Search train tickets to New York City

If you’re visiting New York and hoping to find budget-friendly accommodations, you’re best off avoiding most of Manhattan — at least from Central Park on south. Consider staying further afield in Queens, Harlem or across the Hudson in Hoboken, New Jersey. All are still accessible to downtown attractions, but will cost you far less than a hotel in Midtown.

If you are willing to spend a bit more and want to be near a lot of bar and food options, the East Village and the Lower East Side are two terrific parts of town to consider. Brooklyn is also a somewhat more budget-friendly location with a full life of its own, meaning you won’t even need to venture into Manhattan.

The most expensive accommodations you’ll find are in Midtown and nearby areas like Hell’s Kitchen and the Upper East Side. While they will cost you far more, you’ll be in walking distance of Times Square, Fifth Avenue and Central Park, which is a big perk.

In general, the great thing about visiting New York is that there are always things going on closeby, no matter where you’re staying. After all, it’s the city that never sleeps.

Many people get around New York City by walking. Not many own a car in the city, so the most cheap and convenient forms of transportation besides walking are taking the MTA subway or a bus.

The closest subway station to New York Penn Station is 34th Street-Penn Station, which services the 1, 2, and 3 subway lines, making it convenient for train travelers to step off of Amtrak and jump right on the subway.

If you want to use public transportation while in New York, you will need to purchase a metro ticket from one of the self-serve kiosks in most New York subway stations. The cost of a single-ride subway ticket is $3.00, or $2.75 if paid with a MetroCard.

A popular destination for television fans is Central Perk, modeled after the coffee shop in the hit TV show “Friends.”

For travelers looking for a more moving and introspective experience, consider The 9/11 Memorial. There you’ll find all the names of the people who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, and can see where the Twin Towers used to stand.

For fans of art, walk the elevated High Line walkway down to the gorgeous Whitney Museum of American Art.

A great local restaurant in New York is Brindle Room. They serve American comfort food in sizeable portions, while also being reasonably priced.

Another good option is Park Avenue Tavern, located right down the street from Grand Central Station. It’s an upscale bar on the edge of Murray Hill, and includes a self-service tap system alongside American food favorites.

Arriving into or departing from Penn Station? Grab a cheap bagel and schmear at Liberty Bagels, just a block north on 35th Street.

Train routes to New York are known for their beautiful fall foliage, whether you’re taking the Adirondack down from Montreal or the Acela Express (or Northeast Regional) down from Boston. While the trip to New York is scenic in any season, autumn is special in that regard.

Amtrak has 1,034 routes to New York, coming from 614 destinations, which means there are tons of options to choose from when deciding which train to take. Amtrak Acela alone has 127 daily routes to New York City coming from 13 destinations.