New York essentials

Entry: visas and ESTA

Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries, including the UK and most EU countries, can visit the United States for up to 90 days without a visa but must have an approved ESTA before they travel. Apply only on the official site, esta.cbp.dhs.gov; other sites charge extra. Everyone else needs a visa. Rules change, so check the US government’s official pages before you book.

Money, prices and tipping

The currency is the US dollar. Cards, including contactless and phone payments, are accepted almost everywhere. Prices in shops and restaurants usually exclude sales tax, which is added at the till. Tipping is expected: 18–20% of the bill at table-service restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, and something for hotel staff and drivers.

Arriving and getting around

From JFK, AirTrain JFK ($8.75) links the terminals to the subway and the Long Island Rail Road; a yellow taxi to Manhattan is a flat $70 plus surcharges. From Newark, AirTrain Newark ($8.75) connects to NJ Transit and Amtrak trains to Penn Station. From LaGuardia, the Q70 LaGuardia Link bus runs to the subway at Jackson Heights.

In the city, a subway or local bus ride costs $3; tap a contactless card, phone or OMNY card, and after $35 in seven days the rest of the week is free on the same card. The subway runs 24 hours a day.

Getting around New York →

Staying safe

New York is a big, busy city: keep an eye on your phone and bag in crowds, use licensed yellow or green taxis or an app, and ignore anyone selling tickets for the Staten Island Ferry, which charges no fare. In an emergency, call 911.

Health and insurance

Medical care in the US is excellent but expensive: make sure your travel insurance covers medical treatment. For minor problems, walk-in urgent-care centres are quicker than an emergency department. In an emergency, call 911.

Hospitals and urgent care →

Questions and answers