My Travel Choices

MTC cost guide

How much does a week in New York City cost?

A Manhattan-based week: one Midtown or downtown hotel, subway and local buses under the seven-day fare cap, the JFK AirTrain both ways and a Metropolitan Museum day. Hotels and hotel taxes dominate every tier.

Scope, dates and party

These are dated ground-cost examples for two adults sharing one room, staying six nights over seven days, 10–16 November 2026. International flights, visas, insurance and shopping are excluded. They are planning examples, not live booking offers or year-round price ranges.

What is specific to this budget

  • Each hotel line is the dated room price, with the supplier's taxes as a separate line counted once.
  • The budget, mid-range and luxury tiers are led by the hotel: each tier is one named, date-matched hotel, and baskets A and B mainly change the food and activity mix; in some scopes (for example Rio) a basket also swaps transport, such as a private tour replacing bus trips. A higher hotel tier does not imply luxury dining or private transport.
  • What changes the bill most: the hotel you pick, the season and exact dates, and whether you keep to public transport. Party composition and room requirements can change pricing; these examples are for two adults in one room, so a different party needs repricing rather than linear multiplication.

Subway fare cap vs AirTrain payment

The subway and local-bus fare cap applies per adult over a rolling seven days and is tied to one card or phone, so each adult needs their own payment method. The JFK AirTrain is not inside the cap and is paid per person each way.

The examples pay the AirTrain separately for each adult. JFK currently lists a cheaper group fare when one card pays for up to five people within five minutes; for two adults this gives a small optional saving, but the examples keep separate payments.

Dated cost examples

Six dated, itemised examples from 2026-11-10 to 2026-11-16: 6 nights and 7 days for two adults sharing one room, which is 14 person-days. Prices are as observed in September 2026, cover ground costs only, and are not multiplied out to other party sizes or trip lengths.

Dated planning estimate for two adults sharing one room, 10–16 November 2026, seven days/six nights. Flights excluded. Actual prices, availability, taxes and transport timing may differ; see the assumptions.

Each adult uses their own card or phone for the USD 35 seven-day subway cap. The AirTrain is paid separately; a shared group payment could save USD 8.50 but is not assumed.

Budget · Example A

Total for two adults

2,991.20 USD

213.66 USD per person per ground day

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  • The Empire Hotel — room rate for 6 nights

    1 × 1,773.6 USD (one room for 6 nights) = 1,773.6 USD ≈ 1,773.60 USD

    Dated room price for 6 nights, 10–16 November 2026, for two adults. Room type, board and cancellation terms were not fully shown. Not a checkout quote.

  • The Empire Hotel — estimated supplier taxes, counted once

    1 × 282.6 USD (full stay tax estimate) = 282.6 USD ≈ 282.60 USD

    Nightly supplier tax fields multiplied by the nights, counted once. No extra generic tax is added.

  • Subway and local bus, rolling seven-day fare cap

    2 × 35 USD (adult rolling seven-day cap) = 70 USD ≈ 70.00 USD

    USD 35 cap per adult per payment card or phone over a rolling seven days.

  • JFK AirTrain, both ways (paid separately per adult)

    4 × 8.75 USD (adult one-way journey) = 35 USD ≈ 35.00 USD

    USD 8.75 per adult each way, paid separately. Paying for both adults with one card within five minutes can cost USD 13.25 each way (saving USD 8.50 over the trip); each adult still needs their own card or phone for the subway cap.

  • Metropolitan Museum admission

    2 × 30 USD (adult visit) = 60 USD ≈ 60.00 USD

  • Breakfast allowance

    14 × 9 USD (adult meal) = 126 USD ≈ 126.00 USD

    Food bought independently; no hotel meal plan is assumed.

  • Lunch allowance

    14 × 13 USD (adult meal) = 182 USD ≈ 182.00 USD

    Food bought independently; no hotel meal plan is assumed.

  • Dinner allowance

    14 × 26 USD (adult meal) = 364 USD ≈ 364.00 USD

    Food bought independently; no hotel meal plan is assumed.

  • Coffee allowance

    14 × 7 USD (cup) = 98 USD ≈ 98.00 USD

    Food bought independently; no hotel meal plan is assumed.

  • Drinking water

    0 × 0 USD (refill owned bottle where potable) = 0 USD ≈ 0.00 USD

    Tap-water refills assumed, so no bottled water is bought; adjust for your own needs.

Hotel-led tier with the listed food and transport basket. A dated example, not an annual price range or a live quote; hotel board terms were not shown.

