New York City Flights and Travel Guide

The soaring city of steel and glass is a world city, up there with London and Sydney. Its five boroughs contain a world of entertainment, shopping, dining and cultural options. Its brashness, brilliance and bustle enthralls; no wonder 46 million visitors arrive on cheap flights to New York each year.

The landmarks - the Empire State Building, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Broadway are legendary, but there are more. Each borough - The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island - has its own histories, ethnicities and traditions, all waiting to be explored.

From the street food - hot dogs, grilled kebabs, knishes, Middle Eastern wraps, pretzels, and roasted chestnuts - to high-end dining, New York is a gourmet paradise. The food of each community that has made its way to New York can be found here. It's like eating your way around the world in one city.

The shopping is legendary too, from top-of-the-line Fifth Avenue, home to Tiffany & Co, Cartier and Chanel, to the more price-conscious Lower East Side. You may need to pack an extra bag for your flights home.

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New York City Climate

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When to Fly to New York City

Peak Season:
Fall (October-December) marks the start of the cultural season. Ballet, theatre, and opera are in full swing. Finding cheap flights to New York during these months might be tricky, but the atmosphere is electric.

Shoulder Season:
April to September is shoulder season. Temperatures are decent and there are several free outdoor entertainment opportunities.

Low Season:
The weeks following Christmas and New Years and up to March (excluding Valentine's Day in February) are low season.

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Getting Downtown New York City

New York La Guardia (LGA) (website: www.panynj.gov)
Distance: 12km east of New York City
Drive time: 20-30 mins.

New York John F. Kennedy International (JFK) (website: www.panynj.gov)
Distance: 19km south east of New York City
Drive time: 20-30 mins.

New York Newark Liberty International (EWR) (website: www.panynj.gov)
Distance: 26km south west of New York City
Drive time: 40-60 mins.

La Guardia is the closest airport in and is the favourite of most domestic business flyers. On a good day it only takes half an hour to get into town by yellow cab. JFK: The good news is that cab journeys into the centre of town are now a fixed fee, so you don't need to panic about being taken for a ride. Tip: Ask the driver to go across the Brooklyn Bridge for the full NY experience.

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Getting Around New York City

Once you've disembarked your cheap flights to New York, getting around is a breeze. It is a walkable city with a sensible grid pattern and walking is one of the best ways of seeing the different neighbourhoods.

There is an impressive transit system and renting a car is not as necessary as it would be in other destinations. As you'd expect, all the major national companies, and a few local ones, offer rentals.

The subways are fast and cheap and run 24 hours a day. The cost is $2 per ride, no matter how far or how many times you transfer (don’t pass through the turnstile gate; if you do, another fare must be paid).

MTA New York City Transit runs almost 5,000 air-conditioned and wheelchair-accessible buses throughout the City's five boroughs. Fares are $2 or $5 for express bus service.

The iconic yellow taxis can be hailed on the street or at taxi stands outside the major hotels and rail/bus stations. Fares start at $2.50 for the first 1/3 mile. Private car and limousine services are readily available. Budget about $60–$70/hour for a luxury sedan or $80–$100/hour for a stretch limousine.

Helicopter is an even splashier way of seeing the city. Several tours of the city are available and cost from $110 or so.

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New York City Insider Information

• Choose a window seat on your cheap flights to New York and you’ll be able to see the magnificent views of the New York skyline or the Statue of Liberty from 30,000 feet.
• Along with the must-see landmarks, carve out some time to visit the smaller ones. The Metropolitan Museum of Art should be a stop on every traveller's itinerary. It houses more than two million art works in 19 curatorial departments from ancient Egyptian artifacts to modern art. Don't forget the Frick Collection housed in the former home of Henry Clay Frick, a steel magnate. It has a wonderful collection of old master paintings. The Neue Galerie is also on Museum Mile. It houses early 20th century German and Austrian art.
• The Staten Island Ferry carries plies the waters between Staten Island and Manhattan more than 100 times a day. The 25-minute ride offers great views of New York Harbor with the Statue of Liberty and, best of all, it's free. Pick it up, on the Manhattan side, at Whitehall Terminal (South Ferry).
• For bargain Broadway shows, line up at one of the TKTS booths. Tickets for same-day shows are available at discounts of 25-50 per cent. There's also BroadwayBox.com. Before you leave Canada, visit the Web site, enter your dates and see what's available while you'll be in New York.
• The six-level observatory at the top of the Rockefeller Center, 260 metres above street level, offers panoramic views of the city. Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building are all before you. The timed-ticket system means wait times are short.

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New York City Airports

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