New York

About

New York City is a metropolis of 8.4 million people consisting of five boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, Staten Island). The island of Manhattan is known for its grid-plan street layout: avenues run north-south, alleys run east-west, and the numbering means "corner of 5th Avenue and 42nd Street" is a directive on its own. This structure makes the city readable even for first-time visitors.

Brooklyn and Queens have moved their cultural center of gravity out of Manhattan over the past two decades: art galleries, new restaurants, and much of the music scene are now on the east bank of the East River. What is asked of you is short: walk quickly, wait in line, leave your waiter a 20% tip — the rest will follow.

When to Go

• April–June: The most balanced window. 15-25°C, trees are green, outdoor activities begin.
• September–October: The second ideal season. The air is cool but bright, Central Park is bathed in autumn colours, the crowds have dispersed a bit after the summer aura.
• December: The holiday atmosphere is at its peak with the Rockefeller tree, Bryant Park market, window displays; but it is cold (-2 / +5°C) and the city is literally overflowing with crowds, hotel prices break records.
• July–August: Heat up to 32°C and high humidity are tiring. Air conditioning may not be enough in the subway; During this period, we recommend that you distribute your reservations between morning and evening hours.

Considering the time it takes to obtain a visa, start your application at least 12 months before travel.

How to get there

The most practical way from Türkiye to New York is Turkish Airlines' direct flights from Istanbul to JFK; Flight time is approximately 11–12 hours westbound, 9–10 hours eastbound. Pegasus does not have direct flights to New York; For the economical option, you can fly connecting via Lufthansa (FRA), KLM (AMS) or British Airways (LHR).

Three airports serve the city:

• JFK (John F. Kennedy): The main international gate is in Queens. AirTrain + LIRR to Manhattan 35 minutes (about $17), taxi flat rate $70 + bridge/tunnel + tip.
• LGA (LaGuardia): Domestic-dominated, closest to Manhattan (bus Q70-SBS + subway).
• EWR (Newark, New Jersey): Alternative used by some transatlantic flights; 30 minutes to Penn Station via AirTrain + NJ Transit.

We recommend that you purchase flight tickets at least 4-5 months in advance during the summer and December periods.

Urban Transportation

Subway operates 24/7 and is the fastest way to get around the city. MetroCard is being phased out by 2026; It is replaced by OMNY: just touch your credit card, phone or Apple/Google Pay to the turnstile. The one-trip fare is $2.90, with a weekly cap of around $34 — so rides remaining after a certain number of rides per week are considered free.

Taxis (yellow medallion) are fast at central points; Uber/Lyft, on the other hand, has more predictable prices, but becomes expensive with a "surge" during peak hours. Additional fees are considered normal on bridges and tunnels.

NYC Ferry system (Wall St – DUMBO – Williamsburg – Astoria) is a cheap alternative for both transportation and scenery. Citi Bike share bikes are reasonably priced with a day pass; It is only suitable for experienced drivers in Manhattan traffic.

Accommodation Regions

• Midtown Manhattan (Times Square, Herald Square): All major chain hotels are here. The location is very central but it is noisy at night and the prices are high. Practical for first time visitors.
• Lower East Side / East Village: Trendy, boutique hotels with lots of bars and restaurants, appealing to young people.
• Williamsburg / DUMBO (Brooklyn): Artistic, photogenic, more modern hotels; 15–20 minutes to Manhattan by subway or ferry.
• Upper West Side / Upper East Side: Quiet and classic around the museum line (Met, Natural History, Guggenheim). Ideal for families.
• Long Island City (Queens): One subway stop from Manhattan, prices are noticeably more reasonable.

Budget Plan (3 days)

New York is an expensive city; Hotel averages increased significantly, especially in the 2025–2026 period.

Style	Accommodation / day	Meal/day	Activity / day	3 days total (USD)
Economical	100–140 (hostel/Queens)	40	20	480–600
Medium	220–320 (3* Midtown)	90	60	1.110–1.410
Comfort	400–600 (4*)	150	100	1,950–2,550
Luxury	800+ (5* + fine dining)	350+	200+	4,350+

Flight and visa fees are separate. For museum + observation deck combinations, CityPASS or New York Pass may reduce the prices.

Practical Tips

• Tip is mandatory. 18-20% at the restaurant, 15% for taxi/Uber, 2-5 USD for the hotel doorman. If it is not automatically added to your account, be sure to add it.
• Download the MTA or Citymapper app for Subway; Lines change frequently at night, current route is important.
• TKTS booth for Broadway (Times Square, Lincoln Center, Brooklyn) sells same-day tickets at a 30–50% discount; Also popular shows have online "rush" and "lottery" systems.
• Take a water bottle with you: Water costs 3-5 USD outside the restaurant.
• Tax is not included in the price. Approximately 8.875% sales tax will be added to the price you see on the label at checkout.
• In case of emergency, call 911; Police visibility is high in tourist areas.

