Flights and hotels
New York city break: flights, hotels and where to stay
JFK or Newark, train or taxi, Manhattan or Brooklyn? How to plan flights and a hotel in New York, plus four hotels in four corners of the city.
Yellow cabs, steam rising from the manholes and a siren somewhere far away. New York is a longer trip than a European city break, but it pays off the moment you see Manhattan from the taxi window.
Here is what you need to book flights and a hotel in New York: which airport to choose, how to get into the city, when a package makes sense, and four hotels in four neighbourhoods.
The links to the hotels and trips are partner links. If you book through them, Picolo may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Flight and hotel together, or separately?
On a longer trip like New York, a package with flights and hotel can lower the total price and gives you one booking to keep track of. Booking separately lets you choose airline and times freely.
Book flight and hotel together: See New York holiday packages
Flights only: Search flights to New York
JFK or Newark?
Most flights from the UK land at JFK in Queens or Newark in New Jersey. The flight across the Atlantic from London takes around seven to eight hours.
JFK: the AirTrain runs to Jamaica, where you change to the subway or commuter rail into Manhattan.
Newark: the AirTrain runs to the rail station, where commuter trains take you to Penn Station in Midtown.
Taxi: yellow cabs charge a flat fare from JFK to Manhattan. Expect traffic at rush hour.
Remember you need an approved ESTA or a visa to enter the United States. Check the current rules well before you book.
Where to stay in New York
Midtown for Broadway and the big sights, the Lower East Side and Meatpacking for restaurants and nightlife, and Brooklyn for the view back towards Manhattan. All four hotels below are close to the subway.
PUBLIC
PUBLIC on the Lower East Side.
PUBLIC: the Lower East Side with a view
PUBLIC is Ian Schrager’s hotel on the Lower East Side, with a long escalator up into a lobby that feels like a garden. Around it are some of the city’s best brunch spots, delis and small bars.
From the rooftop bar you watch Manhattan light up, and SoHo and the East Village are within walking distance.
Book your stay: See rooms at PUBLIC
The Standard High Line
The Standard, above the High Line in the Meatpacking District.
The Standard High Line: the hotel that straddles the park
The Standard literally straddles the High Line, the old elevated railway turned park in the Meatpacking District. Floor to ceiling windows look over the Hudson River on one side and Manhattan on the other.
The Whitney Museum is a few minutes away, and you can walk the High Line north to Hudson Yards.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Standard High Line
Casablanca Hotel
Casablanca Hotel, a quiet corner by Times Square.
Casablanca Hotel: calm right by Times Square
Casablanca is a small hotel with a Moroccan feel, a few steps from Times Square. Coming in from the neon and the crowds feels like stepping into another city.
A good choice if you are seeing a Broadway show and want to walk home afterwards.
Book your stay: See rooms at Casablanca Hotel
The William Vale
The William Vale in Williamsburg.
The William Vale: the Manhattan view from Brooklyn
The William Vale towers over Williamsburg in Brooklyn, and from the rooms and rooftop bar you see the whole Manhattan skyline. Around it are breweries, vintage shops and restaurants that swing between hip and homely.
Choose Brooklyn when you have been to New York before and want to see the city from across the river.
Book your stay: See rooms at The William Vale
When should you book a New York city break?
December: book three to four months ahead. Christmas in New York fills the hotels, and prices are high.
Spring and autumn: the best months for walking. Book two to three months ahead.
January and February: cold, but often the lowest hotel prices of the year.
Frequently asked questions about New York city breaks
How long is the flight from London to New York?
A direct flight from London to New York takes around seven to eight hours, and the return is usually an hour or so shorter thanks to the jet stream.
Which New York airport is best?
JFK has the most routes from the UK and links to the subway via the AirTrain. Newark is often just as quick if you are staying in Midtown, because the commuter train runs straight to Penn Station.
Is it cheaper to book a New York flight and hotel together?
Often, because New York hotels are expensive and a package can lower the total price. Compare it with booking separately if you have a particular hotel in mind.
Where should I stay in New York for the first time?
For a first visit, Midtown and the area around Times Square are practical, as you can walk to many of the sights. For more of a neighbourhood feel, try the Lower East Side, Greenwich Village or Williamsburg in Brooklyn.
Do I need an ESTA to visit New York?
Yes, British citizens need an approved ESTA or a visa to enter the United States. Apply well before you travel and check the current rules with the US authorities.