New York City trip planning

A short New York trip goes better when a few decisions are made before the plane lands: how you get from the airport to the hotel, which part of the city each day belongs to, and which tickets have to be bought ahead. The pages below answer those questions directly, with the fares and ticket rules we found on official sites on October 7, 2026. Operators change their prices often, so every page links to its sources.

Getting around after you arrive

The subway is the default for visitors. Tap a contactless card, a phone or an OMNY card at the turnstile and you pay $3 each time you enter the system, however far you ride. [1][2]

Two of the city's best views cost nothing. The Staten Island Ferry runs between Lower Manhattan and Staten Island every day without a fare, and the Brooklyn Bridge's pedestrian promenade is open at all times, though repair work sometimes narrows parts of it. [3][4]

Where the Frommer's guide fits

You can act on these pages without buying anything. A guidebook earns its place when you want the next layer down: maps you can carry, hotel and restaurant picks, and walks with some history attached. The guide we link here is Frommer's New York City 2026 by Pauline Frommer. Its publisher says it includes: [5]

• Itineraries for families, honeymoons and short stays. [5]
• Maps marked with subway stops, a dedicated subway map and a fold-out map. [5]
• Advice on which observation deck to choose and how to get around the surge pricing at many top sights. [5]
• Self-guided walking tours with historical commentary and maps. [5]
• Picks in every price category, with the publisher's statement that no entity paid to be included. [5]

One caution about that list. The publisher also promises "exact pricing" for hotels, restaurants and attractions. A printed price is a snapshot from the research period, and several big attractions now price tickets by entry time. Use the book to decide what to do and the operator's website to see what it costs today. [5][6]

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