NEW YORK: ALTERNATIVES TO EXPENSIVE MANHATTAN HOSTEL?

image via skift.com

Accommodation in New York is expensive. Although not as expensive as San Francisco, you still have to pay at least $50 for a hostel bunk bed. While staying in one of the most famous boutique hotels in New York is something I would like to do someday, let's stick to budget travelling for now... A smarter move is to stay out of midtown Manhattan.  Here are a few great choices:

1. Consider other borough of New York!

Hoboken, image via wikipedia

  

• Hoboken, Jersey City and Newark (PATH train takes you directly to Midtown)
• Queens (easy trip into Manhattan via subway)
• Brooklyn (connected to  Manhattan by the Brooklyn Bridge)
• If you don’t mind the distance to transfer, consider Staten Island! (Some hostel/hotels have their own free shuttle service to the port, where a free Ferry will take you to Manhattan.) 

2. Stay with Locals

Newyorkstay.com, Airbnb and Couchsurfing are a great choices if you are interested to see the city through the eyes of the locals (IF your host is friendly) . However, it is not easy to get a couchsurfing host in New York. Try anyway, who knows you are in luck!

Read more: The 10 Golden rules to safe on accommodation--booking.com? Airbnb? .

3. Stay with a Friend/Relative

Have a friend/ relative in town? Why not have a reunion? It's a win win situation.

4. Something Different

Ever thought of Camping out in Cental Park? No no, I am not saying that you should just pitch a tent in the Park, that's illegal. If you are looking for something different and you are feeling lucky, participate in the lottery for a near-to-nature program by the Urban Park Rangers. If you do get a spot, I bet that will be such a memorable experience.

5. Fresh Air

Image via Time Out New York

If you have a car, felling adventurous and do not mind the 40-60 minute drive into/out of New York City, check out these cool spots where you can sleep under the stars and cook over an open flame.... Crazy you say? Remember, YOLO....

• Floyd Bennett Field (Brooklyn:Gateway National Recreation Area )
• Fort Wadsworth (Staten Island)
• Harriman State Park (Bear Mountain Circle, Ramapo)

Read more: save on accomodation, stay like a local

Thank You for Reading! 

This post is based solely on my honest opinion or personal experience. 

 If you have more suggestions, feel free to share your thoughts with me by commenting below!