Budget · Example B

Total for two adults

3,551.20 USD

253.66 USD per person per ground day

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  • The Empire Hotel — room rate for 6 nights

    1 × 1,773.6 USD (one room for 6 nights) = 1,773.6 USD ≈ 1,773.60 USD

    Dated room price for 6 nights, 10–16 November 2026, for two adults. Room type, board and cancellation terms were not fully shown. Not a checkout quote.

  • The Empire Hotel — estimated supplier taxes, counted once

    1 × 282.6 USD (full stay tax estimate) = 282.6 USD ≈ 282.60 USD

    Nightly supplier tax fields multiplied by the nights, counted once. No extra generic tax is added.

  • Subway and local bus, rolling seven-day fare cap

    2 × 35 USD (adult rolling seven-day cap) = 70 USD ≈ 70.00 USD

    USD 35 cap per adult per payment card or phone over a rolling seven days.

  • JFK AirTrain, both ways (paid separately per adult)

    4 × 8.75 USD (adult one-way journey) = 35 USD ≈ 35.00 USD

    USD 8.75 per adult each way, paid separately. Paying for both adults with one card within five minutes can cost USD 13.25 each way (saving USD 8.50 over the trip); each adult still needs their own card or phone for the subway cap.

  • Metropolitan Museum admission

    2 × 30 USD (adult visit) = 60 USD ≈ 60.00 USD

  • Breakfast allowance

    14 × 18 USD (adult meal) = 252 USD ≈ 252.00 USD

    Food bought independently; no hotel meal plan is assumed.

  • Lunch allowance

    14 × 25 USD (adult meal) = 350 USD ≈ 350.00 USD

    Food bought independently; no hotel meal plan is assumed.

  • Dinner allowance

    14 × 45 USD (adult meal) = 630 USD ≈ 630.00 USD

    Food bought independently; no hotel meal plan is assumed.

  • Coffee allowance

    14 × 7 USD (cup) = 98 USD ≈ 98.00 USD

    Food bought independently; no hotel meal plan is assumed.

  • Drinking water

    0 × 0 USD (refill owned bottle where potable) = 0 USD ≈ 0.00 USD

    Tap-water refills assumed, so no bottled water is bought; adjust for your own needs.

Hotel-led tier with the listed food and transport basket. A dated example, not an annual price range or a live quote; hotel board terms were not shown.

Mid-range · Example A

Total for two adults

3,213.08 USD

229.51 USD per person per ground day

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  • Crowne Plaza HY36 Midtown Manhattan by IHG — room rate for 6 nights

    1 × 1,966.98 USD (one room for 6 nights) = 1,966.98 USD ≈ 1,966.98 USD

    Dated room price for 6 nights, 10–16 November 2026, for two adults. Room type, board and cancellation terms were not fully shown. Not a checkout quote.

  • Crowne Plaza HY36 Midtown Manhattan by IHG — estimated supplier taxes, counted once

    1 × 311.1 USD (full stay tax estimate) = 311.1 USD ≈ 311.10 USD

    Nightly supplier tax fields multiplied by the nights, counted once. No extra generic tax is added.

  • Subway and local bus, rolling seven-day fare cap

    2 × 35 USD (adult rolling seven-day cap) = 70 USD ≈ 70.00 USD

    USD 35 cap per adult per payment card or phone over a rolling seven days.

  • JFK AirTrain, both ways (paid separately per adult)

    4 × 8.75 USD (adult one-way journey) = 35 USD ≈ 35.00 USD

    USD 8.75 per adult each way, paid separately. Paying for both adults with one card within five minutes can cost USD 13.25 each way (saving USD 8.50 over the trip); each adult still needs their own card or phone for the subway cap.

  • Metropolitan Museum admission

    2 × 30 USD (adult visit) = 60 USD ≈ 60.00 USD

  • Breakfast allowance

    14 × 9 USD (adult meal) = 126 USD ≈ 126.00 USD

    Food bought independently; no hotel meal plan is assumed.

  • Lunch allowance

    14 × 13 USD (adult meal) = 182 USD ≈ 182.00 USD

    Food bought independently; no hotel meal plan is assumed.

  • Dinner allowance

    14 × 26 USD (adult meal) = 364 USD ≈ 364.00 USD

    Food bought independently; no hotel meal plan is assumed.

  • Coffee allowance

    14 × 7 USD (cup) = 98 USD ≈ 98.00 USD

    Food bought independently; no hotel meal plan is assumed.

