Trip to New York

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• Traveling with kids? NoYes

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1. Sort out your visa or ESTA early

   Visa Waiver nationals just need an ESTA a couple of days ahead; everyone else needs a B1/B2 visa — interview slots in some countries take months. Check your country's wait times first thing.

2. Buy serious medical insurance

   US healthcare is ruinous: an ambulance costs thousands, a hospital night tens of thousands. Coverage of $100k+ isn't overkill, it's necessary.

3. Prepare cards and a little cash

   The city runs on cards. Keep a working credit card plus small-bill cash for tips, food trucks and the odd cash-only slice joint.

4. Budget for tips: 18–22%

   In restaurants and taxis tipping isn't optional — it's part of wages. Under 18% makes a statement; counter-service screens will prompt you anyway.

5. Remember: sales tax isn't on price tags

   Checkout adds ~8.9% tax on top of the sticker. Clothing and shoes under $110 are tax-exempt in NYC — a nice shopping bonus.

6. Set up tap-to-ride subway (OMNY)

   Just tap a contactless card or phone at the turnstile — no MetroCard needed. After enough rides in a week, the rest of that week rides free.

7. Learn express vs local trains

   The same line runs express and local trains: an express will sail past your stop. Check the circle/diamond on the bullet and listen to announcements.

8. Plan your airport transfer

   From JFK the cheap way is AirTrain + subway. Yellow cabs to Manhattan charge a flat rate plus tip — no surprises; rideshare prices surge with demand.

9. Pack a US plug adapter

   Type A/B sockets at 120V: European plugs need an adapter. Phone and laptop chargers handle the voltage on their own.

10. Arrange a US data eSIM

    Public wi-fi is patchy while navigation, transit and tickets live in your phone. A one-two week eSIM is cheap and installs before you fly.

11. Book observation decks ahead

    Summit, Edge, Top of the Rock, Empire State — sunset slots sell out days ahead and walk-up costs more. One sunset session gives you both day and night views.

12. Scout Broadway tickets

    The TKTS booth in Times Square sells same-day seats up to half off, and most shows run digital lotteries for a few dozen dollars. For the hottest musicals at full price, book ahead.

13. Plan days by neighborhood

    Manhattan is longer than it looks: plan one or two neighborhoods a day, not 'all of midtown'. The free Staten Island Ferry gives the best Statue of Liberty view for zero dollars.

14. Dress for the season

    Winter is windy and raw — hat and windproof jacket required; summer is humid 90°F heat with arctic AC indoors. Layers win.

15. Bring shoes for 20k steps

    New York is a walking city: museums, the High Line, the bridges. Broken-in sneakers matter more than anything else in your bag.

16. Know: tap water is drinkable

    NYC tap water is famously good. A refillable bottle saves real money — bottled water at kiosks adds up fast.

17. Make copies of your documents

    Photos of passport, visa/ESTA and insurance to the cloud; paper copies separate from originals.

18. Plan Central Park the kids' way Yes

    Zoo, carousel, rowboats and dozens of playgrounds — the park fills an entire kids' day. In summer pack swim gear: many playgrounds run sprinklers.

19. Visit the Natural History Museum Yes

    Dinosaurs, the blue whale and the planetarium — a guaranteed hit. Buy timed-entry tickets online to skip the sidewalk line.

20. Sort out the stroller question Yes

    The city is stroller-friendly, but not every subway station has an elevator — check accessibility in your maps app. A light folding stroller beats a bulky one.

21. Carry snacks and water for your kid Yes

    Distances are long, lines happen, and a hungry kid in the ferry queue is a natural disaster. A water bottle and snacks in the backpack save nerves and money.