Please help me book flights for New York, tips for NY

[Newyearhwre]

Hello, could someone please give me some tips how to book flights to New York.
Best season, best time, best airport, what to avoid etc…
I never booked translantic flight before, only ever booked European flight into tiny airport with one plane flying per day.
Also what visa I should look into as we are mixed nationality family, I’m EU National and husband and child are both British.
I feel silly asking all this however I got no clue.
we are looking to going only for few days, maybe pro longed weekend etc.

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Hi there how exciting NYC is my fav place ever. Ive been 5 times and cant wait to go back!!. With regard to flights best time to go etc its really depends on yourself. I have been at xmas time sooooo busy . Been at easter time better weather but mainly go in jan as its quieter cheaper and i love cold weather so works for me!! I usually book thru either ba on virgin and do a package as it works out cheaper and you can get better hotels prices. Flying from heathrow or manchester there is no real diff in time etc. If you are going for a few days only then i would suggest midtown to stay as close to alot. But i always stay downtown as cheaper much quieter and feels so much calmer than times square. You will be super tired when you get back as you will want to fit in as much as you can. I never take taxi etc as i prefer there buses. U can buy a subway card which you can also on the MTA buses. I think its great that you can see so much of the city from a bus as appose to the underground subway its less busy and you can hop on and off if you like the look of an area on the bus jump off and then get back later. I went this year and my the prices for food etc are really expensive at min but as there portions are big i found a breakfast and tea is all you really need. Walking alot so make sure you wear comfy footwear and the weather can be so predictable so always layer up as the shops etc are soooo hot inside. I could type a essay on NYC i love it soooo much
Feel free to ask anything i am more than happy to help

Also sorry most important thing you must apply for a ESTA vis before you travel for each individual traveling. As without it you wont be allowed entry to the US

@Grapejam many thanks for your reply. Very helpful.

I am also planning a trip in October so watching this thread.

We are looking at booking a flight and hotel package with BA. Sale on with discount and room upgrades if you book before end of Jan.

Attraction wise we are looking at statements Isla's ferry, Ellis Island, broadway show, ballet, central park (supposed to be lovely in fall) and possibly day trip to Washington DC.

How exciting... BA have some good deals on hotels and flights. Are you going for a while ?
Ive never been in oct before but can imagine it will be lovely in central park that time of year

No problem you will have the most amazing time

Yes for UK, apply for ESTA (visa exemption) it’s a long form but not expensive and you get approved quite quickly. They won’t let you check in to the flight unless the passport shows it has the ESTA. Not sure if it’s the same for EU passports but would assume so!

New York at any time is amazing, January quiet, late spring is warm and lovely blossoms. Summer I would assume gets hot but all buildings have AC. Autumn is gorgeous coz of the leaves and lead up to Xmas is magical too although mega busy like London.

Stay up late on your first night to get accustomed to time change, jet lag is not so bad on the way out but be prepared to be out of action for a couple days when your return to UK! It’s worse going east. You’ll likely have a redeye flight home (they’re cheaper I think) and need a day to recover. That’s how I always do it anyways!

Last time I stayed not far from Times Sq as the hotel was being refurbished outside and I got a great deal! I love Brooklyn but it’s now more expensive than Manhattan! Lol. Use citymapper and take the subway, if you fly to JFK you can buy a metropass at the airport and you’ll need it to use the airport shuttle to the subway station, unless they’ve got contactless up and running there now. Most of the transport network accepts contactless cards to pay for travel same as TfL, get a starling or monzo and just tap away (no fees). Every time I’ve flown from a London airport it’s gone to JFK although I’ve also had a connecting flight to La Guardia.

Google Flights, skyscanner and momondo are your best friends!