  • Drinking water

    0 × 0 USD (refill owned bottle where potable) = 0 USD ≈ 0.00 USD

    Tap-water refills assumed, so no bottled water is bought; adjust for your own needs.

Hotel-led tier with the listed food and transport basket. A dated example, not an annual price range or a live quote; hotel board terms were not shown.

Mid-range · Example B

Total for two adults

3,773.08 USD

269.51 USD per person per ground day

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  • Crowne Plaza HY36 Midtown Manhattan by IHG — room rate for 6 nights

    1 × 1,966.98 USD (one room for 6 nights) = 1,966.98 USD ≈ 1,966.98 USD

    Dated room price for 6 nights, 10–16 November 2026, for two adults. Room type, board and cancellation terms were not fully shown. Not a checkout quote.

  • Crowne Plaza HY36 Midtown Manhattan by IHG — estimated supplier taxes, counted once

    1 × 311.1 USD (full stay tax estimate) = 311.1 USD ≈ 311.10 USD

    Nightly supplier tax fields multiplied by the nights, counted once. No extra generic tax is added.

  • Subway and local bus, rolling seven-day fare cap

    2 × 35 USD (adult rolling seven-day cap) = 70 USD ≈ 70.00 USD

    USD 35 cap per adult per payment card or phone over a rolling seven days.

  • JFK AirTrain, both ways (paid separately per adult)

    4 × 8.75 USD (adult one-way journey) = 35 USD ≈ 35.00 USD

    USD 8.75 per adult each way, paid separately. Paying for both adults with one card within five minutes can cost USD 13.25 each way (saving USD 8.50 over the trip); each adult still needs their own card or phone for the subway cap.

  • Metropolitan Museum admission

    2 × 30 USD (adult visit) = 60 USD ≈ 60.00 USD

  • Breakfast allowance

    14 × 18 USD (adult meal) = 252 USD ≈ 252.00 USD

    Food bought independently; no hotel meal plan is assumed.

  • Lunch allowance

    14 × 25 USD (adult meal) = 350 USD ≈ 350.00 USD

    Food bought independently; no hotel meal plan is assumed.

  • Dinner allowance

    14 × 45 USD (adult meal) = 630 USD ≈ 630.00 USD

    Food bought independently; no hotel meal plan is assumed.

  • Coffee allowance

    14 × 7 USD (cup) = 98 USD ≈ 98.00 USD

    Food bought independently; no hotel meal plan is assumed.

  • Drinking water

    0 × 0 USD (refill owned bottle where potable) = 0 USD ≈ 0.00 USD

    Tap-water refills assumed, so no bottled water is bought; adjust for your own needs.

Hotel-led tier with the listed food and transport basket. A dated example, not an annual price range or a live quote; hotel board terms were not shown.

Premium · Example A

Total for two adults

5,506.22 USD

393.30 USD per person per ground day

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  • PUBLIC Hotel — room rate for 6 nights

    1 × 3,965.28 USD (one room for 6 nights) = 3,965.28 USD ≈ 3,965.28 USD

    Dated room price for 6 nights, 10–16 November 2026, for two adults. Room type, board and cancellation terms were not fully shown. Not a checkout quote.

  • PUBLIC Hotel — estimated supplier taxes, counted once

    1 × 605.94 USD (full stay tax estimate) = 605.94 USD ≈ 605.94 USD

    Nightly supplier tax fields multiplied by the nights, counted once. No extra generic tax is added.

  • Subway and local bus, rolling seven-day fare cap

    2 × 35 USD (adult rolling seven-day cap) = 70 USD ≈ 70.00 USD

    USD 35 cap per adult per payment card or phone over a rolling seven days.

  • JFK AirTrain, both ways (paid separately per adult)

    4 × 8.75 USD (adult one-way journey) = 35 USD ≈ 35.00 USD

    USD 8.75 per adult each way, paid separately. Paying for both adults with one card within five minutes can cost USD 13.25 each way (saving USD 8.50 over the trip); each adult still needs their own card or phone for the subway cap.

  • Metropolitan Museum admission

    2 × 30 USD (adult visit) = 60 USD ≈ 60.00 USD

  • Breakfast allowance

    14 × 9 USD (adult meal) = 126 USD ≈ 126.00 USD

    Food bought independently; no hotel meal plan is assumed.

  • Lunch allowance

    14 × 13 USD (adult meal) = 182 USD ≈ 182.00 USD

    Food bought independently; no hotel meal plan is assumed.

