New York on a budget: how much to plan?
On the tightest budget, a week for two in New York comes to about €3,843 from London, or €1,922 per person, safety margin included: leaving in January or February, by plane, at the “Essential” comfort level. That's €1,717 less than the typical trip (€5,560).
€3,843
A week for two, or €1,922 per person, from London.
- €80
- a day per person there
- €160
- a night, double room
- ≈ 11 hr
- door to door, one way
What brings the bill down
From the typical trip (€5,560) to the tightest budget (€3,843), here is what changes.
- Essential comfort−€627
- The app's “Essential” level: simple, practical and budget-minded, for where you sleep and for your days there.
- The month you leave−€1,312
- Leaving in January or February rather than in July or August, the dearest months, at the same comfort level.
The breakdown, line by line
| Return travel, for twoFlight LHR → LGA · ≈ 11 hr door to door | €1,430 |
|---|---|
| Accommodation, 6 nights | €968 |
| Food, for two | €630 |
| Sightseeing and activities | €360 |
| Local transport and extras | €105 |
| Safety margin | €350 |
| Cautious cost, margin included | €3,843 |
How this price is worked out
This is the Eparvia app's calculation, for two adults, 7 days and 6 nights from London, at the “Essential” comfort level, worked out again for each of the next twelve months with the cheapest way to travel (plane, train, or coach when the trip takes 10 hours or less). Accommodation and meals follow the official French civil-service travel allowance scale, converted at ECB rates of 18 September 2026 and adjusted to a leisure trip; school holidays push travel prices up. A safety margin is added to the total. The official scale on Légifrance (in French)
The price month by month
A week for two at the “Essential” comfort level, with the month's cheapest way to travel, margin included. Worked out month by month, school holidays included.
How much to put aside?
To put together €3,843 from scratch:
- €641a month, for 6 months
- €427a month, for 9 months
- €321a month, for 12 months
With savings already set aside, the effort drops accordingly. The Eparvia app does this sum with your savings, your date and your departure city, then reminds you of your deposit every month.
Plan my trip: New YorkFree, no account, on iPhone and Android.
Your questions.
How to visit New York on a budget? On the tightest budget, allow about €3,843 for a week for two in New York from London, or €1,922 per person, safety margin included: at the “Essential” comfort level, by plane, in January or February. It's a careful estimate, never a guaranteed price.
What is the cheapest month to visit New York? According to Eparvia's calculation, January or February are the cheapest months: about €3,843 for a week for two on the tightest budget, against €5,155 in July or August, the dearest months.
How much is a day in New York on a budget? On the ground, allow about €80 per person per day (meals, visits and local transport), and €160 a night for a double room at the “Essential” comfort level.
How much should I save each month for a trip to New York? To put €3,843 aside from scratch: €641 a month for 6 months, €427 a month for 9 months or €321 a month for 12 months.
More destinations on a budget
Boston
Montreal
Reykjavík
Cusco & Machu PicchuAnd with your own savings?
These figures describe a typical trip. Eparvia works the other way round from a comparison site: you say what you set aside, where from and when you want to leave, and the app works out your budget at departure, then only suggests trips that genuinely fit inside it — New York included, if the figures allow.
What the app does, and the other apps worth having for a trip.
I'll show you where your savings can take you.
I'll tell you if this trip fits your savings, and when.
So, where are we going?
Plan my trip: New YorkFind where to goFree, no account, on iPhone and Android.