New York Travel Guide 2026
Broadway, world-class museums, and a skyline that still delivers on every expectation.
Search flightsWhy New York
New York remains the archetype of a big-city trip — Broadway shows, the Met and MoMA, Central Park, and neighborhoods (the Village, Williamsburg, Chinatown) that each feel like their own distinct city within the city.
What to know before you go
Most Western passport holders can enter the US visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program with an ESTA, applied for online before travel — don’t leave this to the last minute, and note it’s a separate process from a visa.
Best time to visit
April-June and September-early November offer the most comfortable weather, avoiding both summer humidity and winter cold, though NYC is a genuine year-round destination.
Getting there
JFK, Newark, and LaGuardia all serve the city with different route mixes — JFK and Newark handle most long-haul international flights.
Getting around
The subway is the fastest way to cover real distance across the city, running 24/7; walking covers most of Manhattan’s tourist core comfortably between stops.
Where to stay
Midtown for proximity to Times Square and Broadway; the Lower East Side or Williamsburg (Brooklyn) for a more local, food-and-nightlife-focused base.
eSIM & connectivity
Coverage is excellent throughout Manhattan and the outer boroughs.
Travel insurance for New York
Genuinely essential — US healthcare costs without insurance can be extremely high, making coverage one of the most important line items for this trip specifically.
Everything else for your trip
Flights
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Pre-book an airport transfer. Fixed price, driver waiting, no haggling on arrival.
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Get an eSIMPractical Info: Culture, Currency & Electricity
Top Attractions
- Central Park
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
- Times Square and Broadway
- Brooklyn Bridge walk
Culture & Etiquette
Tipping is not optional in practice — 18-20% at sit-down restaurants is the real expectation, since service staff are often paid a lower base wage that assumes tips. Sales tax is added at the register, not included in the sticker price, so the final total is always higher than the listed price. New Yorkers walk fast and appreciate the same from visitors, especially on sidewalks and subway platforms.
Currency & Exchanging Money
Currency: US Dollar (USD)
If arriving from abroad, bank-branded ATMs (Chase, Bank of America, Citibank) give a fair mid-market rate; airport exchange counters and Times Square ‘currency exchange’ storefronts carry a real markup. A no-foreign-fee travel card generally beats carrying cash altogether in a city this card-friendly.
Been here? Rate your currency-exchange experience below to help other travelers.
Electricity & Adapters
Voltage: 120V, 60Hz
Plug type: A and B (flat 2-pin/3-pin)
If your home plug type doesn’t match, bring a universal travel adapter — it’s the one item worth packing regardless of destination.