  • Dinner allowance

    14 × 26 USD (adult meal) = 364 USD ≈ 364.00 USD

    Food bought independently; no hotel meal plan is assumed.

  • Coffee allowance

    14 × 7 USD (cup) = 98 USD ≈ 98.00 USD

    Food bought independently; no hotel meal plan is assumed.

  • Drinking water

    0 × 0 USD (refill owned bottle where potable) = 0 USD ≈ 0.00 USD

    Tap-water refills assumed, so no bottled water is bought; adjust for your own needs.

Hotel-led tier with the listed food and transport basket. A dated example, not an annual price range or a live quote; hotel board terms were not shown.

Premium · Example B

Total for two adults

6,066.22 USD

433.30 USD per person per ground day

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  • PUBLIC Hotel — room rate for 6 nights

    1 × 3,965.28 USD (one room for 6 nights) = 3,965.28 USD ≈ 3,965.28 USD

    Dated room price for 6 nights, 10–16 November 2026, for two adults. Room type, board and cancellation terms were not fully shown. Not a checkout quote.

  • PUBLIC Hotel — estimated supplier taxes, counted once

    1 × 605.94 USD (full stay tax estimate) = 605.94 USD ≈ 605.94 USD

    Nightly supplier tax fields multiplied by the nights, counted once. No extra generic tax is added.

  • Subway and local bus, rolling seven-day fare cap

    2 × 35 USD (adult rolling seven-day cap) = 70 USD ≈ 70.00 USD

    USD 35 cap per adult per payment card or phone over a rolling seven days.

  • JFK AirTrain, both ways (paid separately per adult)

    4 × 8.75 USD (adult one-way journey) = 35 USD ≈ 35.00 USD

    USD 8.75 per adult each way, paid separately. Paying for both adults with one card within five minutes can cost USD 13.25 each way (saving USD 8.50 over the trip); each adult still needs their own card or phone for the subway cap.

  • Metropolitan Museum admission

    2 × 30 USD (adult visit) = 60 USD ≈ 60.00 USD

  • Breakfast allowance

    14 × 18 USD (adult meal) = 252 USD ≈ 252.00 USD

    Food bought independently; no hotel meal plan is assumed.

  • Lunch allowance

    14 × 25 USD (adult meal) = 350 USD ≈ 350.00 USD

    Food bought independently; no hotel meal plan is assumed.

  • Dinner allowance

    14 × 45 USD (adult meal) = 630 USD ≈ 630.00 USD

    Food bought independently; no hotel meal plan is assumed.

  • Coffee allowance

    14 × 7 USD (cup) = 98 USD ≈ 98.00 USD

    Food bought independently; no hotel meal plan is assumed.

  • Drinking water

    0 × 0 USD (refill owned bottle where potable) = 0 USD ≈ 0.00 USD

    Tap-water refills assumed, so no bottled water is bought; adjust for your own needs.

Hotel-led tier with the listed food and transport basket. A dated example, not an annual price range or a live quote; hotel board terms were not shown.

Not included: Travel outside the selected scope, International flights, Automatic contingency buffer (none applied), Visa, optional personal travel insurance and shopping

Reference exchange rates dated 2026-09-29: 1 EUR = 1.1355 USD. Your card rate at payment may differ.

Rate source as recorded in the research: ECB reference 29 September 2026: EUR 1=USD 1.1355. Dated USD hotel/food observations remain USD; not converted again. Bank/card spreads excluded.

Practical notes

Use JFK AirTrain to Jamaica or Howard Beach, then the subway. Each adult uses a separate payment card/device consistently for the USD 35 rolling seven-day subway/local-bus cap. AirTrain is separate: four one-way adult journeys at USD 8.75. No LIRR, taxi or second subway airport fare is added. The Met standard adult admission is USD 30; free parks and independent district walks fill other days. Trips to Boston or Washington and Amtrak travel are outside this city budget.

Limits of these examples

Covers a Manhattan-based city week only. Each adult needs their own card or phone for the subway fare cap; the AirTrain is paid separately per adult, which is valid but not the cheapest way to pay. Hotel prices are dated search observations for 10–16 November 2026, not checkout quotes: room, bedding, meal and cancellation terms were not fully shown, and the sampled hotel is not necessarily the cheapest available. Food is a planning allowance, not a menu. Flights, visas, optional personal travel insurance and shopping are excluded. Exchange rates are dated references; recheck prices before booking.

Cost sources (8)

Compiled and totalled by My Travel Choices (MTC) from the dated sources credited with each example. Research estimates, not bookable offers. How we build these examples · Cite this guide

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