Quick answer: a weekend in New York costs about £660–£1,230 per person for two nights, with return flights from the UK and a mid-range hotel room shared between two.
Cite this page: Atravel.uk, “What a weekend in New York costs”, updated 12 November 2026. https://atravel.uk/weekend-cost/new-york/
Two nights is short for New York — most people go for four. The table below still shows a two-night stay so it compares with the city breaks; multiply the hotel and food lines if you stay longer.
What a weekend costs, line by line
| Item | Per person | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Return flights from the UK | £380–£750 | 60% |
| Two nights, per person (sharing) | £180–£320 | 26% |
| Food and drink, two days | £60–£95 | 8% |
| Local transport | £12–£20 | 2% |
| One paid attraction | £30–£45 | 4% |
Total per person: £660–£1,230
Compiled 2026-11-12 from our own partner searches. Mid-range, not budget and not luxury.
Where the money goes
Flights and the room take most of it: return flights from the uk and two nights, per person (sharing) are the two lines with the widest spread, which is also where you have the most room to move. Booking six to eight weeks out, and avoiding a Friday departure, usually does more than switching hotels.
How to spend less
- If the dates are yours, travel midweek: it is the cheapest window of the week.
- A street back from the main square or seafront, same city, 20–30% less on the room.
- Book one paid attraction, not three. Central Park on foot from the Reservoir to Bethesda Terrace is the one most people would keep.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a weekend in New York?
Budget £660–£1,230 per person for two nights, including return flights, a mid-range hotel room shared between two, food, local transport and one paid attraction.
What is the cheapest part of a weekend in New York?
Air fares flex more than room rates do, so try a week either side first. New York hotel prices move less than air fares outside peak dates.
Does this include spending money?
The figure includes meals, local transport and one paid attraction. Shopping, after-dinner drinks, insurance and airport parking are not.