When is it cheapest to visit New York?

New York is cheapest to visit in January and February.

Peak season is June, July, August, and December, when rooms cost the most.

New York seasons and room prices

New York hotel rates are highest from September through early December, when Fashion Week, the United Nations General Assembly, the New York City Marathon in early November, Thanksgiving and the run up to Christmas keep demand strong, and New Year's Eve is the single most expensive night. The cheapest stretch is January through early March, once the holiday crowds leave and the weather turns cold, and the same room can fall by close to half from its autumn rate. July and August are hot and humid and sit below autumn on price, while the February Fashion Week gives a short bump. Sunday to Thursday nights are usually cheaper than Friday and Saturday in Midtown, while Financial District hotels drop on weekends.

New York local costs and payment

The currency is the US dollar and New York runs on contactless cards, right down to the subway turnstiles, so cash is only needed for tips and street vendors. Hotel bills carry state and city sales tax, the city hotel occupancy tax and a small flat charge per room per night, which together add close to 15 percent plus a few dollars a night. On top of that, many Manhattan hotels charge a destination or facility fee per night at check in. Booking sites rarely include all of these in the headline total, so the real cost is noticeably higher than the number on the search page. At checkout choose to pay in dollars rather than your home currency.