by Angela Mullin

Created on: May 25, 2007   Last Updated: August 30, 2009

New York City - On a Student Budget

"Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today, I want to be a part of it, New York, New York!" The Big Apple, The City that Never Sleeps- whatever you want to call, New York City means one thing: an unforgettable holiday. Here are some top tips for exploring the city without re-mortgaging the house.

Transport
To get around the city, the subway is your best bet. An unlimited daily ticket is $7, and a one-week travel card costs $24 well worth it if you're planning to see as much of the city as possible. Ignore scare-stories warning you to stay off the subway after 7pm: as long as you travel in numbers, the subway is perfectly safe after dark. Subway maps can take some getting used to, but if you remember uptown means all trains travelling north, and downtown all trains travelling south, you won't go far wrong.

Taxis are not cheap with the heavy New York traffic and the compulsory tip, expect to pay $10 for even a short cab ride. Though you can't go home without at least once waving your arm out and hailing a TAX-AY!' Carrie Fisher-style.

Food
Most hostels don't serve breakfast, so a diner breakfast will set you back about $10 not including the tip. New Yorkers don't do things by halves and this includes their food portions. Don't let the twenty-stone American's spilling out of their seats nearby put you off your pancakes though sure won't you burn up the calories sight-seeing! On the plus side, a traditional New York diner brekkie will fill you for the whole day, saving you the price of lunch.

There are restaurants and cafes in central New York to suit any taste and budget vegetarian, burger joints, halal, even low-carb for the Atkins follower. Don't forget to tip - a 15-20% tip on the overall price of the bill is expected. Leave anything less than this and the waitress may run after you shouting "You must leave seven dollars, SEVEN DOLLARS!" Yes, that was kind of embarrassing...

Nightlife
New Yorkers prefer late bars to nightclubs. Most bars stay open until four or five in the morning. Greenwich Village has a good student scene, with dozens of bars to choose from. If you really want to dance, expect to pay a $20 cover charge for a decent club.

Drinks at a bar can be pricey, so buy some cheap beer at one of the many convenience stores before heading out. You can buy a six-pack of beer for as little as $4. Don't forget you must be over 21 to drink in the US ID is essential.
If a night at a Broadway Show is your thing, be prepared

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