Travel Guide with Children

New York is a tiring but unforgettable experience for families with children. Central Park, world-class museums, Broadway shows and pizza — kids love this city. But it's crowded, noisy and walking intensive, so be prepared.

Recommendations by Age Group

• 0-3 years: Heckscher Playground in Central Park is huge and safe. The Met Museum can be visited with a stroller. But the metro is a nightmare with a stroller — elevators are rare and unreliable, buses or taxis are more practical.

• 4-7 years old: The American Museum of Natural History is the favorite of this age group with its dinosaur and space sections. Central Park Zoo is small but cute. The ferry tour to the Statue of Liberty is also exciting.

• 8-12 years old: Panorama from the Empire State Building or Top of the Rock, Intrepid submarine and aircraft carrier museum, Brooklyn Bridge walk affect this age group. Watching Lion King or Wicked on Broadway is unforgettable.

• Ages 13+: The energy of Times Square, the streets of SoHo and Greenwich Village, the Brooklyn Flea market and Coney Island attract young people. It is also possible to go to an NBA or NHL game.

Top 5 Kid-Friendly Activities

1. American Museum of Natural History — Dinosaur skeletons, ocean section, planetarium. Where the movie Night at the Museum was shot. Children get lost here for hours.

2. Central Park — Playgrounds, pond, bikes, carousel, and ice skating in the winter. An inexhaustible repository of activities for children.

3. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum — Museum on a real aircraft carrier. Space shuttle Enterprise, warplanes, submarine tour. It fascinates children.

4. Statue of Liberty + Ellis Island — The ferry tour begins with a view of Manhattan. The ascent to the statue crown is exciting for kids (age limit and advance ticket required).

5. Brooklyn Bridge Walk — 30-minute walk from Manhattan to Brooklyn. Children love the architectural details of the bridge and the view. Finish it off with ice cream in DUMBO.

Practical Information

• Baby stroller: Manhattan is flat but crowded. Elevators are rare on the subway (check on the MTA app), buses are more stroller-friendly. Baby strollers are no problem in museums.

• Kids menu: There is a kids menu in every restaurant. Pizza slice costs 3-5 USD at every corner. Kids will love New York pizza.

• Child ticket discounts: Subway under 44 inches (112 cm) free (with adult). Most museums have pay-what-you-wish. CityPASS saves money for the family.

• Toilet: Free in museums and shopping malls. It's hard to find on the streets — Starbucks or McDonalds are the most practical option.

Warnings

• You'll be walking a lot — dress kids in comfortable shoes and plan breaks.
• The subway is noisy, crowded and sometimes dirty — it can be stressful for sensitive children.
• In the winter months (December-February) the cold is harsh, it can reach -10°C due to the wind factor.
• Times Square is not suitable for going with children late at night.

Local Label / Culture Notes

New Yorkers value fast pace over politeness. Stopping suddenly while walking, taking photos in the middle of the sidewalk, or hesitating in front of the turnstile is frowned upon — pull over, think about it later. On escalators, the right side is for those standing and the left side is for those walking; If you break this rule, especially at subway stations, someone behind you will not hesitate to warn you.

The greeting is short and friendly: "Hi, how are you?" most of the time it's not a real question but a substitute for "hello"; "Good, thanks, you?" is sufficient response. "Have a good one" is a phrase you will often hear when saying goodbye. Do not skip thanking waiters and taxi drivers; As part of the tipping culture, the frequency of "thank you" is high.

FAQ

How many days are enough for New York? If you are coming for the first time, we recommend at least 4 full days. With 6-7 days, Brooklyn, Queens and daily surroundings (Washington DC, Boston or Niagara) can be added.

How long does it take to get a visa? The B1/B2 appointment waiting period in Türkiye varies between 6-12 months as of 2026. Some applications may be processed faster via Belgrade, Athens or Yerevan. Follow travel.state.gov for up-to-date times.

Is Subway safe at night? It is quite safe during the day; Caution is recommended on deserted lines late at night (especially after 01:00). When choosing a wagon, choose the crowded one, do not keep the phone open.

Can I go with ESTA? No. The USA is not included in the ESTA / visa waiver program for Türkiye; You must have a visa interview at the consulate.

In which season is the flight ticket cheapest? Late January – early March and early November (before Thanksgiving) are the most suitable periods. December and summer holiday peaks are always expensive.