New York City is one of the most iconic vacation destinations in the world. The Big Apple is filled with so many colors, sights, sounds, and activities that any visit can quickly become the vacation of a lifetime—no matter what experience you’re after.
With so many amazing things to do and see, there’s no way to fit everything the city has to offer into a single trip, so charting out how long you plan to stay will be a significant foundation of your travel itinerary. Allotting at least five days for your vacation will probably be enough to get the most out of your trip, but there are still a number of factors to consider when planning.
Here are some of the main questions to ask when deciding how many days to spend in New York City:
What’s Your Budget?
One of the most important considerations in the duration of your stay will of course be your budget. An NYC vacation can be a pricey endeavor, so planning your budget ahead of time can help you plan out your itinerary better, while getting more out of your stay.
When mapping out your budget, be sure to factor in:
- Travel Expenses (Plane Tickets, Train Tickets, Gas)
- Accommodations
- Food & Beverages
- In-City Travel (Taxis, Buses, Subways)
- Activities
- Shopping
Typically, travelers should plan to spend about $238 per day on their vacation expenses, but depending on the type of vacation you’re taking, this could vary. For a family vacation, the price per person is often lower, since children’s tickets generally cost less and hotel rooms can be shared.
If you plan to stay longer, you can also significantly reduce your day-to-day spending by spreading what you want to do throughout the duration of your vacation. Daily expenses for a week-long vacation can be much higher, for example, than for a month-long vacation.
Although the prices and availability of things such as hotel rooms and airline tickets can fluctuate depending on when you schedule your travel, these day-to-day expenses will greatly influence how long you should plan your visit for.
What Kind of Trip Are You Taking?
The next big determining factor is the type of vacation you’re looking to take. Are you going on a solo adventure, or with your family? Is this a romantic outing, or perhaps a getaway with your girlfriends? Figuring out your ideal travel experience can impact how many days you stay.
How many people do you plan on traveling with? To ensure everyone has a good time, you may have to alter your itinerary to account for the interests of the group.
The quality of your stay could also factor into your daily budget. Whether you're seeking low-cost, or high-end luxury hotels, restaurants and shopping, it will play a big factor into how long you can afford to spend in NYC.
Is This Your First Visit to the City?
With world-famous destinations, shopping, dining and plenty of opportunity for fun adventures, the first time you visit NYC will feel special, and rightly so. After all, you can only experience the city for the first time, once.
The sheer amount of wonders in New York City can be overwhelming for vacation-goers, but especially first-timers. New visitors should set aside more time for their stay to fully embrace the best the city has to offer.
Here are some of essential NYC activities first-timers must check out:
- Visit the Statue of Liberty
- Walk the Highline
- Visit the Observatory at One World Trade Center
- Take a City Tour
- See the Top of the Empire State Building
- Relax in Central Park
- Catch a Broadway Show
- Check Out Times Square
There are so many incredible sights and attractions, listing them all would be impossible, so newcomers should schedule a few extra days to do some exploring and fully appreciate the most popular attractions in the city.
How Many Days Should You Spend in NYC?
While there are plenty of things to consider when plotting out the duration of your vacation, travelers visiting a place as grandiose and exciting as The Big Apple should be prepared to schedule at least five days for their trip.
While you could absolutely have a great two- or three-day vacation, you’ll have to squeeze in all you want to do into a tight itinerary with little room for spontaneous fun or exploration. The more time you give yourself to appreciate and engage with New York City, the more you will ultimately get out of it.
And when mapping out your NYC experience, there’s no better planning companion than InteleTravel.
Our InteleTravel Advisors are experts in everything associated with New York City travel, and will help organize a personalized itinerary to ensure you experience the trip of a lifetime, no matter how many days you plan to spend in NYC.
To get started, contact an InteleTravel Advisor today!
Leave a comment