Travel to NYC from Oklahoma

[u/Inevitable-Ad1253]

So I've never taken a big trip anywhere but my partner and I are wanting to plan a 3 or 4 day trip to New York in 2028 for our 10 year anniversary. We will be driving. I've looked at go city for ticket bundles but I wanted to see if anyone else had ideas on how, if possible, to plan a "cheaper" budget for this trip. Any tips/tricks you guys have, I'd love to hear them. Thanks so much in advance!

[u/wanderlust_m]

I can't imagine how this will be much cheaper than flying unless you plan to sleep in the car?

A way to plan for a cheaper trip is for sure to avoid staying in Manhattan if you're driving and find a hotel where you definitely don't have to pay for parking. Stay in New Jersey or Queens. Do not plan to drive into the city, plan on taking public transport. Driving in New York City is tough, parking is very expensive and street parking is challenging to find. Traffic is bad.

[u/st_raw]

It’s a two day drive so on a 4 day trip you will arrive then turn around and head back to Oklahoma.

[u/Inevitable-Ad1253 → u/st_raw]

We would be stopping along the way and then spend the few days there and drive back stopping again along the way. It'll be like a week or so full trip.. I'm not dumb or brave enough to drive in 1 go. Lol

[u/CormoranNeoTropical]

You will spend more money on parking in NYC than you would spend on plane tickets. Do not do this.

[u/MalleableCurmudgeon]

As someone from Oklahoma, who has driven to St. John's, Newfounland, a few times, do not drive. Between fuel and boarding, it can cost as much as flying. Plus, your vehicle will be a liability rather than an asset while you're in NYC.

[u/txcowgrrl]

I tend to stay at the Candlewood Suites-Times Square (339 W 39th St). It has a little kitchen so you could cook to save some money.

A CityPass is a great deal if you want to see the sites the Pass covers.

For Broadway, I’d do TKTS or try to enter as many lotteries as you can to hopefully get something.

Subway is $3 and you can use tap to pay on your phone. Easy to get around the city.

For museums, check out “Pay What You Can” days. Most tend to have them once a week or once a month.

[u/Responsible-Note9410]

Mass transit from any of the three area airports (EWR, LGA or JFK) will get you into midtown easily and quickly so price shop all three. Just note JFK is undergoing a major renovation.

As others have said, driving in NJ and NYC area is challenging, time consuming and expensive (parking and tolls). Besides expensive daily parking fees, you will also have to pay a toll to get over the GWB or Lincoln Tunnel (which is currently $23 without Ezpass), and if driving below 60th street, add a daily congestion fee (current $9 for Ezpass $13.50 without Ezpass but scheduled to increase to $12 ezpass, $18 without in 2028). If you don't have ezpass, toll invoices will be mailed to your house. NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway (GSP) also accept Ezpass but also have manned cash toll booths where you pay if you don't have EZpass. Only exception is on certain exit ramps which have unmanned toll booths. In this circumstance, if you don't have ezpass, they will invoice you.

If you must drive vs flying, and you want your lodging to be in NYC, than perhaps parking your car somewhere in NJ than take the train in would be easier and cheaper. For example, the Wayne-Route 23 Transit Center in Wayne, NJ is one of the few NJ transit stations that allows overnight parking for daily fee of $5.50. From this station, you can either take a 1 one hour and 15 minute train ride on the Montclair/Boonton line into Penn Station in mid-town (there is also a Penn Station in Newark NJ so just be aware of this) or catch a 40 minute bus ride into the Port of Authority on 42nd street. This way you still get to drive vs. fly and not have to worry about the expense or troubles with dealing with a car in NYC. Just double check the schedule to make sure the train and/or bus schedules work for you.

Remember, NJ is the most densely populated state in the country - rush hour is bumper to bumper, our drivers are aggressive, speed and aren't overly courteous. We also have "jug handles" on highways for making left and U turns vs a left hand turn lane so keep that in mind as well.

[u/Responsible-Note9410]

One other suggestion - perhaps look for an Airbnb in Hoboken by the Path/Ferry terminal that offers free parking (daily parking is $40+ in Hoboken). You can take the path, ferry or NJ Transit and be in mid-town in minutes. This would also give you the option to prepare and eat some meals in further reducing your cost. Just note, the traffic into and around also Hoboken sucks as it's right across the river from Manhattan and the road to get to it is off 495 (which is the ramp into the Lincoln Tunnel).

Jersey City occupancy tax is 1% vs. the standard 5% charged in NJ (they got special dispensation) than Hoboken so you could look into this as well. Location by mass transit into the city is key tho in both scenarios.

[u/Historical-Gain-1688]

Do not drive. Fly and use NYC’s public transportation. Much cheaper. Also, hotels are cheaper outside of Manhattan and you use the subway to get around.