Cheap city break New York
New York is The City: Empire State, Times Square, Central Park and the best bagels in the world. Four seasons of energy, 24h life, 800+ languages. Flights from Schiphol from €400 return, 5 days from €1100 per person.
✈️ Plan your trip to New York →When is the best time to go?
April to June and September to October: 15-25 degrees, perfect for walking. Avoid July/August (35+, humid). December has Times Square and the Rockefeller Christmas tree.
The best neighborhoods in New York
- Manhattan / Midtown Empire State, Times Square, Central Park.
- Brooklyn / Williamsburg Hipster capital.
- Lower East Side Cocktail bars and speakeasies.
- West Village Charming streets, romantic.
- Harlem Authentic, soul food, jazz clubs.
Top 5 things to do in New York
- Central Park Free, 4 km long, in the heart of the city.
- Brooklyn Bridge walk Free, 30 min, best skyline view.
- Top of the Rock Better than Empire State, €40.
- Pizza at Joe's Slice for €3 since 1975.
- MoMA €25, first Friday of the month free after 4pm.
Flights + transport from the Netherlands
Directly from Schiphol to JFK (JFK) in 8 hour 30 minutes. KLM, Delta, United. AirTrain + Subway to Manhattan €13 in 75 minutes. Subway locally €3 per ride.
What costs a trip to New York?
Hostels from €40, mid-range hotels €200 to 350, vacation rentals €180 per night. Food: pizza slice €3, deli sandwich €15, restaurant dinner €35 to 60. A 20% tip is expected.
Practical: flights, prices and an insider tip
From Schiphol, KLM, Delta and United fly direct to New York in around 8 to 9 hours, with the return trip a bit shorter thanks to the jet stream. Return tickets start near 450 to 500 euro when you book early. The classics are the Empire State Building (around 46 dollars), Top of the Rock (from around 45 dollars) and the ferry to the Statue of Liberty (around 25.50 dollars, including Ellis Island). Insider tip: the free Staten Island Ferry gives you a stunning view of the skyline and the Statue of Liberty without paying a cent. Hotels quickly cost from roughly 150 to 250 euro per night.
Comparable destinations
Find New York interesting? Check out these cities in the same region:
Plan better with these guides
Practical tips to get more travel value from the same budget:
🗺️ Where do you want to stay in New York?
Hotels, vacation rentals and hostels in New York on the map. Click a pin for live prices and direct booking.
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Frequently asked questions about New York
When is the best time to visit New York?
April to June and September to October: 15-25 degrees, perfect for walking.
Which neighborhood is best to stay in New York?
Manhattan / Midtown is a good first choice: Empire State, Times Square, Central Park.
How do I get from the Netherlands to New York?
Directly from Schiphol to JFK (JFK) in 8 hour 30 minutes.
What costs a trip to New York?
Hostels from €40, mid-range hotels €200 to 350, vacation rentals €180 per night.
Do I need an ESTA for New York?
Yes, as a Dutch citizen you need an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) to enter the US without a visa. An ESTA costs $21 and is valid for two years or multiple trips. Apply via the official US government ESTA website (esta.cbp.dhs.gov); avoid providers who charge extra fees. The application takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Approval usually follows within 72 hours, but apply at least 3 days before departure.