Best way to book a trip to NYC?

[PrettyScotland]

TUI? Thomas Cook? Travel Republic? Or just book hotel and flights separately? Looking for one week next May, solo female...

Also. Best way (as in cost effective but not too complicated) to get from JFK to central?

I booked independently. Flight Heathrow to La Guardia, taxi to hotel. First time I stayed in Bryant Park, second time I stayed in a lesser hotel nearer to Macy’s.

BA holidays does good deals - i normally book seperate flights and hotels but next time i go i will check out the deals on BA and theres a lot of savings

i normally get the train or subway from JFK to penn station and walk to my hotel as im normally around that area when i stay

Also I know it's a stupid question but what's the best way to carry travel money? I'm assuming around £200 in cash for tips and convenience etc but is there a travel card I can put the rest on for shopping and eating out? If I use my normal credit card I'll get charged extra abroad? Sorry I've not travelled abroad for a few years and never in America...

Independent. Jetblue is really good. We were so impressed dh looked into their credit card and how to build up points.

We book a lot of hilton stays using double and triple points offers. Last time we stayed in the Hampton Inn in brooklyn with breakfast included, 8 min walk from dekalp subway that gets you to the edge of central park in 25 mins and just across the bridge from downtown/Chinatown. It was very near to dumbo for fabulous views, great pizza, walk across brooklyn Bridge.

even if you don't stay in Brooklyn you should visit and eat in time out market. It's like food stalls of great restaurants. No booking and easy to eat alone. See also Chelsea Market (another essential before or after the high line) and I ate in the Spanish Market below Hudson yards (other end of the High line). We also ate in dekalp Market.

Any filter on booking.com that suits you not a bad way to go for hotels.

It's really easy to get about by subway. We previously stayed in hilton times Square which is central but right slap bang in the midst of tourist central which I don't love.

You'll have a fab time.

It's really easy to train it in from either airport. Don't get a taxi the traffic is a nightmare. Takes ages costs a fortune.

What credit card should I get / use? Like a temporary one...

@PrettyScotland we have a Halifax clarity credit card that I took out when I went to Florida several years ago.
Use it mainly for when we are abroad

Flight + hotel option on British Airways.

Revolut card for payment.

We booked flights and hotel separtely this year, hotel via Booking.com, we could cancel until the week before.

But we also booked as a package via BA or Virgin.

Cards - no idea, sorry. We have a Nationwide one and that doesn't do extra fees.

I booked through BA. Prices seemed better than separately. I have a clarity credit card by Halifax with is no fee and gives a hood exchange rate - also useful for booking stuff before you go. We have had to book Amtrak and some attraction tickets.

There is another one that has no fees and gives cashback but I think that's a debit card. Cannot remember what it's called.

I think you can get an air train and then change to metro to get to the centre.

I have Revolut card and a Starling card. I just transfer money from my regular bank account and there are no fees for exchanging. They are virtual cards on my phone.

I have a Monzo card that's not related to my main account and always transfer spending money there. They don't charge fees and I really like their app in terms of how you can see easily what you've spent and where you've spent it.

We went in December and found the train, then subway easy from the airport (there are lots of staff at the ticket machines at JFK if you're tired and just need a bit of help).

We booked hotel through booking.com for free cancellation and picked one of the cheapest in the area we wanted and main pre requisite was that it had private bathroom, 24 hour desk, near a subway. It was loads nicer than the photos.

We actually wanted to be in a touristy area for convenience. It was DH first visit so we wanted to do all the obvious stuff and soak up the NYE and Christmas atmosphere but I'd happily stay in most areas of Manhattan as well as Brooklyn, depending on what you want to see and times of day.

Although Manhattan is relatively small, you can be slowed down by crowds, constant traffic lights if on foot. Subway is fine, not as slick as London underground on terms of information, entrance and exits and the trains didn't seem quite as frequent.

Have a great time, we loved it!!

We always use Expedia, been several times. Airtrain from Jfk. Get off at Jamaica Station. Pay as you exit. Then buy metro card from newsagent stand, go down in escalater and get E train into Manhattan. Can also get LIRR from here too.

We preload a Caxton Card with the currency of whatever country we are visiting.

I know NYC will never be quiet but is May a good time to avoid huge crowds? I'm so excited guys. Shopping, food, drink, museums, parks to wander around. I've finally found my destination ♥️

New York City is incredible, you will have a fabulous time, I’m jealous!

It will always be busy but we visited once in late May and it was great, much less crowded than our December visit a couple of years before. Weather was wonderful too.

Agree with pp about booking flights/accommodation separately, you’ll have so much more choice. I can recommend the Arlo hotels, they’re not cheap but not extortionate either. If you want to save money you could also stay outside Manhattan, it’s so easy to get in and out on the subway.

I wouldn’t bother taking much cash as you won’t need it. I use a Monzo card and have never had any issues.

We went in May this year, the weather was perfect and it wasn't horrendously busy.
We booked hotel + flights with BA.
we stayed at Park Hotel South (Hyatt group). Location was great - 2 steps from a subway station and a great bagel shop next door for breakfast.
We did Airtrain from JFK to Jamaica and then subway to Manhattan.
It was a wonderful holiday, I would go back tomorrow.

Cheapest way to the centre from JJK is a vanshare. It will drop you to your hotel and you book for your return. It was so convenient and cheap.

I have travelled solo multiple times and book everything separately. Check multiple sites to compute the hotel price and check for discount codes eg booking.com has 10% cheaper mobile only rates.

Another vote for Arlo in NoMad - fabulous locatiom room and stunning views. Go to the rooftop if you book! When I visited, they had a voucher for hiring the public bikes. I really enjoyed cycling in Manhattan. Felt easier than in London as the cycle paths are well-developed.

Yes to Starling. I’m currently in the Middle East and using it everywhere. So convenient.

Check out Free Tours on Foot - pay what you want guided walking tours. I did a few of these and they were great.

TodayTix for discounted theatre. Visit a comedy club.

NYC is he best city for exploring on foot - have good walking shoes!

I booked my hotel via booking.com in Chelsea/West Village and then flights separately. Took the taxi from JFK airport but as others have said it's very pricey.

I actually then took the train down to DC and flew home from there - staying near the White House.

Just used my usual payment by phone and bank card. Note that restaurants still take bank cards away from your table to process and tipping is high - usually 20 percent on meals. It is very expensive in NY and many staff only earn tips.

We got a huge bargain with BA just before Covid. When I rang up the person I spoke to spent ages going through all the times and options to get the cheapest deal. Hotel I’d looked at elsewhere online and wanted was cheaper and we pretty much ended up with a month worth of free car hire.