Cheap Hotels in New York: Where to Sleep Without Overpaying

Yes, there are cheap hotels in New York, even though it's the second most expensive city in the United States. You just need an open mind, a willingness to leave Manhattan, and above all, plenty of advance planning.

Here are my tips for finding cheap places to stay:

1. Go for hostels if you're traveling solo

If you're traveling solo, go for hostels: if you can handle sharing a room with people from all over the world, you can pay as little as $50 a night. Sometimes the only difference between hostels and the cheapest hotels in New York is that you'll have to share a bathroom, and that's if you book a private room.

The cheapest option is sleeping in shared rooms. It's a great adventure and a good way to meet people XD

Here's a list of recommended hostels in Manhattan.

Check out these hostels in Brooklyn, cheaper and in seriously cool neighborhoods.

2. Rent an apartment if there are several of you

If you're traveling as a group, rent an apartment and do the math. You might be surprised. You can get better prices than at many of the cheap hotels in New York.

Apartments are increasingly the most affordable way to sleep in New York.

Airbnb in New York

Airbnb is very popular in New York and completely legal (they pay taxes).

The platform connects you with New Yorkers renting out anything from a couch in their living room to a bedroom or even a whole apartment.

Read more about Airbnb in New York to see if it works for you. If you look outside Manhattan you'll find excellent prices. The key is being close to a subway station, because from there you can get anywhere.

3. Sleep in Brooklyn or Queens

Book hotels in Brooklyn or Queens. Get out of Manhattan! The subway goes everywhere and runs 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

All of New York's boroughs are connected by the subway (except Staten Island).

If you're traveling as a couple, with friends or as a family, you'll find much cheaper rooms where you'll pay less than $50 per person per night.

4. Book in advance

Book your New York accommodation early. None of what I've told you will work if you leave everything to the last minute.

The cheapest options are scarce in this city, so to land one you'll need to plan your trip well in advance (6 months is ideal).

5. Travel in low season

If you're flexible with your dates, you'll notice how hotel prices drop significantly during the city's low season months.

For example in October or November, when fall has already started but the cold is still bearable.

If you're braver and you like the cold, you'll find the lowest rates of the year in January and February.

Recommended hotels in New York

Still haven't found your ideal hotel? To help you out, we've put together other hotel lists for different budgets and interests:

• 3-star hotels in New York that are perfectly decent, well priced and well located.
• 4-star hotels in New York, comfort at reasonable prices.
• 5-star hotels in New York, for special occasions and treating yourself.
• Family hotels in New York, room for everyone at a good price!
• New York hotels with breakfast included, because not every hotel includes it!
• Hotels with kitchens in New York, it's amazing how much they help stretch your budget.
• Modern hotels in New York, at the cutting edge of design and technology.
• Hotels with views in New York, the kind where you wake up and go to bed with New York in your window.
• Hotels with jacuzzis in New York, planning a romantic getaway?
• Hotels for couples in New York, on your honeymoon or celebrating something special?
• Boutique hotels in New York, unique stays in historic or renovated buildings.
• Hotels in Manhattan at the best prices possible (Manhattan is expensive!)
• Hotels in Chelsea, a neighborhood full of nightlife, art and great food.
• Hotels in Times Square, right in the middle of all the action and the lights of Manhattan.
• Spanish hotels in New York, with the quality of well-known chains and no language barrier.

More tips for saving money

So there you go: if you dream of traveling to New York, don't put it off. Learn a few money-saving tricks and you'll see it really is within reach.