New York: Journey through the world-city

Documents and visa

To travel to New York, you will need a valid biometric or electronic passport and a travel authorisation called the ESTA. This authorization concerns all travelers, including minors, and must be requested at least three days in advance. The ESTA costs £12 and is valid for two years or until the passport expires. Please note that the USA requires an individual passport regardless of age. Be careful, there are many ESTA scams out there, so only get it from the official website!

If your country of residence is not listed on the Visa Waiver Program or if you are staying in the US for more than 90 days, you will need a tourist visa which costs £130.

Money

The currency is the US dollar. There are exchange offices everywhere, but beware, rates are higher in airports than in the city center. We’ll give you a tip: change your currency at home to benefit from a better exchange rate and prefer small denominations for tips. There are also ATMs throughout the city, but beware of commissions. New Yorkers pay for everything by credit card as it is the easiest solution, but check with your bank beforehand to avoid bank charges.

The prices charged in restaurants, taxis, hotels and shops may seem fairly affordable at first, but that's because they don't include taxes (14.75% in hotels and 8.875% in other sectors) or tips (minimum 10% of the bill, but more like 15 or 20% if you've appreciated the service). Finally, New York is a rather expensive city. A word of advice: book your accommodation several months in advance on Booking.com to get the best rates.

Electricity

The standard in the USA is 110V 60Hz, whereas it is 240v in the UK, which means an adapter is required.

Visits

As with everything else, the price of monuments and activities in New York can be quite high. A number of passes offer preferential prices on visits that are more or less unmissable. The New York CityPASS costs £106, is valid for 9 days and allows you to visit 5 of a selection of New York's most emblematic sites. GoCity's Explorer Pass allows you to visit 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 iconic sites over 60 days for just £59. In the same vein, there's also the New York Sightseeing Day Pass, from £29 per day, which also includes the Hop-On Hop-Off bus.

Best time of year

The best time to visit New York is in spring, from mid-April onwards, as the temperatures are very mild, so it is perfect for walking through the avenues or picnicking in Central Park. However, in winter, the city is illuminated with the finest Christmas lights and decorations, making it well worth braving the cold. Autumn can also be very pleasant, but you should try to avoid summer as it can be very hot.

Safety

New York is a pretty safe city, but like all big cities it has its share of scams and small-time crooks, so be careful with your belongings and stay alert. Be careful with your belongings and stay alert. Avoid hanging out late at night in the party areas and in the Bronx, and remember that the emergency number is 911.