- Every UK traveller needs an approved ESTA before flying
- Stay in Midtown for first visits, or Brooklyn and Long Island City for value
- The subway costs $3 a ride with a weekly cap
- Book the Statue of Liberty only through the official ferry operator
- Airports
- New York JFK (JFK), Newark (EWR)
- Best time to go
- April-June and September-early December
- Type
- City
New York is the classic long-haul city break: a skyline you already know from a hundred films, world-class museums, Broadway, and neighbourhoods that each feel like a different city. Direct flights from the UK take around eight hours, and the five-hour time difference makes it a surprisingly manageable trip even for a long weekend.
It is not cheap, but with smart choices on where to stay and how to get around, you can see a lot without spending a fortune.
Why go to New York
- Icons: the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, the Empire State Building and Brooklyn Bridge.
- Green space: Central Park and the High Line.
- Culture: the Met, MoMA, the Guggenheim and Broadway shows.
- Food: bagels, pizza by the slice, delis and every cuisine on earth.
Where to stay
| Area | Why stay there |
|---|---|
| Midtown | Central for first visits; Times Square, Fifth Avenue and Broadway |
| Upper West Side | Leafy and residential, next to Central Park and the Natural History Museum |
| Greenwich Village and SoHo | Characterful streets, shopping, cafés |
| Lower Manhattan (FiDi) | Near the Statue of Liberty ferries and 9/11 Memorial; quieter at weekends |
| Williamsburg, Brooklyn | Bars, restaurants and skyline views |
| Long Island City, Queens | Often much cheaper, one or two subway stops from Midtown |
Quoted hotel rates exclude taxes, which add roughly 15% plus a small nightly charge. Always compare the final price.
Top things to do
- Central Park: walk from the Mall to Bethesda Terrace and Bow Bridge, or hire a bike.
- Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island: ferries leave from Battery Park. Statue City Cruises is the only official ticket seller; crown tickets sell out months ahead.
- An observation deck: choose from the Empire State Building, Top of the Rock, Edge or Summit One Vanderbilt.
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art: you could spend a whole day and not see half of it.
- The High Line: an elevated park on an old railway line, ending at Hudson Yards.
- Walk the Brooklyn Bridge: then explore DUMBO and Brooklyn Bridge Park.
- 9/11 Memorial: the outdoor pools are free; the museum is paid.
- A Broadway show: discounted same-day tickets are sold at the TKTS booth in Times Square.
See our USA guide for more ideas across the country.
Getting there and around from the UK
Direct flights from London take about 8 hours westbound and around 7 hours on the way home, with services from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh and other UK airports. Most land at JFK or Newark (EWR).
From JFK, take the AirTrain to Jamaica, then the subway or the faster Long Island Rail Road to Manhattan. From Newark, the AirTrain connects to NJ Transit or Amtrak trains to Penn Station. A yellow cab from JFK to Manhattan has a flat fare plus tolls, tip and surcharges.
British passport holders need an approved ESTA before travel; apply only on the official US government website, where the fee is currently around $40. Check the latest Foreign Office advice.
The subway costs $3 a ride (2026) using OMNY: tap a contactless card or phone at the gate. After 12 paid rides in seven days on the same card, the rest of that week is free.
Best time to visit
April to June and September to early December bring the most comfortable weather. Late November and December are magical, with the Rockefeller Center tree and window displays, but hotel prices peak. July and August are hot and humid. January to March is cold but brings the best hotel deals.
Budget tips
- Stay in Brooklyn or Queens for better hotel value near the subway.
- Ride the free Staten Island Ferry for views of the Statue of Liberty and the skyline.
- Use free sights: Central Park, the High Line, Brooklyn Bridge, Grand Central and the 9/11 Memorial pools.
- Look at sightseeing passes only if you will use several attractions; check current prices.
- Eat cheap and well: pizza slices, food halls and delis. Remember to add tax and an 18-20% tip at sit-down restaurants.
Top attractions in New York
NatureCentral Park
Manhattan's 843-acre green heart, with lakes, meadows, bridges and woodland stretching for 51 blocks between Midtown…
LandmarkStatue of Liberty
The copper colossus in New York Harbor, a gift from France in 1886, visited by ferry with Ellis Island on the same trip.
New York on the map
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an ESTA for New York?
Yes, British citizens travelling under the Visa Waiver Program need an approved ESTA. Apply on the official US government website at least 72 hours before travel; the fee is around $40.
How do I get from JFK to Manhattan?
The cheapest route is the AirTrain to Jamaica, then the subway. The Long Island Rail Road from Jamaica is faster. Taxis charge a flat fare to Manhattan plus extras.
How many days do you need in New York?
Four to five days covers the main sights at a comfortable pace. A long weekend works if you focus on Manhattan and stay central.
Is the Statue of Liberty worth it?
Yes, especially with pedestal or crown access, booked through Statue City Cruises. On a tight budget, the free Staten Island Ferry gives great views of the statue without landing.
Written by
Emma City breaks & deals editor
Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.
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