United States / City planning guide

New York, planned in the right order

New York punishes guesswork in two places: the ride in from the airport and the tickets that sell out. This page sets out the airport choice by price and group size, what to book before you fly, what to leave for the day, and what your hotel bill really adds, each linked to a guide checked against official pages.

10 of 24 guides checked against official sources · others are editorial previews

The New York City skyline across the water in the United States

Photography credits ↗

40.71° N
74.01° W

Country / area: United States
Time zone identifier: America/New_York
Currency reference: USD
Airport connections: EWR · JFK · LGA

Geographic data is source-imported. Transport, payment, and entry details need current verification. Read our source notes ↗

PLAN NEW YORK IN ORDER

Decisions to make before you travel

Which airport, and how in? From JFK, AirTrain plus the subway is $11.75 and AirTrain plus the LIRR $14 off-peak or $16 at peak. A yellow cab is a $70 flat fare to Manhattan plus $6.75 in surcharges for most Midtown trips, then tolls and tip. From Newark, NJ Transit to Penn Station is $17.25 with AirTrain included. From LaGuardia, the Q70 bus is free to the Jackson Heights subway, so the whole trip is one $3 fare (Port Authority, MTA, TLC and NJ Transit, checked 19 October 2026).
What sells out? Statue of Liberty pedestal and crown places. Every Statue ticket is a $26 adult ferry ticket from Statue City Cruises, the only seller the National Park Service authorises, and pedestal or crown access adds just $0.30, but the numbers are limited.
What is free? The 9/11 Memorial pools, the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty, and the Q70 airport bus. The 9/11 Museum underneath is $24 to $36, with free Monday-evening tickets released online at 7 a.m. ET that day.
What is pay-what-you-wish? At the Met, only for New York State residents and New York, New Jersey and Connecticut students. Everyone else pays $30.
What does a hotel night really cost? Add 14.75% in sales and hotel taxes plus $3.50 per room per night: $47.75 on a $300 room.

Your planning order

Airport to Manhattan at a glance

From	Cheapest public route (adult)	Taxi	Best for
JFK	$11.75 AirTrain + subway; $14–16 with LIRR	$70 flat + surcharges, tolls, tip	Train solo or as a pair; cab for four with bags
Newark	$17.25 NJ Transit to Penn Station	About $60–80 by zone + extras	Train for one or two
LaGuardia	$3: free Q70 bus + subway	About $30–52 to Times Square before extras	Bus for light luggage

Fares checked 19 October 2026 on the Port Authority, MTA, TLC and NJ Transit pages linked in each guide.

Sights: what to book and what to leave

Sight	Adult price checked 19 October 2026	Booking
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island	$26; pedestal or crown +$0.30	Book early for pedestal and crown
9/11 Museum	$24–$36; Memorial free	Timed tickets; free Monday evenings released that morning
The Met	$30; pay what you wish for NY residents and NY/NJ/CT students	Same-day entry to The Met Cloisters included
Observation decks	From $42 (Top of the Rock, Edge) to $46 (Empire State 86th floor)	Timed; sunset costs more
Broadway via TKTS	20–50% off the show's price, $8 fee included	Same day, in person only

If this is your situation

What to recheck before you go

Several prices here changed in 2026, including NJ Transit fares from 1 July, and some official pages lag behind each other. Each guide names the page it follows and the date it was checked; open that page again for your travel dates, especially for crown tickets, deck sunset slots and the 9/11 Museum's Tuesday opening days.

Checked against official sources

New York guides to read next

New York / Airports

JFK to Manhattan: AirTrain, Subway, LIRR or Taxi Costs

JFK to Manhattan costs $11.75 by AirTrain and subway, $14–16 with the LIRR, or a $70 taxi flat fare plus $6.75–11.75 in surcharges, then tolls and tip.

Official sources checked 2026-10-19

New York / Airports

Newark Airport to Manhattan: Train, Bus or Taxi Costs

Newark Airport to Manhattan: NJ Transit to New York Penn Station costs $17.25 with AirTrain included, about 30 minutes; the Express bus is $23.50; taxis $60–80 plus extras.

Official sources checked 2026-10-19

New York / Airports

LaGuardia to Manhattan: Free Q70, M60 Bus or Taxi Costs

LaGuardia to Manhattan: the free Q70 bus runs to the Jackson Heights subway, so the trip costs one $3 fare; the M60 is $3 to Harlem. Taxis to Midtown about $30–52 plus extras.

Official sources checked 2026-10-19

New York / Practical information

Statue of Liberty Tickets: Crown, Pedestal and Ferry Prices

Statue of Liberty tickets are sold only by Statue City Cruises: $26 adults, $17 ages 4–12, $23 seniors 62+. Pedestal or crown adds $0.30; both sell out early.

Official sources checked 2026-10-19

New York / Practical information

9/11 Memorial and Museum Tickets: Prices, Free Hours, Bags

The 9/11 Memorial is free, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. daily. Museum admission is $24–$36, timed and booked ahead; free Monday-evening tickets drop online at 7 a.m. ET.

Official sources checked 2026-10-19

New York / Practical information

Empire State vs Top of the Rock vs Edge vs Summit: NYC Decks

Starting prices: Top of the Rock and Edge from $42, SUMMIT from $44, Empire State 86th floor from $46. Heights, open-air decks, sunset pricing and who each suits.

Official sources checked 2026-10-19

New York / Practical information

Met Museum Tickets: $30 Price and Pay-What-You-Wish Rules

The Met charges $30 for adults, $22 seniors 65+, $17 students; kids 12 and under free. Pay what you wish is only for New York State residents and NY, NJ and CT students.

Official sources checked 2026-10-19

New York / Practical information

Staten Island Ferry: Free Ride, Schedule and Statue Views

The Staten Island Ferry is free and runs around the clock from Whitehall: every 30 minutes, every 15–20 at weekday peaks, 25 minutes each way past the Statue of Liberty.

Official sources checked 2026-10-19

New York / Practical information

TKTS Booth NYC: Broadway Discounts, Hours and Payment

TKTS sells same-day Broadway and Off-Broadway seats and next-day matinees at 20–50% off, plus an $8 fee, at Times Square and Lincoln Center. In person only; cards or cash.

Official sources checked 2026-10-19

New York / Accommodation

NYC Hotel Tax: 14.75% Plus $3.50 a Night, Explained

A New York City hotel room carries 8.875% sales tax, 5.875% city hotel tax, $2 per room per night and a $1.50 state unit fee: $47.75 a night on a $300 room.

Official sources checked 2026-10-19

Other New York guides

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Why American Chains Look Identical: Franchising Explained for Visitors

The franchise model behind American chain restaurants, why menus and prices still differ by location and state, and how ordering works for a first-time visitor.