensive value reductions on most of the attraction inclusive of the muesums. There are a number of different funds attractions that may not require a single charge, there are a experience Staten Island Ferry and a stroll around the Brooklyn Bridge. The Staten Island Ferry is unfastened and you will see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island because of the fact the ferry boat crosses the harbor. Taking a stroll around the Brooklyn Bridge, this city's first suspension bridges is likewise unfastened. you are able to take a stroll in the process the two.5 mile span from great apple to Brooklyn and returned. Grand prevalent Teminal, the country's greatest railroad terminal, is likewise a advantageous place to pass to for somebody on a funds. Take a stroll to the main Concourse and seem up on the ceiling, you will see a portray of the celestial constalletion. initially painted in 1912 by employing Paul César Helleu, the ceiling replaced into, with the aid of the years, conceal with tobacco smoke (this replaced into in the days earlier smoking bans). In 1998, after a 12 300 and sixty 5 days restoration artwork, the orignal portray replaced into as quickly as returned printed for a morden technology. GCT is a countrywide histroric landmark and likewise the main transport hub for suburban prepare vacationing to the north and northeast. Exploring the city on a double decker bus is one thank you to work out the city and study extra approximately its historic past. additionally, would I say that the subway isn't what it was some 20 to 30 300 and sixty 5 days in the past, have faith me, I experience the subway wide-unfold and remains extra value-effective than possessing a automobile in NYC. only confirm you're attentive to your environment and, being it quite is the vacations, save your bags and wallet in a secure place. if your perferred buying, and prefer to stick to the funds, would I recommend the Chinatown/Canal highway section. There you may get bags and purses, even watches, that are plenty under what the huge save provides. would I additionally recommend a sprint wide-unfold branch save downtown called Century 21 (no family members to national homestead broker of a similar call). you may get products there at a good purchase, and that's some thing which will extra healthful properly with you funds. Now, I easily have given you some advice which will coming hady on your holiday to ny. i'm hoping this recommendation replaced into very effective and luxuriate on your holiday. happy holidays community New Yorker.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    Meals are expensive so if your meals are not included you will be spending at least 100 a day on food. Purchasing clothing is totally unnecessary since at home you can get the same thing for 50% less.

    A store pays minimum 50k a month rent. Now you know why things are expensive There are bargains to be had but for tourists to locate them is impossible. Be careful buy knockoffs from street vendors because the police to ticket and confiscate such items

  • 1 decade ago

    Try to know out some of the unesscessarys of the trip. Like maybe treat yourself to Coke the last night and water the first few. Just don't try to buy stuff you can't buy cheaper.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    VERY VERY VERY VERY EXPENSIVE

    if i were you i wouldn't was my money getting things like- M&M's from m&m world, you can get them somewhere else but since they are made there they are more expensive...spend your money wisely

    new york is outrageously expensive

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