New York City is one of the must-see places on many people’s list of travel destinations. It is home to numerous museums and art galleries, and also hosts the world’s very best theater and musicals. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most expensive places in the world, and that can put many people off going there. Luckily, there are lots of ways that you can cut down on expenses in New York, and even people with very limited budgets can enjoy a visit to this great city.

Accommodation
There is always a demand for accommodation, so discounts in mainstream hotels are hard to come by. If you are not averse to sharing rooms with strangers, then New York has many good-quality hostels at a fraction of the price of hotels.

Websites like Airbnb carry listings of rooms to rent in people’s homes and apartments. These can range from good value, but basic, apartments all the way to luxury penthouses. Make sure you read the customer reviews before committing to renting one of these.

Getting Around
Avoid tourist buses. These are convenient and might seem ideal for a family sightseeing tour in New York, but you pay a lot of money for them. Use public transport instead. You can buy aMetroCard that lets you travel on the subway and city bus services at a much lower cost. If you intend to use public transport a lot, buying a MetroCard is also cheaper than paying for each individual journey.

It’s easy to find your way around NYC. Manhattan is laid out in a grid pattern, and you only need a decent street map to help you get around. The city is fairly flat, so you will not be too bothered if you are reasonably fit. Another option is to rent bikes, although you do have to be aware of the traffic if you take this option. A lot of the must-see attractions are within a reasonable walking distance from central Manhattan. However, walking is not recommended during the hot summer months.

Shopping
Ask for discounts at checkout. Many outlets offer discounts for foreigners and out-of-state visitors, so bring proof if you qualify.

Eating
You pay a premium for sitting in a diner or restaurant to have your meals. You can save substantially by buying take-outs and finding a nice park bench on which to enjoy them. Look out for happy hours; lots of catering establishments offer discounts during quieter periods.

If you want more money-saving ideas, check out this advice on Tripadvisor.