New York for the first time
New York works out pricier than people calculate, and not because of the prices you see but the ones you don't: tax and tips get added afterwards.
The ESTA is mandatory
First things first: to enter the United States without a visa you need ESTA authorisation, applied for online in advance. Use only the official US government site; many pages charge a commission for the same thing. And check your passport validity.
What to see in five days
Lower Manhattan on day one (Statue of Liberty from the free Staten Island Ferry, Wall Street, the 9/11 memorial). Day two, Midtown: Times Square, Rockefeller and Fifth Avenue. Day three, Central Park and one of the great museums. Day four, Brooklyn across the bridge. Day five, neighbourhoods: the Village, Chelsea, the High Line.
Tax and tipping
This is what catches everyone out. Shop and restaurant prices exclude tax, added at the till. And table-service restaurants expect a tip, usually 18 to 20 percent. A dinner advertised at 30 dollars will come to about 40.
Getting around
The subway runs 24 hours and is the best way to move. Pay with a contactless card straight at the turnstile, nothing to buy. Manhattan also walks very well: the streets are numbered and it's hard to get lost.
What's free and worth it
The Staten Island Ferry with its Statue of Liberty view, the High Line, walking Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, and several museums with free days or time slots. That alone fills three days.
When to go
April and May, September and October. Summer is humid and stifling, winter is bitterly cold, though December has an atmosphere many find worth the cold.
Budget
One of the most expensive destinations there is: 150 to 250 euros per person per day excluding flights. Accommodation is the worst of it. Staying in Queens or Brooklyn with good subway links saves a lot.
The classic mistake
Trying to see everything. New York holds more than fits in one trip, and rushing between sights leaves you exhausted having enjoyed nothing. Three things a day, maximum.
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