New York City flights and travel guide

Every traveller returning from flights to New York will come home with a different experience – be it a cultural awakening or a gratifying shopping trip. The city is home to iconic US landmarks including the Statue of Liberty as well as quintessential New York attractions: Central Park, Fifth Avenue and Times Square. But beyond these must-sees listed in every tourist’s guidebook, the city exudes an aura that combines depth, wisdom and irresistible charm.

Getting to know New York can seem rather daunting to the first-time visitor. The boisterous neighbourhoods are filled with Wall Street businessmen fighting over cabs, truck drivers yelling at cyclists and dogs barking at cats. Give the city a chance to warm up to you and you’ll soon find yourself silently humming “New York, New York”.

After alighting from New York flights, many travellers begin to explore the city with a stroll through Central Park, or a horse-drawn carriage ride around it. From there it’s a short walk down to the shopping mecca of the world: Fifth Avenue, home of some of the country’s premier designer shops. After some serious window shopping head to SoHo where funky boutiques, hip cafes and art galleries line the streets.

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New York City Climate

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When to Fly to New York City

Peak season:
October - December: Autumn marks the beginning of the cultural season – theatre, ballet, and opera are in full swing. The subsequent rush results in higher prices for flights to New York City, hotels, and everything else. But the excitement is electric.

Shoulder season:
April - September: The climate is great during these months, which draws hordes of tourists, but great deals on flights and hotels are available. During the summer there are many free outdoor entertainment opportunities.

Low season:
January - March: New York winters are very cold and windy. The good news is that, other than Valentine’s Day, this is the most affordable time to fly to New York and get a good hotel deal.

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Getting Downtown New York City

New York La Guardia (LGA)
Distance: eight miles east of New York City
Drive time: 20-30 mins

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Getting Around New York City

Getting around New York City is relatively easy – there are thousands of buses, taxis and limousines, and the New York subway system is easy to follow. Buses are frequent and easy to find – you’re never further than a few blocks from a bus stop. The famous yellow New York taxis can be hailed on the street or picked up at taxi stands. All taxis are charged on the meter. The subways are perhaps the easiest way to get around – they are fast and convenient and run 24 hours a day. When booking a New York flight and hotel, check to see if airport shuttles are available to help ease the confusion of taxis and buses.

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New York City Insider Information

• Central Park is a must visit on any stop in town. Go to the zoo, watch or play sport, go swimming or watch an performance at the open-air theatre in the summer months.
• Stop by Katz Deli where the movie When Harry Met Sally was filmed and shock your friends back home with a photo of you sitting under the sign: "Where Harry met Sally...hope you have what she had!", referring to the best meal in New York of course.
• Shopping in New York is, of course, world-renowned. You can spend money everywhere from the biggest department stores in the world to tiny boutiques. If you're planning on buying electrical goods, however, be cautious. If you're in an electronics store, be on the lookout for scams – if a sales person starts by asking how long you're in town they might be ready to set you up for a scam. Look out for used goods sold as new or being encouraged to buy something more expensive than you wanted because what you ask for is "unavailable".
• If you want to catch a show on Broadway have a look at the listings in the New York Times on Friday or Sunday to find out what’s on where or have a look online at the official website for Broadway, www.livebroadway.com. You can get same-day tickets for shows from TKTS in Times Square and the South Street Seaport.
• Greenwich Village still has a name for being the arty and bohemian district, however, its popularity has led to such an increase in rents that it is now one of the most expensive parts of Manhattan. For a taste of where the artists and students really live, try instead the cafes, craft shops and vegetarian restaurants in the recently gentrified East Village.

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New York City Airports

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